Litter spider succession after clear-cutting in a western coniferous forest

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 984-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. McIver ◽  
G. L. Parsons ◽  
A. R. Moldenke

The litter spiders of a coniferous forest in western Oregon were trapped in pitfalls to study the effects of, and recovery after, clear-cutting. Traps were placed in old-growth sites (150–450 years) and in clearcuts of three different ages (4–7, 16–19, and 22–31 years); each age-class was represented by sites that differed along a gradient of moisture availability. A total of 8905 individuals were collected over the 2-year study period, comprising 93 species, 54 genera, and 15 families. Visual pursuit hunting spiders dominated clearcuts, while "sit and wait" microweb and trapdoor spiders dominated mature forests. Most of the common forest species were reestablished in the wettest sites by 30 years after clear-cutting; species composition in dry 30-year-old clearcuts more closely resembled the fauna of shrubby wet 16-year-old clearcuts. Microenvironmental conditions and the availability and species composition of prey are the most likely factors behind variation in spider species composition among sites. Prey and microenvironment are in turn largely influenced by canopy closure and litter depth. The use of litter spiders as bioindicators of litter habitat quality and forest recovery is discussed.

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Róbert Gallé ◽  
Norbert Vesztergom ◽  
Tamás Somogyi

The aims of the present study were to reveal the differences between grassland types, and to identify the local and landscape parameters that influence the spider assemblages at the reach of the River Tisza. The rarefied number of spider species was negatively correlated with the proportion of forests in a radius of 500 m around each site. A negative correlation was found between the number of grassland specialist species and the proportion of the forests, but the number of forest species increased significantly with the neighboring forest area. The relative area of neighboring forests, the number of plant species and regular flooding played major roles in shaping of the species composition of spiders. The results of the present study emphasize the importance of the effect of habitat landscape properties on spider assemblages. The structural diversity of the landscape may influence species richness and composition of the habitats.


Author(s):  
С.А. Рай ◽  
Н.В. Беляева ◽  
Е.Н. Наквасина

Проведенные лесохозяйственные мероприятия на лесосеках сплошных рубок, такие как создание лесных культур и проведение мер содействия естественному возобновлению, вносят вклад в смену экологической обстановки, особенности восстановительной сукцессии и биологическое разнообразие, в формирование новых биогеоценозов на лесосеках. Изучены особенности восстановительных сукцессий на начальных стадиях (первое десятилетие) формирования лесной среды на вырубках из-под сосняков с майником и брусникой в напочвенном покрове в Кировской области. Объекты исследования лесосеки с последующим восстановлением лесными культурами сосны и с содействием естественному восстановлению путем сохранения подроста после сплошных рубок 2009-2016 годов в сосняках с майником и брусникой в напочвенном покрове. В качестве контрольного объекта подобран лесной выдел в естественном состоянии, соответствующий объектам исследования по типу леса, породному составу и с близким возрастом. Установлено, что создание лесных культур меняет структуру подроста по породному составу: преобладает сосна, высаженная в качестве монокультуры, тогда как в насаждении до рубки преобладал еловый подрост. На лесосеках с лесными культурами отмечено меньше лесных видов растений и больше сорных, по сравнению с лесосеками, где был сохранен подрост, а также с контрольным участком. Уже на начальных этапах самовосстановительной сукцессии лесосеки с сохранением подроста по структуре растительности живого напочвенного покрова ближе к исходным насаждениям с майником и брусникой, чем лесосеки с лесными культурами. Однако к концу первого десятилетия наблюдается тенденция к сближению структуры растительности на лесосеках с разными способами лесовосстановления. Это предполагает дальнейшую стабилизацию биоразнообразия экосистем в соответствии с условиями местообитания и разрастанием породы-эдификатора. Forest management measures carried out on clear-cutting sites, such as the creation of forest crops and measures to promote natural regeneration, contribute to a change in the ecological situation, especially the succession and biological diversity, in the formation of new biogeocenoses in the clear-cutting areas. The features of restoration successions at the initial stages (the first decade) of the formation of the forest environment at cuttings from under pine forests with minnow and lingonberries in the ground cover in the Kirov region were studied. The objects of the study were cutting areas with the subsequent restoration of pine forest cultures and with the assistance of natural restoration by preserving the undergrowth after clearcutting in 2009-2016 in pine forests with lumber and lingonberries in the ground cover. As a control object, we selected a forest stand in a natural state, corresponding to the objects of study by type of forest, species composition, and close age. It has been established that the creation of forest crops changes the structure of the undergrowth in terms of species composition: pine prevails, planted as a monoculture, while spruce undergrowth prevailed in the plantation before felling. On cutting areas with forest crops, fewer forest species of plants and more weeds are noted compared to cutting areas where undergrowth was preserved, as well as with the control plot. Already at the initial stages of the self-healing succession of the cutting area with the preservation of undergrowth in terms of the structure of vegetation of the living soil cover, it is closer to the original stands with minnow and lingonberry than the cutting areas with forest crops. However, by the end of the first decade, there is a tendency toward a convergence of the vegetation structure in the cutting areas with different methods of reforestation. This implies further stabilization of ecosystem biodiversity in accordance with habitat conditions and the growth of an edificator rock.


