Laboratory of Saproxylic Insects (Pavel Šebek)
We study different aspects of the ecology of saproxylic insects, their trophic niches and interactions within the deadwood associated food chain. We use beetles as a model group to explore feeding strategies in various trophic guilds and the connection between deadwood substrate exploitation and the physiology of beetles’ digestive system. Besides, our team is involved in projects studying effects of landscape configuration and its temporal changes on diversity of saproxylic organisms.
Projects
1) Feeding habits of saproxylic beetles
Using a combination of controlled experiments, field sampling, and different diet tracing methods we investigate links between various deadwood substrates which may serve as potential food resources and saproxylic beetles as their consumers. Saproxylic beetles are among the most important taxonomic and functional groups of insects in forest ecology, taking a significant part in the wood decomposition process. Our recent research has revealed that different feeding guilds of saproxylic beetles largely overlapped in their values of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, commonly used trophic biomarkers. We invesigate to what extent these similarities among feeding guilds are caused by an overall higher dependency of beetles on fungi or by more common mixed trophic strategies than currently acknowledged.
Related publications:
Kozel et al. 2025: Stable isotopes of saproxylic beetles reveal low differences among trophic guilds and suggest a high dependence on fungi. Ecological Monographs 95: e70002. DOI: 10.1002/ecm.70002
2) Landscape ecology
To understand the drivers that affect insect communities at larger spatial scales and in the long term, we study landscape changes using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We characterize land cover types in past and in present, combine them with ecological background of studied organisms or mathematical models and relate these to current distribution of target species or target habitats. Our studies suggest that transition from traditional silvicultural practices to modern agriculture and forestry management during the last two centuries had an important negative impact on biodiversity of several groups of organisms.
Related publications:
Percel et al. 2025: Nature conservation and insect decline in Central Europe: Loss of Lepidoptera in key protected sites is accompanied by substantial land cover changes. European Journal of Entomology.
Sebek et al. 2022: Changes in β‐diversity of saproxylic beetles along environmental gradients in temperate forests depend on species relative abundances. Journal of Biogeography.
