scholarly journals Epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity, and composition vary with coarse woody debris decay class and substrate species in boreal forest

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
Han Y.H. Chen ◽  
Sean C. Thomas ◽  
Chander Shahi
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Wide Range

Although the importance of coarse woody debris (CWD) to understory species diversity has been recognized, the combined effects of CWD decay and substrate species on abundance and species diversity of epixylic vegetation have received little attention. We sampled a wide range of CWD substrate species and decay classes, as well as forest floors in fire-origin boreal forest stands. Percent cover, species richness, and evenness of epixylic vegetation differed significantly with both CWD decay class and substrate species. Trends in cover, species richness, and evenness differed significantly between nonvascular and vascular taxa. Cover, species richness, and species evenness of nonvascular species were higher on CWD, whereas those of vascular plants were higher on the forest floor. Epixylic species composition also varied significantly with stand ages, overstory compositions, decay classes, substrate species, and their interactions. Our findings highlight strong interactive influences of decay class and substrate species on epixylic plant communities and suggest that conservation of epixylic diversity would require forest managers to maintain a diverse range of CWD decay classes and substrate species. Because stand development and overstory compositions influence CWD decay classes and substrate species, as well as colonization time and environmental conditions in the understory, our results indicate that managed boreal landscapes should consist of a mosaic of different successional stages and a broad suite of overstory types to support diverse understory plant communities.

Occurrence of Piloderma fallax in young, rotation-age, and old-growth stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in the Cascade Range of Oregon, U.S.A.

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 995-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Smith ◽  
R Molina ◽  
M MP Huso ◽  
M J Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Rotation Age

Yellow mycelia and cords of Piloderma fallax (Lib.) Stalp. were more frequently observed in old-growth stands than in younger managed stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Piloderma fallax frequency and percent cover data were collected from 900 plots in three replicate stands in each of three forest age classes over 2 years in both spring and fall. Piloderma fallax is strongly associated with stand age; it occurred in 57% of plots in old-growth, 6% of rotation-age, and 1% of young stands. Presence of Piloderma fallax was related to the percent cover of coarse woody debris (CWD) in decay class 5. Piloderma fallax was approximately 2.5 times more likely to occur in a plot with CWD decay class 5 present than in plots without. The probability that it would occur in a plot increased by approximately 20% for every 10% increase in percent cover of CWD decay class 5. However, the percent cover of Piloderma fallax was not strongly related to the percent cover of CWD in decay class 5. Frequency of occurrence did not differ among sampling times. Occurrence of Piloderma fallax may indicate suitable substrate for ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with CWD and may be important in forest management for the maintenance of biodiversity and old-growth components in young managed stands.Key words: Piloderma fallax, coarse woody debris, Pseudotsuga menziesii, forest management, ectomycorrhizal fungi, biodiversity.

scholarly journals Communities of epigeic beetles in tree line from montane spruce forest to secondary meadow in the different stage of the forest decline in the area of Modrava (Bohemian forest, Czech Republic)

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-349
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Boháč ◽  
Karel Matějka
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Epigeic Beetles

Abstract Communities of epigeic beetles were studied using pitfall trapping on 10 plots with the different stage of decline and clear-cut plots without coarse woody debris. Species richness (number of all species, S), total species diversity as the Shannon-Wiener’s index (H) and equitability (e) were calculated in the DBreleve. The Ward’s method of hierarchical agglomerative classification with Euclidean distance was used for the differentiation of the communities on the plots. Species data for this analyse were represented by logarithm-transformed activities [log(x+1)]. The single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical testing of differences in structural parameters (e.g. species richness and diversity) amongst distinguished groups of the plots. The species diversity and activity differs on glades without trees and coarse woody debris. The highest number of species was found in clear-cut areas. The lowest number of species was found on the plots with the living forest particularly invaded by bark beetle. This fact is caused by the fact that the clear-cut plots are invaded by ubiquitous and anthropotolerant species with good migration possibilities. These species are adapted to habitats without trees and are able to leave even in the habitats with very sparse or without vegetation. Species living in the forest even under the bark beetle attack are often stenotopic and adapted to the forest microclimate (higher humidity and low average temperature). These species are very sensitive to great difference in the daily changes of microclimate. The study of beetle communities support the hypothesis that the keeping of dead tree stands on plots after bark beetle outbreak is better for biodiversity conservation than the cutting down of trees and the abolishment of stems.

