Winter-Active Spider Fauna is Affected by Plantation Forest Type

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kapilkumar Ingle ◽  
Hardeep Kaur ◽  
Nikolett Gallé-Szpisjak ◽  
József Bürgés ◽  
Áron Szabó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
Activity Density ◽  
Moist Habitat ◽  
Poplar Plantations

Abstract Plantations of non-native trees for commercial use are common practice in Europe. They are known to have severe ecological impacts on arthropod fauna by altering microclimatic conditions and reducing microhabitat diversity. However, the effect of plantation tree species on winter-active fauna is relatively unknown. Spiders are a diverse predatory arthropod taxon with strong effect on their prey populations. The composition of spider communities sensitively indicates changes in habitat structure. We established 40 sampling sites in five non-native pine and five native poplar plantations and collected spiders with pitfall traps for two winters in the Southern part of Hungary. We assessed the average height of vegetation and percentage cover of leaf litter, mosses, herbaceous vegetation, and shrubs to characterize habitat structure. We found species richness and activity density of spiders in the non-native compared to the native plantations, presumably due to the more temperate microclimate in pine than in poplar plantations. However, there was no significant effect of habitat structure and its interaction with forest type on species richness and activity density of spiders. Species composition of non-native and native plantation forests differed significantly. Furthermore, we identified six characteristic spider species of non-native plantations with preference for relatively moist habitat conditions. The single characteristic species, (Agroeca cuprea Menge, 1873) for the native plantations preferred dry and partly shaded habitats. We conclude that the effect of microclimatic differences and prey availability presumably overrides the effect of habitat structure on winter-active spiders.

scholarly journals Marked Differences in Butterfly Assemblage Composition between Forest Types in Central Amazonia, Brazil

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 942
Author(s):  
Isabela Freitas Oliveira ◽  
Fabricio Beggiato Baccaro ◽  
Fernanda P. Werneck ◽  
Thamara Zacca ◽  
Torbjørn Haugaasen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
High Water ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Terra Firme ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Seasonally Flooded

Amazonia comprises a mosaic of contrasting habitats, with wide environmental heterogeneity at local and regional scales. In central Amazonia, upland forest (terra firme) is the predominant forest type and seasonally flooded forests inundated by white- and black-water rivers (várzea and igapó, respectively) represent around 20% of the forested areas. In this work, we took advantage of a natural spatial arrangement of the main vegetation types in central Amazonia to investigate butterfly assemblage structure in terra firme, várzea and igapó forests at the local scale. We sampled in the low- and high-water seasons, combining active and passive sampling with traps placed in both the understory and canopy. Terra firme supported the highest number of butterfly species, whereas várzea forest provided the highest number of butterfly captures. The high species richness in terra firme may reflect that this forest type is floristically richer than várzea and igapó. Várzea is a very productive environment and may thus support a higher number of butterfly individuals than terra firme and igapó. Most butterfly species (80.2%) were unique to a single forest type and 17 can be considered forest type indicator species in this landscape. Floodplain forest environments are therefore an important complement to terra firme in terms of butterfly species richness and conservation in Amazonia.

Invasive Pine Tree Effects on Northern Coastal Scrub Structure and Composition

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Steers ◽  
Susan L. Fritzke ◽  
Jen J. Rogers ◽  
James Cartan ◽  
Kaitlyn Hacker
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Monterey Pine ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Day Range ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
The Impact

AbstractVegetation that becomes overtopped usually experiences a decrease in abundance or species richness. When an overtopping plant alters the physiognomy of the existing vegetation (e.g., trees invading a shrubland), ecosystem processes can also be dramatically altered. Worldwide, Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) cultivars have been planted in Mediterranean-like climates and are known to invade surrounding natural communities. Ecological impacts resulting from these invasions have been widely investigated; however, the effects from solitary pine trees on the vegetation they overtop are lacking. Furthermore, studies on the impact of P. radiata cultivars from the California floristic province, where P. radiata is native, do not exist. In coastal California, north of the present-day range of native P. radiata stands, cultivars of this species have invaded northern coastal scrub vegetation. To determine the impact of pine invasion on species richness and structure in this habitat, floristic surveys were conducted in 20 blocks that consisted of invaded and uninvaded plots. An invaded plot contained two subplots located under the canopy of an isolated pine tree, whereas a paired, uninvaded plot contained two subplots located in coastal scrub adjacent to each pine. Pine trees selected ranged in size from 2.8 to 119 cm (1.1 to 46.9 in) basal diameter. Our results demonstrate that understory native cover and species richness are negatively correlated with tree size. Understory exotic plant cover and richness of species other than P. radiata did not show any correlation with tree size, mainly because exotic plants had a very low abundance overall.

