scholarly journals The effect of buffer strip width and selective logging on streamside polypore communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 717-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiju Peura ◽  
Anna Oldén ◽  
Merja Elo ◽  
Janne S. Kotiaho ◽  
Mikko Mönkkönen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Buffer Strip ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Production Forests ◽  
Commercial Forest ◽  
Forested Buffer

Preserving streamside forest habitats or buffer strips is considered to reduce forestry-related biodiversity loss in commercial forest landscapes. However, it is still unclear what type of management in and near streamside forests can be undertaken without compromising their biodiversity and natural change through succession. Using a before–after, control–impact study design, we tested the impacts of forested buffer strips (15 or 30 m wide, with or without selective logging), preserved after clear-cutting, on the changes of polypore communities in streamside boreal forests in Finland. Manipulations in 28 sites produced four treatment classes, the community compositions of which were compared with seven unmanaged controls before and 12 years after the manipulations. The polypore community composition in 15 m wide buffer strips changed differently than that in controls and resembled the community composition typically found in production forests. Moreover, selective logging tended to homogenize polypore communities. These responses of polypore communities indicate that the natural biodiversity and succession of streamside forests was disturbed in both 15 m wide and selectively logged buffer strips. Streamside forests in nonlogged 30 m wide buffer strips seemed to retain the natural polypore community composition and succession, at least during the 12-year period.

scholarly journals Habitat Elevation Shapes Microbial Community Composition and Alter the Metabolic Functions in Wild Sable (Martes zibellina) Guts

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 865
Author(s):  
Lantian Su ◽  
Xinxin Liu ◽  
Guangyao Jin ◽  
Yue Ma ◽  
Haoxin Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Functional Genes ◽  
Martes Zibellina ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Metabolic Functions

In recent decades, wild sable (Carnivora Mustelidae Martes zibellina) habitats, which are often natural forests, have been squeezed by anthropogenic disturbances such as clear-cutting, tilling and grazing. Sables tend to live in sloped areas with relatively harsh conditions. Here, we determine effects of environmental factors on wild sable gut microbial communities between high and low altitude habitats using Illumina Miseq sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Our results showed that despite wild sable gut microbial community diversity being resilient to many environmental factors, community composition was sensitive to altitude. Wild sable gut microbial communities were dominated by Firmicutes (relative abundance 38.23%), followed by Actinobacteria (30.29%), and Proteobacteria (28.15%). Altitude was negatively correlated with the abundance of Firmicutes, suggesting sable likely consume more vegetarian food in lower habitats where plant diversity, temperature and vegetation coverage were greater. In addition, our functional genes prediction and qPCR results demonstrated that energy/fat processing microorganisms and functional genes are enriched with increasing altitude, which likely enhanced metabolic functions and supported wild sables to survive in elevated habitats. Overall, our results improve the knowledge of the ecological impact of habitat change, providing insights into wild animal protection at the mountain area with hash climate conditions.

scholarly journals The Effects of Pedestrian Environments on Walking Behaviors and Perception of Pedestrian Safety

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8728
Author(s):  
Byoung-Suk Kweon ◽  
Jody Rosenblatt-Naderi ◽  
Christopher D. Ellis ◽  
Woo-Hwa Shin ◽  
Blair H. Danies
Keyword(s):  
Pedestrian Safety ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Street Trees ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
Buffer Strip ◽  
Simulated Environment ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Walk To School ◽  
Walking Environment ◽  
Environment Experiment

We investigated the effects of pedestrian environments on parents’ walking behavior, their perception of pedestrian safety, and their willingness to let their children walk to school. This study was a simulated walking environment experiment that created six different pedestrian conditions using sidewalks, landscape buffers, and street trees. We used within subjects design where participants were exposed to all six simulated conditions. Participants were 26 parents with elementary school children. Sidewalks, buffer strips, and street trees affected parents’ decisions to: walk themselves; let their children walk to school; evaluate their perception whether the simulated environment was safe for walking. We found that the design of pedestrian environments does affect people’s perceptions of pedestrian safety and their willingness to walk. The presence of a sidewalk, buffer strip, and street trees affected parents’ decision to walk, their willingness to let their children walk to school and perceived the pedestrian environment as safer for walking. The effects of trees on parents’ walking and perception of pedestrian safety are greater when there is a wide buffer rather than a narrow buffer. It was found that parents are more cautious about their children’s walking environments and safety than their own.

