Abstract: Using the pitfall trapping method, the ground-dwelling arthropod communities were investigated in three types of secondary forests (Quercus mongolica, Juglans mandshurica, and broadleaved mixed forest) and two types of plantation forests (Pinus koraiensis and Larix spp.) in a montane region of eastern Liaoning Province during the active time from July to August. A total of 5135 individuals of grounddwelling arthropods were collected, belonging to 7 classes, 18 orders, and 66 groups. Formicidae (20.4%), Silphidae (19.5%), Scarabaeidae (17.2%) and Carabidae (14.5%) were the dominant taxa. The abundance of the functional groups was ranked as saprozoic > omnivore > predator > phytophage. According to the system clustering analysis, P. koraiensis plantation forest, Larix spp. plantation forest and J. mandshurica forest were grouped together; Q. mongolica forest and the broad-leaved mixed forest were clustered into one group. Based on the redundancy analysis (RDA), litter depth, vegetation cover and tree height could explain 85.9% and 81.9% of community distribution variation of ground-dwelling arthropods and beetles, respectively. This study indicated that forest vegetation and litter distribution, and human disturbance in the study region were the key factors influencing the diversity of macro grounddwelling arthropod community.

Key words: self-learning, site selection, ecological value, Daiyun Mountain, tabu search, nature reserve