Bryophyte response to forest canopy treatments within the riparian zone of high-elevation small streams

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.K. Baldwin ◽  
C.L. Petersen ◽  
G.E. Bradfield ◽  
W.M. Jones ◽  
S.T. Black ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Continuous Forest ◽  
Small Streams ◽  
Group Frequency ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips ◽  
Associated Species

Riparian buffer strips are increasingly used to mitigate disturbance effects on terrestrial biota found adjacent to streams, yet it is unclear how the effects of canopy treatment (clear-cut, buffer, or intact forest) will interact with pre-existing stream–upland gradients. We questioned whether proximity to the stream would influence bryophyte richness and whether the effects of canopy treatment on bryophyte composition and functional group representation would differ along the stream–upland gradient. Bryophyte richness, abundance, and composition were sampled in continuous forest (n = 6), two-sided buffers (buffer width approximately 15 m on both stream sides; n = 10), and clear-cuts (n = 7) in the southern interior of British Columbia. At each site, bryophyte functional group frequency was sampled within 10 × 2 m belt transects located at 1, 5, and 10 m from the stream edge. Both distance from the stream and canopy treatment were strongly associated with bryophyte community variation. The richness of many functional groups was highest immediately adjacent to the stream. The richness and frequency of forest-associated species, as well as the overall extent of the bryophyte mat, had the highest values in continuous forests, intermediate values in buffers, and lowest values in clear-cuts. Although significant differences in bryophyte communities occurred between buffers and clear-cuts at all distances from the stream, differences between buffers and continuous forest were nonsignificant. These results indicate that riparian buffers can play an important role in the mitigation of harvesting effects on the bryologically rich communities along small headwater streams.

Response to clear-cut logging by northern waterthrushes

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian G Warkentin ◽  
Allison L Fisher ◽  
Stephen P Flemming ◽  
Shawn E Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Riparian Buffer ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips ◽  
Treatment Interaction

We examined the distribution and foraging behaviour of northern waterthrushes (Seiurus noveboracensis) in recently harvested and intact landscapes of Newfoundland. Data were collected along six 1-km segments of stream and adjoining upland habitat resulting in four treatments (harvested or intact, upland or stream) with three replicates each. Although known as a riparian specialist, we found waterthrush territories equally distributed across intact upland and riparian habitats. However, few waterthrushes occupied harvested uplands, while large numbers packed into riparian buffer strips adjacent to these 5- to 10-year-old postharvest clearcuts. Arthropod abundance and biomass were highly variable between years and across the four treatments, generating significant year × treatment interaction effects. Riparian habitat (in both intact and harvested areas) had consistently greater numbers of arthropod prey and more biomass than either upland habitat type. Northern waterthrushes foraging in riparian habitat adjacent to harvested uplands had lower attack rates and more frequent long flights than waterthrushes foraging in the intact treatment types. Prolonged packing of individuals into riparian buffer strips, and apparent adverse affects on waterthrush foraging efficiency, raise concerns about the effectiveness of buffer strips for sustaining viable populations of terrestrial riparian habitat specialists.

Vaired Effects of Clear-cut Logging on Predators and Their Habitat in Small Streams of the Cascade Mountains, Oregon

1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Murphy ◽  
James D. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Stream Communities ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Small Streams ◽  
Gradient Effects ◽  
Size Gradient ◽  
Lower Biomass

Assemblages of aquatic vertebrate and insect predators were inventoried in streams in old-growth and logged coniferous forests in the western Cascades of Oregon to assess effects of clear-cut logging on stream communities. Effects associated with logging depended on stream size, gradient, and time after harvest. Clear-cut sections where the stream was still exposed to sunlight (5–17 yr after logging) generally had greater biomass, density, and species richness of predators than old-growth (> 450-yr-old) forested sections. Increases were greatest in small (first-order), high gradient (10–16%) streams, where clear-cut sites had both greater periphyton production and coarser streambed sediment than old-growth sites of similar size and gradient. Effects on predators were mixed in larger, lower gradient streams, where clear-cut sites showed accumulation of sediment and relatively small increases in periphyton production. Second-growth logged sections (12–35 yr after logging), reshaded by deciduous forest canopy, had lower biomass of trout and fewer predator taxa than old-growth sites.Key words: trout, salamanders, insects, logging, sediment, periphyton, watershed management

scholarly journals Natural Regeneration of the Tree Stand in the Bilberry Spruce Forest—Clear-Cutting Ecotone Complex in the First Post-Logging Decade

