The research in the strict forest reserves falls into the area Biodiversity and Ecosystems.
Prof. Dr. Steffen U. Pauls
Abteilungsleiter Terrestrische Zoologie | Sektionsleiter Entomologie III
Project
Hessische Naturwaldreservate – Zoological research in strict forest reserves in Hesse
Steven Kamenar
Strict forest reserves in Germany
Since the Year of Nature Conservation in 1970 the setup of strict forest reserves throughout Germany was intensified, to gain a spectrum of reserves, which allow an undisturbed development of forest communities and their investigation. In detail the following goals were aimed at:
- conservation, protection and re-establishment of natural forest communities, with their typical diversity of structures and species
- fundamental research on forest communities (soil, vegetation, structure, fauna)
- gaining reference areas for silviculture (deductions for comparable working forests, i.e. concerning regeneration and forest management)
- gaining reference areas for orientation by nature:
– in which the functioning of the ecosystem and the degree of disturbance compared to the forested land can be measured
– which can be used as benchmarks for assessments of environmental effects or for evaluation of habitats
– which can be used as calibration areas for forest site mappings
The position, tree species composition and size of all forest reserves in Hesse shows Hessen Forst.
Click here for an overview of all German forest reserves
Strict forest reserves in Hesse
Since 1988 strict forest reserves exist in Hesse. These are former working forests, which have been taken out of utilisation. Today 31 areas exist with a total size of 1228 ha (arithmetical mean: 39.6 ha, median: 30.3 ha, single areas: 7.7 ha–140.2 ha), which cover the spectrum of forest communities occurring in Hesse. They are also named “total reserves”. According to the character of Hesse, beech (Fagus sylvatica) is dominating most of the reserves. Besides beech pedunculate oak-, sessile oak-, pine- and spruce-forests are represented. For 22 of the total reserves an area for comparison was established – mostly immediately neighbouring, where silviculture is continued (in total 767.4 ha, arithmetical mean: 34.7 ha, median: 27.8 ha, single areas: 4.6 ha–113.3 ha). First goal of the research is to to inventory these forest areas as meaningful as possible, in which foresters, botanists and zoologists are involved. In the year 1990 the zoological research by Senckenberg started.
The position, tree species composition and size of all forest reserves in Hesse shows Hessen Forst.
Cooperation partners
Research is conducted in cooperation with and financially supported by “Landesbetrieb Hessen-Forst”.
Hessisches Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz
Lndesbetrieb Hessen Forst
Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt NW-FVA
Research
In each reserve in a 100×100 m grid circular sample plots with a radius of 17.84 m are established by the NW-FVA. Every 10-20 years a diverse set of parameters is assessed in these circles: orientation and inclination on the slope and position of the slope, forest types, all living and dead wood with a diameter of more than 7 cm to tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, trunk vegetation cover, damages. Ground vegetation is assessed at a subplot of 10×10 m. I In the southeastern corner of this subplot soil parameters (substrat, humus type, soil type) are documented. In a 5×5 m subplot the tree regeneration is identified (see Naturwaldreservate in Hesse, vol. 2). In future an area-wide habitat mapping und forest type mapping is conducted by external experts and the NW-FVA, which are important bases for the zoological studies.
In 1990 Senckenberg was commissioned to develop a concept for zoological studies. A comprehensive inventory of the fauna in the forest reserves should be achieved with reproducible methods. Via repeated studies the process of the succession in the long term should be documented as well in the total reserves as in the areas for comparison.
On the base of the area-wide habitat mapping und forest type mapping and own inspections by Senckenberg the positions of the traps are fixed. A broad spectrum of trap types (ca. 50 traps per total reserve/area for comparison), which representatively covers the species inventory of a large number of animal groups, is used per area continuously over two years (incl. two winters) and emptied monthly between March and November.
Additionally selective hand sampling, breeding bird mapping and light- and bait-trapping for macro moths is conducted. In the syntheses phase the trapped animals are sorted to animal order level, stored in a sample bank, distributed to external specialists, determined and the data are stored in a database.
