Rejuvenation and restoration measures foster specialised and threatened carabid beetle species in montane heathland ecosystems

Montane heathlands are among the most threatened semi-natural ecosystems across Central Europe. Nevertheless, empirical studies on effects of rejuvenation and restoration montane have been scarce thus far. The aim our study was to analyse long-term heathland carabid beetle assemblages. Our took place in Rothaar Mountains, one important strongholds We considered four different successional stages: (i) early-successional as a result measures (EARLY), (ii) restored (RESTORED), (iii) late-successional (LATE) (iv) windthrows (WIND). revealed that composition assemblages differed gradient. From earlier later stages, biomass, richness macropterous, species decreased, whereas moisture shading indicator values increased. number peaked EARLY RESTORED. Solely brachypterous had highest seral stages. Overall, fostered specialised heathlands. In contrast, two dense stages consisted mainly non-threatened habitat generalists. Vegetation structure interrelated microclimate assumed be key drivers assemblage composition. For conservation their assemblages, we recommend by sod cutting choppering mosaic-like manner at intervals clearly exceed more than decades.