Tree microhabitats in natural temperate riparian forests: An ultra-rich biological complex in a globally vanishing habitat

Przepióra, Fabian; Ciach, Michał

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149881

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…TreMs were catalogued in accordance with the types described for temperate forests (Kraus et al, 2016), and cataloguing involved confirming the presence or absence of such a structure on a given tree (Przepióra and Ciach, 2022). TreMs were catalogued by two observers (the first two authors of this paper) who, prior to the fieldwork, were trained in carrying out a TreM inventory so as to minimize the observer effect (Paillet et al, 2015).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the total density of trees bearing TreMs (if a tree bore several TreM types, it was counted once for each TreM type) extrapolated to 1 ha (expressed as TreM-bearing trees ha -1 ) (Paillet et al, 2017), and TreM diversity, i.e. the Shannon-Wiener diversity index calculated on the basis of TreM types recorded and their relative abundance (the density of trees bearing a given TreM type in the density of all TreM-bearing trees recorded on a study plot) (Przepióra and Ciach, 2022).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial distribution of Tree-related Microhabitats in a primeval mountain forest: from natural patterns to landscape planning and forest management recommendations

Przepióra,

Lewandowski,

Ciach

2024

Preprint

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Tree-related Microhabitats (TreMs) are essential for sustaining forest biodiversity. Although TreMs represent ephemeral resources that are spread across the landscape, their spatial distribution within temperate forests remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study on 90 sample plots (0.05 ha each) located in a primeval mountain European beech Fagus sylvatica-dominated forest (Bieszczady Mountains, Carpathians). We explored the TreM profile with its link to habitat characteristics and described the spatial distribution of TreM indices. We identified 61 TreM types, with a mean richness of 19.7 +-4.9 SD TreM types per plot, a mean density of 740.7 +-292.5 SD TreM-bearing trees ha-1 and a mean TreM diversity of 1.2 +-0.1 SD. The diameter and living status of trees (living vs dead standing tree) were correlated with TreM richness on an individual tree. The stand structure, i.e. density and/or basal area of living and/or dead standing trees, and topographic conditions, i.e. slope exposure, were correlated with the TreM richness, density and diversity recorded on a study plot. We found no relationship between TreM richness, density and diversity and the presence of canopy gaps, which indicates that the influence of small-scale disturbances on the TreM profile is limited. However, our analysis revealed a clustered spatial pattern of TreM indices, with TreM-rich habitat patches (hot-spots) covering ~20% of the forest. A moderate TreM richness, density and diversity dominated ~60% of the forest, while TreM-poor habitat patches (cold-spots) covered ~20%. Based on our findings, we advise the transfer of knowledge on the spatial distribution of TreMs from primeval to managed forests and advocate the '2:6:2' triad rule: to allocate 20% of forests as strictly protected areas, to dedicate 60% to low-intensity forest management with the retention of large living trees and all dead standing trees, and to use the remaining 20% for intensive timber production. To ensure the continuance of the majority of TreM types, ≥ 55 living trees ha-1 > 60 cm in diameter should be retained. Such an approach will maintain a rich and diverse TreM assemblage across a broad spatial scale, which in turn will support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in secondary or managed forests.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution of Tree-related Microhabitats in a primeval mountain forest: from natural patterns to landscape planning and forest management recommendations

Przepióra,

Lewandowski,

Ciach

2024

Preprint

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“…species dependent on cavities and, in some cases, crucially dependent on coarse woody debris. Riparian habitats provide abundant cavities excavated by primary cavity nesters (Przepióra and Ciach, 2022). Suitable habitats for cavity nesters contain large amounts of coarse woody debris (Lõhmus, 2010), which beavers can provide (Thompson et al, 2016).…”

Section: Changes In Bird Assemblages Induced By Ecosystem Engineersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem engineers cause biodiversity spill-over: beavers affect breeding bird assemblages on both wetlands and adjacent terrestrial habitats

Fedyń,

Sobociński,

Czyżowicz

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The influence of ecosystem engineers on habitats and communities is commonly acknowledged in a site-bounded context, i.e. in places directly affected by the presence of the focal species. However, the spatial extent of the effects of such engineering is poorly understood, raising the question as to what impact they have on ecosystems situated beyond the species` direct influence. Beavers Castor spp., iconic ecosystem engineers, are capable of significantly transforming aquatic ecosystems. Their presence boosts biodiversity in near-water habitats, but as a result of cascading processes, beavers may affect terrestrial habitats situated beyond the range of their immediate activity. Our study investigates the breeding bird assemblage along a spatial gradient from the water to the forest interior on central European watercourses modified and unmodified by beavers. The results show that beaver sites are characterized by a higher species richness and abundance of breeding birds than unmodified watercourses. Such sites also host a different species pool, as 27% of the recorded bird species occurred exclusively on the beaver sites. The effect of the beaver`s presence on the bird assemblage caused this to spill over from the wetlands to adjacent terrestrial habitats located up to 100 m from the water`s edge, where the species richness and abundance was higher and the species composition was substantially modified. We also found a positive correlation between the total area of beaver wetland and the numbers of bird species and individuals recorded. Our study indicates that beaver activity has major consequences for ecosystem functioning that extend beyond the wetland, spilling over on to adjacent terrestrial ecosystems. These findings add to the general understanding of the spatial context of the ecosystem engineering concept, as the changes brought about by engineers have an influence beyond the area of their immediate occurrence. Our work also has implications for landscape planning and management, where existing beaver sites with terrestrial buffer zones may constitute a network of biodiversity hot-spots.

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“…Thus, restoring tree‐related microhabitats might be faster with pioneer tree species than with slower‐growing tree species. Pioneers may play that role in young forests or disturbed patches in a matrix of older forest (Przepióra & Ciach, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pioneer tree species accelerate restoration of tree‐related microhabitats in 50‐year‐old reserves of Białowieża Forest, Poland

Spînu,

Mysiak,

Bauhus

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Retention of structural elements such as deadwood and habitat trees at the level of forest stands has been promoted to integrate biodiversity conservation into multipleuse forest management. The conservation value of habitat trees is largely determined by the presence, richness, and abundance of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs). Since TreMs are often lacking in intensively managed forests, an important question of forest conservation is how the abundance and richness of TreMs may be effectively restored. Here, we investigated whether the strict protection of forest through cessation of timber harvesting influenced TreM occurrence at tree and stand levels. For that purpose, we compared four managed and four set-aside stands (0.25 ha each) in the Białowieża Forest, with identical origin following clear-cuts approximately 100 years ago. We found that the abundance and richness of TreMs on living trees were not significantly different between stands that were either conventionally managed or where active forest management ceased 52 years ago. Yet, our analysis of TreMs on tree species with contrasting life-history traits revealed that short-lived, fast-growing species (pioneers) developed TreMs quicker than longer-lived, slower-growing species. Hence, tree species such as Populus or Betula, which supply abundant and diverse TreMs, can play an important role in accelerating habitat restoration.

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Tree microhabitats in natural temperate riparian forests: An ultra-rich biological complex in a globally vanishing habitat

Cited by 19 publications

References 49 publications

Spatial distribution of Tree-related Microhabitats in a primeval mountain forest: from natural patterns to landscape planning and forest management recommendations

Spatial distribution of Tree-related Microhabitats in a primeval mountain forest: from natural patterns to landscape planning and forest management recommendations

Ecosystem engineers cause biodiversity spill-over: beavers affect breeding bird assemblages on both wetlands and adjacent terrestrial habitats

Pioneer tree species accelerate restoration of tree‐related microhabitats in 50‐year‐old reserves of Białowieża Forest, Poland

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