Restoration age, landscape diversity, and connectivity affect epigeic beetle diversity in multiple aggregates' quarries of Cyprus

Introduction Quarry restoration in Mediterranean regions such as Cyprus is expected to face more intensive problems than neighboring reference habitats due to effects of their recent disturbance, size, and isolation. Epigeic arthropod biodiversity can provide useful clues on restoration success. Objectives We assessed diversity of restored and reference areas at 10 quarry sites in Cyprus. Ecological and functional diversity (FD) of two epigeic beetle families (Carabidae and Tenebrionidae), directly influenced by landscape changes and disturbance, is used for such an assessment. Methods Areas were sampled twice via pitfall traps in 2024. Age, connectivity, landscape diversity, patch size, and organic amendment application were examined as potential drivers of diversity. Results Restorations supported reduced diversity and activity‐density, indicating either negative effects of restoration practices on specialist taxa and the promotion of communities with functionally similar species, or the effects of ecological succession leading to relaxation of diversity below expected levels due to isolation and small size of restored areas. Unexpectedly, restoration age negatively affected diversity, corroborating the latter interpretation. Also, restored areas with higher connectivity exhibit increased diversity, while the size of restorations is negatively associated with diversity. Conclusions FD approaches can reveal diversity responses not observed by abundance/richness data alone. Functionality in restoration areas can decrease with time as long as these are not fully integrated with surrounding habitats, a finding that can inform management practices so that they can further promote connectivity.