The most valuable areas for preservation of biodiversity in southern Sweden – woodliving beetles as guides to hot-spots

In Sweden a new red list was issued 2000, but there is no published list of the most important areas for biodiversity preservation. I use woodliving and red-listed beetles as indicators of “hot-spots” for biodiversity preservation, since these insects constitute a large proportion of the red-listed forest living species in Sweden. Based on museum and many large private collections of beetles from the last 50 years all 47 known areas with more than 30 red-listed woodliving beetles are listed (Tab. 1). Even in the most important areas threatened species are disappearing, which indicates that conservation measures are urgent at these places. Increase in number and survival rate of very old trees (>150 years) and large dead trees, especially of deciduous tree species, is highest priority. In some areas, especially the richest of all, the Hornsö/Allgunnen-forest, burning of forest stands must be resumed as soon as possible. The most valuable tree species for preservation of threatened species are deciduous trees, especially broad-leaved deciduous trees (Tab. 2). Oaks and beech are the most valuable species for threatened woodliving beetles. In southern Sweden only about 1 % of the productive forest area is strictly protected, but there are plans to extend this area up to about 5 % in the coming 10 years. I argue that the most cost-efficient measure is to concentrate these new areas to the identified hot-spots and their near surrounding