Student:	Bahar YALÇIN
Supervisor:	Prof.Dr. Mahmut EROĞLU
Department:	Orman Mühendisliği
Institution:	Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
University:	Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey

Title of the Thesis:	Insect Succession on Decomposition of CoarseWoody Debris in
Level:	M.Sc.
Acceptance Date:	4/10/2010
Number of Pages:	109
Registration Number:	i2247

Summary:

It is known that forest practices can have substantial effects on animal populations.

Coarse woody debris is known to have a great effect on birds, small mammals and insects.

These animals may use coarse woody debris for sheltering, hunting, resting, and breeding.

These insects are important to the forest ecosystem as they are often required for the

decomposition of wood and reintroduction of nutrients into the soil. This study deals with

insect succession on decomposing coarse woody debris in oriental spruce forests of

Turkey. Six stages of decomposition were designated with indicator species identified for

each stage with respect to the cutting time and the degree of coloration, decomposition or

fragmentation of coarse woody debris. The degree of decomposition or fragmentation of

the coarse woody debris was also analyzed in relation to their chemical properties.

Eventually, indicator beetle species and the abundance and diversity of some other beetles

were identified for each stage of decomposition. Four successional stages are distinguished

for species associated with coarse woody debris at different stages of decomposition. The

result of this study can be useful for estimating the time since cut and degrees of

decomposition of coarse woody debris in similar areas.

KeyWords: Coarse woody debris, stages of decomposition, insect succession