Responses of ground arthropods following management practices in pine forests in central Louisiana

Arthropods are the dominant group in forest ecosystems playing vital roles in ecosystem functioning, food webs, and forest productivity. This study aims to document changes in arthropod communities following forest management and restoration practices in pine forests. Eight plots (2 ha each) were established in the Marsh Bayou Wildlife Management Area in Oakdale, Louisiana in November 2021. The plant composition and DBH of all trees in selected plots were recorded. The site is dominated by Pinus taeda (46%) and the invasive tallow tree Triadica sebifera (34%). In April 2022, pre-treatment arthropod data was collected using pitfall traps placed in five subplots within each plot (40 traps total). A total of 1,825 specimens belonging to six taxa were identified, and no differences were detected among plots. The most common groups were Collembola (46%), followed by Hymenoptera (19%) and Araneae (12%). Among insects, Formicidae (46%), Carabidae (16%), and Zorotypidae (12%) were the most abundant families. In August-September 2022, heavy equipment was used to clear four out of eight plots followed by mulching and burning. Post-treatment sampling was conducted in October 2022. A total of 3,159 specimens were collected in treated plots with Collembola (80%) and Diptera (18%) being the most common orders. In contrast, only 191 specimens were found in untreated plots, Diptera (42%) and Hymenoptera (33%) were the most common groups collected. Long-term studies are needed to better understand changes in arthropod communities during forest restoration programs. Therefore, sampling continued in 2023 and in 2024, and results will be further discussed.