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1542
Author(s):  
Nadezhda V. Genikova ◽  
Viktor N. Mamontov ◽  
Alexander M. Kryshen ◽  
Vladimir A. Kharitonov ◽  
Sergey A. Moshnikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Clear Cutting

Bilberry spruce forests are the most widespread forest type in the European boreal zone. Limiting the clear-cuttings size leads to fragmentation of forest cover and the appearance of large areas of ecotone complexes, composed of forest (F), a transition from forest to the cut-over site under tree canopy (FE), a transition from forest to the cut-over site beyond tree canopy (CE), and the actual clear-cut site (C). Natural regeneration of woody species (spruce, birch, rowan) in the bilberry spruce stand—clear-cut ecotone complex was studied during the first decade after logging. The effects produced by the time since cutting, forest edge aspect, and the ground cover on the emergence and growth of trees and shrubs under forest canopy and openly in the clear-cut were investigated. Estimating the amount and size of different species in the regeneration showed FE and CE width to be 8 m—roughly half the height of first-story trees. Typical forest conditions (F) feature a relatively small amount of regenerating spruce and birch. The most favorable conditions for natural regeneration of spruce in the clear-cut—mature bilberry spruce stand ecotone are at the forest edge in areas of transition both towards the forest and towards the clear-cut (FE and CE). Clear-cut areas farther from the forest edge (C) offer an advantage to regenerating birch, which grows densely and actively in this area.

Predation on different-sized quail eggs in an artificial-nest study in western Newfoundland

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 1170-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith P Lewis ◽  
William A Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Japanese Quail ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Artificial Nest ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips

In artificial-nest studies, Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs have been used as surrogates for passerine eggs, although small mammals that prey on passerine eggs may be unable to consume Japanese Quail eggs. To determine the influence of egg size on nest predation in different landscapes on insular Newfoundland, we placed either a Japanese Quail egg or a smaller Chinese Painted Quail (Xexcalfactoris chinensis) egg in artificial ground nests along lakeshore forest edges and along riparian buffer strips. Clay eggs were used to identify nest predators. Levels of predation on nests with Japanese Quail and Chinese Painted Quail eggs were similar. Based on clay eggs, predation was attributed to red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and we found no evidence that smaller mammals preyed on artificial nests. We conclude that the Japanese Quail egg is acceptable for use in artificial-nest studies in Newfoundland, and we discuss the implications of egg size and small mammals in nest-predation experiments.

Elevated numbers of flying insects and insectivorous birds in riparian buffer strips

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darroch M Whitaker ◽  
Allan L Carroll ◽  
William A Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Riparian Buffer ◽  
Buffer Strips ◽  
Insectivorous Birds ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Riparian Buffer Strips ◽  
Capture Rates

We compared the abundances of flying insects along undisturbed lakeshores and riparian buffer strips in balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forests in western Newfoundland. Insects were collected in pan traps placed on the forest floor and tanglefoot (sticky) traps suspended within the live canopy. Significantly greater numbers of insects were captured in riparian buffer strips than in undisturbed shorelines for four of five size classes in the canopy and two of five size classes in the understory. Collections were dominated by adult Diptera and Hymenoptera. Mean capture rates along buffer strips were 120-200% of the mean capture rates along undisturbed shorelines. This increase was greatest for large-bodied insects. A likely explanation for our observations is that buffer strips act as windbreaks, collecting airborne insects blown in from adjacent clearcuts and lakes. This phenomenon has been widely documented in agricultural landscapes. Understory wind speed was generally greater along buffer strips than controls, which is a reflection of increased exposure caused by clear-cutting. A concurrent parallel study conducted at the same sites investigated the effects of riparian buffering on breeding bird assemblages. Ubiquitous insectivorous birds, including the yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata) and blackpoll warbler (Dendroica striata), were more abundant along buffer strips than undisturbed shorelines, possibly in response to increased prey availability. Increased food availability may in part explain the high numbers of insectivorous birds typically observed in riparian buffer strips in boreal forests.

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