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 autumn of 2002 and 2003 in order to determine the species composition of groups of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and to prepare their zoocenological characteristics. A total of 136 beetles, belonging to 32 taxa, were found in samples. Identified groups were analysed using zoocenological indexes for montane and subalpine forests. It was found that the dominant species were Othius subuliformis Steph., Geostiba circellaris (Grav.), and Amischa analis (Grav.). In the groups of the montane forest 15 taxa were distinguished with a distinct domination of Othius subuliformis and Geostiba circellaris. Staphylinidae groups of the subalpine forest consist of 26 taxa and indicate a domination structure characteristic for undisturbed ecological systems with high frequencies of Othius subuliformis, Amischa analis and Geostiba circellaris.