scholarly journals Bat responses to changes in forest composition and prey abundance depend on landscape matrix and stand structure

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy S. P. Froidevaux ◽  
Luc Barbaro ◽  
Olivier Vinet ◽  
Laurent Larrieu ◽  
Yves Bas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Landscape Matrix ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Landscape Scales

AbstractDespite the key importance of the landscape matrix for bats, we still not fully understand how the effect of forest composition interacts at combined stand and landscape scales to shape bat communities. In addition, we lack detailed knowledge on the effects of local habitat structure on bat-prey relationships in forested landscapes. We tested the assumptions that (i) forest composition has interacting effects on bats between stand and landscape scales; and (ii) stand structure mediates prey abundance effects on bat activity. Our results indicated that in conifer-dominated landscapes (> 80% of coniferous forests) bat activity was higher in stands with a higher proportion of deciduous trees while bats were less active in stands with a higher proportion of deciduous trees in mixed forest landscapes (~ 50% of deciduous forests). Moth abundance was selected in the best models for six among nine bat species. The positive effect of moth abundance on Barbastella barbastellus was mediated by vegetation clutter, with dense understory cover likely reducing prey accessibility. Altogether, our findings deepen our understanding of the ecological processes affecting bats in forest landscapes and strengthen the need to consider both landscape context and trophic linkage when assessing the effects of stand-scale compositional and structural attributes on bats.

The reconstruction of past forest dynamics over the last 13,500 years in SW Sweden

The Holocene ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1791-1800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina E Hannon ◽  
Karen Halsall ◽  
Chiara Molinari ◽  
John Boyle ◽  
Richard HW Bradshaw
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Late Iron Age ◽  
Forest Continuity ◽  
Saproxylic Species

Evidence for unbroken continuity of tree taxa over the last c. 13,500 years is presented from a biodiversity ‘hotspot’ nature reserve in south-west Sweden. Forest composition, continuity, fire and disturbance events are reconstructed using palaeoecological methods. A lake record reveals that Pinus sylvestris, Betula spp., Salix spp., Populus tremula and Hippophae rhamnoides were the initial trees scattered in a semi-open, steppe environment. This developed into forest with Pinus, Betula, Corylus, Alnus, Ulmus and Populus with evidence for frequent fires. Deciduous trees became more significant as fires became less frequent and Quercus, Fraxinus and Tilia expanded. Fire frequencies increased again in the Bronze Age probably associated with anthropogenic use of the forest, and the first Fagus sylvatica pollen was recorded. Burning continued through the Iron Age, but charcoal is briefly absent for a period often referred to as the ‘Late Iron Age Lull’. The forest re-expanded with successions involving Juniperus, but with an altered composition from the earlier mixed deciduous community, to one dominated by Fagus. This is coincident with the first pollen records for Picea abies. The early Holocene mixed forest with frequent low-intensity fires is potentially associated with the greatest diversity of red-listed insect species. Forest continuity and the fragmented reservoir populations of old deciduous trees in the Fagus-dominated forest today are likely to have been critical in preserving the present-day, species-rich, rare epiphytic flora, wood-inhabiting fungi and invertebrate communities. As many of these forest fragments may become more vulnerable with future climate change, tree diversity with some disturbance may become essential for survival of the endangered saproxylic species.

Carbon stock assessment through above-ground biomass of trees at different forest composition in Mt. Malindawag, Lubilan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 100-113
Author(s):  
M. G. Origenes ◽  
R. L. Lapitan
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Above Ground Biomass ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
Species Diversity Index ◽  
Ground Biomass ◽  
Number Of Individuals

It is documented that the amounts of carbon stored and its level of degradation in different forests compositions and different types of forest is mostly unknown, Philippines is no exemption as little was done in some places of this country. This study was conducted to assess carbon stock through above ground biomass of trees at different forest composition in Mt. Malindawag. There were three (3) 20m x 20m sample plots (quadrats) (400m2 equivalent to 0.04 ha) established as replicate plots provided with 50m intervals. Forest composition such as the Agroforestry area, mixed forest area and the Plantation forest were assessed in terms of the number of individuals, number of species, diameter, and height to calculate the biomass, tree biomass density as well as the carbon stock. Based on the results of the study conducted in different forest compositions of Mt. Malindawag, plantation forest has the highest carbon stocking rate. However, these results were not significantly different from the other forest composition. This was associated with a higher accumulated diameter, which resulted in higher biomass and eventually carbon stock. Species found in this forest composition are productive and have lesser number of individuals; therefore, there is lesser competition for resources such as light. Such a mechanism might contribute to the higher biomass and carbon stock. However, the result may not be right to other areas due to uncontrollable factors, anthropogenic and environmental factors. Hence, it is recommended to have further studies on areas where trees have similar age, species diversity index as well as stand development and site productivity for a more accurate and quantifiable carbon stock.

