Edge Effects on an Epiphytic Lichen in Fragmented Forests

Esseen, Per‐Anders; Renhorn, Karl-Erik

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1998.97346.x

Cited by 150 publications

(125 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…More knowledge is needed about the width of the stream-influenced forest zone as a factor determining the distribution of species in the landscape and of the sensitivity of the organisms to edge effects. In cases when the riparian zone is wide the buffer strip probably must extend hundreds of meters from the stream to remove any single edge effect (Olsen 1995, Esseen andRenhorn 1998). Therefore, in a real-world design of buffer zones, realistic goals need to be set to balance the needs of nature conservation and commercial forestry.…”

Section: Conclusion and Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Buffer Strips along Boreal Streams Using Bryophytes as Indicators

Hylander

Jonsson

2002

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. Buffer strips have recently become the main management practice for reducing logging impact on stream habitats in boreal and temperate regions. The habitat value of buffer strips, however, has not received much attention, although riparian forests belong to the systems with the highest biodiversity in these regions. We used plants as indicators of the ability of buffer strips to maintain an environment similar to intact riparian forests in a boreal forest landscape in northern Sweden. We measured the growth of three common bryophyte species (Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Calypogeia integristipula, and Tritomaria quinquedentata) transplanted to riparian habitat close to a stream in clear-cut logged sites, 10-15 m wide buffer strips on each side of the stream, and intact (reference) sites. Each of the three site categories included six wet and six moist-mesic sites and the experiment was followed over three months in 1999.The species remained vital in the reference sites and grew substantially during the 3-mo-long experiment, but in the logged sites almost no growth was registered, and many shoots died (except for T. quinquedentata). The pattern was consistent irrespective of the ground moisture class. The performance of bryophytes in the moist-mesic buffer strips was almost as bad as in the logged sites, whereas in the wet buffer strips it was either intermediate between that in logged and reference sites (H. umbratum) or very similar to that in reference sites (C. integristipula and T. quinquedentata). The edge effect has previously been shown to vary depending on edge orientation, edge physiognomy, and weather conditions. We found that ground moisture can be of major importance as well. Although many buffer strips function better than no strips, 20-30 m wide strips (with a stream in the middle) through a logged area consist entirely of edge habitat. Increasing the buffer width and avoiding clear-cut logging on both sides of a watercourse would be the first steps to take for improving biodiversity conservation in riparian habitats. Our results also show that bryophytes are good indicators of habitat quality and efficient tools for assessing the ecological function of buffer strips.

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Section: Conclusion and Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Buffer Strips along Boreal Streams Using Bryophytes as Indicators

Hylander

Jonsson

2002

Ecological Applications

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“…; (2) to calculate the distance that each species occurs from the forest edge; and, (3) to compare canopy closure and temperature at the forest edge and in the forest interior to correlate any differences with the presence of the species examined. Based on previous studies in other locations that assessed different sensitive lichen species, we expected there would be a reduced abundance of Lobaria due to the edge effect (Renhorn et al 1996, Esseen and Renhorn 1998, Rheault et al 2002. We also expected the interior of the forest to have more canopy closure and shade, lower and more sustained temperatures, and higher relative humidity than at the forest edge (Esseen and Renhorn 1998, Rheault et al 2002, Gauslaa et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…As of June 2013, 83 species in New Brunswick were included on the "Species at Risk" list; approximately 45 rely on forest ecosystems for habitat (Species at Risk Act 2013). Harvesting can have a detrimental influence on biodiversity, particularly clear-cutting which alters microclimate, water yield and quality, soil properties, nutrient cycling, and species composition of both flora and fauna (Keenan andKimmins 1993, Esseen andRenhorn 1998). An increase in fragmentation and forest edge may therefore reduce the numbers of interior forest species, especially those The Forestry Chronicle Downloaded from pubs.cif-ifc.org by 54.214.222.130 on 05/10/18…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have examined the effects of clear-cuts and forest fragmentation on the biodiversity of the remaining adjacent forests (Renhorn et al 1996, Esseen and Renhorn 1998, Moen and Jonsson 2003, Rheault et al 2002. In Sweden, fragmentation was shown to decrease the population size of some lichen species because of changes in landscape and forest structure, particularly attributed to increasing forest edge (Moen and Jonsson 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Sweden, fragmentation was shown to decrease the population size of some lichen species because of changes in landscape and forest structure, particularly attributed to increasing forest edge (Moen and Jonsson 2003). Esseen and Renhorn (1998) illustrated that epiphytic lichens can be used as bioindicators of edge effects because they respond negatively to changes in their interior forest environment. In North America, however, little research has been done on the influence of edge effects on lichens, and in the Acadian Forest Region no published studies were found.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Edge effects on the lichen genus Lobaria in Atlantic Canadian Forests

