Wydawnictwo
Uniwersytetu Przyrodniczego w Poznaniu

The paper presents the results of the first ever long-standing study of Carabidae (Coleoptera) communities of flowering and stipa xerothermic grasslands of the eastern edge of Central-European Plain. The study was conducted in the years 2009-2013 on 36 grasslans pathces with the classic methos of ground traps. The study reported 160 Carabidae species, including stenotopic and valuable ones. The collected material was analysed in terms of life traits, biodiversity indices (Chao-1, H’), mean individual biomass and zoogeographical location, plant cover, protection form, distance from river, slope, diversity of surroundings) onto the shaping of xerothermic grasslands Carabidae was evaluated. Also the possibility of grassland valorisation based on carabids was presented. Significant differences between flowering and stipa xerothermic grasslans were found as well as regional grassland diversity. IT was proven that the studied xerothermic grassland are a valuable habitat for Carabidae communities and conservation activities should be intensified in order to preserve them in the agricultural lanscape.