Annotated checklist of invertebrate records from post-fire surveys during 2023–2025 in the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Parks

Abstract: We present an annotated faunistic overview of invertebrates recorded after an extensive forest fire that affected Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Czech Republic) and Saxon Switzerland National Park (Germany) in the summer of 2022. Faunistic surveys were carried out in study plots composed of beech, pine, and spruce forests, including unburnt control stands and moderately to severely burnt sites, between April 2023 and September 2025. Standardised sampling methods were used to sample molluscs (Mollusca), epigeic spiders (Araneae), orthopterans (Orthoptera), aculeate Hymenoptera, beetles (Coleoptera), robber flies (Asilidae), and butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). In total, around 1,900 invertebrate species were recorded. Pyrophilous and early-successional species rapidly colonised burnt sites, particularly those dependent on open habitats, exposed mineral soil, and early successional vegetation. Burnt forests also provided a large amount of standing and fallen dead wood, often partially charred, which created favourable conditions for many invertebrates. In contrast, species associated with closed-canopy and humid forest conditions were recorded mainly in unburnt control plots or sporadically in burnt stands.

Key words: Bionomics, checklist, faunistics, invertebrates, monitoring, north Bohemia, succession, survey, wildfire