Scots pine forest in Central Europe as a habitat for Harmonia axyridis: temporal and spatial patterns in the population of an alien ladybird

AbstractUnderstanding of habitat favourability has wide relevance to the invasion biology of alien species. We studied the seasonal dynamics of the alien ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in monoculture Scots pine forest stands in south-west Slovakia, Central Europe, from April 2013 to March 2015. Adult H. axyridis were collected monthly across seven randomly selected pine stands of different ages and canopy closure, from the lower branches of pine trees, and larvae were recorded qualitatively. Adults were recorded all year round, most abundantly in November and least abundantly in February. The relationship between the abundance of H. axyridis and selected forest stand characteristics was modelled using the negative binomial Generalized Additive Model with penalized spline component in month (seasonality) effect, year, canopy closure and age effects and the random effect of forest stand (sample area effect). The abundance of H. axyridis was significantly influenced by the age of stand and seasonality (with month granularity) for both closed and open canopy stands, whereas the effects of canopy closure and sample area were not significant. The bimodal pattern of seasonal dynamics of H. axyridis on Scots pine was common for closed and open canopy stands, with two peaks reflecting the cyclic movement of the species from and to overwintering sites. Harmonia axyridis utilized certain pine stands preferably for foraging during the growing season and certain stands for refuge during winter. The ladybirds were found in highest numbers in the 15 year old closed canopy stand (overwintering site). The occurrence of both adults and larvae in most stands indicated a suitability of Scots pine forest for ladybird breeding. The model of year-round dynamics of H. axyridis has been presented for the first time within the invaded range of the ladybird in Europe.

Download Full-text

Vertical and seasonal dynamics of fungal communities in boreal Scots pine forest soil

FEMS Microbiology Ecology ◽

10.1093/femsec/fiw170 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 92 (11) ◽

pp. fiw170 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Minna Santalahti ◽

Hui Sun ◽

Ari Jumpponen ◽

Taina Pennanen ◽

Jussi Heinonsalo

Keyword(s):

Forest Soil ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Seasonal Dynamics ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Scots Pine Forest ◽

Pine Forest Soil

Download Full-text

Effect of scots pine forest management on soil properties and carabid beetle occurrence under post-fire environmental conditions - a case study from Central Europe

Forest Ecosystems ◽

10.1186/s40663-020-00240-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ewa Błońska ◽

Bartłomiej Bednarz ◽

Magdalena Kacprzyk ◽

Wojciech Piaszczyk ◽

Jarosław Lasota

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Central Europe ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Carabid Beetle ◽

Scots Pine Forest

Download Full-text

The Lessons of Scots Pine Forest Decline in Ukraine

Environmental Sciences Proceedings ◽

10.3390/iecf2020-07990 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 28

Author(s):

Valentyna Meshkova

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Bark Beetle ◽

Bark Beetles ◽

Forest Decline ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Control Measures ◽

Laboratory Research ◽

Forest Zone ◽

Pine Stands ◽

Scots Pine Forest

The condition of Ukraine’s forests has deteriorated sharply since the 2009 drought. The area of Scots pine stands decline has increased 2.3 times. The purpose of the research is integrating published and own data on Scots pine forest decline with the contribution of bark beetles and pointing the ways for mitigating this process. The reference materials regarding the forest stands characteristics, forest health, weather, as well as the results of own field and laboratory research were the data sources. Ips acuminatus (Gyllenhal, 1827): Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae was the first bark beetle to infest weakened stands. The predominant development Scots pine decline in Polesie (Forest zone) is associated with a large proportion of pure pine stands of the same age, untimely thinning, and relatively slow drying of felling residues, in which the bark beetle has time to complete its development. The relative density of stocking by itself is a less important risk factor than its sudden decrease. The algorithm for prediction of bark beetles’ foci spread was developed. It will help to upgrade the accuracy of prediction, to evaluate the area of survey and control measures against insect pests. Recommendations for improving the forestry regulatory framework have been developed.

Download Full-text

Wood-ash fertilization and fire treatments in a Scots pine forest stand: Effects on the organic layer, microbial biomass, and microbial activity

Biology and Fertility of Soils ◽

10.1007/bf00418673 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 57-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Author(s):

H. Fritze ◽

A. Smolander ◽

T. Levula ◽

V. Kitunen ◽

E. M�lk�nen

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Wood Ash ◽

Forest Stand ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Organic Layer ◽

Scots Pine Forest

Download Full-text

Typology of the natural regeneration in a middle-aged Scots pine forest

Silva Gandavensis ◽

10.21825/sg.v53i0.913 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

Author(s):

C. De Schepper

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Free Field ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Pedunculate Oak ◽

Pine Stands ◽

Scots Pine Forest ◽

Forest Practice ◽

Scots Pine Stands

The study describes the natural regeneration state of a forest on coarse sandy soils. The natural regeneration was studied in three different ecological conditions: in 30 to 60 year old Scots pine stands, in a 62 year old mixed stand of pedunculate oak and red oak, and on the free field. The analysis of the regeneration groups revealed that the first settler maintained a dominant social position during the following years after the settlement. The structural basis is consequently laid out early. This means that the forest practice has to consider the very first phase of the regeneration as determining for the following evolution of the regeneration groups.

Download Full-text

Analysis of natural regeneration of Scots pine forest in the high Campine after a fire

Silva Gandavensis ◽

10.21825/sg.v53i0.912 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N. Lust

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Fire Regime ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Seed Supply ◽

Regeneration Period ◽

The Social ◽

Short Period ◽

Fire Area ◽

Scots Pine Forest

The study deals with the spontaneous resettlement of a fire area, after destruction of 600 ha Scots pine forest. The following items have been examined in particular: the composition of the tree species, the duration of the regeneration period, the influence of the parent stand, the exposition, the slope, the treatment, the fire regime and the social differentiation. The resettlement took place very quickly and over a very short period. Birch and Scots pine take up 95 % of the stem number. The regeneration result is precarious, yet mostly good. The parent stand is favourable both to seed supply and to microclimate, but only over a short distance. The Scots pine prefers more open and dry areas, whereas birch needs more humidity. Practice has shown that natural regeneration of Scots pine stands is possible. The forest treatment, however, is very important. It determines not only the immediate result of the regeneration, but also the composition and the structure of the future stand.

Download Full-text