Atlas of Habitats

colony

0.1 m³

at 1 m

48.19ºN

A18 [devoured] log

wood

mixed

rough

invertebrates

A18 [devoured] log

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Introduction

Austria
Lobau National Park, Vienna
48.1921 N 16.4875 E
31/03/2024, 2:39 pm

This tree log, found in the Lobau National Park near Vienna, shows evidence of insect infestation, with numerous boreholes and tunnels spread throughout its interior. These cavities were likely created by wood-boring beetles or termites, turning the deadwood into a habitat. This interaction between insects and decaying wood illustrates the ecological role of decomposers in forest environments.

Micro Climate

The decaying log creates a unique microclimate on the forest floor. Inside the log, the air is more humid, cool, and sheltered from extreme temperature changes, making it an ideal environment for the insects that inhabit it. This habitat offers protection from predators and the elements, while the decaying wood retains moisture that helps sustain a variety of fungi and other decomposers that thrive alongside the insects.

Material

The log, composed of decaying hardwood, provides an ideal material for wood-boring insects. As the tree deteriorates, the softened wood becomes easier to penetrate, allowing insects to excavate the tunnels seen in the image. The fibrous texture and moisture content of the decayed wood offer nourishment to the larvae feeding on cellulose, while fungi and mosses thrive on the surface, further breaking down the log.

Location

Lobau National Park is part of the Vienna Woods, a floodplain forest characterized by rich biodiversity and seasonal flooding. The log’s placement within this environment, among wetland flora, provides access to a nutrient-rich habitat for the insects. As the forest decays, the fallen logs become centers for decomposition and habitat formation, allowing for a multitude of species to thrive and contributing to the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem.

Construction

The holes and tunnels are likely the work of beetles species such as bark or longhorn beetles, or possibly termites, all of which are common in European forests like the Lobau. The insects bore into the wood using their mandibles, creating an intricate network of galleries inside the log. These tunnels serve as nesting sites where eggs are laid and larvae develop, gradually feeding on the decaying wood and contributing to the decomposition process.