Biodiversity in remnants of natural mountain forests under conservation-oriented management

Jakub Horák,Strahinja Mladenović,Petr Bogusch,Pavel Pech,Josef P Halda,Jan Materna

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-35448-7

Abstract

The structure of forests is an important stabilizing factor regarding ongoing global climate and land use change. Biodiverse mountain forests with natural structure are one of the ecosystems most endangered by these problems. We focused on the mountain forest islands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and their role in the natural distribution of organisms. The study area was situated in the oldest Czech national park, Krkonoše (385 km2), which is the highest mountain ridge in the country. We studied multi-taxa (lichens, beetles and hymenopterans) responses to three hierarchical spatial levels of the environment: the topography was described by the elevation gradient; the patch structure was described by canopy openness, dead wood amounts, and Norway spruce (Picea abies) cover; and the tree level was described by species of the sampled tree and its diameter. Lichens preferred higher elevations, while insect groups responded conversely. Furthermore, insect groups were mainly influenced by the inner patch structure of beech islands. Lichens may be jeopardized due to the predicted future increase in temperatures, since they would need to shift toward higher altitudes. Insects may be mainly threatened in the future by land use changes (i.e., forest management) – as indicated by an interconnection of canopy openness and the amount of dead wood.

Highlights

Forest structure is an important factor regarding future global changes[1]
Their historical abuse makes their preservation difficult6 – at least one tenth of the forests of Central Europe consist of plantations dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies)[7]
Spruce and dead wood, followed by altitude and canopy openness, were the independent variables that explained the highest variance in the case of beetles (Fig. 2b)

Summary

Introduction

Forest structure is an important factor regarding future global changes[1]. due to the ability of forests to influence the local climate and their importance as a global carbon stock and in providing biodiversity[2]. The situation of forests in Europe appears to be relatively promising with respect to their biodiversity in the future. Their historical abuse makes their preservation difficult6 – at least one tenth of the forests of Central Europe consist of plantations dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies)[7]. The main reason for the dominance of spruce plantations in Europe and their preference by foresters is because of their economic value. It is known that most lichens are dependent on veteran trees[19], which are an important element of biodiverse forests[20]. The species richness of lichens is known to be higher when the forest landscape is more heterogeneous, and a similar situation occurs with insects[21]. To support threatened lichen species in mountain areas, it is recommended to enrich spruce stands with broadleaf tree species[26]

Methods

Results

Conclusion