Abstract
The study focuses on identifying and assessing the effect of the presence of drainage and roadside ditches on the diversity of bryophytes in managed forests. We compared the composition of moss and liverwort species, their richness and abundance in plots that are located in ditches as well as corresponding control plots in the surrounding forests with regard to the forest type (coniferous, mixed and deciduous). ANOVA demonstrated the pronounced impact that the presence of ditches in managed forests has on an increase in bryophyte species richness. A comparison of forest and ditch types using DCA pointed to a correlation between the number of deciduous trees in the stands and an increased dissimilarity of ditch bryophytes when compared to the bryophytes of the corresponding control plots. Using the ecological indicator values, CCA confirmed the special significance of ditch settlements for hygrophilous species, which at present cannot otherwise find favorable conditions in managed forests. The study proves that ditches, and especially those with intermittent pools of stagnant water, may become a significant source of microhabitat diversity. Their presence may provide a welcome preserve for rare and protected species that cannot find suitable substrates in managed forests.
Highlights
Changes in species diversity that are caused by human activity may result in two distinct patterns
We compared the composition of moss and liverwort species, their richness and abundance in plots that are located in ditches as well as corresponding control plots in the surrounding forests with regard to the forest type
A comparison of forest and ditch types using DCA pointed to a correlation between the number of deciduous trees in the stands and an increased dissimilarity of ditch bryophytes when compared to the bryophytes of the corresponding control plots
Summary
Changes in species diversity that are caused by human activity may result in two distinct patterns. A relevant aspect of human activity for the preservation of the natural species diversity of bryophytes is forest management, which significantly modifies microhabitat and microclimate conditions and directly and indirectly impacts forest bryophytes (Gustafsson and Hallingback 1988; Andersson and Hytteborn 1991; Vellak and Paal 1999; Paillet et al 2010; Vellak et al 2003 and cited). The structure of managed forests is significantly simpler than that of natural forests (Kuuluvainen et al 1996; Commarmot et al 2005) They are frequently composed of even-aged stands with a poorly diversified species composition that lacks old trees, uprooted trees or large lying logs, the removal of which further contributes to the diminished diversification of the substrates that are available to bryophytes (Franklin et al 2002)
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