Quantity is foremost but quality matters: A global meta-analysis of correlations of dead wood volume and biodiversity in forest ecosystems

Parajuli, Rabindra; Markwith, Scott H.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110100

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…The fire primarily affected allochthonous non-native spruce stands and their logged and unlogged sites. This illustrates the importance of bark beetle gradation and the accumulation of large amounts of dead wood in unmanaged stands as potential fuel for the spread of fires [13], despite the vital role dead wood plays as an irreplaceable component of biodiversity [89]. While fire is a natural phenomenon inherent in forest development [1], its occurrence is often influenced by human activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Short-Term Response of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) to Fire in Formerly Managed Coniferous Forest in Central Europe

Zumr,

Remeš,

Nakládal

2024

Fire

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Forest fires represent a natural element in the dynamics of forest ecosystems. This study investigated the impact of a large-scale forest fire in 2022 (ca. 1300 ha) on epigeic ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The research was conducted in coniferous forests at six pairwise study sites: burnt and unburnt dead spruce from bark beetles, burnt and unburnt clear cut, and burnt and unburnt healthy sites. Each site was replicated in four plots, with two pitfall traps deployed within each plot. In total, 48 pitfall traps (6 × 4 × 2) were installed in April 2023. It was tested how individual sites affected the similarity of ground beetle communities, whether they contained similar life guilds, and how significantly large-scale fire affects the abundance of pyrophilous ground beetles. A total of 5952 individuals and 63 species were recorded. We observed a significant decline in abundance at clear-cut and dead spruce burnt sites (73% and 77.5%, respectively) compared to the unburnt sites. Conversely, abundance increased by 88% at the burnt healthy site compared to the unburnt healthy site. Additionally, significant differences in the number of species per trap and species richness diversity (q = 0, q = 1, q = 2) were found only between burnt and unburnt healthy sites. In general, the highest species richness in the comparison of all study sites was at unburnt clear-cut and burnt healthy sites. Communities of ground beetles responded considerably to the fire, differing significantly from unburnt sites, and demonstrating a high degree of similarity. The original healthy spruce stands had highly homogeneous communities. On the contrary, any disturbance (bark beetle calamity, clear-cut) resulted in an increase in the alpha, beta, and gamma diversities of the ground beetle communities. Burnt sites attracted pyrophilous species (Sericoda quadripunctata, Pterostichus quadrifoveolatus) at very low abundances, with the highest activity in the second half of the season. In conclusion, ground beetles demonstrated a strong short-term response to large-scale fire, forming specific communities. However, pyrophilous ground beetles were unable to occupy a large-scale fire area due to the initial low abundance. Understanding post-fire processes can provide important guidance for management in areas designated for biodiversity enhancement.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Short-Term Response of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) to Fire in Formerly Managed Coniferous Forest in Central Europe

Zumr,

Remeš,

Nakládal

2024

Fire

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“…During some part of their life cycle, saproxylic invertebrates depend upon the dead or dying wood of moribund or dead trees (standing or fallen), upon wood-inhabiting fungi, or the presence of other obligate saproxylic. Increased volumes and variable deadwood microhabitats are crucial for this group's high richness in forests [9,10]. Targeted removal of deadwood from forests results in a dramatic decline in beetle biodiversity [11], as saproxylic species contribute substantially to forest species richness [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deadwood-Dwelling Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) in a Beech Reserve: A Case Study from the Czech Republic

Zumr,

Nakládal,

Remeš

2024

Forests

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The saproxylic beetles (deadwood-dependent) belong to frequently studied groups of forest insects. Eucnemidae is a rare and poorly studied saproxylic family with a hidden life strictly related to deadwood. We studied the family Eucnemidae in a beech reserve, using 59 window traps placed on standing deadwood (snags) and lying logs. A total of 348 specimens in eight species were recorded in two seasons. The identified species included one critically endangered species (CR): Hylis cariniceps; five endangered species (EN): H. olexai, H. foveicollis, Isorhipis melasoides, Eucnemis capucina, and Microrhagus lepidus; one new species found in Bohemia (a region of the Czech Republic): Clypeorhagus clypeatus; and one common species: Melasis buprestoides. Most species preferred lying logs, but E. capucina and M. buprestoides preferred snags. Species richness (q = 0) was higher on lying logs than on snags, and similarly, Shannon diversity (q = 1) was significantly higher on lying logs compared to snags. The species C. clypeorghagus, H. foveicollis, H. cariniceps, and M. lepides preferred moist lying logs, while M. buprestoides and E. capucina preferred drier snags with cavities. The results suggest that in beech forests, lying logs serve as a fundamental habitat for the existence of Eucnemids. This could be due to the more stable microclimatic conditions inside the lying deadwood. From this perspective, our study may help better understand the biology of hidden and understudied rare saproxylic Eucnemids.

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“…The diverse group of xylobiont beetles are therefore predestined as indicators [14]. Consequently, one focus of forest research is how the accumulation of deadwood in commercial forests affects biodiversity [15]. In addition, other anthropogenic stressors exacerbate the effects of forest management.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a Machine Learning Approach to Classify the Degree of Forest Management

Floren

Müller

2023

Sustainability

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A prerequisite for sustainable forest management is knowing the total diversity and how management affects forests. Both are poorly studied and relate to canopy diversity and comparison with primary forests. From 2001–2004, we fogged beetles from oaks in primary and disturbed, managed sites in Białowieża (Eastern Poland) and also in distant age-class forests. Using a machine learning (ML) method (elastic net), we identified a beetle signature based on the species abundance distribution to distinguish these forest types. The beetle communities from 2001 served as training data, with 21 signature species correctly assigning the oaks to primary and different managed forests. However, the predictive quality of the signature decreased with each year due to high spatio-temporal heterogeneity and beta diversity. To improve the power of the signature, we combined the data from all years to calculate a more general model. Due to its greater complexity, this model identified 60 species that correctly classified both the studied forests and foreign forests in Central Europe, increasing the possibility of a general classification. Further research is needed to determine whether it is possible to establish a general signature-based index on a large number of samples from different years and forest types.

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Quantity is foremost but quality matters: A global meta-analysis of correlations of dead wood volume and biodiversity in forest ecosystems

Cited by 15 publications

References 91 publications

Short-Term Response of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) to Fire in Formerly Managed Coniferous Forest in Central Europe

Short-Term Response of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) to Fire in Formerly Managed Coniferous Forest in Central Europe

Deadwood-Dwelling Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) in a Beech Reserve: A Case Study from the Czech Republic

Using a Machine Learning Approach to Classify the Degree of Forest Management

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