Effects Of Forest Management Practices Research Articles

Effects of forest gap formation and deadwood enrichment on oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) vary between regions

Most forests in Central Europe are subject to human management, especially timber harvesting, which alters soil conditions by creating gaps in the forest canopy and reduces the availability of deadwood. However, consequences of these management practices, in particular the combined effect of gap formation and deadwood removal, have been largely neglected. Here, we investigated the abundance, diversity and community composition of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in forests where deadwood availability and gap formation were manipulated in a full factorial design (Control, Gap, Deadwood, Gap + Deadwood). Forest gaps of about 30 m in diameter were established by felling trees, which were subsequently removed (Gap) or left on site as deadwood (Gap + Deadwood). Nearby forest sites without gaps were enriched with the equal amount of felled trees (Deadwood) or left untreated (Control). Experimental treatments were established at 29 forest sites including deciduous and coniferous stands in three regions of Germany, i.e. the Swabian Alb, Hanich-Dün and Schorfheide-Chorin in the south, center and north, respectively. One year after establishment of the treatments, we sampled 10,777 individuals and 104 species of oribatid mites. Deadwood addition significantly increased the density of oribatid mites in the Hainich-Dün from 24,036 to 46,658 ind. m-². Specifically, species of Oppiidae with relatively short life cycles and high reproductive output benefited from the additional deadwood supply, resulting in shifts in community compositions between treatments with and without deadwood. By contrast, mean oribatid mite density decreased from an average of 64,083 in controls to 36,621 ind. m-² in forest gaps of the Schorfheide-Chorin and the Swabian Alb. Presumably, adverse abiotic conditions, mainly amplified drought, induced higher mortality rates in these regions. Overall, deadwood addition and forest gap formation had strong effects on oribatid mite communities, although the magnitude of each effect was similar between forest types and largely determined by regional context. This emphasizes that the effects of forest management practices on oribatid mite communities cannot be generalized across regional scales, suggesting that management plans should carefully consider regional differences.

Forest management affects ecosystem functioning (predation and herbivory) but not ecosystem constancy: A comparative study across four forest ecosystems around the world

Forest management can affect both the functioning and stability of ecosystems. Constancy and persistence are key factors that contribute to the overall stability of an ecosystem. These factors can be highly variable and change across forest ecosystems. We studied the effects of forest management on the strength of resource–consumer interactions (bird predation and insect herbivory) as important measures of ecosystem functioning, as well as on their constancy in time in four different forested regions globally. Within each region, we selected (i) three heavily managed or plantation forests, and (ii) three urban/peri-urban forests or urban plantings, and paired each of them with pristine/semi-natural forests. Bird predation was estimated using plasticine caterpillars of different colors. Chewer, galler, and miner herbivory on leaves were estimated for 15 plants (shrubs and trees) per study site. Constancy was quantified as the invariability of both predation and herbivory during a period of three (exceptionally two) years. We found no consistent responses of either predation or herbivory to forest management practices across study regions. Bird predation was higher in urban/peri-urban forests than in pristine/semi-natural forests in Patagonian and boreal forest, with intermediate levels of predation in managed or plantation forests. These differences might be explained by the increase of resource availability during the winters and by the higher abundances of generalist predators due to increase of temperatures (i.e., urban heat effect), for those regions where winter temperatures could be a limiting factor. Chewing insect herbivory was lower in urban/peri-urban forests, probably due to the exclusion of certain herbivores in response to warming and the higher predation pressure relative to pristine forests. No differences were found in other types of herbivory, indicating that effects of urbanization are guild-specific. In addition, we consistently found no effects of forest management practices on predation invariability and herbivory, thereby demonstrating the high constancy of ecosystem functioning to different forest management practices across regions. These findings advance our knowledge of the generalized effects of forest management on ecosystem functions and stability by establishing a connection between the ecology and management and conservation of plantations and natural forests.

The impact of stand composition and tree density on topsoil characteristics and soil microbial activities