These seven groups cover about 25 % of Germany’s species. Further groups are worked on, if possible, by volunteers. In this way Approximately 35 % of Germany’s fauna are studied on species level. For each reserve a detailed monograph is published in the journal “Naturwaldreservate in Hessen” and a brochure in the series “Hessische Naturwaldreservate im Portrait” is issued. In the monographs the biocoenoses are described by means of various ecological parameters (remarkable species, dominance, distribution, phenology, size classes, flight ability, habitat requirements, abiotic factors, nutrition). Also the fauna of the total reserve is contrasted with that of the area for comparison, the position of the animal group in the biocoenoses of the particular forest type is discussed as well as the importance for forestry and agriculture. When all reserves have been inventoried, in the next investigation period the first changes due to succession will be monitored. The project duration is not limited.
- 1990-1992: Niddahänge östlich Rudingshain (zoological monograph vol. 1, vol. 2, brochure)
- 1990-1992: Schönbuche (zoological monograph vol. 1, vol. 2, brochure)
- 1991-2001: Weiherskopf (monograph)
- 1994-1996: Goldbachs- und Ziebachsrück (zoological monograph vol. 1, vol. 2, brochure)
- 1994-1996: Hohestein (zoological monograph vol. 1, vol. 2, brochure)
- 1999-2001: Kinzigaue (zoological monograph vol. 1, vol. 2, brochure)
- 1999-2001: Hasenblick
- 2003-2005: Stirnberg
- 2007-2010: Locheiche
- 2012-2014: Hasenblick
The fauna of Central European beech forests is 3-4 times species richer than previously assumed and can support even in small areas (ca. 50 ha) 5000-6000 species.
- Additional species groups could be identified, which are important for forests, e. g. true bugs, bees, wasps and ants.
- Only the use of a broad spectrum of methods allows a representative assessment of the biocoenoses.
- Only the treatment of the fauna on species level depicts their role in the biocoenoses correctly and reveals conflictive trends between species or species groups.
- The documentation of zoologically relevant structures in forests and the alignment of faunistic assessments to these structures is essential to gain a representative picture of the biocoenoses. Even former working forests are structured too rich, to gain representative results via grid or random samples.
While analysing the fauna structure-complexes have to be considered. Numerous species can only exist, if in relatively short distances suitable habitats for nutrition, resting, nesting and overwintering are present.
When investigating communities of forested habitats, it is important to know about the affinity of different species to forests. In 2011, Schmidt et al. published a list of the forest affinities of German species of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens.
The first comparable lists of forest affinities of 11.883 animal species were published by experts on Crassiclitellata: Lumbricidae (earth worms), Araneae (spiders), Opiliones (harvestmen), Pseudoscorpiones (pseudoscorpions), Hemiptera: Heteroptera (tru bugs), Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera: Aculeata (bees, ants, stinging wasps), Lepidoptera: Macrolepidoptera (butterflies and moths) und Aves (birds) (Dorow et al. 2019).
Thus, the list comprises the forest affinities of about 25 % of the 48.000 animal species known from Germany, including the most important groups for forest research. Only about 38 % of the animal species with known forest affinity exclusively dwell in open habitats. 26.1 % mainly dwell in forests. 9.8 % prefer light forests, 0.9 % prefer closed forests, and for 15.4 % of the species no preference for light or closed forests is known. The remaining 35.0 % of the species mainly dwell outside of forests.
