Influence of tree hollow characteristics and forest structure on saproxylic beetle diversity in tree hollows in managed forests in a regional comparison

Abstract Context Recovery from disturbances is a prominent measure of forest ecosystem resilience, with swift recovery indicating resilient systems. The forest ecosystems of Central Europe have recently been affected by unprecedented levels of natural disturbance, yet our understanding of their ability to recover from disturbances is still limited. Objectives We here integrated satellite and airborne Lidar data to (i) quantify multi-decadal post-disturbance recovery of two indicators of forest structure, and (ii) compare the recovery trajectories of forest structure among managed and un-managed forests. Methods We developed satellite-based models predicting Lidar-derived estimates of tree cover and stand height at 30 m grain across a 3100 km2 landscape in the Bohemian Forest Ecosystem (Central Europe). We summarized the percentage of disturbed area that recovered to > 40% tree cover and > 5 m stand height and quantified the variability in both indicators over a 30-year period. The analyses were stratified by three management regimes (managed, protected, strictly protected) and two forest types (beech-dominated, spruce-dominated). Results We found that on average 84% of the disturbed area met our recovery threshold 30 years post-disturbance. The rate of recovery was slower in un-managed compared to managed forests. Variability in tree cover was more persistent over time in un-managed forests, while managed forests strongly converged after a few decades post-disturbance. Conclusion We conclude that current management facilitates the recovery of forest structure in Central European forest ecosystems. However, our results underline that forests recovered well from disturbances also in the absence of human intervention. Our analysis highlights the high resilience of Central European forest ecosystems to recent disturbances.

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Saproxylic Cetoniidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea): A ‘Females’ World’ or a Question of Dependence on Deadwood?

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1093/ee/nvz167 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 288-295

Author(s):

Sandra Martínez-Pérez ◽

Gerardo Sanchez-Rojas ◽

Eduardo Galante ◽

Estefanía Micó

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Male Competition ◽

Oak Forest ◽

Mediterranean Forests ◽

Tree Hollows ◽

Biased Sex Ratio ◽

Dispersal Abilities ◽

Tree Hollow

Abstract We explored the dependence of some Cetoniidae species on saproxylic environments and microhabitats in a Mediterranean oak forest by analyzing species collected using different kinds of traps—log emergence, hollow emergence, and interception traps—and the sex ratio of the species in each trap. Comparing the sex ratio of the species collected via emergence versus interception was useful to unravel the degree of dependence on saproxylic microhabitats. Among the species studied, Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was the only obligate tree hollow inhabitant. Special attention should thus be paid to the maintenance of tree hollows for the species’ conservation in Mediterranean forests. A gradient of dependence on tree hollows was established from the more dependent Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Protaetia (Potosia) opaca (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) to the less dependent Protaetia (Netocia) morio (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae). All the latter species can be considered facultatively dependent, to varying degrees, on tree hollows. By contrast, the saproxylic affinity of Protaetia (Netocia) oblonga (Gory and Percheron, 1833) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), Tropinota squalida (Scopoli, 1783) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was doubtful. Generally, the sex ratio of the studied species was female-biased. A possible explanation may be local male competition for females, suggesting the Cetoniinae is a female world. However, the range of difference in the female-biased sex ratio among species suggests it is important to explore other possible causes, such as differences in dispersal abilities.