The assessment of long-term effects of forest management practices, particularly species mixing and stand density, provides valuable information for the forestry sectors. This study evaluated and compared the effect of stand composition and density on organic horizon (i.e., OL, OF, OH) and organo-mineral horizon characteristics of nine stands in the Orleans State Forest (France), seven years after the first thinning treatments. To this end, three triplets of stands of pure Quercus petraea Matt., pure Pinus sylvestris L. and a mixture of both species were selected. Each stand consisted of two plots with different tree densities: low and normal. Physicochemical variables were measured on the organic humus horizon (OH), while microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), and soil microbial metabolic profile were evaluated on the organo-mineral horizon; the abundance of soil microbial populations (i.e., bacteria, fungi and archaea) in each plot was also assessed by qPCR. The OH thickness consistently increased under pure pine stands (25–35 mm), while other OH characteristics showed no variation based on stand composition and tree density. Low-density plots exhibited changes in microbial biomass, with a significant decrease in both MBC and MBN. Moreover, the highest MBC was recorded under pure pine stands (1241 mg C.kg−1 DW soil), and the highest MBN under pure oak stands (24–39 mg N.kg−1 DW soil). The highest C assimilation rates were recorded in the mixed stands, especially under low tree density. Bacteria and archea were similarly abundant across stand compositions and tree densities, while fungi tended to be more abundant in the mixed coniferous-broadleaf stands. Our findings should be considered by the forestry sectors of European countries where these two species are distributed, and suggest that EU forestry strategies should promote biodiversity in the context of tree plantations.

Combining Rock-Eval® thermal analysis and thermochemolysis to evaluate the influence of forest management on soil organic matter quality and stability

The effect of forest management practices on carbon quality is poorly documented. To assess changes in the quality and stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) of a temperate forest upon human activities, we investigated soil from forests (i) developed following natural regeneration after clearcutting 20 and 40 years ago, (ii) developed following afforestation on an abandoned crop area 40 years ago and (iii) in an area where regular clear-cut (with wood residues input) was conducted 40 years ago. Topsoil and subsoil layers were collected (0–20 cm and 50–80 cm). Soil organic matter (OM) was characterized by elemental analysis (total carbon and total nitrogen), thermal analysis (Rock-Eval®) and thermochemolysis (i.e., Py-GC/MS in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)). In addition, a size fractionation to separate the labile coarse fraction (50–2000 μm) from the fine fraction (<50 µm) was performed. These fractions were analyzed by thermal analysis.Despite no measurable differences in carbon and nitrogen contents, the characterization of the OM by thermal analysis, and the relative quantification of OM compounds revealed differences in the composition in OM for the topsoil layers. The thermal analysis clearly distinguished sites with inputs of woody residues (higher HI) with a higher relative contribution of lignin and cutin/suberin compounds. However, the OM thermal stability seems mainly controlled by the organo-mineral interactions rather than chemical composition. Combination of Rock-Eval® thermal analysis and Py-GC/MS suggests that thermal stability cannot be used as an indicator of stability in specific contexts where pedogenetic processes are deeply modified by regular and extensive anthropogenic inputs of woody residues.

Effects of forest management practices on carbon dynamics of China's boreal forests under changing climates

Climate change and forest management practices influence forest productivity and carbon budgets, and understanding their interactions is necessary to develop accurate predictions of carbon dynamics as many countries in the world strive towards carbon neutrality. Here, we developed a model-coupling framework to simulate the carbon dynamics of boreal forests in China. The expected dynamics of forest recovery and change following intense timber harvesting in the recent past and projected carbon dynamics into the future under different climate change scenarios and forest management practices (e.g., restoration, afforestation, tending, and fuel management). We predict that under current management strategies, climate change would lead to increased fire frequency and intensity, eventually shifting these forests from carbon sinks towards being carbon sources. This study suggests that future boreal forest management should be altered to reduce the probability of fire occurrence and carbon losses caused by catastrophic fires through planting deciduous species, mechanical removal, and prescribed fire.

One park, two owners—Inconsistencies in forest stewardship

AbstractAppropriate management of European spruce forests in this time of climate change is a significant challenge. Uniform principles of quality forest practice must be applied, essentially in forests that are valuable from a conservation point of view. However, this may be problematic in protected areas with mixed ownership and disparate priorities. Managerial decision‐making is often based on personal knowledge, previous experience, priorities other than conservation, or political influence. Clear management guidelines at the European and national levels are lacking in many protected areas. In this article, we use data from the Šumava NP to elucidate varied management approaches applied by state and private municipal owners in forests of high conservation value. We used high‐resolution aerial photographs to evaluate the effects of forest management practices applied, and compared the status of spruce habitats before and after a major windstorm and large‐scale bark beetle outbreak. We found that follow‐up forest management measures have significantly affected forests in the Šumava NP negatively. However, changes are not equally spread across the area of study, with forest ownership important for the type and intensity of changes. Kašperské Hory Municipality, managed their forests more as a productive commercial forest as contrasted to the state owned forest. We compare our findings with experiences from other Central European national parks with similar forest management challenges. Options for improving and unifying the management of conservation‐valuable forests held in state and private ownership are discussed in the conclusion. Wide political consensus and stability together with long‐term mutual trust and a willingness to collaborate among conservationists, forest managers and forest owners were recognized to be essential for the successful achievement of conservation goals.

