Resposta dels artròpodes a una crema controlada del Massís de Bonastre

Abstract

Forestry continues to grow in the Catalan region, increasing the risk of wildfires. Research is increasingly seeking to analyse the effects of fires to understand how organisms can adapt to new conditions. While some may think that fires are bad for ecosystems, Mediterranean communities of animals and vegetables are used to their frequency. This study attempts to analyse the effect of a winter controlled burning on a particular insect community in the massif of Bonastre, Tarragona. To measure the effect, 24 Pitfall traps are placed among 8 sampling points in each study area, the burned and the control. Every two weeks for 12 weeks, samples are collected and analysed in the laboratory. In addition, the vegetation coating and the specific characteristics of the area are studied to be taken into account during the study. The effect of the burning is a significant decline in forest biomass but not in the species they inhabit. The community of the two study areas is a rosemary bush, and it is noted that during the weeks of sampling, the community of plants in the burnt area rebounds and does not lose the predominant species. During the analysis of data, it is noted that arthropod wealth varies by study area, but cannot be directly linked to the effects of the fire due to the loss of traps in the burned area. The specific abundance analysis by orders also shows a difference in Hemiptera, but is not considered as a consequence of the burning. In addition, the species of the Formicidae family are studied to try to link the differences in abundance in each area with the fire effect. However, considering the results, it is concluded that more time has to pass so that colonies of ants colonize new area so it is possible to see significant results. Based on the results obtained, it is considered that there is no immediate response to the fires, but it is not ruled out that there may be one over time. Ideally, the study should continue to see long-term results. Finally, it is thought that the territory should be managed and fires should be treated as one more factor to be taken into account in Mediterranean ecosystems, rather than as an agent to avoid