Long-term effects of clear-cutting on epigaeic beetle assemblages in boreal forests

2016 ◽  
Vol 359 ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Johansson ◽  
Joakim Hjältén ◽  
Jörgen Olsson ◽  
Mats Dynesius ◽  
Jean-Michel Roberge
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Beetle Assemblages

scholarly journals The Status of Contaminants in Bald Eagles and Wildland Firefighters in the Teton Ecosystem

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
George Montopoli ◽  
Hank Harlow ◽  
W. Smith, MD ◽  
A. Wheeler, MD ◽  
Andy Byerly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Bald Eagle ◽  
Bald Eagles ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Lead Ammunition ◽  
The Status ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

Advancing global climate change and associated desiccation of temperate and boreal forests, exacerbated by extensive clear-cutting, may increase poisoning of aquatic ecosystems with high levels of contaminants, especially Hg. We report on contaminants identified in nestling bald eagles and wildland firefighters of the Teton Ecosystem (Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and the Snake River Unit (SRU), Wyoming) during summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008. In bald eagles, we focus primarily on mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se) because each was detected in all nestlings during all summers at moderate levels. In wildland firefighters, we report primarily on Hg due to potential contamination from Hg when fighting fires and ingesting smoke and particulates produced by those fires. We feel that studying Hg both in the eagles and humans simultaneously is a better indicator of the general health of the environment than studying them separately. Both humans and bald eagles occupy top tiers on the food web, and intricately reflect the status of the environment. Results of the bald eagle analyses showed trends indicating increases in Hg and Pb from 2006 to 2007, and decreases from 2007 to 2008. Selenium essentially remained constant from 2006 to 2007 and increased from 2007 to 2008. In wildland firefighters, Hg appears to be elevated in those firefighters who are exposed to significant levels of smoke and particulates, both in 2007 and 2008. Conjectures about firefighters, however, are not statistically significant due to small sample sizes and logistical problems. Encouraging trends in bald eagle contaminant levels from 2007 to 2008 suggest reduction (or stabilization) of contaminant concentrations in the Teton Ecosystem. We also encourage the continued elimination of Pb attributable to humans (lead ammunition, lead shot, etc.) from the Teton Ecosystem. We encourage periodic monitoring of contaminants in the Teton Ecosystem, minimally at five-year intervals (Harmata 1996), unless unexpected events mandate more immediate monitoring. In wildland firefighters, we suggest a well-designed, comprehensive research study for summer 2009, to immediately address future ecological issues that are emerging due to climate change.

Spider assemblage structure and functional diversity patterns in clear-cut, logged, and undisturbed areas in a large Atlantic Forest remnant

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 608-614
Author(s):  
Ronei Baldissera ◽  
Suiane Oliveira de Quadros ◽  
Gabriela Galeti ◽  
Everton Nei Lopes Rodrigues ◽  
Luan M.V. Lazzarotto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Functional Richness ◽  
Forest Remnant

Habitat loss is one of the main consequences of landscape transformation by humans. Monitoring biodiversity changes in areas under different management strategies is fundamental for species conservation. Our study is the first to assess the role of forest disturbance history on spider (Araneae) biodiversity in the westernmost portion of the Atlantic Forest. We analyzed taxonomic and functional aspects of spider assemblages in understories in a large forest fragment in southwestern Brazil. Spiders were sampled in five 30 m × 5 m plots over three seasons in three areas with different management histories: clear-cutting, selective logging, or native plots. We also characterized tree basal area, tree density, and canopy openness. The clear-cut plots showed more canopy openness and low habitat heterogeneity due to the high density of one pioneer native tree species. Forest structure in selective logging and native plots was similar. Spider richness, abundance, and functional richness were affected only by the season. Species composition also differed among the areas depending on the season. The abundance of web-building species was mainly associated with clear-cut areas in winter and spring. These results highlight the importance of natural regeneration in the Atlantic Forest after disturbance for the conservation of regional spider biodiversity.