The European forest carbon budget under future climate conditions and current management practices

Abstract. To become carbon neutral by 2050, the European Union (EU27) net carbon sink from forests should increase from the current level of about −360 to −450 Mt CO2eq yr−1 by 2050. Reaching this target requires additional efforts, which should be informed by the expected interactions between current age-class distributions, the effect of forest management practices and the expected impacts of future climate change. However, modelling the combined effect of these drivers is challenging, since it requires a mechanistic assessment of climate impacts on primary productivity and heterotrophic respiration and a detailed representation of the forest age structure and of the management practices across the entire EU. To achieve this goal, we combined the output provided by four land–climate models – run under two different Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP6.0) – to parameterize the input data used in an empirical forest growth model. This hybrid modelling approach aims to quantify the impact of climate change and forest management on the long-term (i.e. to 2100) evolution of the EU27 + UK forest carbon budget. This approach was tested using a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, based on the continuation of the management practices applied by EU member states within the historical period 2000–2015. We emphasize that our study does not explore a specific policy scenario but describes a methodological framework. Our results highlight that, under our BAU case, the EU27 + UK forest C sink would decrease to about −250 Mt CO2eq yr−1 in 2050 and −80 Mt CO2eq yr−1 by 2100. The main driver of the long-term evolution of the forest C sink is the ongoing ageing process of the European forests, mostly determined by past and ongoing management. In addition, climate change may further amplify or mitigate this trend. Due to the large uncertainty in climate projections, in 2050 the net C sink may range from −100 to −400 Mt CO2eq yr−1 under RCP2.6 and from −100 to −300 Mt CO2eq yr−1 under RCP6.0. These results suggest that while a change in management practices would be needed to reverse an otherwise declining trend in the sink, climate change adds a considerable uncertainty, potentially nearly doubling or halving the sink associated with management.

Impact of forest thinning on aboveground macrofungal community composition and diversity in Mediterranean pine stands

Fungal communities are especially relevant in Mediterranean regions, a ‘hotspot’ of fungal diversity, and where the value of edible commercial sporocarps may be much higher than the income from timber products. Assessing the effects of forest management practices together with the modulating role of climate on sporocarp community composition and diversity is crucial for understanding their impacts on fungal-related ecosystem services. Yet, previous research on forest management impacts on aboveground fungal diversity and community composition is scant, sometimes contradictory and mainly focused on rather short-term impacts. We quantified the long-term response of the sporocarp community composition and diversity to different forest thinning intensities in Mediterranean Pinus pinaster forest stands, and the interactions with weather conditions in modulating the fungal response. We relied on 28 permanent plots representing a thinning intensity gradient, monitored for sporocarp diversity on a weekly basis during eleven consecutive years. Weather conditions of each plot were obtained through interpolation from different meteorological stations. Overall, the fungal sporocarp community composition showed short-term (<2 years) changes mainly under both heavy and light thinning intensities compared to unthinned plots. The unexpected compositional change caused by light thinning intensities affected only certain ectomycorrhizal fungi (Lactarius group deliciosus). Climatic factors, mostly the mean temperature of September and October, contributed to enhancing or diminishing the compositional response of macrofungi to forest thinning. Moreover, there was no effect of forest thinning on sporocarp species diversity (i.e., richness and evenness). Both ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic species richness and ectomycorrhizal species evenness increased over time. Our results indicate that the post-treatment conditions following forest thinning may cause short-term successional changes in both ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal assemblages, benefiting, in turn, particular fungal species of socioeconomic interest by producing large amount of sporocarps. Furthermore, forest thinning with careful and low-impact removal of trees does not jeopardize sporocarp diversity.

Effects of clearcutting and girdling on soil respiration and fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a Japanese cedar plantation

