The effect of tree dimension on the diversity of bark microhabitat structures and bark use in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)
The focus of this study was to investigate the role of tree dimension and associated bark structures for high structural complexity and high natural biodiversity in forest ecosystems. Two-hundred and ninety-one Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) trees in two regions of the US Pacific Northwest were investigated for the relationship between tree diameter and bark thickness (measured as bark fissure depth) and the relationships of both to bark microhabitats and signs of bark use. Our results emphasize the habitat function of tree bark of large-diameter Douglas-fir trees. Many bark microhabitat types and their total abundance significantly increased with increasing tree diameter and bark thickness. These were bark pockets with and without decaying substrate, bowls in the bark, and signs of bark use, e.g., small holes from woodpecker drillings and large insects, large bark excavations from woodpeckers, spider funnel webs, natural cavities at the stem base without decay, and the occurrence of herb vegetation at the tree base. In forest monitoring, tree diameter may be a good indicator of the number of bark microhabitats and of bark thickness because it is strongly related to both of these variables. However, because of the high variability of bark thickness in large-diameter trees, we suggest monitoring bark fissure depth if an ecological evaluation of Douglas-fir forests is needed.