Minimal effects on genetic structuring of a fungus-dwelling saproxylic beetle after recolonization of a restored forest

1. Habitat restoration aims to improve local habitat conditions for threatened species. While such restorations are widespread, rigorous evaluations of their success are rare. This is especially true of those considering species dynamics. Increasingly, deadwood is a target for forest restoration as many species directly and indirectly depend on this resource. 2. In a broadleaf forest in southern Germany, we explored the effect of landscape-wide deadwood restoration on the population genetic structure of the specialist fungus-dwelling saproxylic beetle Bolitophagus reticulatus. Before 2003, the northern area of this forest was intensively logged for more than half a century, while the southern part was less intensively managed. This drove populations of the host fungus Fomes fomentarius, and consequently the beetle, to local extinction in the northern part. Only after the first decade of restoration were both the fungus and its beetles present across all areas of the forest. 3. Using 17 ...