Impacts of forest management practices on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics remain under debate due to complex interactions between belowground biogeochemical processes. To optimize practices that minimize soil C and N losses, we investigated the effects of management practices on soil C and N fluxes, including the leaching of dissolved organic C (DOC) and N, by comparing clearcutting, stem girdling (removal of the bark and phloem tissue), and control treatments in a Japanese cedar plantation. Canopy opening by clearcutting is hypothesized to have a greater effect on soil C loss and the leaching of nitrate-N relative to girdling. Results showed that clearcutting increased soil heterotrophic respiration (organic matter decomposition) and lead to a loss of soil organic C (2.9–3.7 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). Higher litter inputs from girdled tree dieback caused an increase in DOC fluxes from the organic horizon, whereas the loss of fresh litter inputs decreased DOC fluxes from the organic horizon following clearcutting. Clearcutting increased nitrate-N leaching by 3.3–4.8 kg N ha−1 yr−1 due to the loss of plant N uptake and the increased mineralization of soil organic matter, but high C/N ratios in dissolved organic matter limited nitrate leaching in the girdled treatment. Effects of forest management practices on soil C loss and nitrate leaching loss could be variable, but the slash application in clearcutting and the slow dieback in stem girdling could mitigate soil C loss and nitrate leaching loss.

The effect of forest management practices on deadwood resources and structure in protected and managed montane forests during tree-stand reconstruction after dieback of Norway spruce

Forest management practices can not only influence the amount of deadwood but also the proportions of particular elements. The goal of the present paper was to compare the amount, number of logs, stumps and snags and their dendrometrical parameters between the protected and managed forests in the Karkonosze Mts after a huge dieback of Picea abies. A massive decline of Norway spruce has been observed since the 1980s. The protected forests belong to Karkonosze National Park and the managed forests are situated in its buffer zone. In total, 1336 elements of coarse woody debris (CWD) were included in the study. They were distributed on 180 study plots (10 m × 10 m) that were randomly selected. Among the deadwood elements, spruce Picea abies dominated (80.3%) followed by beech Fagus sylvatica (14.3%). Logs were more numerous in the protected forest (57.3%) than in the managed forests (42.7%). Snags and stumps were more frequent – 56.9% and 52.8%, respectively, in the managed forests than in the protected forests – 43.1% and 47.2%, respectively. The mean volume of CWD was ca 114 m3 ha-1 in the protected forests whereas ca 70 m3 ha-1 was in managed forests.The mean number of stumps per study plot was higher in the managed forests. The mean volume and mean area of logs were higher in the protected forest as was the mean volume and diameter at breast height, whereas the height of the snags was higher in the managed forests. In terms of differences in the decomposition of deadwood between the two types of forests, the mean weighted degree of decay on a five-degree scale amounted to 2.9 in the protected forests and 2.7 in the managed forests. A larger amount of deadwood as well as a greater volume and surface area are very important for nature conservation because deadwood can function as a niche for many saproxylobiont organisms. The forest management practices and especially the weak conditions of spruce lead to a larger number of snags in a managed forest due to the reconstruction of tree-stands and the removal of deadwood by foresters.

Effects of forest harvest and fertiliser amendment on soil biodiversity and function can persist for decades

Effective management is critical to the establishment and growth of productive and sustainable planted forest ecosystems. Harvesting and nutrient applications can significantly disturb these ecosystems, and long-term studies are critical to evaluating the impacts of these events on the factors that contribute to sustainability. This study used long-term field trial sites to explore the direct and interactive effects of site, management, and other factors on the biogeochemical processes and phylogenetic diversity (bacterial and fungal community composition) within forest soil ecosystems. High throughput sequencing of bacterial (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS rRNA) phylogenetic marker genes was used to characterise microbial communities in soils from two long-term soil productivity study (LTSP) sites (both >25 years old). The single species (Pinus radiata) trials, at Woodhill and Tarawera forests, allowed for testing of effects of forest management practices, including organic matter removal at harvest and fertiliser addition, on microbial communities. Addition of fertiliser resulted in distinct changes to both bacterial and fungal communities, while organic matter removal at harvest had persistent effects on the composition of fungal species in the soil ecosystem at Woodhill with smaller magnitude effects still seen at Tarawera. In contrast, there was no evidence of long-term effects related to organic matter removal at harvest on the composition of soil bacterial communities, irrespective of site. The two sites had differing soil physicochemical properties and these were also associated with location-based differences in bacterial communities. Overall, bacterial communities were relatively impervious to forest management practices, whereas fungal communities were responsive and the effects on community assemblage were enduring over time. This outcome highlights both the importance of investigating fungal and bacterial communities together in forest ecosystems, and the value of long-term field-based studies. We conclude that while conventional forestry management practices may improve the long-term physicochemical conditions and tree growth, their impacts on soil microbial populations are also enduring.