1987 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dora Feliciangeli

The ecology of phlebotomine sandflies in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northern Venezuela (San Esteban, Carabobo State) was investigated through a year-term study. Three different habitats: viz. a house, a pridomestic area and a sylvatic area, were covered and the species composition, the abundance and occurrence of each species were analyzed in relation to the habitats, catching methods and hour of catching. L. panamensis, L. gomezi and L. ovallesi are the species which bite man, although almost exclusively at night. All of them hide by day and are common in the sylvatic area. Moreover, L. panamensis and L. gomezi successfully approach the house and seem to settle in the peridomestic area. L. shannoni and L. olmeca bicolor also approach and accidentally bite man. L. trinidadensis, L. atroclavata and L. cayennensis are the common non-antrhopophilic species in the area.


1987 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dora Feliciangeli

A study on the ecology of phlebotomine sandfly fauna in a restricted focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northern Venezuela was undertaken in order to investigate the species responsible for the transmission. The study area and catching methods for phlebotomine sandflies are described. A total of 9,061 females and 1,662 males were collected during a year-term study. 12 species of Lutzomya and 1 species of Brumptomya sp. were identified. Absolute and relative abundance and ocurrence for each species were determined. The rel ative occurrence allowed to distinguish the common species, viz. L. panamensis, L. ovallesi, L. gomezi, L. tinidadensis, L. atroclavata, L. cayennensis, L. shannoni and L. olmeca bicolor from the rare species vis., L. punctigeniculata, L. rangeliana, L. evansi and L. dubitans. General comments on the species composition of the sandfly fauna in this locality are made.


Biologia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mária Petrášová-Šibíková ◽  
Igor Matečný ◽  
Eva Uherčíková ◽  
Peter Pišút ◽  
Silvia Kubalová ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman alteration of watercourses is global phenomenon that has had significant impacts on local ecosystems and the services they provide. Monitoring of abiotic and biotic changes is essential to mitigating long-lasting effects, and the 23-year dataset from the Gabčíkovo Waterworks provided a rare opportunity to assess the impact of groundwater regimes on vegetation. The main aim of this study was to describe the effect of the Gabčíkovo Waterworks on vegetation structure and species composition of the adjacent riparian floodplain forests over the past 23 years. The results are based on studies of three permanent monitoring plots (PMPs) located in the Danube inland delta – two outside (PMP 1 and 3) and one (PMP 2) fully under the influence of the artificial supply system. Our results demonstrate that the Danube inland delta was negatively affected by the Gabčíkovo construction, particularly for sites outside of the artificial supply system. There was a significant decrease in soil moisture and increase in nitrogen at both external PMPs (1 and 3). Alter soil conditions were accompanied by negative changes in plant species composition demonstrated by decreases in the number of typical floodplain forest species that are characteristic for the alliance


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 4591-4636 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Veenendaal ◽  
M. Torello-Raventos ◽  
T. R. Feldpausch ◽  
T. F. Domingues ◽  
F. Gerard ◽  
...  

Abstract. Through interpretations of remote sensing data and/or theoretical propositions, the idea that forest and savanna represent "alternative stable states" is gaining increasing acceptance. Filling an observational gap, we present detailed stratified floristic and structural analyses for forest and savanna stands mostly located within zones of transition (where both vegetation types occur in close proximity) in Africa, South America and Australia. Woody plant leaf area index variation was related in a similar way to tree canopy cover for both savanna and forest with substantial overlap between the two vegetation types. As total woody plant canopy cover increased, so did the contribution of middle and lower strata of woody vegetation to this total. Herbaceous layer cover also declined as woody cover increased. This pattern of understorey grasses and herbs being progressively replaced by shrubs as canopy closure occurs was found for both savanna and forests and on all continents. Thus, once subordinate woody canopy layers are taken into account, a less marked transition in woody plant cover across the savanna-forest species discontinuum is observed compared to that implied when trees of a basal diameter > 0.1m are considered in isolation. This is especially the case for shrub-dominated savannas and in taller savannas approaching canopy closure. An increased contribution of forest species to the total subordinate cover is also observed as savanna stand canopy closure occurs. Despite similarities in canopy cover characteristics, woody vegetation in Africa and Australia attained greater heights and stored a greater concentration of above ground biomass than in South America. Up to three times as much aboveground biomass is stored in forests compared to savannas under equivalent climatic conditions. Savanna/forest transition zones were also found to typically occur at higher precipitation regimes for South America than for Africa. Nevertheless, coexistence was found to be confined to a well-defined edaphic/climate envelope consistent across all three continents with both soil and climate playing a role as the key determinants of the relative location of forest and savanna. Taken together these observations do not lend support the notion of alternate stable states mediated through fire-feedbacks as the prime force shaping the distribution of the two dominant vegetation types of the tropical lands.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-111
Author(s):  
Diána Vona-Túri ◽  
Tünde Szmatona-Túri ◽  
Ferenc Kádár ◽  
Balázs Kiss ◽  
András Weiperth ◽  
...  