Forty years of dietary studies on barn owl (Tyto alba) reveal long term trends in diversity metrics of small mammal prey

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliano Milana ◽  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Giovanni Amori
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Over Time

AbstractThe diet of predators is influenced by local conditions (e.g., characteristics of habitat and microhabitat, seasonality, prey availability) and therefore tends to change across time. In this paper, the diet composition of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in Italy was studied using a meta-analysis of 47 articles (covering 212 independent sites, with multiple surveys for some sites, thus giving a total of 290 datasets) between 1972 and 2012. General Linear Models were used to assess the effects of year and study site on four distinct diversity indices (species richness, dominance, Shannon-Weaver diversity and equitability). The year of data collection was a factor used in all analyses. Year had a greater effect than study site on all diversity indices, but the effect was not significant for the evenness and the species richness. However, dietary dominance increased significantly over the years, the Shannon-Weaver index of diversity decreased significantly over time, and equitability also decreased significantly over time. The relative abundance of various species of rodents did not increase/decrease progressively over the years, although there were inter-annual fluctuations. On the other hand, the relative abundance of insectivores tended to decrease with time, and there was a significantly negative correlation between year and the frequency of consumption of Sorex spp. and a marginally significant negative correlation for Crocidura leucodon.

Effect of indaziflam on native species in natural areas and rangeland

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon L. Clark ◽  
Derek J. Sebastian ◽  
Scott J. Nissen ◽  
James R. Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Temporary Reduction ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

AbstractMinimizing the negative ecological impacts of exotic plant invasions is one goal of land management. Using selective herbicides is one strategy to achieve this goal; however, the unintended consequences of this strategy are not always fully understood. The recently introduced herbicide indaziflam has a mode of action not previously used in non-crop weed management. Thus, there is limited information about the impacts of this active ingredient when applied alone or in combination with other non-crop herbicides. The objective of this research was to evaluate native species tolerance to indaziflam and imazapic applied alone and with other broadleaf herbicides. Replicated field plots were established at two locations in Colorado with a diverse mix of native forbs and grasses. Species richness and abundance were compared between the nontreated control plots and plots where indaziflam and imazapic were applied alone and in combination with picloram and aminocyclopyrachlor. Species richness and abundance did not decrease when indaziflam or imazapic were applied alone; however, species abundance was reduced by treatments containing picloram and aminocyclopyrachlor. Species richness was only impacted at one site 1 yr after treatment (YAT) by these broadleaf herbicides. Decreases in abundance were mainly due to reductions in forbs that resulted in a corresponding increase in grass cover. Our data suggest that indaziflam will control downy brome (Bromus tectorumL.) for multiple years without reduction in perennial species richness or abundance. IfB. tectorumis present with perennial broadleaf weeds requiring the addition of herbicides like picloram or aminocyclopyrachlor, forb abundance could be reduced, and in some cases there could be a temporary reduction in perennial species richness.

scholarly journals A simple mooring modification reduces impacts on seagrass meadows

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna L. Luff ◽  
Emma V. Sheehan ◽  
Mark Parry ◽  
Nicholas D. Higgs
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Seagrass Meadow ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Sediment Composition ◽  
Simple Modification ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Detrimental Impact ◽  
Seagrass Density

AbstractMoorings can have a detrimental impact on seagrass, fragmenting the meadows, resulting in the habitat degradation. To reduce contact of the moorings with the seabed we attached small floats along the chain of a traditional swing mooring and monitored the ecological impacts of this modified mooring, with reference to a standard swing mooring, in a seagrass meadow under high tidal influence. After three years, seagrass density surrounding the modified mooring was over twice as high as that of the standard mooring, with blade length surrounding the modified mooring also found to exceed that of the standard mooring. Seagrass-associated epifaunal species richness was twice as high surrounding the modified mooring compared to the standard mooring. Sediment composition was considerably finer at the modified mooring, indicative of increased disturbance surrounding the standard mooring. A simple modification to existing swing moorings can mitigate some of the impacts of moorings on seagrass meadows, whilst accommodating for tidal fluctuations. The scale of the differences observed between the mooring types demonstrates the susceptibility of seagrass meadows to damage from swing moorings. Given the ecological importance of these habitats, it is crucial that action is taken to reduce further degradation, such as that demonstrated here.

scholarly journals Influence of Land-Use Type on Forest Bird Community Composition in Mount Kenya Forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel N. Mahiga ◽  
Paul Webala ◽  
Mugo J. Mware ◽  
Paul K. Ndang’ang’a
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Forest Biodiversity ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Plantation Forests ◽  
Relative Species Richness

Few studies have explored how human land uses influence and support persistence of forest biodiversity in central Kenya. In the case of the Mount Kenya ecosystem, farmlands and plantation forests are significant land-use types. Using point counts, we assessed bird communities in natural forests, plantation forests, and farmlands in the Nanyuki Forest Block, Western Mount Kenya. Bird point counts were undertaken during two sampling periods (wet and dry season). Compared to farmlands and plantation forest, natural forest had the highest overall avian species richness and relative species richness of all except one forest-dependent foraging guild (granivores) and nonforest species, which occurred frequently only on farmlands. Plantation forest had the lowest relative richness of all avian habitat and foraging guilds. Conversely, specialist forest-dependent species mainly occurred in the structurally complex remnant natural forest. Our study underscores the importance of remnant natural forests for the persistence and conservation of forest biodiversity and risks posed by replacing them with plantation forests and farmlands.

