Diversity and composition of moss guilds on uprooted trees in Central European mountain forests: effects of uprooting components and environmental variables

Monika Staniaszek-Kik,Jan Żarnowiec,Ewa Stefańska-Krzaczek

doi:10.1007/s13595-021-01062-3

Abstract

Key messageThe size of the structural components of the root–pit–mound complex was crucial for high moss species richness. Root plates, pits, and mounds were similar in terms of moss species composition, which was mostly determined by forest type.ContextUprooted trees may be colonized by different terricolous mosses including common species and specialists.AimsThe main aim of the present study was to analyze the relative effects of tree uprooting on mosses.MethodsWe used the parametric ZIGLMM and GLMM models to explain the richness and abundance of the moss species and double constrained correspondence analysis (dc-CA) to analyze species composition.ResultsThe size of components of RPM complexes had a positive effect on moss species richness. The species cover of mosses was positively correlated with elevation. Species richness was partly dependent on forest type and species cover on component type and age of the RPM complex. The most important factor diversifying species composition was the type of forest. Species traits were also related to forest communities.ConclusionUprooted trees are worth keeping in forest community, especially large ones. Moreover, the conservation value of uprooted trees in woodlands is higher if they are dispersed in different forest types.

Highlights

Tree uprooting is an important process changing the functioning of forest ecosystems, because it impacts both the structure and dynamics of plant communities and soil profile (Faliński 1978; Schaetzl et al 1989a; Jonsson 1990; Simon et al 2011; Šebková et al 2012; Plotkin et al 2017)
The total number of mosses in RPM complexes in individual forest types varied in the following sequence: Calamagrostio villosae-Piceetum abietis (CVP) (34 species) > PA-PF (29) > LF (28) > AP (25)
The cover was positively correlated with elevation (Table 3, Table 9 in Appendix) and dependent on the RPM component, i.e., moss species cover on mounds and root plates was significantly higher (Fig. 2d)

Summary

Introduction

Tree uprooting is an important process changing the functioning of forest ecosystems, because it impacts both the structure and dynamics of plant communities and soil profile (Faliński 1978; Schaetzl et al 1989a; Jonsson 1990; Simon et al 2011; Šebková et al 2012; Plotkin et al 2017). It influences many chemical, physical, and Handling Editor: Laurent Bergès. The uprooted trees provide new niches available for colonization, where competition does not exist or competitive relationships are weak (Schaetzl et al 1989a; Jonsson and Essen 1990; Jonsson and Dynesius 1993; Šebková et al 2012)

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Conclusion