Hidden habitats of arthropod diversity - Shuvo M.J. et al. 2025 - Ecology and Evolution

This dataset and accompanying R scripts support the study “Influence of deadwood, tree-related microhabitats, and forest structural features on saproxylic arthropod community composition,” submitted to Ecology and Evolution (2025). The research explores how forest composition, deadwood characteristics, and tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) shape the diversity and community structure of saproxylic arthropods in the Black Forest, Germany. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, arthropod communities were assessed across 135 forest plots that differ in structural complexity and retention levels. Analyses include correlation tests, generalized linear and additive models (GLM, GAM), Random Forest models, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Key findings highlight that TreMs such as cavities, mosses, and insect galleries strongly influence arthropod richness, while canopy closure, deadwood volume, and snag availability drive community composition. The repository includes all processed data, the complete R script, and a final SEM figure to ensure full reproducibility and transparency.