Diversity of Ground-Dwelling Insects in a Mixed Hardwood Southern Appalachian Forest in Eastern Tennessee (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT--Insects were sampled using pitfall traps during a two-year study in four mixed hardwood forest sites (cove, slope, open, and tornado-damaged) to determine their diversity beneath three dominant tree species: white oak, Quercus alba L.; sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marsh; and tulip poplar, Liriodendvon tulipi/era L. From pitfall traps, 191 species were identified representing 69 families in 15 orders. Significantly greater numbers of insects were collected in the cove site than in the slope or tornado-damaged sites. Also, species diversity and evenness were significantly greater in the cove site. Beetles represented 65% of the species identified at the four sites. Beetle diversity and richness did not differ significantly among the four sites, although species evenness was significantly lower in the tornado-damaged site. The natural beauty and biodiversity of southern Appalachian forests attract more than 14 million people to the region annually. As a result, tourism contributes over 12 billion dollars per year to Tennessee's economy (Travel Industry Association, 2006). The Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts more than nine million visitors annually who contribute to the local economy. The southern Appalachian economy relies heavily on the resulting public service, retail sales, outdoor recreation and forestry practices generated (Travel Industry Association, 2006). About 87% of Tennessee forests are comprised of hardwoods, making Tennessee one of the nation's leading hardwood lumber manufacturers. Employment and income in the region have remained stable over the last 20 years due in large part to the tourism and wood products industries (Travel Industry Association, 2006; Southern Appalachian Man and Biosphere Cooperative, 1996) which annually create more than 225,000 jobs.