A Comparison of Bat Activity in a Managed Central Hardwood Forest

Bats exploit forest resources based on species-specific adaptations, resulting in differences in activity across forested landscapes. Forest management practices alter forests, impacting species differently and presumably affecting bat activity. Application of forest management that promotes species-specific bat conservation requires further understanding of bat response to silvicultural practices. We surveyed timber harvest treatments on two Indiana State Forests to compare bat activity across forest management treatments, in forests adjacent to harvests, and at locations across the harvest-forest gradient from May to July in 2013 and 2014. We used Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter SM2BAT+ detectors and Kaleidoscope Pro analysis software to survey bats in relation to four treatment types: clear cut, patch cut, shelterwood preparatory cut, and intact forest. Detectors were deployed at two points within each treatment and three points on the forested periphery of treatments and recorded for three consecutive nights. We examined bat activity using N-mixture models that estimate abundance and probability of detection for an open population and used Akaike's Information Criterion to select the best models. Based on identification of acoustic calls, eastern red bats and hoary bats were more active in harvest treatments than control treatments. Big brown, eastern red, and tri-colored bats were most active at harvest edges. Northern long-eared and Indiana/little brown bats were most active at harvest edges and in adjacent forest and hoary bats were most active at harvest centers. Differences in bat activity across these managed forests suggest bat assemblages benefit from management that employs an array of silvicultural methods, provides edge habitat, and maintains adjacent forest stands. Our results can be used to predict effects of forest management practices on species-specific bat activity to maximize bat usage of forests.

间伐和凋落物处理对华北落叶松人工林土壤磷形态的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 间伐和凋落物处理对华北落叶松人工林土壤磷形态的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201809061907 作者: 作者单位: 北京林业大学林学院,北京林业大学林学院,北京林业大学林学院,北京林业大学林学院 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家重点研发计划（2016YFD0600205）；国家自然科学基金项目（N31700372） Effects of thinning and litter manipulation on soil phosphorus dynamicsin a Larixprincipis-rupprechtii plantation Author: Affiliation: Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University Fund Project: National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0600205) 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:土壤磷在维持生态系统功能稳定性中发挥重要作用，研究间伐和凋落物处理下的土壤磷组分特征及转化机理，对森林生态系统磷素管理和可持续发展具有重要意义。采用Tiessen改良的Hedley分级方法，探究了不同间伐强度（未间伐、轻度间伐、中度间伐、重度间伐）和凋落物处理（对照、加倍、去凋、切根去凋）下土壤磷形态的变化特征及其驱动因子。结果显示：随着间伐强度的增大，土壤活性磷（Resin-Pi、NaHCO3-Pi和NaHCO3-Po）、土壤微生物量磷和酸性磷酸酶活性呈先增加后降低的趋势，且在中度间伐最高。凋落物加倍（DL）显著增加了土壤活性磷（Resin-Pi、NaHCO3-Pi和NaHCO3-Po）、土壤微生物量磷和酸性磷酸酶活性。稳定态磷（HCl-Pi、浓HCl-Pi和浓HCl-Po）、残留态磷（Residual-P）不受间伐和凋落物处理的影响。冗余分析（RDA）显示，土壤微生物量磷、酸性磷酸酶活性和土壤有机碳是引起华北落叶松人工林表层土壤磷组分变化的重要因子。研究表明，适度的间伐和增加凋落物能够显著提高华北落叶松人工林表层土壤磷素的活化能力。本研究为华北落叶松人工林的可持续经营提供依据。 Abstract:Soil phosphorus (P) plays an important role in maintaining the stability of ecosystem functions. Understanding the effects of forest management practices (e.g., thinning) on soil phosphorus fractions is important for soil phosphorus management for sustainable development in forest ecosystems. In this paper, a modified Hedley phosphorus fractionation method was used to sequentially extract soil samples and investigate the characteristics of soil phosphorus fractions with different thinning intensities (control, T0; Low thinning, T15; Moderate thinning,T35; Heavy thinning,T50)and litter manipulation (control, CK; exclusion litter, NL; addition litter, DL; exclusion litter and roots, NRL) in a Larixprincipis-rupprechtii plantation and addressed its determining factors. The results showed that soil labile phosphorus(Resin-Pi, NaHCO3-Pi and NaHCO3-Po), soil microbial biomass phosphorus, and acid phosphatase activity increased first and then decreased with the increase of thinning intensity, and the maximum appeared in T35.DL treatment significantly increased soil labile phosphorus (Resin-Pi, NaHCO3-Pi and NaHCO3-Po), soil microbial biomass phosphorus, and acid phosphatase activity. No-labile phosphorus (HCl-Pi, concentrated HCl-Pi and concentrated HCl-Po) and residual phosphorus (Residual-P) were not affected by thinning or litter treatments. The redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that the changes in phosphorus fractions were mainly driven by soil microbial biomass phosphorus, acid phosphatase activity, andsoil organic carbon in the surface soil of the Larixprincipis-rupprechtii plantation. The results suggested that moderate thinning and increased litter could significantly improve the activation of phosphorus in the surface soil of the Larixprincipis-rupprechtii plantation. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Effects of forest management practices in clearings on breeding performance of the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