Collection
All catches from the reserves are sorted to the following animal groups and stored in a permanent sample base at Senckenberg:
Nematomorpha – horsehair worms
Nemathelminthes – aschelminths
Acari – mites and ticks
Collembola – springtails
Thysanoptera – thrips
Sternorrhyncha – aphids (excl. Psyllina)
Diptera – dipterans
Mollusca – molluscs
Annelida Oligochaeta Lumbricidae – earthworms*
Annelida – segmented worms: Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae + Polychaeta
Annelida Hirudinea – leeches*
Araneae – spiders*
Opiliones – harvestmen*
Pseudoscorpiones – pseudoscorpions*
Crustacea – crustaceans: Isopoda – woodlice*
Crustacea – crustaceans: aquatic crustaceans*
Myriapoda (Chilopoda, Diplopoda) – millepeds and centipeds
Archaeognatha – bristletails
Diplura – diplurans
Zygentoma – silverfishes
Ephemeroptera – day flies*
Odonata – dragonflies*
Plecoptera – stone flies*
Trichoptera – caddisflies*
Blattodea – cockroaches
Saltatoria – grasshoppers
Dermaptera – earwigs
Psocoptera – barklice*
Phthiraptera – flat lice
Heteroptera – true bugs*
Auchenorrhyncha – cicadas
Psyllina – psyllids*
Coleoptera – beetles*
Megaloptera – alderflies*
Neuroptera – neuropterans*
Raphidioptera – snakeflies*
Hymenoptera Symphyta – sawflies*
Hymenoptera Apocrita: Aculeata – bees, wasps and ants*
Hymenoptera Apocrita: “Parasitica”
Mecoptera – scorpion flies*
Siphonaptera – fleas*
Lepidoptera – butterflies and macro moths (Macrolepidoptera)*
Lepidoptera – micro moths (Microlepidoptera)
Amphibia – amphibians *
Reptilia – reptiles*
Aves – birds*
Mammalia – small mammals, incl. bats*
Mammalia – large mammals
All catches are available, mostly on animal order level, for further research, preserved in alcohol or (to a lower extent, according to the special mode of preparation of the single animal groups) as dry mounts. Per reserve 1 Mio animals were trapped on average.
* There are collaborators for the marked animal groups, but we are very interested to get further groups studied at species level. Specialists interested in these groups please contact us via: Angela.Roehner@senckenberg.de
Publications
SCHNEIDER, A.; BLICK, T.; PAULS, S. U.; DOROW, W. H. O. (2021) The list of forest affinities for animals in Central Europe – A valuable resource for ecological analysis and monitoring in forest animal communities? Forest Ecology and Management. 479 (118542): 1-8
HAGGE, J.; SCHMIDT, M.; AMMER, C.; DOROW, W. H. O.; KEYE, C.; PAULS, S. U.; ROSCHAK, C.; SCHNEIDER, A.; MEYER, P. (2021) Zielsetzungen und Anforderungen an ein bundesweites Insektenmonitoring in Wäldern. Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung: Zeitschrift für angewandte Ökologie. 53: 10-13
SCHNEIDER, A.; BLICK, T.; KÖHLER, F.; PAULS, S. U.; RÖMBKE, J.; ZUB, P.; DOROW, W. H. O. (2021) Animal diversity in beech forests – An analysis of 30 years of intense faunistic research in Hessian strict forest reserves. Forest Ecology and Management. 499 (119564)
Dorow, W. H. O. 2020 Was leisten Naturwald und Forstwirtschaft? – Artenschutz im Wirtschaftswald (Teil II). Forstliche Mitteilungen. 73/74(12/1): 10-13