Coarse woody debris and forest floor respiration in an old-growth coniferous forest on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1811-1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Marra ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Respiration Rates ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Class 1

Carbon dioxide evolution rates for downed logs (coarse woody debris) and the forest floor were measured in a temperate, old-growth rain forest in Olympic National Park, Washington, using the soda lime trap method. Measurements were taken every 4 weeks from October 22, 1991, to November 19, 1992. Respiration rates for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), logs were determined for decay classes 1–2, 3, and 5 in two diameter classes. Overall, western hemlock logs respired at a rate 35% higher (4.37 g CO2•m−2•day−1) than Douglas-fir logs (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Respiration rates for decay class 1–2 logs of both species were similar to decay class 5 logs (4.46 and 4.07 g CO2•m−2•day−1, respectively), but decay class 3 logs respired at a lower rate (3.23 g CO2•m−2•day−1). Seasonal patterns of respiration rates occurred, particularly for decay class 1 and 2 western hemlock logs where monthly averages ranged from a low of 2.67 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in February 1992 to a high of 8.30 g CO2•m−2•day−1 in September 1992. Rates for decay class 1–2 western hemlock logs were greater than those from the forest floor, which ranged from 3.42 to 7.13 g CO2•m−2•day−1. Respiration rates were depressed in late July and August compared with fall and spring owing to the summer drought characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Large-diameter western hemlock logs in decay class 1–2 had higher respiration rates than small-diameter logs, whereas large-diameter decay class 3 western hemlock logs had lower respiration rates than small-diameter logs.

The effects of variable retention forestry on coarse woody debris dynamics and concomitant impacts on American marten habitat after 27 years

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 925-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Farnell ◽  
Ché Elkin ◽  
Erica Lilles ◽  
Anne-Marie Roberts ◽  
Michelle Venter
Keyword(s):  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
American Marten ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Retention Forestry ◽  
The Impact

Coarse woody debris (CWD) in the form of logs, downed wood, stumps and large tree limbs is an important structural habitat feature for many small mammal species, including the American marten (Martes americana). At a long-term experimental trial in northern temperate hemlock-cedar forests of British Columbia, Canada, we analysed the impact of varying amounts of overstory basal area retention: 0% (clearcut), 40%, 70%, and 100% (unharvested) on CWD volume, decay class, and inputs from windthrow over 27 years. We used CWD attributes (diameter, length, decay class, and height above the ground) known to be favourable for martens to create an index for assessing the impact of harvesting intensity on CWD habitat features. Stands with 70% retention had CWD attributes that resulted in CWD habitat features similar to unharvested stands. Clearcuts contained pieces that were smaller, more decayed, and closer to the ground, which contributed to a habitat that was less valuable, compared with stands that had higher retention. Over the 27-year period, windthrown trees were the majority of CWD inputs, and volume change was positively related to percent retention. Our results highlight that forest management influences CWD size and input dynamics over multiple decades, and the need for consideration of these impacts when undertaking long-term multiple-use forestry planning.

Postfire dynamics of black spruce coarse woody debris in northern boreal forest of Quebec

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1770-1780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Boulanger ◽  
Luc Sirois
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Asymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Study Sites

In this study, postfire coarse woody debris (CWD) dynamics in northern Quebec, Canada, were assessed using a 29-year chronosequence. Postfire woody-debris storage, decomposition rates, and variation of nitrogen and carbon contents of black spruce CWD (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) are estimated. The decomposition rate for postfire snags is exceptionally slow (k = 0.00), while the decomposition rate for logs (k = 0.019–0.021) is within previously recorded values for the boreal forest. The low decomposition rate for snags could be related to low moisture content associated with the position of debris and fast bark shedding. Given the low CWD decomposition rates and CWD storage (21.3–66.8 m3·ha–1), carbon losses from postfire CWD are relatively low, varying between 35.5 and 128.8 kg·ha–1·year–1 at the study sites. The nitrogen content in CWD drops quickly between living trees and snags and increases slightly with time since fire in logs. Nitrogen content is not related to wood density or to moisture content of deadwood. Rapid loss of nitrogen is associated with fast decomposition of subcortical tissues, leaching, and insect comminution. The increase in nitrogen content at the oldest site could result from asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, although a longer time span in the chronosequence would probably have revealed a greater nitrogen gain in increasingly decayed CWD.

scholarly journals Is the reptile community affected by Eucalyptus wandoo tree condition?