The structure and quality of breeding habitats play an essential role for breeding success of individuals and thus, the viability of populations. Knowledge on habitat requirements can guide management practises to ensure optimal conditions for breeding. In this study, we investigate the effect of different habitat features and forest management strategies on the breeding performance of Red-backed Shrikes (Lanius collurio) breeding in Gribskov forest, Denmark. We found that the availability of available perches for hunting is the main predictor having a positive effect on number of breeding pairs and fledglings. It was also positively associated with the number of years that the clearing has been occupied by breeding pairs. Furthermore, clearings with grazing animals contained breeding pairs for more years than clearings without grazing, suggesting improved foraging conditions in clearings with low vegetation. Our results provide direct applications for forestry management for improving the conservation status of this species.

Effects of Forest Management Practices on Moth Communities in a Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carrière) Plantation

Biodiversity in forests is strongly affected by forest management practices, such as clearcutting and aggregated retention. Therefore, the assessment of the effects of forest management on biodiversity is a major concern in forest ecology. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the effects of forest management practices, after one year, on the abundance, species richness, community composition, and functional groups of moths in forests. The moths were sampled in four different forest stands: three stands (clearcutting, aggregated retention, and no cutting) in a planted Japanese larch forest and one stand in a natural Mongolian oak forest. The results revealed that the moth communities changed in response to the changes in vegetation after the implementation of forest management practices, and clearcutting increased the abundance and species richness of herbivorous and warm-adapted species. The structure and function of moth communities were affected by the forest management practices such as clearcutting and aggregated retention, which were reflected by a decrease in community indices and change in moth community composition with changes in vegetation.

Effects of bioenergy production on environmental sustainability: a preliminary study based on expert opinions in Italy and Turkey

In future decades, initiatives on biomass-based energy development in Europe should reduce fossil fuel dependence and help to combat climate change as required by the conference of the parties 21. In this context, forest biomass can play a key role within the bioenergy sector due to its high growth potential. The use of forest biomass for energy has positive and negative effects on other ecosystem services, on stand characteristics, and on forest management practices. The aim of this study is to analyse the effects of forest bioenergy production on six ecosystem services (biodiversity, recreation, landscape aesthetics, carbon sequestration, soil erosion protection, water quality). These effects have been assessed by 80 experts in two countries (Italy and Turkey), considering two different forest management practices (clear-cutting of coppices and woody residue removal after felling in high forests). The results show that coppice clear-cutting has negative effects on almost all ecosystem services according to the experts’ opinions. The highest negative effects are on landscape aesthetics and soil protection. The effects of woody residue removal on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, soil erosion protection, and water quality are considered negative by the experts, while the effects on recreation activities and landscape aesthetics are considered positive. The highest negative effects of this forest management scenario are on soil protection and biodiversity. The experts’ opinions about the effects of forest management practices on ecosystem services can provide information to understand the environmental sustainability of bioenergy development in future years.