Dorow, W. H. O. 2020 Was leisten Naturwald und Forstwirtschaft? – Naturschutz im Wald (Teil I). Forstliche Mitteilungen. 73(11): 14-17
Schneider, A.; Blick, T.; Pauls, S. U.; Dorow, W. H. O. 2020 The list of forest affinities for animals in Central Europe – A valuable resource for ecological analysis and monitoring in forest animal communities? Forest Ecology and Management. 479 (in press)
Schneider, A.; Dorow, W. H. O.; Köhler, F. 2020 Neu- und Wiederfunde von Käferarten (Coleoptera) für die hessische Fauna aus dem Naturwaldreservat Hasenblick. Hessische Faunistische Briefe. 38(1-3): 11-23
Schneider, A.; Hofmann, G. 2020 Erster Nachweis von Bisnius pseudoparcus (Brunne, 1976) und Orthoperus atomarius (Heer, 1841) für Hessen (Coleoptera: Corylophidae, Staphylinidae). Mitteilungen des Internationalen Entomologischen Vereins. 43 (3-4): 141-144
Schneider, A.; Dorow, W. H. O. 2020 Erstnachweis von Belonochilus numenius (Say, 1831) (Heteroptera; Orsillidae) für Hessen. Heteropteron. Mitteilungsblatt der Arbeitsgruppe Mitteleuropäischer Heteropterologen. 57: 17-19
Dorow, W. H. O. 2020 Naturschutz im Wald: Was leisten Naturwald und Forstwirtschaft? AFZ, der Wald. 13: 14-19
Dorow, W. H. O.; Blick, T.; Pauls, S. U.; Schneider, A. 2019 Zusammenfassende Auswertung der Waldbindung ausgewählter Tiergruppen Deutschlands BfN-Skripten. 544: 382-386
Hoffmann, M.; Flade, M.; Dorow, W. H. O. 2019 Die Waldbindung der Brutvögel (Aves) Deutschlands. BfN-Skripten. 544: 365-381
Dorow, W. H. O.; Münch, W.; Saure, C. 2019 Die Waldbindung der Stechimmen (Aculeata) Deutschlands. BfN-Skripten. 544: 218-336
Köhler, F.; Bense, U.; Fritze, M.-A.; Gürlich, S.; Köhler, J.; Schneider, A. 2019 Waldbindung der Käfer (Coleoptera) Deutschlands. BfN-Skripten. 544: 115-217
Dorow, W. H. O.; Morkel, C.; Rabitsch, W. 2019 Die Waldbindung der Wanzen (Heteroptera) Deutschlands. BfN-Skripten. 544: 68-114
Dorow, W. H. O.; Blick, T.; Pauls, S. U. 2019 Einführung und methodische Grundlagen der Waldbindung ausgewählter Tiergruppen Deutschlands. BfN-Skripten.544: 8-16
Dorow, W. H. O.; Blick, T.; Pauls, S. U.; Schneider, A. 2019 Waldbindung ausgewählter Tiergruppen Deutschlands. Lumbricidae Araneae Opiliones Pseudoscorpiones Heteroptera Coleoptera Aculeata Macrolepidoptera Aves. BfN-Skripten.544: 388p
Kallenborn, H.; Achtziger, R.; Dorow, W. H. O.; Görike, P.; Heckmann, R.; Hoffmann, H.-J.; Kleinsteuber, W.; Rieger, C.; Rieger, U.; Strauss, G.; Simon, H.; Simon, L.; Stemmer, M.; Tymann, G.; Voigt, K.; Winkelmann, H.; Zimmermann, G. 2019 Sammelergebnisse der Tagung der „Arbeitsgruppe Mitteleuropäischer Heteropterologen“ im Saarland vom 04.-05.08.2018. Heteropteron. 55: 3-12 [pdf]
Römbke, J.; Dorow, W.H.O.; Jänsch, S. 2018. Distribution and diversity of earthworms (Lumbricidae) in Hesse (Central Germany): current knowledge. Soil Organisms. 90(3): 171-185 [pdf]
Dorow, W.H.O.; Bott, H. 2018. Erstnachweis von Nagusta goedelii (Kolenati, 1857) für Baden-Württemberg (Heteroptera: Reduviidae). Heteropteron. 53: 31 [pdf]
