Ecological assessment of the lowland relit forest “Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza” in Trino (North-Western Italy), applying Diptera Syrphidae as bioindicators

The survey has been realized in the lowland relict forest Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza, a site situated in Trino (Piedmont, North-Western Italy), to assess the ecological conservation level of forest habitats using the Syrph the Net methodology. 67 species were recorded, using three Malaise traps, seven Emergence traps and several Net transect in the year 2020. Among these species, 6 are reported for the first time in Piedmont region, 19 are considered decreasing at European level and 2 are threatened in Europe. Forest habitats under scrutiny in the study area are oak-hornbeam mesophilic woodland and alluvial alder lowland. The data analysis allowed to compare observed with expected syrphids for each habitat. At the ecosystem level, the ecological integrity of the forest is moderately negative but the alluvial alder forest macrohabitat can be considered good and overall saproxylic and saprophagous species are particularly well-preserved. The presence of a high number of rare or decreasing species makes Trino wood an important source of biodiversity in Po Plain.

Diurnal Tree Stem CH4 and N2O Flux Dynamics from a Riparian Alder Forest

Tree stems play an important role in forest methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) flux dynamics. Our paper aimed to determine the unknown diurnal variability of CH4 and N2O exchange in grey alder tree stems. The gas fluxes in tree stems and adjacent soil were measured using manual static and dynamic chamber systems with gas chromatographic and laser-spectroscopic analysis, respectively. The alder trees were predominant emitters of CH4 and N2O; however, N2O emission from stems was negligible. The soil mainly emitted N2O into the atmosphere and was both a source and sink of CH4, depending on environmental conditions. Neither the tree stems nor the riparian forest soil showed significant differences in their CH4 and N2O fluxes between the daytime and nighttime, independently of the exchange rates. In contrast to several previous studies revealing a diurnal variability of greenhouse gas fluxes from tree stems, our investigation did not show any clear daytime–nighttime differences. On the other hand, we found quite clear seasonal dynamics initiated by changing environmental conditions, such as temperature and soil water conditions and tree physiological activity. Our results imply a transport role of tree stems for soil-produced CH4 and N2O rather than the production of these gases in tree tissues, even though this cannot be excluded.

Odonates (Insecta: Odonata) of the ”Golczewskie Uroczysko” nature reserve (North-West Poland)

The „Golczewskie Uroczysko” nature reserve was established on 5 May 2004 to protect the raised peat bog and the dystrophic Lake Żabie with its surrounding transitional bog and adjacent forest complexes containing valuable plants. In May, July and October 2006 the research of odonates (Odonata) fauna has been conducted in this area. A total of 575 odonates individuals belonging to 29 species (366 imagines, 152 larvae, 57 exuviae) were collected and among these 489 specimens belonging to 28 species were collected in Lake Żabie, 26 specimens belonging to 7 species on the beat boog, 52 specimens belonging to 3 species in flooded alder forest and 8 specimens belonging to 2 species were collected in ditches in the forest. The eurytopic species were dominated with substantial parts of tyrphobiontic and tyrphophilous species.

Distribution of epi-endogeic and endogeic earthworm species (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in the forest belt of the Northwest Caucasus

The distribution of the often dominant in density and biomass epi-endogeic and endogeic earthworm species in forests of the Northwest Caucasus was estimated based on a large array of field data and GIS modeling of modern potential areas. Quantitative accountings of earthworms were conducted annually from 2014 to 2019 in different types of forests: sticky alder forest, small-leaved forests, broadleaf forests (hornbeam and beech forests), coniferous-deciduous forests, dark coniferous forests, and pine forests (792 geographic locations). It is shown that the native species of the Caucasian fauna dominate in the number and biomass from piedmont to high mountain forests. The most widespread species that is found in all types of forests from low to high mountains and makes the main contribution to the biomass of earthworms is the Crimean-Caucasian subendemic Dendrobaena schmidti. Peregrine species of epi-endogeic and endogeic earthworms inhabit sticky alder forest, small-leaved, broadleaf and pine forests in which they inhabit together with native species, while not dominating either in numbers or in biomass among other species. Dark coniferous forests are inhabited mainly by the native endogeic species D. schmidti and A. jassyensis. Maxent modeling shows that the species of the endogeic earthworm group have wider potential areas than epi-endogeic species. The most significant bioclimatic factors that make the greatest contribution to the distribution: amount of precipitation in the driest month, altitude above the sea level, isothermality.

Short lived peaks of stem methane emissions in temperate black alder forest - irrelevant for ecosystem methane budgets?