Abstract In this study, we research ground-dwelling arthropods along four road stretches, which represent the main verge habitats (arid grassland, agricultural area, forest, and wetland) of Hungary. Besides the faunistic investigation of arthropod communities, we described and compared dominance relation and species composition. We identified 83 carabids, 81 spiders, and 4 isopod species. Seven beetle species and one spider species are included in the invertebrate Red List of Hungary. The registered species were dominant on main road verges bordering arid grassland and wetland. Main road verges proved to be a diverse habitat; hence, it is important to carry on more investigation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. van Schalkwyk ◽  
J. S. Pryke ◽  
M. J. Samways ◽  
R. Gaigher

Abstract To ensure integrity of protected areas we need to understand how species respond to anthropogenic borders. We investigate, from a metacommunity perspective, the direct and indirect mechanisms by which transformed areas affect distribution patterns of ground-living arthropod assemblages inhabiting an extensive protected area adjacent to fruit orchards in an important biosphere reserve. Arthropods and environmental variables were sampled along transects perpendicular to natural-orchard edges. Influence of distance from orchard boundary, degree of impermeability of the boundary, orchard habitat quality (local scale land-use intensity), and edge-induced changes in local environmental variables on arthropod species richness and composition in non-crop habitats were assessed. Arthropod groups were assessed in terms of habitat fidelity: species associated with natural habitat (stenotopic species), those within crop habitat (cultural species), and those showing no preference for either habitat (ubiquitous species). Spillover resulted in higher cultural species richness near edges, but not higher overall species richness. Environmental filtering was important for stenotopic species composition, which was influenced by edge-induced changes in environmental variables. Ubiquitous species composition was determined by orchard impermeability. Increased orchard habitat quality was associated with higher cultural and ubiquitous species richness. The effects of orchards on assemblages in natural habitats can be variable, but predictable when using species habitat specificity in conjunction with a metacommunity framework. High intensity orchards may act as sink habitats, especially for species that readily disperse between crop and natural habitats. Here we recommend that local buffer strips are > 85 m wide, which will reduce the influence of cultural species spillover on sensitive natural ecosystems.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1677
Author(s):  
Orsolya Juhász ◽  
Ágnes Fürjes-Mikó ◽  
Anna Tenyér ◽  
Anna Ágnes Somogyi ◽  
Dianne Joy Aguilon ◽  
...  

The consequences of anthropogenic climate change are one of the major concerns of conservation biology. A cascade of negative effects is expected to affect various ecosystems, one of which is Central European coniferous forests and their unique biota. These coniferous forests are the primary habitat of many forest specialist species such as red wood ants. Climate change-induced rising of temperature allows trees to skip winter hibernation, making them more vulnerable to storms that cause wind felling, and in turn, promotes bark beetle infestations that results in unscheduled clear-cuttings. Red wood ants can also be exposed to such habitat changes. We investigated the effects of bark beetle-induced clear-cutting and the absence of coniferous trees on colonies of Formica polyctena, including a mixed-coniferous forest as a reference. Our aim was to investigate how these habitat features affect the nest characteristics and nesting habits of F. polyctena. Our results indicate that, in the absence of conifers, F. polyctena tend to use different alternatives for nest material, colony structure, and food sources. However, the vitality of F. polyctena colonies significantly decreased (smaller nest mound volumes). Our study highlights the ecological flexibility of this forest specialist and its potential to survive under extreme conditions.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1027
Author(s):  
Dandan Qi ◽  
Fujuan Feng ◽  
Yanmei Fu ◽  
Ximei Ji ◽  
Xianfa Liu

Microbes, as important regulators of ecosystem processes, play essential roles in ecosystem recovery after disturbances. However, it is not clear how soil microbial communities and functions change and affect forest recovery after clear-cutting. Here, we used metagenome sequencing to systematically analyse the differences in soil microbial community composition, functions, and nitrogen (N) cycling pathways between primary Korean pine forests (PF) and secondary broad-leaved forests (SF) formed after clear-cutting. Our results showed that the dominant phyla of the two forest types were consistent, but the relative abundance of some phyla was significantly different. Meanwhile, at the genus level, the fold-changes of rare genera were larger than the dominant and common genera. The genes related to microbial core metabolic functions, virulence factors, stress response, and defence were significantly enriched in SF. Additionally, based on the relative abundance of functional genes, a schema was proposed to analyse the differences in the whole N cycling processes between the two forest types. In PF, the stronger ammoniation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNRA) and the weaker nitrification provided a genetic explanation for PF dominated by ammonium (NH4+) rather than nitrate (NO3−). In SF, the weaker DNRA, the stronger nitrification and denitrification, the higher soil available phosphorus (AP), and the lower nitrogen to phosphorus ratio (N/P) comprehensively suggested that SF was faced with a greater degree of N limitation. These results offer insights into the potential relationship between soil microbes and forest recovery, and aid in implementing proper forestry management.


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