This study investigated the effect of applying the “Rotstop” preparation, which contains the competitive fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich, during the partial reconstruction of Scots pine monocultures threatened by Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. root rot, on ground beetle (Carabidae) assemblages. The research was carried out in seven forest districts across Poland, in 22−to 28−year−old pine stands on post−agricultural land. Carabidae were collected using pitfall traps and “photoeclector” traps in artificial gaps treated with “Rotstop”, natural gaps, and the surrounding forest stand. The results showed that the application of “Rotstop” increased the species richness of Carabidae assemblages and improved their living conditions in the artificial gaps compared to the natural gaps and untreated forest stand. The artificial gaps significantly enhanced conditions for Carabidae colonising stumps due to accelerated wood decomposition and better access between fragments used as shelters or overwintering sites. These features were not observed in natural gaps. The Carabidae assemblages in the reconstructed stands were characterised by diverse trophic structures and habitat preferences, reflecting their high adaptability to changing environmental conditions. The results indicate that the application of “Rotstop” in the “artificial gap” method is an effective prophylactic and therapeutic treatment that not only limits the development of root rot but also supports the reconstruction of pine monocultures on post−agricultural land towards more resistant and biodiverse systems. By improving habitat conditions for Carabidae, this treatment contributes to the stabilisation and strengthening of biodiversity, which is crucial for forest sustainability in the face of climate change and increasing pathogen pressures.

Adhikari, S. and Menalled, F.D. (2018). Impacts of dryland farm management systems on weeds and ground beetles (Carabidae) in the Northern Great Plains. Sustainability, 10(7), 2146. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072146.
Aleksandrowicz, O.P. (2004). Biegaczowate (Carabidae). In: W. Bogdanowicz, E. Chudzicka, I. Pilipiuk and E. Skibińska, eds. Fauna Polski – charakterystyka i wykaz gatunków, tom I. Warszawa: Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN, 28-42.
Bernadzki, E. (1990). Koncepcje hodowli lasu na gruntach porolnych [Concepts of silviculture on post-agricultural lands]. Sylwan, 134(3-12), 51-59.
Bernadzki, E. and Kowalski, M. (1983a). Brzoza na gruntach porolnych [Birch on post-agricultural land]. Sylwan, 127(12), 33-42.
Bernadzki, E. and Kowalski, M. (1983b). Przy zalesianiu gruntów porolnych – działania radykalne czy półśrodki? Las Polski, 11, 17-18.
Bonn, A. and Schröder, B. (2001). Habitat models and their transfer for single and multi species groups: a case study of carabids in an alluvial forest. Ecography, 24(4), 483-496. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2001.tb00483.x.
Brygadyrenko, V. (2019). Evaluation of ecological niches of abundant species of Poecilus and Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in forests of steppe zone of Ukraine. Entomologica Fennica, 27(2), 81-100. https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.84662.
Colwell, R.K. and Elsensohn, J.E. (2014). EstimateS turns 20: statistical estimation of species richness and shared species from samples, with non-parametric extrapolation. Ecography, 37(6), 609-613. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.00814.
Flis, L. and Skłodowski, J. (1998). Rębnia zupełna gniazdowa, a struktura zamieszkujących ją zgrupowań biegaczo-watych (Col. Carabidae). [A nest-clearcut method and the structure of Carabid (Col. Carabidae) groups inhabiting gaps in tree stands]. Sylwan, 142(3), 57-65.
Grodzki, W. (2025). Diversity of ground beetles (Col.: Carabidae) in managed and protected forest ecosystems in two mountain mesoregions in the Carpathians (south-eastern Poland). Sylwan, 169(4), 203-219. https://doi.org/10.26202/sylwan.2025003.
Grodzki, W., Kosibowicz, M. and Ranocha, M. (2023). Insect biodiversity and forest pests – the case of ground beetles (Col.: Carabidae) and cockchafers (Col.: Melolonthinae) in south-eastern Poland. Sylwan, 167(3), 121-135. https://doi.org/10.26202/sylwan.2022079.
Hajek, A.E. and St Leger, R.J. (1994). Interactions between fungal pathogens and insect hosts. Annual Review of Entomology, 39(1), 293-322. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.39.010194.001453.
Hůrka, K. (1996). Carabidae of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Zlin: Kabourek.