间伐和改变凋落物输入对华北落叶松人工林土壤呼吸的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 间伐和改变凋落物输入对华北落叶松人工林土壤呼吸的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201703160449 作者: 作者单位: 北京林业大学林学院 北京 100083,北京林业大学林学院 北京 100083,北京林业大学林学院 北京 100083,北京林业大学林学院 北京 100083,北京林业大学林学院 北京 100083,北京林业大学林学院 北京 100083 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家重点研发计划（2016YFD0600205） Thinning treatment and litterfall changes influence soil respiration in a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation Author: Affiliation: Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University,Forestry College of Beijing Forestry University Fund Project: National Key R&D Plan 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:作为森林生态系统的第二大碳通量，土壤呼吸在全球碳循环和气候变化中发挥着重要作用。通过探究土壤呼吸对间伐和改变凋落物的响应规律以及响应之间的联系，能够为准确评价森林碳循环提供依据。针对不同强度（对照、轻度、中度、重度）间伐后的华北落叶松人工林，2016年5月至10月采用LI-8100土壤碳通量测量系统对其原状、凋落物去除、凋落物加倍的土壤呼吸进行观测。结果表明：土壤呼吸在生长季的8月份达到最高值，呈现出明显的季节动态。不同林分间伐处理下，中度间伐显著促进了土壤呼吸，使平均土壤呼吸速率升高了15.66%，轻度间伐和重度间伐对土壤呼吸的影响不显著；不同凋落物处理下，去除凋落物使平均土壤呼吸速率降低了40.16%，加倍凋落物使平均土壤呼吸速率升高了16.06%。中度间伐使土壤呼吸生长季通量增加了55.06 g C/m2；去除凋落物使土壤呼吸生长季通量减少了153.48 g C/m2，加倍凋落物使土壤呼吸生长季通量增加了79.87 g C/m2。土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度呈显著指数相关，而与土壤湿度无显著相关。不同林分间伐处理下，土壤呼吸的温度敏感性指数（Q10）为2.36-3.46，轻度间伐下Q10值最高；凋落物去除和加倍均降低了土壤呼吸的温度敏感性。土壤温湿度对土壤呼吸存在着显著影响，能够解释土壤呼吸28.7%-62.3%的季节变化。研究结果表明间伐和凋落物处理对华北落叶松人工林土壤CO2释放的影响表现出一定的交互作用，中度间伐和加倍凋落物的交互作用对土壤呼吸的促进作用显著大于单一因子。可见，间伐作业通过改变土壤微环境和凋落物量，对土壤呼吸以及森林生态系统碳循环产生着重要影响。 Abstract:Soil respiration (Rs), the second largest site of carbon flow in the forest ecosystem carbon budget, plays an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle and climate change. Understanding the effects of forest management practices (e.g. thinning) on Rs is crucial for the accurate estimation of forest carbon cycling. Simultaneously, aboveground litter management practices (removal, addition, and so on) can also influence Rs. However, little is known about the response of Rs to thinning and its relationship with the changes in litter production induced by thinning. We aimed to quantify the response of Rs rate to different thinning intensities and to explore the relationships between Rs and soil temperature and moisture as a result of different litter management practices. A thinning manipulation experiment was conducted in a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation in Shanxi province, China, with the following treatments:heavy thinning, moderate thinning, low thinning and no thinning. In addition, three treatments-litterfall removal, litter addition and normal litterfall-were applied to analyze the relationship between differences in litter input and Rs. Rates of soil respiration were measured twice a month using the LI-8100 Automated Soil CO2 Flux System from May to October 2016, while soil temperature and moisture at a depth of 5 cm were measured using temperature and moisture probes and data loggers. A significant difference was noted in Rs among the different thinning treatments (P < 0.05). Clear monthly variations in Rs were noted in the growing season, and Rs reached its peak value in August. Overall, moderate thinning increased Rs rate during the growing season by 15.7% from that of the no-thinning treatment. During the growing season, the Rs rate was lower by 40.16% with litterfall removal than that of normal litterfall; however, Rs rate was higher by 16.06% with litter addition than that of normal litterfall. Moderate thinning increased accumulative Rs by 55.06 g C/m2 during the growing season. Under litter removal conditions, accumulative Rs decreased by 153.48 g C/m2 during the growing season, while accumulative Rs increased with litter addition by 79.87 g C/m2. During the growing season, Rs exhibited significant exponential relationships with soil temperature, while there were no significant differences in soil moisture among the various treatments. Temperature sensitivity (Q10) values of Rs ranged from 2.36 to 3.46 in the various thinning intensities, with the highest Q10 value in the low thinning stand. The Q10 value were lower with the litter removal and litter addition treatments than those of normal litterfall. The interaction of soil temperature and moisture had a significant effect on Rs. The best fitting model with temperature and moisture explained 28%-62% of the variation in Rs. The results indicated that the interaction between thinning treatments and litter changes has a significant effect on the Rs in L. principis-rupprechtii plantations. The compound effect of moderate thinning and litter addition on Rs is significantly greater than that of any single factor. In conclusion, thinning played a considerable role in altering Rs and carbon cycle in forest ecosystems by influencing the soil micro-environment and litter production rates. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Effects of forest management and climatic variables on the mycelium dynamics and sporocarp production of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Boletus edulis