Strategies for Restoring River Ecosystems: Sources of Variability and Uncertainty in Natural and Managed Systems

2003 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Land Uses ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Human Actions ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
River Ecosystems ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Societal Needs ◽  
Hydrologic Regimes ◽  
Restoration Strategies ◽  
Landscape Scales

<em>Abstract</em>.—River ecosystem integrity is evaluated within a variety of landscape scales. We examine influences of variations in natural processes and human actions on river ecosystems and propose a concept for restoring impaired systems. The ecological structure and function of rivers vary across a hierarchy of landscape scales with different spatial and temporal dimensions. The major linkages within river systems include exchange of water and materials along longitudinal connections from streams to rivers, lateral connections between river and floodplain systems, and vertical surface and subsurface (hyporheic) water exchanges. Strong longitudinal linkages dominate confined river reaches while unconfined floodplain reaches show strong affinities for lateral and vertical exchange. A landscape concept, “the shifting habitat mosaic” (SHM), provides a framework for understanding how these interactions create and maintain the physical and ecological diversity of habitats, biotic communities, and ecosystem integrity. While each river system has unique physical and ecological characteristics, many human actions and ecological effects can be expressed within the SHM concept. For example, societal needs for power generation, transportation, water management, and land uses (e.g., urban and agricultural) often alter natural processes of hydrologic regimes and material transport and deposition. These factors affect interactions between the river channel and the surrounding river–riparian corridor. Restoration strategies can apply the SHM concept by focusing on restoring normative variations to processes (e.g., hydrologic regimes) that contribute to ecosystem integrity. Management practices (e.g., dam hydrologic regimes, flood control facilities, levees, land uses) can be modified to restore natural physical and ecological processes (e.g., thermal regimes, water exchange, and animal migrations).

Bat activity over calm and turbulent water

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrix von Frenckell ◽  
Robert M. R. Barclay
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Myotis Lucifugus ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Sticky Traps ◽  
Insect Abundance ◽  
Echolocation Calls ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Little Brown Bat ◽  
Turbulent Water

A comparison of the activity of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) over calm pools and fast-flowing riffles was performed in southwestern Alberta. Bat activity was assessed by monitoring echolocation calls using ultrasonic detectors. Activity was higher over pools than riffles. This could be due to differences in prey abundance or accessibility in the two habitats. Alternatively, water noise at turbulent sites may interfere with the bats' echolocation abilities. Sticky traps were used to assess prey abundance, and water noise was recorded for intensity–frequency analysis. Insect abundance at the height where the bats flew (< 1 m above the water) did not differ between sites, but insects close to or at water level at calm pools may be more accessible than at fast-flowing riffles. Further, water noise at riffles may decrease the efficiency with which bats detect targets.

scholarly journals Conhecimento botânico e representações ambientais em uma comunidade rural no Domínio Atlântico: bases para conservação local

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Taboada Soldati ◽  
Reinaldo Duque-Brasil ◽  
Taline Cristina Da Silva ◽  
France Maria Gontijo Coelho ◽  
Ulysses Paulino De Albuquerque
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Starting Point

This paper aimed to contribute to building conservation strategies, evaluating specific realitiesand knowledge of the local communities that manage the landscape. In this ethnobotanical study, the knowledge of a ruralcommunity and the local concerns about an Atlantic Forest fragment, currently under legal protection, at Viçosa, MinasGerais, are presented. Data from 26 participants was collected using a series of ethnobotanical methods, such as semistructuredinterviews, free lists, guided tours and cognitive maps. A total of 134 species were recognized. Apuleialeiocarpa (Caesalpinaceae), Xylopia sericea (Annonaceae), Myrcia fallax (Myrtaceae), Ocotea odorifera (Lauraceae) andPiptadenia gonoacantha (Mimosaceae) were the most recorded. Resources were divided into six use categories, andconstruction was the most important. The Collective Subject Discourse analysis about environmental concerns revealeda detailed knowledge of a variety of ecological processes, such as the diversity of plants, animals and vegetation types,plant interactions and the presence of bioindicators. The results provide an initial description of the relationship betweenthe local community research partner and the forest fragment that was studied, being a starting point for the proposals tothe biodiversity conservation considering the local reality.