Huruk, S. (2006). Porównanie struktur zgrupowań biegaczowatych (Coleoptera: Carabidae) łąk kośnych oraz przylega-jących do nich pól uprawnych. In: S. Huruk, P. Sienkiewicz, J. Skłodowski, eds. Biegaczowate (Coleoptera: Carabidae) środowisk antropogenicznych. Wiadomości Entomologiczne, 25(Suppl. 1), 9-32.
Huuskonen, S., Domisch, T., Finér, L., Hantula, J., Hynynen, J., Matala, J., Miina, J., Neuvonen, S., Nevalainen, S., Niemistö, P., Nikula, A., Piri, T., Siitonen, J., Smolander, A., Tonteri, T., Uotila, K. and Viiri, H. (2020). What is the potential for replacing monocultures with mixed-species stands to enhance ecosystem services in boreal forests in Fennoscandia? Forest Ecology and Management, 479, p. 118558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118558.
Koivula, M. and Niemelä, J. (2003). Gap felling as a forest harvesting method in boreal forests: responses of carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Ecography, 26(2), 179-187. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0587.2003.03340.x.
Koivula, M.J. and Vermeulen, H.J.W. (2005). Highways and forest fragmentation – Effects on Carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Landscape Ecology, 20(8), 911-926. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-005-7301-x.
Kosewska, A., Nietupski, M., Marcińczyk, M. and Damszel, M. (2019). Podszyty bukowe w borach sosnowych jako miejsca częściowo sprzyjające funkcjonowaniu leśnych zgrupowań biegaczowatych (Col. Carabidae) na siedliskach borowych. [Beech understoreys in pine forests as places that partly favour the functioning of forest assemblages of ground beetles (Col. Carabidae) in coniferous forest habitats]. Sylwan, 163(4), 311-319. https://doi.org/10.26202/sylwan.2018119.
Larsson, S.G. (1939). Entwicklungstypen und Entwicklungszeiten der dänischen Carabiden. Entomologiske Meddelelser, 20, 277-560.
Leslie, T.W., Rohr, J.R., Fleischer, S.J., Hulting, A.G., Mortensen, D.A. and Biddinger, D.J. (2014). Examining shifts in Carabidae assemblages across a forest-agriculture ecotone. Environmental Entomology, 43(1), 18-28. https://doi.org/10.1603/en13099.
Leśniak, A. (1997). Metody analizy zgrupowań biegaczowatych (Carabidae, Col.) w zooindykacji procesów ekologicznych. In: S. Mazur, ed. VI Sympozjum Ochrony Ekosystemów Leśnych „Waloryzacja ekosystemów leśnych metodami zooindykacyjnymi”. Warszawa: Fundacja „Rozwój SGGW”, 29-41.
Niemelä, J., Haila, Y., Halme, E., Pajunen, T. and Punttila, P. (1992). Small-scale heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of carabid beetles in the Southern Finnish taiga. Journal of Biogeography, 19(2), 173-181. https://doi.org/10.2307/2845503.
Niemelä, J., Kotze, D.J. and Koivula, M. (2006). The effects of forestry on carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in boreal forests. Journal of Insect Conservation, 11(1), 5-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-006-9014-0.
Nittérus, K., Ĺström, M. and Gunnarsson, B. (2007). Commercial harvest of logging residue in clear-cuts affects the diversity and community composition of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 22(3), 231-240. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580701352955.
O’Rourke, M.E., Rice, M.E. and Liebman, M. (2008). Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in conventional and diversified crop rotation systems. Environmental Entomology, 37(1), 121-130. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225x(2008)37[121:gbccai]2.0.co;2.
Oliva, J., Thor, M. and Stenlid, J. (2010). Long-term effects of mechanized stump treatment against Heterobasidion annosum root rot in Picea abies. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 40(6), 1020-1033. https://doi.org/10.1139/x10-051.
Pellicciaro, M., Lione, G., Ongaro, S. and Gonthier, P. (2021). Comparative efficacy of state-of-the-art and new biological stump treatments in forests infested by the native and the alien invasive Heterobasidion species present in Europe. Pathogens, 10(10), p. 1272. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101272.
Prasifka, J.R., Hellmich, R.L., Lopez, M.D., Dively, G.P. and Lewis, L.C. (2007). Comparison of pitfall traps and litter bags for sampling ground-dwelling arthropods. Journal of Applied Entomology, 131(2), 115-120. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2006.01141.x.
