Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Abstract In the course of forest management works in the Karkonosze National Park a total of 630 circular sample plots arranged in a 200 × 300 m graticule were established using the mathematical statistical method. Litter samples were collected from the centres of these plots in the spring and early summer of 2004 in order to determine the species composition of groups of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and to conduct their zoocenological characteristics. A total of 83 beetles, belonging to 22 taxa, were found in samples. Identified groups were analysed using zoocenological indexes for subalpine and montane forests. It was found that the dominant species were Geostiba circellaris (Grav.), Atheta tibialis (Heer) and Amischa analis (Grav.), as well as Othius subuliformis Steph. In the groups of the montane forest eight taxa were distinguished with a distinct domination of Geostiba circellaris. Spring Staphylinidae groups of the subalpine forest consist of 21 taxa and indicate a domination structure characteristic for undisturbed ecological systems with high frequencies of Atheta tibialis and Amischa analis.