Forest biodiversity, relationships to structural and functional attributes, and stability in New England forests

Abstract

Background: Forest biodiversity is the foundation of many ecosystem services, and the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning and processes (BEF) has been a central issue in biodiversity studies. Although many hypotheses have been developed to interpret global gradients of biodiversity, there has not been complete agreement on mechanisms controlling biodiversity patterns and distributions. Differences may be due to limited observation data and inconsistencies of spatial scales in analysis. Methods: In this study, we take advantage of USDA Forest Service forest inventory and analysis (FIA) data for exploring regional forest biodiversity and BEF in New England forests. The FIA data provide detailed information of sampled plots and trees for the region, including 6000 FIA plots and more than 33,000 individual trees. Biodiversity models were used to analyze the data. Results: Tree species diversity increases from the north to the south at a rate about 2-3 species per latitudinal degree. Tree species diversity is better predicted by tree height than forest age or biomass. Very different distribution patterns of two common maple species, sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and red maple (Acer rubrum), highlight the vulnerability of sugar maple and its potential replacement by red maple on New England landscapes. Red maple generally already outperforms sugar maple, and will likely and continuously benefit from a changing climate in New England. Conclusions: We conclude that forest structure (height) and resources (biomass) are more likely foundational characteristics supporting biodiversity rather than biodiversity determining forest productivity and/or biomass. The potential replacement of red maple for sugar maple in the New England areas could affect biodiversity and stability of forest ecosystem functioning because sugar maple plays important ecological roles distinct from red maple that are beneficial to other tree species in northern hardwood forests. Such a change may not affect forest resilience in terms of forest productivity and biomass as these are similar in red maple and sugar maple, however, it would almost certainly alter forest structure across the landscape.

What is the role of disturbance in catalyzing spatial shifts in forest composition and tree species biomass under climate change?

“…Red maple increased the most in abundance under high‐intensity disturbances in this study, especially in the northern part of the study area, because it is a generalist that is competitive under many light environments and thrives across a large latitudinal gradient (Pan et al, 2018). Studies indicate that red maple readily colonizes large canopy gaps compared to species that are more common to boreal environments in eastern North America (Leithead et al, 2010).…”

“…Red maple increased the most in abundance under high-intensity disturbances in this study, especially in the northern part of the study area, because it is a generalist that is competitive under many light environments and thrives across a large latitudinal gradient (Pan et al, 2018).…”

Bangkok’s existing mixed fruit orchards are tree diversity hotspots for city greening

“…Forest structure The structure of a forest is vital to its biodiversity (Pan et al 2018). The data collected on tree species, height, and crown width from six orchards were used for…”

Spatial distribution of vegetation diversity, timber production, and carbon storage in secondary tropical rainforest at South Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…The number of timber production also describes the regeneration stock from different life stages of trees to maintain business sustainability (Zambiazi et al 2021). Meanwhile, vegetation diversity information indicates the stability of environmental health and forest ecosystems (Pan et al 2018). It also shows how many species live in the forest and their relative contribution to ecological functions (Matatula et al 2021).…”