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Near-natural forests harbor richer saproxylic beetle communities than those in intensively managed forests

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118124 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 466 ◽

pp. 118124

Author(s):

Rannveig M. Jacobsen ◽

Ryan C. Burner ◽

Siri Lie Olsen ◽

Olav Skarpaas ◽

Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson

Keyword(s):

Managed Forests ◽

Natural Forests ◽

Saproxylic Beetle ◽

Intensively Managed

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Camera traps in the canopy: surveying wildlife at tree hollow entrances

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc15030 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 48 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nigel Cotsell ◽

Karl Vernes

Keyword(s):

Anthropogenic Disturbance ◽

New South ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

North East ◽

Tree Hollows ◽

South Wales ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Site Disturbance ◽

Tree Hollow

This is the first comprehensive camera trap study to examine hollow usage by wildlife in the canopy of trees. Eighty cameras directed at tree hollows were deployed across eight sites in nine species of eucalypt in north-east New South Wales. In total, 38 species (including 21 birds, 9 mammals and 8 reptiles) were recorded at hollow entrances over a three-month period. There was a significant difference between wildlife hollow usage associated with site disturbance and tree growth stage (ANOSIM, P > 0.05); however, there was no significant difference associated with tree hollow diameter (ANOSIM, P > 0.05). The level of anthropogenic disturbance at each site, including vegetation modification of the understorey, was a significant predictor of species presence. Despite the limitations of using camera traps in the canopy of trees this study demonstrates the potential to garner useful insights into the ecology and behaviour of arboreal wildlife.

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Hollow Is a Home

10.1071/9781486308064 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Abbie Mitchell ◽

Astred Hicks

Keyword(s):

Hiding Place ◽

Tree Hollows ◽

Tree Hollow

Do you know what a tree hollow is? To you and me, a tree hollow is just a hole, cavity or tunnel in a tree or branch. But to an animal, that hollow may be a bedroom, hiding place, nursery or shelter. It is the ultimate tree house! Come and take a peek inside the amazing world of tree hollows and discover more than 340 species of incredible Australian animals that call hollows home. With colour photos of glorious gliders, darting dunnarts, minute microbats and many more, this book is full of fun facts about animals that use tree hollows as places for resting, nesting or hiding. Find out how hollows are created, why they are threatened, and meet scientists who spend their time hollow-hunting. There are also plenty of tips on how you can spot hollows yourself, help to protect the environment and encourage habitat for hollow-dependent animals. Perfect for primary-aged readers.

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Den trees, hollow-bearing trees and nest boxes: management of squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) nest sites in tropical Australian woodland

Australian Mammalogy ◽

10.1071/am10050 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 106 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tina Ball ◽

Ross L. Goldingay ◽

Judith Wake

Keyword(s):

Size Class ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Breast Height ◽

Nest Sites ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Tree Hollows ◽

Dead Trees ◽

Squirrel Glider ◽

Tropical Woodlands ◽

Tree Hollow

The squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is an arboreal marsupial potentially impacted throughout its geographic range by the loss of hollow-bearing trees. We investigated the use of den trees and the availability of hollow-bearing trees near Mackay in the tropical north of the squirrel glider range where information was deficient. Mean den tree size (41.1 ± 2.9 cm (s.e.), diameter at breast height (dbh)) was significantly larger than that of available trees (27.5 ± 0.9 cm). Dead trees (stags) comprised 52% of 27 dens but comprised only 12% of available trees. This likely reflects the greater frequency of hollows in dead trees compared with other trees. Surveys found that 59% of 720 available trees contained hollows. A much lower percentage of trees in the 10–30-cm dbh size class were hollow-bearing (22%) compared with trees >30 cm (77%), and we view these smaller trees as those providing future den trees. Their density varied from 17 to 95 ha–1 among sites, which suggests that most sites have an adequate supply of future hollows. We installed 56 nest boxes to determine use by squirrel gliders. Only 20% were used after 3 years, but use was not influenced by the availability of tree hollows. Tree hollow availability appears adequate for the squirrel glider in these tropical woodlands but further studies are needed to understand the dynamic processes that govern this resource.