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 358 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Moore ◽  
L. E. Valentine ◽  
M. D. Craig ◽  
G. E. S. J. Hardy ◽  
P. A. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Prescribed Fire ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Tree Decline ◽  
Understorey Vegetation ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Eucalyptus Wandoo ◽  
Tree Condition

Context Large portions of the world’s forests and woodlands are currently affected by declines in canopy condition of dominant tree species; however, the effects of these declines on faunal communities are largely unknown. Eucalyptus wandoo woodlands in the south-west region of Western Australia have demonstrated declines in condition since the early 1990s. Such declines in tree condition can result in reduced understorey vegetation, increased leaf-litter cover and coarse woody debris, potentially altering the habitat and resource available to reptiles. Prescribed fire events, another mechanism of habitat change for reptiles, are a common occurrence in these woodlands. Aims The present research investigated whether reptile communities were influenced by E. wandoo tree condition, and the changes in the habitat associated with E. wandoo decline. Methods Reptile trapping was conducted at 24 E. wandoo-dominated sites (of varying condition) in Dryandra State Forest and Wandoo Conservation Park, Western Australia. Overall, reptile abundance, species richness and individual reptile species abundances (only those species captured in sufficient numbers for analysis) were compared with a range of habitat characteristics that are likely to be altered by changes in E. wandoo tree condition. Key results Overall, higher reptile abundance and species richness were observed at sites with longer time since fire and more site litter cover. There was also a greater abundance and diversity of reptiles at sites where E. wandoo trees exhibited fewer symptoms of tree decline. Similar analyses for the five most common skink species indicated species-specific relationships with tree-condition measures, time since last fire, site litter cover, distance to drift fence from E. wandoo trees, understorey vegetation density and the density of coarse woody debris. Conclusions Abundance and species diversity of the reptile communities in E. wandoo woodlands were strongly related to time since last fire, E. wandoo tree condition and habitat characteristics such as site litter cover and the density of coarse woody debris. Implications Decline in the condition of E. wandoo trees and the fire events in E. wandoo woodlands are both mechanisms of change correlated with reptile habitat and resources. Future management of E. wandoo woodlands may include reducing prescribed fire events in areas demonstrating symptoms of tree decline, to conserve reptile abundance and species richness.

scholarly journals Wood-inhabiting fungi on pedunculate oak coarse woody debris in relation to substratum quantity and forest age

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reda Iršėnaitė ◽  
Ernestas Kutorga
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Pedunculate Oak ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance ◽  
Mature Stands

Wood-inhabiting fungi on pedunculate oak (<em>Quercus robur</em>) coarse woody debris (CWD) was investigated in 50 plots of 0.1 ha in oak stands of different ages in Lithuania. In maturing stands (50-120 years) the average volume of oak CWD was 4.7 m<sup>3</sup>/ha, and in mature stands (over 120 years) – 13.9 m3/ha. Both in maturing and mature stands, the greatest fraction of CWD consisted of fallen oak branches (81 % and 84 % respectively), whereas fallen trunks comprised about 10 % of the total units of CWD. In total 1350 records of 203 species (49 ascomycetes and 154 basidiomycetes) were collected during 2 years of investigation. Species richness and abundance increased significantly with the increase of volume and abundance of CWD. Higher species richness was detected in mature stands than in maturing ones. Wood-inhabiting species composition varied greatly at stand scale, and one third of all detected species occurred only in one plot. Red-listed fungi were found only in mature stands. We conclude that, even in managed oak stands, oak CWD maintains a rather diverse species composition of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. However, the current practice of forestry in Lithuania of removing dying or dead wood of large volume, e.g. standing and fallen trunks, reduce the distribution of highly specialized, usually rare, and endangered fungi.

scholarly journals Effect of thermal activity on the differentiation of the vegetation of the “Ruda” postmining heap in Zabrze (Poland)

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Hanczaruk ◽  
Agnieszka Kompała-Bąba
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Thermal Activity ◽  
Habitat Conditions ◽  
Annual Species ◽  
Spoil Heap ◽  
Spontaneous Succession ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index

This paper presents the results of a study on the vegetation of the thermally active postmining heap “Ruda” in Zabrze (Poland). The aims of the study were: (i) to show the differentiation of the vegetation that has developed as a result of the thermal activity, and (ii) to determine the effect of thermal activity of the spoil heap on species richness and species diversity of the vegetation. Twelve plant communities were recorded on the heap. Thermal activity has a statistically significant impact on species richness (<em>Z</em> = 2.13, <em>p</em> = 0.03) and species diversity (<em>Z</em> = 2.29, <em>p</em> = 0.02). The species composition of plant communities reflects the habitat conditions, which are conditioned by thermal activity. As the distance from a zone with increased thermal activity increases, the degree of the spontaneous succession of vegetation and the complexity of the vegetation increase. Moreover, the share of annual species and kenophytes decreases in favor of perennial plants and apophytes. The number of plant communities (from four to eight), their species richness (number of species from 15 to 22) and species diversity (Shannon–Wiener diversity index from 1.81 to 2.19) also increase. A DCA analysis showed an increase in the shading, humidity and pH of the substrate, and the thickness of the dead organic matter within the gradient of the thermal activity.

