Beetle and spider responses to burning and mowing in a Scots pine Pinus sylvestris forest

Abstract Fire is an important disturbance affecting arthropods across various biomes, including conifer forests. Many Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinales: Pinaceae) forests experience surface wildfires which influence arthropods, for example, creating deadwood and altering vegetation structure. Prescribed burning could have similar effects. We tested burning in a pinewood nature reserve in Scotland, holding a ‘flagship’ bird species that might benefit, alongside an arthropod community of high conservation importance. We also tested mowing, an easier, less contentious management, which might mimic fire effects. We aimed to assess conservation implications of these managements by identifying spider or beetle species that ‘followed’ or ‘avoided’ disturbance and measuring community responses. An experiment was established comprising 24 blocks, each holding three 700 m 2 plots (burn, mow and control). Pitfall trapping took place before treatment, and 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 years afterwards. In total, 135 species of spiders and 217 species of beetles were recorded, but most were rare; 82 were sufficiently abundant to analyse species‐level responses. Among these, 12 species apparently followed disturbance (higher counts after burning or mowing) and 11 avoided it; these 23 species comprised 73% of recorded biomass. Typical disturbance followers were large, ground‐active predators; disturbance avoiders were often small web‐spinners or herbivores. Community displacement peaked 2–3 years after treatment. Mowing typically had similar effects to burning. Species richness of beetles of conservation importance increased in treated plots. In similar contexts to this study (e.g., UK pinewoods), if complemented by long‐term, undisturbed areas, we consider that burning or mowing can aid arthropod conservation.