scholarly journals Canopy Gap Structure as an Indicator of Intact, Old-Growth Temperate Rainforests in the Valdivian Ecoregion

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1183
Author(s):  
Álvaro G. Gutiérrez ◽  
Roberto O. Chávez ◽  
Ignacio Díaz-Hormazábal
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Mean Shift ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Canopy Gap ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Forest Protection ◽  
South Central ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Temperate Rainforests ◽  
Gap Structure

Forest degradation continues to increase globally, threatening biodiversity and the survival of species. In this context, identifying intact, old-growth forest stands is both urgent and vital to ensure their existence and multiple contributions to society. Despite the global ecological importance of the Valdivian temperate rainforests, they are threatened by forest degradation resulting from constant and intense human use in the region. Identification of remnant intact forests in this region is urgent to global forest protection efforts. In this paper, we analyzed whether forests-canopy alterations due to logging produce a distinctive canopy gap structure (e.g., a gap area and a fraction of canopy gaps in the forest) that can be used to remotely distinguish intact from altered forests. We tested this question by comparing the canopy gap structure of 12 old-growth temperate rainforests in south-central Chile (39–40° S), with different levels of canopy alterations due to logging. At each stand, we obtained aerial or satellite very high spatial-resolution images that were automatically segmented using the Mean-Shift segmentation algorithm. We validated the results obtained remotely with ground data on the canopy gap structure. We found that, in the variables, canopy gap fraction, gap area frequency distribution, and mean gap area could be measured remotely with a high level of accuracy. Intact forests have a distinct canopy gap structure in comparison to forests with canopy alterations due to logging. Our results provided a fast, low-cost, and reliable method to obtain canopy gap structure indicators for mapping and monitoring intact forests in the Valdivian ecoregion. The method provided valuable information for managers interested in maintaining and restoring old-growth forest structures in these southern-temperate rainforests.

Balancing water supply and old-growth forest conservation in the lowlands of south-central Chile through adaptive co-management

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo J. Donoso ◽  
Cristián Frêne ◽  
Marco Flores ◽  
Michelle C. Moorman ◽  
Carlos E. Oyarzún ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Forest Conservation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
South Central ◽  
Old Growth Forest

The relative effectiveness of protected areas, a logging ban, and sacred areas for old-growth forest protection in southwest China

2015 ◽  
Vol 181 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi S. Brandt ◽  
Van Butsic ◽  
Benjamin Schwab ◽  
Tobias Kuemmerle ◽  
Volker C. Radeloff
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Forest Protection ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Logging Ban

How long do Norway spruce snags stand? Evaluating four estimation methods

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Olaf Storaunet ◽  
Jørund Rolstad
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Survival Function ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Time Since Death ◽  
Calculation Methods ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Standing Time ◽  
South Central ◽  
Old Growth Forest

We estimated time from death to fall (standing time) of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) snags in a submountainous old-growth forest in south-central Norway, applying four calculation methods to 124 dendro chrono logically cross-dated still-standing snags and 64 fallen logs. The calculation methods consistently estimated expected standing time of snags at 26–34 years, with a median of 16–21 years and 20% of snags standing for >48–58 years. The survival function from all methods took the approximate form of a negative exponential, with a 3%–4% annual fall rate for snags. In the distribution of time since death, a small peak in dead trees 20–30 years ago (late 1970s) coincides with a historic epidemic of bark beetles. The method using only time since death of still-standing snags appears to be the most feasible for estimating total standing time of snags in old-growth forests with constant tree mortality.

Resilience of bryophyte communities in regenerating matrix forests after logging in temperate rainforests of coastal British ColumbiaThis paper is one of a selection of papers published as part of the special Schofield Gedenkschrift.

Botany ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. Baldwin ◽  
G. E. Bradfield
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Associated Species ◽  
Temperate Rainforests ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Occurrence Of Species

The resilience (measured as changes in functional group representation and species composition) of bryophyte communities found in the younger-aged (“matrix”) forests surrounding old-growth remnants was examined in two different forest types, warmer, drier (Nimpkish) versus cooler, wetter (Sayward), on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Bryophytes were sampled within 10 m × 2 m belt transects (species composition only) and using 10 cm × 30 cm microplots (composition and abundance) in two age classes of matrix forest, clearcuts (age 7–20 years), and second-growth (age 25–49 years) as well as in remnant old-growth forest stands (age >300 years). The cover of all bryophytes was diminished and more patchily distributed in younger-aged stands; however, the richness and frequency of bryophyte functional groups showed different responses in the two younger age class forests. Disturbance-associated species exhibited both higher richness and frequency in clearcut plots and higher richness in second-growth plots. In comparison, the richness of species associated with old-growth was largely unchanged in younger-aged forests compared with old-growth forests; however, the frequency of occurrence of species associated with old-growth was significantly reduced in younger-aged forests. The cooler, wetter forests exhibited greater resilience, as the difference in species composition between second-growth and old-growth stands was less than that between second-growth and old-growth stands in the warmer, drier forests. The greater difference in second-growth species composition in the warmer, drier forests was attributed mainly to the persistence of disturbance-associated species.