The effect of forest management practices (cutting for timber production and intensive seasonal sporocarp collection) on extraradical soil mycelium and sporocarp production of the king bolete (Boletus edulis Bull.) has been evaluated in a Pinus sylvestris L. forest in Soria (central Spain) from 2011 to 2015. Extraradical soil mycelium of B. edulis was quantified by real-time PCR from soil samples taken in plots submitted to clearcutting and partial cutting in 2012, and in undisturbed areas. In a parallel experiment, the B. edulis mycelium biomass was also measured in fenced plots where all the fruiting bodies of this species were removed weekly along the fruiting season of five years (2011–2015), and compared to plots in which no collection of B. edulis was done.Clearcutting and partial cutting of trees resulted in a sharp decrease of B. edulis mycelium biomass in all the sampled plots. The differences between control and cut plots were significant from the 7th month after cutting until the last measurement in September 2015. The cut plots showed a reduced amount of B. edulis mycelium biomass as compared to undisturbed plots and no recovery was observed three years after cutting. No significant differences in fungal biomass between clearcutting and partial cutting plots were observed.Intensive collection of B. edulis sporocarps along four productive seasons (September to November) did not significantly affect the soil mycelium biomass as compared to non-collected plots. The mean mycelium biomass varied significantly among the different sampling times but no significant interaction between the sporocarp collection and sampling time was detected.The obtained dataset allowed to establish correlations between soil mycelium biomass, sporocarp production, and climatic parameters (monthly mean precipitation and temperature). Monthly mean precipitation measured two, three, four and five months before sampling was negatively correlated with B. edulis mycelium biomass. No correlations were detected between monthly mean temperature and mycelium biomass. Mean precipitation in autumn (September to November) was significant and positively correlated with sporocarp productivity. No significant effects of mean precipitation in previous summer, spring and winter on sporocarp production were detected. No significant effect of temperature in the fruiting of B. edulis was observed.We concluded that mycelium surveys are useful indicators of the fungal response to management practices and may provide complementary information to sporocarps surveys towards an integrated forest management considering sustainability and multiproductive criteria.

Effects of forest management practices, weather, and indices of nest predator abundance on nest predation: A 12-year artificial nest study

Nest predation is often the primary cause of avian nest failure, and factors influencing nest predation are diverse. To better understand how forest management practices, weather, and indices of nest predator abundance influence nest predation, we set artificial ground nests at 100 sites for 2weeks each summer from 2002 to 2013 in a longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem. We modeled effects of prescribed fire, hardwood removal, rainfall, temperature, indices of mammalian and avian nest predator abundance, and proximity to wildlife food plots and agriculture, edges, and roads on nest predation. Annual nest predation rates ranged from 30% to 74% and averaged 53%. Occurrence of prescribed fire at a nest site <2months prior to nest placement had a strong, positive association with nest predation but prescribed fires carried out >2months prior to nest placement had little effect. Hardwood removal was also associated with increased rates of nest predation, but this effect appeared most prevalent 4–9years following removals. Nest predation rates also increased when food plots or agricultural fields were within 50m of nest sites. Higher temperatures were associated with greater rates of predation, but rainfall did not have a significant influence. There was a general lack of support for effects of predator indices on nest predation rates, except for a weak, negative association with raccoon relative abundance. This study shows the wide range of factors which may influence nest predation and importance of viewing effects of forest management practices on nest predation over the long term.

Effect of thinning-induced gap size on soil CO2 efflux in a reforested spruce forest in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Understanding the effects of forest management practices (e.g. thinning) on soil respiration (Rs) is crucial for the accurate estimation of forest carbon budget. However, little is known about the response of Rs to forest thinning in the subalpine region and its linkage to changes in environmental factors induced by thinning. We aimed to quantify the response of Rs rate to various gap sizes following thinning treatments, and to explore the relationships between Rs and soil temperature and moisture and other biophysical factors in the different gap sizes. We applied the thinning by simulating gap formation (four gap sizes at 0, 74, 109 and 196m2) in a 26-year old spruce plantation in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We measured Rs monthly before (July to November 2008) and after (December 2008 to June 2012) thinning, as well as monthly soil temperature and moisture and other biophysical factors. Thinning tended to decrease fine root biomass, litterfall, soil extractable C, and increased soil temperature and soil moisture. The change in soil temperature and moisture depended on the time after thinning and the size of forest gap. We found that Rs showed an immediate decrease in initial stage after thinning, followed by a gradual increase with understory development towards the level at the control plot. Overall, thinning decreased Rs rate by 14.9%, 15.8% and 25.8% in the small, intermediate and large gap, respectively, as compared to the control. We concluded that the decrease in Rs rates by thinning in a spruce plantation was driven by the decline in tree root biomass and reduction in soil labile C. The positive effect of soil temperature elevation under thinning on Rs was masked by other factors, and the development of understory vegetation after thinning gradually offset the thinning-induced Rs reduction. Our results suggest the need to consider a set of abiotic and biotic factors induced by forest thinning intensity on Rs rates in modeling the response of soil C cycling to forest management practices.