scholarly journals Plant species richness or soil fertility: which affects more the productivity of Scots pine in Central Europe?

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-73
Author(s):  
Piotr Sewerniak ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Strong Argument ◽  
Trophic Index ◽  
Forest Strata

It has been highlighted that forest productivity is related both to species richness and to soil fertility; however, thus far it has not been investigated which of these agents is more important for the productivity. The goal of this study was to examine this problem with regard to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in Central Europe. The study was conducted in 129 plots located in SW Poland. The productivity of even-aged pine stands was estimated based on site index. Plant species richness was investigated regarding the total richness as well as the richness referring to particular forest strata (overstorey, understorey, herb layer). Soil fertility was studied regarding the nutrients’ stocks, the contents of fine-textural classes, pH, the TOC content and the values of Soil Trophic Index. The importance of the variables for the site index was examined using Spearman correlations and the stepwise regression. Productivity of the studied stands was predominantly correlated stronger to species richness than to soil properties being related to its fertility. The higher importance for the productivity of soil variables than of species richness was exclusively found for the poorest plots being represented by Podzols. This study highlights the high importance of species richness occurring in particular forest strata for the forest stand productivity, which could involve consequences for forest economy as well as for CO2 sequestration. Thus, the research delivers strong argument for the conversion of pine mono-stands occurring in Central Europe for mixed forests.

scholarly journals Investigating the drivers of macro-fungal dark diversity using LiDAR

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose W. Valdez ◽  
Ane Kirstine Brunbjerg ◽  
Camilla Fløjgaard ◽  
Lars Dalby ◽  
Kevin K. Clausen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Suitable Site ◽  
Plant Data

AbstractDespite the important role of fungi for ecosystems, relatively little is known about the factors underlying the dynamics of their diversity. Moreover, studies do not typically consider their dark diversity: the absent species from an otherwise suitable site. Here, we examined the drivers of local fungal dark diversity in temperate woodland and open habitats using LiDAR and in-situ field measurements, combined with a systematically collected and geographically comprehensive (national) macro-fungi and plant data set. For the first time, we also estimated species pools of fungi by considering both plant and fungi co-occurrences. The most important LiDAR variables were amplitude and echo ratio, which are both thought to represent vegetation structure. These results suggest that the local fungal dark diversity is highest in tall dense forests like plantations and lowest in more open forests and open habitats with little woody vegetation. Plant species richness was the most important driver and negatively correlated with local fungal dark diversity. Soil fertility showed a positive relationship with dark diversity in open habitats. This may indicate that the local dark diversity of macro-fungi is highest in areas with a relatively high human impact (typically areas with low plant species richness and high soil fertility). Overall, this study brings novel insights into local macro-fungi dark diversity patterns, suggesting that a multitude of drivers related to both soil and vegetation act in concert to determine fungal dark diversity. Our results suggest that policymakers and conservation managers should consider plant species richness, soil fertility, and vegetation structure in future management plans for fungal communities.

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