The effect of windthrow, wild fire, and management practices on epigeic Collembola in windthrown forest stands of the High Tatra Mts (Slovakia)

Abstract

Epigeic communities of Collembola were studied after a windthrow in differently managed spruce forest stands in the High Tatras, Slovakia. Investigations were carried out in following treatments: reference forest stands (REF), windthrown stands left to natural regeneration (NEX), windthrown stands from which fallen wood had been extracted (EXT), and windthrown stands from which fallen wood had been removed and which had been affected by fire (FIR). A KruskalWallis nonparametric ANOVA revealed significant differences of Collembola community composition and activity between the treatments studied, which was also further supported by the results from NMS ordination and cluster analysis using indicator species analysis. EXT stands had communities with remarkably high activity and diversity of Collembola, whereas FIR stands had low species richness and diversity indices compared to other treatments (REF, NEX, EXT). Windthrown stands had greater collembolan activity and diversity (NEX, EXT) than intact forest stands. However, forest specialists and bryophilous species were sensitive to forest clearing and fire disturbance and were replaced by xeroresistant and generalist species, or species preferring open habitats. The collembolan community most similar to that found in REF stands, in terms of community homogeneity and the magnitude of diversity indices, was found in NEX stands.

Differences in collembola species assemblages (Arthropoda) between spoil tips and surrounding environments are dependent on vegetation development

“…aurantiaca is a forest-specific species while other studies define it as meadows-specific 46,47 . However, one publication also shows a forest preference for this species 134 . Despite a distinct chaetotaxy for discrimination inside the complex genus Protaphorura “armata” 135 , we suggest that this taxon requires a taxonomic revision 136 .…”

Drought impact on ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in Norway spruce forests with different management after windstorm damage – a case study from Tatra Mts. (Slovakia)

“…In addition, in 2005 a considerable part of this area was affected by a wide-spread forest fire. It had a profound impact on the biota (Mezei et al, 2014a(Mezei et al, , 2014bRenčo et al, 2015;Šustek and Vido, 2013;Urbanovičová et al, 2013). The ecosystems disturbed in this way are more prone to hydrometeorological hazards, in particular to drought (Ježík et al, 2015;Kurjak et al, 2012).…”

Response of ground-dwelling harvestman assemblages (Arachnida: Opiliones) to European beech forest canopy cover

“…The same pattern of seasonal activity of harvestmen is reported in wind thrown Norway spruce forests in the High Tatras (Urbanovičová et al, 2014). However, Urbanovičová et al (2014) report signifi cant differentiation associated with season and stand structure, with a greater abundance in summer in unharvested reference stands than in wind thrown plots harvested two years previously, but only subtle differences during winter. Canopy tree can affect the seasonality in the diversity and abundance of harvestmen; for example, they differ in abundance in Scots pine and lodge pole pine habitats (Hicks et al, 2003).…”

“…Jennings et al (1984) report a higher abundance and species richness in uncut coniferous forest than in clear cut forests. The temporal pattern and seasonal variation also affects the richness and abundance of harvestmen in forests (Hicks et al, 2003;Urbanovičová et al, 2014).…”