Ectomycorrhizal fungus-associated determinants jointly reflect ecological processes in a temperature broad-leaved mixed forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 703 ◽  
pp. 135475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Bai ◽  
Zuo-Qiang Yuan ◽  
Dong-Mei Wang ◽  
Shuai Fang ◽  
Ji Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungus ◽  
Ecological Processes

Forest regeneration standards: are they limiting management options for Alberta's boreal mixedwoods?

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor J Lieffers ◽  
Glen W Armstrong ◽  
Kenneth J Stadt ◽  
Eckehart H Marenholtz
Keyword(s):  
Forest Composition ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Boreal Mixedwood Forest ◽  
Boreal Mixedwoods

Regeneration standards in Alberta have developed incrementally over the last 40 years to ensure that cutover areas are regenerated with commercially valuable species that will contribute to timber yield. These standards have been controversial for the boreal mixedwood forest, because they do not appear to be producing forests that are similar in composition and structure to those found naturally. In this paper we discuss several components of the standards that are problematic: the issue of landbase designations that force relatively pure stands of spruce onto the landscape early in stand development compared to natural conditions where spruce establishes below deciduous canopies; the need for the free-to-grow standard, which requires removal of a large proportion of the deciduous trees in these mixedwood forests; and the overall philosophy that stands should be managed to maintain relatively simple composition and canopy structures. Regeneration standards need to be better-linked with forest management planning to allow managers to produce stands of a range of composition and structure. Key words: policy, free-to-grow, competition, forest composition, succession

Deciduous trees increase bat diversity at stand and landscape scales in mosaic pine plantations

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohan Charbonnier ◽  
Pierre Gaüzère ◽  
Inge van Halder ◽  
Julien Nezan ◽  
Jean-Yves Barnagaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Deciduous Trees ◽  
Landscape Scales ◽  
Bat Diversity

Influence of local-scale and landscape-scale habitat characteristics on California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) abundance and survival

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thien T. Mai ◽  
Kevin A. Hovel
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Spiny Lobster ◽  
Kelp Forest ◽  
Relative Survival ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Panulirus Interruptus ◽  
Landscape Scales

For many marine systems, little is known about the effects of habitat structure on ecological processes that dictate population dynamics. This study focused on the effects of habitat structure on behaviour, abundance, and survival of California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus Randall) in the Point Loma kelp forest, San Diego, California. Habitat characteristics were quantified in 400-m2 landscapes to determine the role of shelter and understorey kelp characteristics at local (shelter) scales and landscape scales on lobster habitat use. A tethering experiment determined the effects of the presence of understorey kelp on lobster survival. At the shelter scale, lobsters preferred permanent shelters to ephemeral shelters, but did not respond to shelter size. At the landscape scale, lobster density increased with Pterygophora californica (stipitate kelp) density and decreased with Laminaria farlowii (prostrate kelp) density, but lobster density did not vary with shelter density or dispersion. Lobster size increased with P. californica density in two of three surveys, while lobster size did not vary with L. farlowii density. Lobster relative survival was higher in the presence of understorey kelp than when kelp was absent. We conclude that lobsters respond to habitat characteristics at local and landscape scales, and that understorey kelp has strong effects on lobster habitat use and survival.

scholarly journals A Landscape-Scale Adjoining Conservation (LAC) Approach for Efficient Habitat Expansion: The Case of Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2919
Author(s):  
Jianwei Bai ◽  
Lina Tang ◽  
Qingchun Wang ◽  
Fengri Li
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Changbai Mountain ◽  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Habitat Isolation ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis

The biodiversity crisis and ecosystem degradation caused by habitat destruction and human activities can be reduced by organizing protected areas. However, many protected areas currently take the form of “green islands,” which has led to serious habitat isolation in many places. We thus introduce herein a landscape-scale adjoining conservation (LAC) approach for the protection and restoration of ecosystems across the boundaries between protected areas and surrounding non-protected areas. The strategy of the LAC approach is to effectively expand conservation areas by connecting isolated areas of important ecosystems or habitats outside of protected areas. The methodology of the LAC approach involves integrated analyses that consider both habitat quality and landscape patterns. Forest-habitat quality is characterized by species composition and stand structure, and habitat connectivity is quantified by the max patch area of habitat and total habitat area. The focal statistic is useful for examining habitat clumps that result from landscape fragmentation. As a case study, we apply the LAC approach to adjoining restoration of broadleaf Korean pine mixed forest on the Changbai Mountain in northeastern China. We developed a metric called the Restoration Efficiency of Landscape Expansion (RELE) to evaluate the LAC approach. The results indicate that a minimal restoration effort can produce significant effects in terms of the expansion of contiguous habitat, as quantified by RELE.

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