<p>Tree stems can be a source of the greenhouse gas methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) and locally as regionally important to the overall GHG budget. Stem emissions even hold the potential of narrowing down knowledge gap in the global methane budget. However, assessments of the global importance of stem CH<sub>4</sub> emissions are complicated by a lack of research and high variability between individual ecosystems. Here, we determined the contribution of emissions from stems of mature black alder (<em>Alnus glutinosa</em> (L.) Gaertn.) to overall CH<sub>4</sub> exchange in two temperate peatlands. We measured emissions from stems and soils using closed chambers in a drained and an undrained alder forest over 2 years. Furthermore, we studied the importance of alder leaves as substrate for methanogenesis in an incubation experiment. Stem CH<sub>4</sub> emissions at the undrained alder forest were very variable in time and only persisted for a few weeks during the year. Generally the drained alder forest did not soil nor stem CH<sub>4</sub> emissions. Different upscaling approaches were assessed and all approaches showed that stem CH<sub>4</sub> emissions contributed less than 0.3 % to the total ecosystem CH<sub>4</sub> budget. However, stem CH<sub>4</sub> seem to depend strongly on the hydrological regime and therefore vary strongly between ecosystems. Hence, every ecosystem must be consdidered attentively with respect to their stem CH<sub>4</sub> emissions.</p>

Peculiarities of diameter distribution and dynamics of marketability structure of alder stands in Slobozhanskyi forest typology district

A review of literary sources on the diameter distribution of trees and marketability structure of black alder stands in the Slobozhanskyi forest typological district and the whole of Ukraine is carried out, the relevance of this study is established. Comparison of forest typological and forest management zoning is presented for a clearer identification of the study region, as a prerequisite for the creation of regional standards for forestry. The analysis of the distribution of black alder in the forest fund of the study region is carried out and the forestry and evaluation indicators of the alder forest stands are studied. The distribution of black alder stands of the region by origin, forest types, density of stocking and productivity has been evaluated. The evaluation indicators and marketability structure of black alder stands in the study region are considered. Models of the diameter variability of the modal stand, the ratio of the variability of the industrial timber part to the total dimensional variability of the stand, taking into account the minimum and maximum diameters in the modal stand, have been calculated. The relationship between the proportion of industrial timber and the age of modal alder stands of coppice origin has been established. The tables of the marketability structure dynamics of modal alder stands were created, taking into account the distribution of the volumes of industrial timber by dimensional classes, consistent with European approaches to round timber measurement. When compiling the standards, the previously developed yield tables of modal black alder stands of coppice origin of the Slobozhanskyi forest typological district, a comparative analysis of the dynamics of the output of industrial timber in modal black alder stands according to different standards is carried out. When comparing the standards developed for the Slobozhanskyi forest typological district with the standards developed for the whole of Ukraine, it was found that in the latter the output of industrial timber is significantly higher, which is primarily associated with the forest site conditions of the region and the coppice origin of forest stands.

Depth-dependent decomposition of root litter in drained and rewetted fen ecosystems

<p>Peatlands cover only 3% of the lands surface, but store roughly a third of the global soil carbon due to inhibited decomposition rates. Over a third of the peatland area in Europe are fens, in which the peat is primarily formed by roots and rhizomes of vascular plants. These fens have been subjected to widespread drainage and conversion into agricultural areas. As a result, they continuously emit large amount of greenhouse gases. One strategy of mitigating the emissions, and ideally restoring the original sink function, is to rewet fen peatlands. However, it remains uncertain how rewetting changes decomposition rates compared to the drained state, and what the underlying biogeochemical processes and organic matter transformations during litter decomposition and peat formation are. We here present decomposition rates of root material in different depth, over 6 months, a year, and two years in different drained and rewetted fen ecosystems (percolation fen, coastal fen, alder forest). In addition to mass loss, we also assessed the composition of carbon compounds over time.</p>

Late Holocene Vegetation and Environmental Changes of Coastal Lowlands in Northern Iran: Possible Role of Climate, Human Impact and Caspian Sea Level Fluctuations

Coastal forests and wetlands play an important role in supporting biological diversity, protecting the hinterlands and shorelines along the continental margins from erosion, as well as for contributing to carbon and freshwater storage. To reconstruct late Holocene vegetation and environmental dynamics in the coastal lowlands in northern Iran and detect the possible role of climate, human impact and Caspian Sea (CS) level fluctuation on coastal ecosystems, a multi-proxy analysis including pollen, spores, non-pollen palynomorphs, macro-charcoal and X-ray fluorescence analysis, have been applied on the radiocarbon dated sediment cores from the Eynak (EYK) lagoon further inland and Bibi Heybat (BBH) alder swamp near the coast. Open wetlands covered relatively large areas since the recorded period (1450 cal yr BP). At BBH larger areas of open vegetation occurred and alder forests covered only small areas that expanded during the late Little Ice Age (1650-1850 AD) and were most abundant during the last about 100 years. Further inland at EYK, areas of alder and mixed broad-leaved Hyrcanian forest were larger. Alder forest in general expanded since 600 cal yr BP. In the last 170 years, alder forest areas and wetlands declined strongly, due to deforestation and strong human activities. The intensity of human impact, climatic fluctuations and changes in CS level were the most important factors controlling the dynamics of the northern Iranian coastal vegetation.