Klass, K.; Blank, S.; Dorow, W.H.O.; Jäger, P.; Köhler, G.; Morkel, C.; Nuss, M. 2018. ediCall … oder wie können wir unsere wissenschaftlichen Sammlungen erschließen, digitalisieren und in Wert setzen?. Senckenberg : Natur, Forschung, Museum. 148(4): 74-79 [pdf]
Morkel, C.; Aukema, B.; Dorow, W. H.O.; Faraci, F.; Göricke, P.; Gossner, M. M.; Hartung, V.; Hoffmann, H.-J.; Kallenborn, H.; Kleinsteuber, W.; Küchler, S.; Rabitsch, W.; Rieger, C.; Rieger, U.; Roth, S.; Schäfer, P.; Schneider, A.; Simon, H.; Simon, L.; Stemmer, M.; Tymann, G.; Voigt, K.; Wachmann, E.; Winkelmann, H.; Zimmermann, G. 2018. Wanzenfunde (Insecta: Heteroptera) aus Nordhessen anlässlich des 43. Treffens der „Arbeitsgruppe Mitteleuropäischer Heteropterologen“ im August 2017. Philippia 17(3): 219-264 [pdf]
Dorow, W.H.O. 2018. Artenvielfalt der Fauna in Buchenwäldern. Forstwissenschaftliche Tagung 2018 Göttingen 24.-26.09.2018: 131 [pdf]
Dorow, W.H.O. 2018. Die Fauna von Natur- und Wirtschaftswald. AFZ-Der Wald 20: 23-25 [pdf]
Dorow, W.H.O.; Voigt, K. & Böttge, H. 2018. Erstnachweis von Nagusta goedelii (Kolenati, 1857) für Deutschland (Heteroptera: Reduviidae). Heteropteron 52:17-21 [pdf]
Gossner, M. M.; Biedermann, R.; Bräu, M.; Brandner, J.; Büttner, R.; Dorow, W.H.O.; Faraci, F.; Friess, N.; Göricke, P.; Grube, S.; Hartung, V.; Heckmann, R.; Heiss, E.; Nawratil, J.; Kleinsteuber, W.; Morkel, C.; Rabitsch, W.; Rieger, C.; Rieger, U.; Niedringhaus, R.; Schmolke, F.; Schulz-mirbach, T.; Simon, H.; Strauss, G.; Voigt, K. & Wachmann, E. 2017 Wanzenfunde anlässlich des 42. Treffens der „Arbeitsgruppe Mitteleuropäischer Heteropterologen“ im Zwieseler Winkel, Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald (19.–21. 8.2016) – mit Angaben zur Zikaden-, Käfer- und Ameisenfauna. Beiträge zur bayerischen Entomofaunistik 17: 19-42 [pdf]
Schneider, A. & Dorow, W.H.O. 2017 Erstnachweis von Oxycarenus pallens (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1850) für Hessen und neue Nachweise von Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius, 1787) in Hessen. Heteropteron 50: 37-40 [pdf]
Frommer, U.; Tischendorf, S.; Flügel, H.-J.; Dorow, W.H.O. & Warzecha, D. 2017 Kommentierte Rote Liste der „Dolchwespenartigen“ Hessens 1. Fassung, Stand 2015 : 1-80 [pdf]
Bowler, D. E.; Hof, C.; Haase, P.; Kröncke, I.; Schweiger, O.; Adrian, R.; Baert, L.; Bauer, H.-G.; Blick, T.; Brooker, R. W.; Dekoninck, W.; Domisch, S.; Eckmann, R.; Hendrickx, F.; Hickler, T.; Klotz, S.; Kraberg, A.; Kühn, I.; Matesanz, S.; Meschede, A.; Neumann, H.; O’Hara, R.; Russell, D. J.; Sell, A. F.; Sonnewald, M.; Stoll, S.; Sundermann, A.; Tackenberg, O.; Türkay, M.; Valladares, F.; van Herk, K.; van Klink, R.; Vermeulen, R.; Voigtländer, K.; Wagner, R.; Welk, E.; Wiemers, M.; Wiltshire, K. H. & Böhning-Gaese, K. 2017. Cross-realm assessment of climate change impacts on species’ abundance trends. Nature Ecology & Evolution 1(0067): 1-8 & Supplements. [pdf] doi: 10.1038/s41559-016-0067
Morkel, C. & Dorow, W. H. O. 2017. Die Marmorierte Baumwanze Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) hat Hessen erreicht. Heteropteron 49: 16-17. [pdf]
Römbke, J.; Blick, T. & Dorow, W. H. O. 2017. Allolobophoridella eiseni (Lumbricidae), a truly arboreal earthworm in the temperate region of Central Europe. Soil Organisms 89(2): 75-84. [pdf]