scholarly journals The Structure of Saproxylic Beetle Assemblages in View of Coarse Woody Debris Resources in Pine Stands of Western Poland

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1558
Author(s):  
Andrzej Mazur ◽  
Radosław Witkowski ◽  
Robert Kuźmiński ◽  
Roman Jaszczak ◽  
Mieczysław Turski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Saproxylic Beetles ◽  
Structural Element ◽  
Biodiversity Indicators ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
High Share

Background: Resources of dying and dead trees, decaying fragments of stems, stumps and branches, i.e., coarse woody debris (CWD), are an important structural element of biocenoses and are drivers of biodiversity. The aim of this study was to describe assemblages of saproxylic beetles in pine stands of western Poland in view of dead wood resources. We present faunistic (species identity) and quantitative (species and individual counts) data from two types of stands: 1. unmanaged pine stands, in which no trees have been extracted for over 30 years, with processes connected with tree dying and self-thinning of stands being undisturbed, 2. managed pine stands, in which routine tending operations extracting trees are performed in accordance with forest management plans and naturally dying trees are removed in the course of tending and sanitary logging; Methods: Beetles were captured in the years 2013–2014 using window flight traps. Assemblages of saproxylic beetles were assessed based on the indices of dominance, diversity (the Shannon–Weiner index), and species richness (Margalef’s index) as well as the estimated habitat fidelity index, feeding habits, and zoogeographical distribution. Similarity between the assemblages was evaluated applying cluster analysis. Dependence between dead wood resources and the diversity and species richness indices were analysed; Results: A total of 2006 individuals classified to 216 species were captured. Assemblages show considerable similarity on the local scale. Higher values of species diversity indicators were observed in unmanaged stands, in which no sanitation cuttings are performed; Conclusions: The decision to refrain from sanitation logging in pine monocultures results in increased CWD resources, which nevertheless does not lead to a marked increase in the values of biodiversity indicators. Unmanaged stands were characterised by a high share of zoophagous, mycetophagous, and saproxylic species. In contrast, managed stands were characterised by a high share of xylophagous beetles.

Delayed and altered post-fire recovery pathways of Mediterranean shrubland under 20-year drought manipulation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daijun Liu ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Thomas Pugh ◽  
Josep Penuelas
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Mediterranean Shrubland ◽  
Succession Pathways

&lt;p&gt;Increasing anthropogenic and natural disturbances have disturbed 75% of global land area, indicating many plant communities are unstable or in recovery process. Increasing water deficits by rainfall reduction may decrease resilience (rate of recovery) and trigger different succession pathways (e.g. delayed, altered mature status and advanced degradation). Knowledge on the effects of future drought on community structure and demographic dynamics is key to project the fate of vegetation and yet it is limited.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here we assessed the impacts of long-term (20 years) experimental drought (-30% rainfall) on the successional pathways of species diversity, community composition and demographic changes for an early-successional Mediterranean shrubland (4 years after a wildfire). The results indicated that experimental drought significantly decreased species richness and shifted community composition compared to control plots. Significant decreases in abundance and increases in death ratios at both community (all species) and shrub (shrub species) levels were found in experimental drought. However, the abundance of Globularia Alypum was significantly increased by drought while Erica multiflora was not affected; the death ratios for the two species were significantly lower in drought than control plots. Species richness, community composition and abundance followed pathway 2 (altered mature state) while shrubland abundance followed pathway 3 (advanced degradation). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the variance in vegetation metrics was notably explained by the first two dimensions (49.4%), mainly related to the death ratio of G. alypum and E. multiflora (27.3% for PC1) and abundance of community and shrub levels (22.1% for PC2). The space variation in PC1 significantly increased over time, which was orthogonal with PC2. Within two dimensions of PC1 and PC2, the scores in control were significantly higher than drought.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our findings suggest that drier condition simulated by long-term drought could delay and alter the succession pathways of species diversity, community composition and abundance of the plant communities in Mediterranean ecosystems. The results also imply the importance to analyse long-term drought and extreme events on ecosystem functions (the strength of carbon storage in vegetation and soil) for such recovering communities.&lt;/p&gt;

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