scholarly journals Recovery of the Critically Endangered bracket fungus Amylocystis lapponica in the Estonian network of strictly protected forests

Oryx ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadri Runnel ◽  
Indrek Sell ◽  
Asko Lõhmus
Keyword(s):  
Population Expansion ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Forest Protection ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
Reserve Network ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Specialist Species ◽  
Conservation Concern

AbstractIn regions where primeval forests have vanished it is unclear whether forest protection can sustain specialized old-forest biota, and over what time scale. We report on population expansion of an old-growth specific fungus of European conservation concern, Amylocystis lapponica, in the forest reserve network of Estonia. This conspicuous species was known for 40 years from only single records in one old-growth forest and was categorized nationally as Critically Endangered. During the last 10 years A. lapponica has expanded over the eastern half of the country, with nine subpopulations, in 12 localities, now known, all in long-protected old-growth forests and several > 50 km apart. In most of the new localities historical absence of the species can be reliably assessed based on earlier surveys. The historical remnant subpopulation has also increased. The population size (c. 100 mature individuals) in Estonia indicates the species should be recategorized nationally as Endangered. This success story suggests that more than 50 years of non-intervention may be needed even in large old-forest reserves for old-growth specialist species to recover.

Macrolichen colonization on 120–140 year old Tsuga heterophylla in wet temperate rainforests of central-interior British Columbia: a comparison of lichen response to even-aged versus old-growth stand structures

2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. RADIES ◽  
Darwyn S. COXSON
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Growth Constraints ◽  
Rotation Age ◽  
Temperate Rainforests

Canopy lichen abundance was assessed by size class on regenerating hemlocks, comparing trees of similar size and age (c. 120–140 yrs) growing in the understorey of old-growth cedar-hemlock stands with those growing in adjacent even-aged hemlock stands (natural origin patches c. 1–3 ha in size). Five chlorolichen taxa were associated with old-growth understorey trees: Cavernularia hultenii, Hypogymnia vitatta, Parmelia hygrophila, Platismatia norvegica, and Usnea spp. Lobaria pulmonaria was the most abundant cyanolichen on regenerating hemlock in the old-growth forest stands, particularly in lower canopy (under 12 m) exposures. However, other cyanolichen taxa such as Nephroma helveticum, Sticta fulginosa, and Pseudocyphellaria anomala, reached their greatest abundance at mid-canopy (12–24 m) positions. Smaller cyanolichen thalli (<9 cm2) were abundant on regenerating hemlocks across all canopy positions in the old-growth forest, raising the question as to whether or not cyanolichen thalli in mid- to upper-canopy environments represented long-established individuals facing severe growth constraints, or were simply thalli that had experienced higher rates of fragmentation, and thus did not achieve larger sizes. In comparison, cyanolichens of all taxa were essentially absent from the small-patch even-aged forest stands. Given that dispersal of propagules was not likely a major limiting factor, these 120–140 year old even-age stands may not yet have attained sufficient old-growth characteristics (especially canopy microclimate and canopy throughflow enrichment) to support cyanolichen growth. These findings have major conservation biology implications for wet interior cedar-hemlock forests in British Columbia, where forest harvesting is creating a mosaic of even-aged stands, whose projected age at the time of next harvest (rotation age) will be 120 years or less.

Tradable Disturbance Permits for Old-growth Forest Conservation: Experimental Evaluation of Implementation Options

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 73-107
Author(s):  
Orsolya Perger ◽  
Curtis Rollins ◽  
Marian Weber ◽  
Wiktor Adamowicz ◽  
Peter Boxall
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evaluation ◽  
Forest Conservation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Old-growth forest reserves in Slovenia: the past, present, and future

2012 ◽  
Vol 163 (6) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Nagel ◽  
Jurij Diaci ◽  
Dusan Rozenbergar ◽  
Tihomir Rugani ◽  
Dejan Firm
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Forest Reserves ◽  
The Past ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Forest Remnants ◽  
Basic Characteristics

Old-growth forest reserves in Slovenia: the past, present, and future Slovenia has a small number of old-growth forest remnants, as well as many forest reserves approaching old-growth conditions. In this paper, we describe some of the basic characteristics of these old-growth remnants and the history of their protection in Slovenia. We then trace the long-term development of research in these old-growth remnants, with a focus on methodological changes. We also review some of the recent findings from old-growth research in Slovenia and discuss future research needs. The conceptual understanding of how these forests work has slowly evolved, from thinking of them in terms of stable systems to more dynamic and unpredictable ones due to the influence of natural disturbances and indirect human influences. In accordance with this thinking, the methods used to study old-growth forests have changed from descriptions of stand structure to studies that address natural processes and ecosystem functions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document