Pratt, J.E., Niemi, M. and Sierota, Z. (2000). Comparison of three products based on Phlebiopsis gigantea for the control of Heterobasidion annosum in Europe. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 10(4), 467-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583150050115052.
Rykowski, K. and Sierota, Z. (1983). Wpływ huby korzeni w drzewostanie sosnowym na gruncie porolnym na powstanie wiatrowałów w 1981 r. [Influence of Fomes annosus root and butt rot in a stand on post-agricultural land on the incidence of windfall in 1981]. Sylwan, 127(12), 59-70.
Rykowski, K. and Sierota, Z. (1984). Huba korzeni na gruntach porolnych – profilaktyka i zwalczanie metodą biologiczną. Prace Instytutu Badawczego Leśnictwa ser. B, 1, 89-93.
Saska, P., Westerman, P.R., Van Der Werf, W. and De Vries, E. (2007). Spatial and temporal patterns of carabid activity-density in cereals do not explain levels of predation on weed seeds. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 98(2), 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007485307005512.
Schwerk, A. and Szyszko, J. (2007). Mean Individual Biomass (MIB) of epigeic ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as an indicator for successional stages. Angewandte Carabidologie, 8, 69-72.
Sierota, Z. (1997). Wpływ zabiegu ochronnego na zmniejszenie strat powstałych w drzewostanie sosnowym w wyniku huby korzeni [The influence of a protective treatment on lessening of loss arising in the pine stand as a result of root rot]. Sylwan, 141(11), 17-23.
Sierota, Z. (2002). Sztuczne luki. Notatnik Naukowy Instytutu Badawczego Leśnictwa, 1(51), 1-2.
Sierota, Z., Błaszczak, M.K., Falencka-Jabłońska, M., Gajewska, J., Hilszczańska, D., Małecka, M., Rekosz-Burlaga, H., Sikora, K., Sowińska, A., Tarwacki, G., Wójcik, J. and Zachara, T. (2011). Zmiany w środowisku drzewostanów sosnowych na gruntach porolnych w warunkach przebudowy częściowej oraz obecności grzyba Phlebiopsis gigantea. [Changes in Scots pine stands environment on former farmlands in conditions of a partial reconstruction and presence of Phlebiopsis gigantea]. Prace Instytutu Badawczego Leśnictwa. Rozprawy i Monografie, 17. Sękocin Stary: Forest Research Institute.
Sierota, Z. and Małecka, M. (2003). Ocena zmian w drzewostanie sosnowym na gruncie porolnym po 30 latach od wykonania pierwszych cięć pielęgnacyjnych bez zabiegu ochronnego przeciw hubie korzeni. [Assessment of changes in a pine stand established on post-agricultural land after 30 years from first improvement cutting without application of protective measures against root rot]. Sylwan, 147(12), 19-26. https://doi.org/10.26202/sylwan.2003242.
Sierota, Z. and Małecka, M. (2004). Formowanie „sztucznych luk” w celu ograniczania huby korzeni i inicjowania przebudowy monokultur sosnowych na gruntach porolnych [Creation of “artificial gaps” to reduce root rot effects and initiate reconstruction of pine monocultures established on post-agricultural land]. Sylwan, 148(1), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.26202/sylwan.2004101.
Siewers, J., Buchholz, S. and Schirmel, J. (2014). The efficiency of pitfall traps as a method of sampling epigeal arthropods in litter rich forest habitats. European Journal of Entomology, 111(1), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2014.008.
Skłodowski, J. (1995). Antropogeniczne przeobrażenia zespołów biegaczowatych (Col. Carabidae) w ekosystemach borów sosnowych Polski. In: A. Szujecki et al., eds. Antropogeniczne przeo-brażenia epigeicznej i glebowej entomofauny borów sosnowych Polski. Warszawa: Katedra Ochrony Lasu i Ekologii, Fundacja „Rozwój SGGW” Foundation, 17-174.
Skłodowski, J. (2016). Manual soil preparation and piles of branches can support ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) better than four different mechanical soil treatments in a clear-cut area of a closed-canopy pine forest in northern Poland. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 32(2), 123-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2016.1195868.
Sobczak, R. (1990). Teoretyczne i praktyczne aspekty zakładania upraw i prowadzenia drzewostanów na gruntach porolnych [Theoretical and practical aspects of establishment of plantations and silvicultural proceeding in stands on post-agricultural lands]. Sylwan, 134(3-12), 61-74.
