Monitoraggio dell'entomofauna nella fascia cacuminale del Gennargentu

The biocenoses of the high altitude alder woods of the Gennargentu Mountains (Sardinia, Italy) were compared with those of the agro-ecosystems (walnut, cherry, hazelnut) of the mesophilic areas of Barbagia di Belvì. Sampling, carried out with pitfall traps and bark traps throughout the year, allowed us to collect more than 40,000 specimens of arthropods. Among these, some important systematic groups (above all Spiders, Bugs and some Beetle families) were identified, studied and subjected to various types of analysis. Once the most obvious source of variation, the type of trap used, was eliminated, we were able to observe how the live biocenesis of the alder wood and that of the hazelnut were well defined, while those of the walnut and cherry were somewhat similar. On analysis of the data relating to single species we were able to highlight well defined seasonal and spatial distribution therefore we were able to statistically show their principle ecological characteristics (ubiquitous, stenotopous, winter, sciafilous etc., etc.). These results lay the foundations for the identification of indicator species. All this information on the composition of the fauna and its seasonal and altitude variations can be used widely in the future for investigations into the quality of the environment.