Zmiany składu gatunkowego i wskaźników struktury zbiorowisk roślinnych w latach 2001‑2018 na wybranych powierzchniach stałych w Kampinoskim Parku Narodowym = Changes of species composition and structural indices among plant communities in 2001‑2018 on selected permanent plots in Kampinos National Park

On the basis of 2001, 2007, 2012 and 2018 phytosociological records obtained from 52 permanent plots distributed across Poland’s Kampinos National Park, it proved possible to determine main directions of change in the ecological character of undergrowth. Reference to similarity of species composition on the plots between 2001 and 2018 allowed for the identification of Groups: A (occurring in boggy alder forest habitats, and comprising communities at different successional stages), B (coniferous and mixed-coniferous forests), C (oak-hornbeam forests and similar communities) and D (vegetation representing different dynamic stages of the succession from non-forest to forest communities). Irrespective of each plot’s unique history, the above Groups of plots could be characterised in line with specific sets of features subject to directional change during the period under analysis. Where Group A communities were concerned, a rise in the level of ground water and a decline in the content of organic carbon in soil were experienced, with the result that fen sedge species (Scheuchzerio-Caricetea) came to play a reduced role, even as there was a steadily-increasing role for species associated with communities flooded at least periodically (hence Potamogetonetea and Bidentetea). This was accompanied by a decrease in the number of shrub species and an increase in the number of bryophyte species. There were also increases in the proportions of geophytes and species associated with habitats more abundant in nitrogen. Group B communities were likewise subject to rising water tables, albeit changes not reflected directly in differing vegetation characteristics. The carbon: nitrogen ratio in soils here increased, as did numbers of species characteristic of undergrowth, as well as the bryophyte layer. Nevertheless, where undergrowth species were concerned, the role of those typical for open sandy grasslands (Koelerio-Corynephoretea) is seen to be declining, with this inter alia denoting increased shares of species either tolerant of shade or avoiding full illumination. There has also been a decline affecting hemicryptophytes, even as species associated with more nitrogen-rich habitats have come to account for greater shares. Where Group C communities encountered higher water levels, certain patches present in wetter habitats saw increases in the role played by species characteristic for class Bidentetea. The sorption capacities of soils here decreased, while values for the C: N ratio rose. Tree and shrub species came to be fewer in number as numbers of undergrowth species rose. There were also increases in the roles of species characterising moist verges (Galio-Urticenea), as well as geophytes. Group D communities likewise encountered rising groundwater levels, but did not seem to experience directional change otherwise, within their phytocoenoses. The sorption capacity of their soils nevertheless decreased. Overall, it was possible to note increases over the period in question when it came to numbers of species present in the tree, undergrowth and bryophyte layers. However, while the role of species characteristic for class Nardo-Callunetea increased, that of Trifolio-Geranietea species declined. And, while correlations between vegetation and soil characteristics proved to be different for each of the four groups of communities, there was no precluding model parameters differing significantly from one year of measurement to another.

Forests carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities of the «Prypiat-Stokhid» National Nature Park

Carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities of the «Prypiat-Stokhid» National Nature Park have been investigated in five types of forest in 2006 with using pitfall Barber traps method. 49 species from 25 genuses were registered. The highest carabid catchability were observed in wet alder and fresh hornbeam-oak forests and the lowest in dry pine and fresh oak-pine forests. Generally 4 carabid species prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Carabus hortensis, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger. In the dry pine forest prevailed: Syntomus truncatellus, Broscus cephalotes, Harpalus flavescens, Pterostichus strenuus, Calathus erratus, Oodes helopioides. In the fresh oak-pine forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Agonum duftschmidi, Carabus violaceus, C. hortensis, Oodes helopioides, Pterostichus minor, P. niger. In the fresh hornbeam-oak forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Carabus hortensis, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger, P. Nigrita. In the wet oak-pine forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger, Epaphius secalis, Pterostichus rhaeticus, Carabus arcensis, Pterostichus minor. In the wet alder forest prevailed: Pterostichus oblongopunctatus, Carabus hortensis, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus niger, P. melanarius.