Spence, J.R. and Niemelä, J.K. (1994). Sampling carabid assemblages with pitfall traps: the madness and the method. The Canadian Entomologist, 126(3), 881-894. https://doi.org/10.4039/ent126881-3.
Spitzer, K., Bezděk, A. and Jaroš, J. (1999). Ecological succession of a relict Central European peat bog and variability of its insect biodiversity. Journal of Insect Conservation, 3(2), 97-106. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1009634611130.
Szafranek, P. and Woszczyk, K. (2014). Biegaczowate (Coleoptera: Carabidae) występujące w konwencjonalnej i ekolo-gicznej uprawie selera korzeniowego (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum Mill.). Nowości Warzywnicze, 54, 60-63.
Szujecki, A., Mazur, S., Perliński, S. and Szyszko, J. (1983). The process of forest soil macrofauna formation after afforestation of farmland. Warsaw: Warsaw Agricultural University Press, 195 pp.
Szyszko, J. (1973). Wpływ stosowania etylenoglikolu w cylindrach chwytnych na liczbę odławianych okazów i gatunków biegaczowatych (Col., Carabidae) [Influence of ethylene glycol in pitfall traps on the number of specimens and species of ground beetles caught (Col., Carabidae)]. Zeszyty Naukowe SGGW-AR, 19, 117-121.
Szyszko, J. (1983). State of Carabidae (Col.) fauna in fresh pine forest and tentative valorisation of this environment. Warsaw: Warsaw Agricultural University Press.
Szyszko, J. (1985). Pułapka STN do odłowów Carabidae. Prace Komisji Naukowych Polskiego Towarzystwa Gleboznawczego, 91, 34-41.
Szyszko, J. (1997). Próba waloryzacji środowisk leśnych przy pomocy biegaczowatych (Carabidae, Col.). In: S. Mazur, ed. VI Sympozjum Ochrony Ekosystemów Leśnych „Waloryzacja ekosystemów leśnych metodami zooindykacyjnymi”. Warszawa: Fundacja „Rozwój SGGW”, 42-60.
Tarwacki, G. (2012). Charakterystyka ekologiczno-wskaźnikowa zgrupowań biegaczowatych (Carabidae) w ogniskowo-kompleksowej metodzie ochrony lasu. [Ecological-indicatory characteristics of Carabidae communities in centre-complex method of forest protection]. Sylwan, 156(9), 684-694. https://doi.org/10.26202/sylwan.2011124.
Ter Braak, C.J.F. (1986). Canonical Correspondence Analysis: A new eigenvector technique for multivariate direct gradient analysis. Ecology, 67(5), 1167-1179. https://doi.org/10.2307/1938672.
Ter Braak, C.J.F. and Šmilauer, P.S. (1998). CANOCO reference manual and user’s guide to Canoco for Windows. Ithaca: Microcomputer Power.
Ter Braak, C.J.F. and Šmilauer, P. (2018). Canoco reference manual and user's guide: software for ordination, version 5.1x. Ithaca: Microcomputer Power.
Thiele, H.U. (1977). Carabid beetles in their environment. Berlin – Heidelberg – New York: Springer-Verlag.
TIBCO Software Inc. (2023). Statistica (version 14.1) [application software]. Palo Alto, CA: TIBCO Software Inc.
Vanbergen, A.J., Serrano, A., Aguiar, C., Woodcock, B.A., Dubs, F., Kotze, D.J., Grandchamp, A., Bolger, T., Adler, P., Serrano, J., Watt, A.D., Golden, V., Niemelä, J., Lencina, J.L., Boulanger, G., Stofer, S., Koivula, M., Markus, J., Szél, G. and Ivits, E. (2010). Trophic level modulates carabid beetle responses to habitat and landscape structure: a pan-European study. Ecological Entomology, 35(2), 226-235. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2010.01175.x.
Work, T.T., Korinus, L.M., Spence, J.R. and Buddle, C.M. (2002). Pitfall trap size and capture of three taxa of litter-dwelling arthropods: Implications for biodiversity studies. Environmental Entomology, 31(3), 438-448. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225x-31.3.438.
Zalewski, M. and Ulrich, W. (2006). Dispersal as a key element of community structure: the case of ground beetles on lake islands. Diversity and Distributions, 12(6), 767-775. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2006.00283.x.