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Characteristics of tree hollows used by Australian arboreal and scansorial mammals

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo11081 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 277 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Ross L. Goldingay

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Processes ◽

Future Research ◽

Tree Hollows ◽

Frequent Use ◽

Dead Trees ◽

Primary Determinant ◽

Standing Dead ◽

Standing Dead Trees ◽

Tree Hollow

Many species of non-flying mammal depend on tree hollows (cavities or holes) for shelter and survival. I reviewed the published literature on tree hollow use by Australian non-flying arboreal and scansorial mammals to provide a synthesis of tree hollow requirements, to identify gaps in knowledge and to stimulate future research that may improve the management of these species. The use of hollows was described in some detail for 18 of 42 hollow-using species. Most information was for possums and gliding possums, whereas dasyurid marsupials and rodents were largely neglected. The paucity of data for many species must be addressed because it represents an impediment to their conservation. Hollow abundance appears to be the primary determinant of tree preferences. This accounts for the frequent use of standing dead trees by most species. Most hollow-bearing trees used as dens were at least 100 years of age. Further studies that describe the dynamic processes that govern the availability of tree hollows are needed. The few studies that document attrition of hollow-bearing trees suggest that land managers need to improve strategies for the effective retention and long-term replacement of these trees.

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Roosting behaviour of radio-tracked Tasmanian Masked Owls Tyto novaehollandiae castanops

10.20938/afo38013018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 13-18

Author(s):

David Young ◽

◽

Phil Bell ◽

Nick Mooney ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adult Female ◽

Adult Male ◽

Spatial Ecology ◽

Spatial Proximity ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Male And Female ◽

Juvenile Female ◽

The Core ◽

Tree Hollows ◽

Tree Hollow

Roost-sites and roosting behaviour are described for a juvenile female, an adult female and an adult male Tasmanian Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae castanops in a forest–farmland landscape. The two female Owls were radiotracked, and frequently used roost-sites in the core area of use. Roost-sites were typically associated with small watercourses, on the edges of large contiguous forest patches within a complex mosaic of forest and pasture. The juvenile Owl used many different vegetation roost-sites after dispersing from her presumed natal territory. In contrast, the adult female used few roosts, including two vegetation roosts and one tree-hollow, and only one roost (a tree-hollow) was located for the adult male. The primary tree-hollow roost-sites of the male and female Owls were <400 m apart and were both <1200 m from a suspected nest-tree. This strongly suggests that the spatial proximity of nest- and roost-sites may be critical to facilitate territorial, foraging and reproductive behaviours of breeding pairs. Increased knowledge of spatial ecology and utilisation of tree-hollows by adult Tasmanian Masked Owls is crucial for their conservation.

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Examining the effect of diverse management strategies on landscape scale patterns of forest structure in Pennsylvania using novel remote sensing techniques

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2013-0315 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 301-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yvette Dickinson ◽

Eric K. Zenner ◽

Douglas Miller

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Forest Management ◽

Forest Structure ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Landscape Scale ◽

Wildlife Habitat ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Remote Sensing Techniques ◽

Management Approaches ◽

Structure Patterns

We used novel remote sensing techniques to compare the landscape-scale patterns of forest structure in Pennsylvania, USA under the management of four different agencies with varying primary objectives, including production forestry, wildlife habitat, recreation, and private ownership. We (i) developed a forest structure classification scheme using publicly available LiDAR and orthographic aerial imagery data, (ii) mapped the forest structure across twenty forested landscapes, and (iii) compared the landscape-scale forest structure patterns among the four forest management types. Our results indicate that different management philosophies and their associated forest management approaches have resulted in contrasting landscape-scale patterns of forest structure. Privately managed forests had shorter forests, higher densities of distinct patches, higher interspersion of patch types, and higher forest structure diversity at fine-scales (1.5 ha grain size) compared to forests lightly managed for recreation. Production forests under ecosystem management and forests managed for wildlife habitat exhibited intermediate patterns of forest structure. This variation in forest structure patterns among the forest managers is likely to have implications for wildlife habitat and other ecosystem services. Furthermore, greater emphasis is needed on encouraging private landowners to manage across property boundaries and providing the resources and tools to manage forests at the landscape scale.

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