Local versus landscape-scale effects of anthropogenic land-use on forest species richness

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of human-induced landscape patterns on species richness in forests. For 80 plots of fixed size, we measured human disturbance (categorized as urban/industrial and agricultural land areas), at ‘local’ and ‘landscape’ scale (500m and 2500m radius from each plot, respectively), the distance from the forest edge, and the size and shape of the woody patch. By using GLM, we analyzed the effects of disturbance\ud and patch-based measures on both total species richness and the richness of a group of specialist species (i.e. the ‘ancient forest species’), representing more specific forest features. Patterns of local species richness were sensitive to the structure and composition of the surrounding landscape. Among the landscape components taken into account, urban/industrial land areas turned out as the most threatening factor for both total species richness\ud and the richness of the ancient forest species. However, the best models evidenced a different intensity of the response to the same disturbance category as well as a different pool of significant variables for the two groups of species. The use of groups of species, such as the ancient forest species pool, that are functionally related and have similar ecological requirements, may represent an effective solution for monitoring forest dynamics under the effects of external factors. The approach of relating local assessment of species richness, and in particular of the ancient forest species pool, to land-use patterns may play an important role for the science-policy interface by supporting and strengthening conservation and regional planning decision making

Drivers of species richness and community integrity of small forest patches in an agricultural landscape

“…Total species richness, as well as the number of trees and all woody plants, was determined significantly only by patch area, thus partially supporting the application of the island biogeography models in such systems. A positive species–area relationship, as suggested by the island biogeography theory, is often found for forest patches (Buffa et al., ; De Sanctis et al., ; Decocq et al., ; Dumortier et al., ), particularly for older patches (>51 years; Jacquemyn et al., ; Liira et al., ) and those with a small area, like most of our patches (<5 ha; Wulf & Kolk, ). Surprisingly, patch isolation and composition of the surrounding landscape, despite being significant in numerous earlier studies (Kupfer et al., ; Jamoneau et al., ; Fahrig, ; Humphrey et al., ), had little or no effect on species richness in our system.…”

“…For a better understanding of what influences species in forest patches, it is important to follow species groups with different ecological preferences in addition to total species richness (Buffa et al., ; Kolb & Diekmann, ; Paal et al., ; Rodríguez‐Loinaz, Amezaga, & Onaindia, ). Species with different preferences, for instance habitat specialists vs .…”

“…For a better understanding of what influences species in forest patches, it is important to follow species groups with different ecological preferences in addition to total species richness (Buffa et al, 2018;Kolb & Diekmann, 2005;Paal et al, 2017;Rodríguez-Loinaz, Amezaga, & Onaindia, 2012). Species with different preferences, for instance habitat specialists vs. generalists or characteristic vs. derived species (sensu Helm, Zobel, Moles, Szava-Kovats, & Pärtel, 2015), form heterogeneous species pools that have distinct responses to particular landscape and environmental factors (Helm et al, 2015;Jamoneau et al, 2011;Paal et al, 2017).…”

“…The amount of forest in the landscape has, indeed, also been found to be important for tree species richness, abundance and regeneration in forest patches (Benchimol et al., ; Rocha‐Santos et al., ). However, for a more comprehensive understanding of the processes affecting biodiversity in fragmented habitat systems, these theories need to be expanded to take into account other important factors affecting species richness (Haila, ; Laurance, ), such as local patch environment (Dupré & Ehrlén, ; Hodgson, Moilanen, Wintle, & Thomas, ; Kolb & Diekmann, ), patch heterogeneity (Honnay et al., ; Valdés et al., ; Wulf & Kolk, ), management regime (Lawesson et al., ; Liira, Jürjendal, & Paal, ) and landscape matrix (Buffa, Del Vecchio, Fantinato, & Milano, ; Kupfer, Malanson, & Franklin, ; Paal, Kütt, Lõhmus, & Liira, ).…”

Increasing the germination percentage of a declining native orchid (Himantoglossum adriaticum) by pollen transfer and outbreeding between populations

“…The persistence of populations is also threatened by habitat destruction and fragmentation due to land‐use change (Fischer & Lindenmayer ; Buffa et al . ; Fantinato et al . ).…”