Blick, T. 2016. Buchbesprechung: Schikora H-B 2015 Die Webspinnen des Nationalparks Harz. – Schriftenreihe aus dem Nationalpark Harz 13: 1-371. Arachnologische Mitteilungen 51: xvi. [pdf]
Blick, T. & Zaenker, S. 2016. Die österreichische Schneemücke, Chionea austriaca, erstmals in Deutschland (Diptera, Limoniidae). Spixiana 39(2): 265-271. [pdf]
Blick, T.; Finch, O.-D.; Harms, K. H.; Kiechle, J; Kielhorn, K.-H.; Kreuels, M.; Malten, A.; Martin, D.; Muster, C.; Nährig, D.; Platen, R.; Rödel, I.; Scheidler, M.; Staudt, A.; Stumpf, H. & Tolke, D. 2016. Rote Liste und Gesamtartenliste der Spinnen (Arachnida: Araneae) Deutschlands. 3. Fassung, Stand: April 2008, einzelne Änderungen und Nachträge bis August 2015. Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt 70/4: 383-510. [pdf]
Buchholz, S.; Blick, T.; Hannig, K.; Kowarik, I.; Lemke, A.; Otte, V.; Scharon, J.; Schönhofer, A.; Teige, T.; von der Lippe, M. & Seitz, B. 2016. Biological richness of a large urban cemetery in Berlin. Results of a multi-taxon approach. Biodiversity Data Journal 4(e7057): 1-30. [pdf] doi: 10.3897/BDJ.4.e7057
Dorow, W. H. O. 2016. Sammlungen-Tagebücher-Veröffentlichungen – Beobachtungen – Citizen Science – Das EDICall Projekt bei Senckenberg zur Erfassung der Wanzen Hessens und Sachsens. Heteropteron 47: 14-18. [pdf]
Muster, C. & Blick, T. 2016. Rote Liste und Gesamtartenliste der Pseudoskorpione (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) Deutschlands. 2. Fassung, Stand April 2008, einzelne Änderungen und Nachträge bis August 2015. Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt 70/4: 539-561. [pdf]
Muster, C.; Blick, T. & Schönhofer, A. L. 2016. Rote Liste und Gesamtartenliste der Weberknechte (Arachnida: Opiliones) Deutschlands. 3. Fassung, Stand April 2008, einzelne Änderungen und Nachträge bis August 2015. Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt 70/4: 513-536. [pdf]
Schmidt, M. & Meyer, P. (Redaktion); Blick, T.; Brandes, J.; Dorow, W. H. O.; Meyer, P.; Schmidt, M.; Teuber, D.; Wolf, B. & Zaenker, S. & Zub, P. (Text) 2016. Hessische Naturwaldreservate im Portrait. Stirnberg. Göttingen: Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt (NW-FVA) & Kassel: Landesbetrieb Hessen-Forst (Hrsg.). 44 S. [pdf]
Schneider, A. & Dorow, W. H. O. 2016. Erstnachweis von Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius, 1787) für Hessen. Heteropteron 45: 23-24. [pdf]
Zaenker, S.; Schönhofer, A. L. & Blick, T. 2016. Das Höhlenlangbein Amilenus aurantiacus(Opiliones: Phalangiidae) ist Höhlentier des Jahres 2016 in Deutschland. Arachnologische Mitteilungen/Arachnology Letters 52: 81-87. [pdf] doi: 10.5431/aramit5211
Team
Alexander Schneider M. Sc.
Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter / Doktorand
Dr. Wolfgang H. O. Dorow
Project Coordinator Project Hess. Naturwaldreservate
Jan Simon Stark
Doktorand / wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter
Angela Röhner
Technische Assistentin
Daniel Hennig
Studentische Hilfskraft
Israt Jahan Samy
studentische Hilfskraft