scholarly journals The effect of buffer strip width and selective logging on riparian forest microclimate

2019 ◽  
Vol 453 ◽  
pp. 117623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Oldén ◽  
Maiju Peura ◽  
Sonja Saine ◽  
Janne S. Kotiaho ◽  
Panu Halme
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Strip Width ◽  
Buffer Strip ◽  
Forest Microclimate

Drivers of arboreal lichen community structure and diversity on Abies balsamea and Betula alleghaniensis in the Avalon Forest Ecoregion, Newfoundland

Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Wigle ◽  
Yolanda F. Wiersma ◽  
André Arsenault ◽  
R. Troy McMullin
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Lichen Diversity

There is debate about what drives and maintains the structure of arboreal lichen communities and the relative importance of substrate vs. local environment. Here, we examined which lichen species are unique to two tree species [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. and Betula alleghaniensis Britton] in the boreal forests of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, and which environmental variables are most important for lichen colonization and community structure. We collected data on lichen diversity from tree boles along with environmental data (tree size, bark pH, canopy cover) for each tree and each site. Multivariate analyses were used to determine the relationship between community structure and environmental data. The results show that a diverse range of tree characteristics are needed to support a diverse range of lichen species. Certain stands, such as old B. alleghaniensis stands, are more suitable to host a unique community of lichens than others. These results can inform land managers on the Avalon, recommending strategies for protected areas and providing forest harvest guidelines that limit clear-cutting of A. balsamea to maintain a diverse community structure and limit harvest of B. alleghaniensis trees in sites less optimal for lichen growth. These baseline data can also be used to monitor changes caused by moose browse and selective harvesting, two locally important threats to lichen diversity.

Elevated numbers of flying insects and insectivorous birds in riparian buffer strips

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darroch M Whitaker ◽  
Allan L Carroll ◽  
William A Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Riparian Buffer ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Insectivorous Birds ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips ◽  
Capture Rates

We compared the abundances of flying insects along undisturbed lakeshores and riparian buffer strips in balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forests in western Newfoundland. Insects were collected in pan traps placed on the forest floor and tanglefoot (sticky) traps suspended within the live canopy. Significantly greater numbers of insects were captured in riparian buffer strips than in undisturbed shorelines for four of five size classes in the canopy and two of five size classes in the understory. Collections were dominated by adult Diptera and Hymenoptera. Mean capture rates along buffer strips were 120-200% of the mean capture rates along undisturbed shorelines. This increase was greatest for large-bodied insects. A likely explanation for our observations is that buffer strips act as windbreaks, collecting airborne insects blown in from adjacent clearcuts and lakes. This phenomenon has been widely documented in agricultural landscapes. Understory wind speed was generally greater along buffer strips than controls, which is a reflection of increased exposure caused by clear-cutting. A concurrent parallel study conducted at the same sites investigated the effects of riparian buffering on breeding bird assemblages. Ubiquitous insectivorous birds, including the yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata) and blackpoll warbler (Dendroica striata), were more abundant along buffer strips than undisturbed shorelines, possibly in response to increased prey availability. Increased food availability may in part explain the high numbers of insectivorous birds typically observed in riparian buffer strips in boreal forests.

scholarly journals Predicting ecosystem vulnerability to biodiversity loss from community composition

Ecology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 1099-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian A. Heilpern ◽  
Brian C. Weeks ◽  
Shahid Naeem
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Ecosystem Vulnerability
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