Which Large- and Medium-Sized Mammals Use Commercial Short-Rotation Coppice as Habitat?

We surveyed occurrence and activity of large- and medium-sized mammals on six commercial mini-rotation short-rotation coppice (SRC) plantations in northern Germany by camera trapping in different seasons (winter, late summer). In total, eleven species (6–9 per site) were detected. This corresponds to the majority of mammal species occurring in the study region. Roe deer, wild boar and red fox were found across all sites. All other species were detected on fewer sites and some in only one of the seasons. Roe deer was the most active species both in terms of visit frequency (days with detection) and use intensity (detection numbers). With few exceptions on individual sites, all other species showed significantly lower activity. Number of detected species and activity of most of the species did not differ between seasons. Furthermore, there were no differences between near-edge and central areas of the crops with regard to the activity of the occurring species. Activity of individual species on different sites, however, differed considerably in some cases. Our results show that a wide range of mammal species are basically able to include SRC into their habitat utilisation. However, the sporadic use by most species indicates a rather limited current habitat value of the surveyed plantations. Options to increase the habitat value of SRC for mammals are suggested, but their effectiveness needs to be tested in future studies. Since the spatial and temporal scope of our study was limited and only SRC of a uniform age-class were considered, our results are not immediately applicable to other landscapes, seasons or types and management phases of SRC. Therefore, further research is required that considers these aspects as well as species-specific patterns of habitat selection in comparison to other habitat types.

Thinning scenarios to reconcile biodiversity conservation and socio-economic co-benefits in protected forest of Vietnam: Effects on habitat value and timber yield

Segalina F, Dang CN, Grado RSD. 2020. Thinning scenarios to reconcile biodiversity conservation and socio-economic co-benefits in protected forest of Vietnam: effects on habitat value and timber yield. Asian J For 4: 22-35. Forest protection policy since the 1990s in Vietnam has led to an overall increase in forest cover, but has also adversely impacted the livelihoods of local populations and has displaced deforestation to neighboring countries. As such, it is necessary to explore strategies to achieve sustainable utilization of tropical forests in a way that is compatible with the preservation of biodiversity. One of which is by selective thinning. This study aimed to analyze the habitat and economic value of the trees in a forest block, then comparing the effects of four thinning scenarios on profit and habitat value. We simulated four thinning scenarios and assessed their effects on biodiversity and economic value. The scenarios were defined according to two criteria: tree dominance and tree habitat value. The study took place in a one-hectare plot of marteloscope located in a naturally regenerated mixed forest enriched with native tree species. The habitat value, evaluated by tree-related microhabitats, was used as a proxy for biodiversity. In our study, as many 58 different tree species were found within the marteloscope. Co-dominant trees with a higher diameter at breast height yielded the highest average habitat value, which coincides weakly with findings in temperate forests. In our study, the biodiversity conservation criterion had only a marginal effect on economic benefit. Both results together show that a meeting point between profitability and biodiversity conservation is possible.

What ecological role do soft-substrate tide pools play for fishes? Difference in community structures between estuarine and coastal tidal flats in subtropical Japan

Soft-substrate tide pools are considered important habitats for fishes from an ecological perspective. However, the ecological roles of such pools and use patterns by fish remain unclear, especially regarding differences between estuarine and coastal tidal flats. In this study, quantitative sampling using the quadrat method was performed in the estuarine and coastal tidal flats on Okinawa-jima Island of subtropical Japan during four seasons. Ecological roles of soft-substrate tide pools were classified as follows: (1) permanent habitat for residents; (2) nursery ground for transients; and (3) waiting area until high tide for accidental species. Within these classifications, the ecological role and value of tide pools for transient fishes varied between the tidal flat types. The habitat value of tide pools is higher for residents than for transient species because the habitat is not replaceable for residents because of their specific ability to survive there. By contrast, transient and accidental species use the tide pools as temporary habitats; however, their high diversity affects the variation in community structure on Okinawa-jima Island. Our results suggest that we should consider not only species diversity, but also habitat use patterns of individual species, together with their life history, when evaluating habitat value with regard to conservation and management of each tidal flat.

Habitat value of Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) reefs on soft sediments

Estimates of the ecological and economic value of ecosystems can provide important information for the prioritisation of conservation and restoration actions. Oyster reefs that were once common in temperate coastal waters have now been largely degraded or lost. Oyster reefs provide a suite of ecological services, including habitat and a food supply for a range of other species. In Australia, there is growing interest in oyster reef restoration, but there are knowledge gaps with regard to their structure and habitat value. Here, we describe the structure of eight remnant Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) reefs and estimate the density, biomass, productivity and composition of mobile macroinvertebrate and infaunal communities associated with them. The oyster reefs had a distinct assemblage of macroinvertebrates, with fivefold higher density of larger (≥2mm) macroinvertebrates, fivefold higher biomass and almost fivefold higher productivity, than that of adjacent bare sediments. The productivity of infaunal communities was twice as high under oyster reefs than in adjacent bare sediments. Therefore, S. glomerata reef restoration is likely to provide important habitat for macroinvertebrate communities and boost local secondary production.

Socio-economic valuation of seagrass meadows in the Pulai River Estuary, Peninsular Malaysia, through a wellbeing lens

Ecosystem-service valuation is a useful tool for assessing potential costs of a development, from potential habitat-rehabilitation costs or habitat-value losses. Such an assessment can help avoid or mitigate cost implications from such losses. Furthermore, most environmental-impact assessments focus solely on ecological services, without considering the socio-ecological-economic relationships that provide a more holistic assessment of a habitat by incorporating socio-economic values. This study combines the benefit-transfer approach with significant anthropological and local-knowledge inputs to determine a more complete assessment of the value of seagrass meadows in Mukim Tanjung Kupang, Johor, Malaysia. We collected data that are site-specific and relevant to a small-scale artisanal fishery in this area, which include often-excluded measures such as reported catch landings, gleaning, tourism and downstream economic values. This study determined a seagrass habitat value of US$57731.80 (RM242473.58) ha–1 year–1. However, this figure is highly underestimated owing to the number of unavailable ecosystem-service values, as well as an uncertain future for the area. The research has shown that there are many more components to economic assessments of natural habitats than has previously been realised.