BarryMelanie

McMullin

HornAndrew

2015

The Forestry Chronicle

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Clear-cut or mosaic forestry practices are known to reduce biodiversity in harvested areas, but the biodiversity in the remaining adjacent forests is also affected. Interior parts of the forest that become edge have increased light, wind, and temperature, and a decrease in moisture. Species with a narrow range of tolerance to environmental change are most affected. To better understand this 'edge effect' in the Acadian Forest, 20 mature deciduous stands in northeastern New Brunswick were examined that were adjacent to clear-cuts ranging from 6-11 years old. We used lichens as our bioindicators and selected the genus Lobaria because it is particularly sensitive to disturbance, but also common in mature deciduous forests of this region. Three Lobaria species that are known to occur in the Acadian Forest were examined: L. pulmonaria, L. quercizans, and L. scrobiculata. Canopy closure, temperature, and presence data were recorded at the forest edge and at the first occurrence of any of these three species along a transect running directly into the forest (three transects at each stand, 60 total). Our results show that the species selected have a negative response to newly created forest edges. Lobaria pulmonaria was the most tolerant to edge effects followed by L. quercizan and L. scrobiculata. The mean occurrence distance from the forest edge for all three species was 12.12 m (± 5.66). Forest managers can use these findings to better understand the impacts of clear-cutting on the biodiversity that inhabits the edges created in the residual forests.Key words: Conservation, sustainable forest management, Acadian Forest, edge effects, fragmentation, biodiversity RÉSUMÉ C' est un fait reconnu que les pratiques forestières comme la coupe à blanc ou de la coupe en mosaïque réduisent la biodiversité dans les zones exploitées, mais aussi dans les étendues boisées adjacentes. Les zones situées à l'intérieur de la forêt qui deviennent les bordures subissent une augmentation de la luminosité, de la vitesse du vent et de la température, ainsi qu'une diminution de l'humidité. Les espèces qui n' ont qu'une faible tolérance aux perturbations environnementales en sont les plus affectées. Afin de mieux comprendre « l' effet de bordure » dans la forêt acadienne, nous avons étudié 20 peuplements feuillus à maturité du nord-est du Nouveau-Brunswick adjacents à des coupes à blanc datant de 6 à 11 ans. Nous avons choisi d'utiliser les lichens comme bio-indicateurs et particulièrement ceux du genre Lobaria qui s'avère être particulièrement sensible aux perturbations, mais aussi bien adapté aux forêts feuillues matures de la région. L' étude a porté sur trois espèces de Lobaria qui se retrouvent dans la forêt acadienne : L. pulmonaria, L. quercizans et L. scrobiculata. Les observations portaient sur la fermeture du couvert, la température et la présence de ces espèces en bordure de la forêt, ainsi que la première occurrence de n'importe laquelle de ces trois espèces le long d'un transect entrant directement dans la forêt (trois tr...

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Time vs. distance: Alternate metrics of animal resource selection provide opposing inference

Serrouya

Kellner²,

Pavan³

et al. 2017

Ecosphere

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Abstract. Quantifying resource use or selection by valued species on a human-altered landscape is important for wise conservation action. Here, we contrast metrics of resource selection based on Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry, which indexes time spent in various habitats, with tracking in snow, which measures distance travelled. When animals move at different speeds within different habitats, the two methods can produce different results. The study was conducted in winter on endangered mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in a landscape fragmented by forestry roads and cutblocks. From 2001 to 2009, 25 caribou were monitored with GPS collars obtaining locations every two to six hours, and compared to 63 caribou trails followed in snow in the same study area and time period. Logistic regression was used to estimate selection for both metrics, with the same definition of use and availability employed. Forest age, tree species, edge distances, and road densities were the covariates of interest. For most covariates, the two metrics produced similar results that agreed with the literature: selection for primary forest stands that represent forage patches. Both metrics indicated selection for habitat edges that potentially enhance foraging. The distance metric (snow trailing) indicated strong selection for forestry roads (42% more than available), whereas GPS locations suggested an avoidance of roads (33% less than available). The GPS analysis was in agreement with the vast majority of work published on woodland caribou, whereas the distance metric suggests some of the first evidence of selection for anthropogenic linear features. Our results highlight a potential bias against detecting selection for habitat features used for movement when using long fix intervals (>2 h) that typify most GPS studies. Avoidance of linear features should be carefully examined and designs considered to asses this bias. Finally, the selection of roads by caribou exacerbates an already desperate situation by creating a potential trap because roads are also preferred by some predators.

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Edge Effects on an Epiphytic Lichen in Fragmented Forests

Cited by 150 publications

References 42 publications

Evaluating Buffer Strips along Boreal Streams Using Bryophytes as Indicators

Evaluating Buffer Strips along Boreal Streams Using Bryophytes as Indicators

Edge effects on the lichen genus Lobaria in Atlantic Canadian Forests

Time vs. distance: Alternate metrics of animal resource selection provide opposing inference

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