Ecological survey of the native pinewoods of Scotland 1971

Wood, Claire M.; Bunce, R.G.H.

doi:10.5194/essd-8-177-2016

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…Although very large trees are underrepresented even in strict forest reserves in Central Europe (Hülsmann et al, 2018), the longer time scales of monitoring increase the probability of adequately characterizing infrequent, episodic mortality events (Lutz and Halpern, 2006). Altogether, the higher mortality rates led to a to a smaller number of large trees and a continuous regeneration at the forest floor for the 'Growth-based' MAs, which was consistent with the observations from old-growth Pinus sylvestris reserves in both the Pfynwald and Northern Europe (Brang and Heiri, 2011;Wood and Bunce, 2016).…”

Section: Evaluation Of Ma Accuracysupporting

confidence: 74%

Projecting Forest Dynamics Across Europe: Potentials and Pitfalls of Empirical Mortality Algorithms

et al. 2019

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Mortality is a key process of forest ecosystem dynamics and functioning strongly altering biomass stocks and carbon residence times. Dynamic vegetation models (DVMs) used to predict forest dynamics are typically based on simple, largely data-free ('theoretical') mortality algorithms (MAs). To improve DVM projections, the use of empirically-based MAs has been suggested, but little is known about their impact on DVM behavior. A systematic comparison of eight MAs (seven inventory-based, one 'theoretical') for the pan-European tree species Pinus sylvestris L. was carried out within the DVM ForClim for present and future climate scenarios at three contrasting sites across Europe. Model accuracy was furthermore evaluated with empirical data from young and old-growth forests. We found strongly diverging mortality patterns among the MAs for present climate. Based on their behavior, we identified two distinct empirical MA groups that were related to their structure (i.e., variables considered), but not to their geographic origin (i.e., the environmental conditions they were calibrated to). Under climate change, MAs based on a competition index produced ecologically inconsistent results, while MAs based on growth showed more plausible and less extreme behaviors. Furthermore, MAs based on growth reached a higher accuracy for projecting young and old-growth forest dynamics. Our results demonstrate that using empirical MAs in DVMs has a high potential to better predict forest dynamics, but also a risk of yielding implausible results if their structure is inadequate. For DVM applications across large spatiotemporal scales, we thus suggest using MAs based on growth, particularly under future no-analogue climates.

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Section: Evaluation Of Ma Accuracysupporting

confidence: 74%

Projecting Forest Dynamics Across Europe: Potentials and Pitfalls of Empirical Mortality Algorithms

et al. 2019

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The missing woodland story: Implications of 1700 years of stand‐scale change on ‘naturalness’ and managing remnant broadleaved woodlands

Everard,

Schofield,

Mighall

et al. 2024

People and Nature

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Longer‐term perspectives—equivalent to the lifespans of long‐lived trees—are required to fully inform perceptions of ‘naturalness’ used in woodland conservation and management. Stand‐scale dynamics of an old growth temperate woodland are reconstructed using palaeoecological data. The study site is Cambusurich Wood, Scotland, a woodland designated for conservation due to its ‘naturalness’. High temporal resolution palaeoecological records (pollen, plant macrofossils, non‐pollen palynomorphs and charcoal analyses) are used to explore long‐term human‐woodland interactions and the drivers of stand‐scale woodland dynamics. The results demonstrate stand‐scale woodland responses to climatic changes and human‐woodland interactions (increasingly) since 220 cal. BP (1730 CE). Periods of intense herbivore grazing and trampling altered the local vegetation composition and sediment accumulation. Greater vegetation diversity is associated with woodland disturbance through fire and moderate grazing. Subsequent cessation of localised burning and continued (long‐term) grazing have had legacy effects on woodland composition and diversity. Synthesis and applications: The current woodland is identified as being compositionally and structurally distinct from past woodland conditions, and its perceived ‘naturalness’ can be considered a ‘shifted baseline’, highlighting the importance of longer‐term perspectives to woodland management. Human‐woodland interactions are important in shaping modern woodlands and should not be overlooked in future management strategies as human‐induced disturbance can promote woodland diversity, resilience and valuable ecosystem characteristics. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Ecological survey of the native pinewoods of Scotland 1971

Cited by 2 publications

References 19 publications

Projecting Forest Dynamics Across Europe: Potentials and Pitfalls of Empirical Mortality Algorithms

Projecting Forest Dynamics Across Europe: Potentials and Pitfalls of Empirical Mortality Algorithms

The missing woodland story: Implications of 1700 years of stand‐scale change on ‘naturalness’ and managing remnant broadleaved woodlands

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