scholarly journals Vascular Epiphytic Diversity in a Neotropical Transition Zone Is Driven by Environmental and Structural Heterogeneity

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 194008291988220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edilia de la Rosa-Manzano ◽  
Glenda Mendieta-Leiva ◽  
Antonio Guerra-Pérez ◽  
Karla María Aguilar-Dorantes ◽  
Leonardo Uriel Arellano-Méndez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Semideciduous Forest

Vascular epiphytes contribute significantly to tropical diversity. Research on the factors that determine vascular epiphytic diversity and composition in tropical areas is flourishing. However, these factors are entirely unknown in tropical-temperate transition zones, which represent the distribution limit of several epiphytic species. We assessed the degree to which climatic and structural variables determine the diversity of vascular epiphytic assemblages (VEAs) in a transition zone in Mexico: the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve. We found 12,103 epiphytic individuals belonging to 30 species and 15 genera along a climatic gradient from 300 to 2,000 m a.s.l. Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the most species-rich families. Forests along the windward slope of the Sierra Madre Oriental (semideciduous forest and tropical montane cloud forest) had higher species richness than forests along the leeward slope (pine-oak forest and submontane scrub). Species richness was largely determined by seasonality and, to a lesser degree, by forest structure, whereas abundance was mainly determined by host tree size. Variation in VEAs composition was largely explained by climatic variables, whereas forest structure was not as important. VEAs differed among forest types and slopes in terms of taxonomic and functional composition. For example, certain bromeliad indicator species reflected differences between slopes. Although within-tree epiphytic species richness (alpha diversity) was low in this transition zone relative to other habitats, species turnover among forest types (beta diversity) was high. These findings suggest that each forest type makes a unique and important contribution to epiphytic diversity in this transition zone.

scholarly journals Treeline ecotones shape the distribution of avian species richness and functional diversity in south temperate mountains

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomás A. Altamirano ◽  
Devin R. de Zwaan ◽  
José Tomás Ibarra ◽  
Scott Wilson ◽  
Kathy Martin
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Avian Species ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Mountain Habitats ◽  
Elevational Range

Abstract Mountains produce distinct environmental gradients that may constrain or facilitate both the presence of avian species and/or specific combinations of functional traits. We addressed species richness and functional diversity to understand the relative importance of habitat structure and elevation in shaping avian diversity patterns in the south temperate Andes, Chile. During 2010–2018, we conducted 2202 point-counts in four mountain habitats (successional montane forest, old-growth montane forest, subalpine, and alpine) from 211 to 1,768 m in elevation and assembled trait data associated with resource use for each species to estimate species richness and functional diversity and turnover. We detected 74 species. Alpine specialists included 16 species (22%) occurring only above treeline with a mean elevational range of 298 m, while bird communities below treeline (78%) occupied a mean elevational range of 1,081 m. Treeline was an inflection line, above which species composition changed by 91% and there was a greater turnover in functional traits (2–3 times greater than communities below treeline). Alpine birds were almost exclusively migratory, inhabiting a restricted elevational range, and breeding in rock cavities. We conclude that elevation and habitat heterogeneity structure avian trait distributions and community composition, with a diverse ecotonal sub-alpine and a distinct alpine community.

scholarly journals Trends and Prospects in Ontario's Poplar Plantation Management

1977 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zsuffa ◽  
H. W. Anderson ◽  
P. Jaciw
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Clonal Selection ◽  
Hybrid Poplar ◽  
Poplar Plantation ◽  
Plantation Management ◽  
Rotation System ◽  
Stem Quality ◽  
Stock Type ◽  
Poplar Plantations ◽  
Intensively Managed

The hybrid poplar plantation management systems and objectives, some of the problems, and the results of work to date are summarized.Short-rotation poplar plantations are of regularly spaced traditional-size trees, intensively managed in monoculture. Silvicultural problems are associated with clonal selection, site selection and treatment, spacing, and planting stock type. The mean annual increments of best varieties have reached at 12 years of age 29 m3/ha (400 cu. ft./acre).Forest type poplar plantations are established in logged forest areas. These are less intensively managed.Fast growing poplar and associated shade tolerant hardwoods and conifers are planted in mixed plantations (poplar polyculture) on highly variable sites. Beneficial influences are apparent on the stem quality and phenology of associated trees. Growth stimulating effects, increased site utilization and disease resistance are expected.In mini-rotation system, average dry yields of 8 t/ha/a (3.5 tons/acre/yr) or more are produced in closely-spaced, intensively-managed 1- to 3-year-old coppice plantations. Pulping tests indicate satisfactory qualities. In addition, many other uses, from petrochemical replacement to food, have potential. The management problems under study are: clonal selection, site treatments, spacing, and mechanization.

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