Herb-rich Forests Research Articles

Assessing the effects of drainage and forest structure on presence and absence of fledglings of boreal grouse

Anthropogenic factors threaten biodiversity of natural habitats globally, including boreal forest habitats of culturally important game species, such as grouse. Forestry and intense draining of wetlands have resulted in landscape fragmentation of the peatlands and the forests in terms of their structure (a mosaic of differently managed small stands), and the loss and alteration of natural grouse habitats, which impacts on fitness parameters are still partly unexamined. We used grouse brood location data from the Finnish wildlife triangle censuses from 2017 to 2020 to study how forest structure and drainage affect breeding success of four grouse species. We calculated environmental characteristics (forest and landscape structure, peatlands and their drainage status) around individual brood observations with different buffer sizes and used them to explain brood size variation and the probability of complete failure (female with no brood). While the most important buffer zones differed by species, brood sizes were generally linked to habitats that offer shelter and food. Black grouse brood size increased when the proportions of deciduous trees and xeric heath forests increased. Hazel grouse broods were largest in spruce-dominated mires and herb-rich forests. Willow grouse brood size decreased with increasing proportion of poorer barren heath forest habitat. Capercaillie brood size decreased as a function of drainage ditch length. In Capercaillie and Black grouse, females without broods were overrepresented (zero-inflation), and the zero excess was related to habitats that differed from those of brooded females. These results suggest that forest management methods and peatland drainage can have a negative effect on offspring production of boreal grouse species. Restoration of natural peatlands and less invasive management such continuous cover forestry should enhance environmental conditions for grouse.

Phytomass carbon pool dynamics in the reference fir stands of the taiga zone

The present study resulted in quantitative estimation of phytomass carbon dynamics in fir-dominated stands based on growth rate table built for reference stands. The study area covered fir-dominated stands of the third bonitet class (mid-productivity stands). Studied stands belong to feather moss and herb-rich forest types and grow in taiga zone (Yeniseiskoe Forestry, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia). Mathematical models of changes in stands characteristics in reference fir stands are presented. Carbon pool in above-ground and below-ground phytomass fractions were assessed at different age classes using conversion-volume method. The results are important when assessing the role of fir stands of a certain age in the overall carbon budget at the regional level. Moreover, the results may be used in continuous or periodic assessment of the amount of greenhouse gas absorbed by forest ecosystems and in other types of environmental monitoring.

Viheralueiden elonkirjo

We present results from an expert panel about the role of urban habitat types (biotopes) for urban biodiversity. Building upon the Biodiversity Quality framework (Feest 2006), we suggest nine community attributes that jointly act as a composite measure for urban biodiversity: species richness, habitat specialist species, biomass, abundance, evenness, uniqueness, regional representativeness, sensitivity, and connectivity. 24 taxonomic experts (representing vascular plants, polypores, fungi, birds, bats, mammals, herpetofauna, butterflies, hymenoptera, and beetles) scored 68 pre-defined urban biotopes in terms of their support for Biodiversity Quality in the Helsinki Metropolitan area. Herb-rich forests and certain anthropogenic biotopes like fortifications generally received highest scores, whereas constructed areas like paved yards gained lowest scores. Results are mostly applicable in other Southern Finnish cities. Our openly available results provide a good tentative understanding of the biodiversity value of different urban environments. Biodiversity Quality is a more holistic measure than mere presence of protected or endangered species and it therefore supports biodiversity-aware and sustainable urban planning.

Influence of Forest Conditions on the Spread of Scots Pine Blister Rust and Red Ring Rot in the Priangarye Pine Stands

Scots pine blister rust and red ring rot are common on Scots pine throughout its entire range. Specialists do not explain a significant variation in the prevalence of the diseases uniquely since it depends on complex ecological and silvicultural factors. The aim of this research is to study the influence of forest growth conditions on the incidence of Scots pine blister rust and red ring rot in pine stands of the Priangarye (territory located along the lower reaches of the Angara within the Krasnoyarsk Krai). The research methods included a detailed forest pathological examination of prevailing pine forest types, specific symptom-based macroscopic diagnosis of the diseases, data analysis using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Forest growth conditions indicators included type of forest, habitat conditions, and bonitet class of forest stands. The incidence of Scots pine blister rust and red ring rot in pine forests of the Priangarye reaches the extent of moderate and severe damage, respectively. The prevalence of Scots pine blister rust is significantly higher in low-bonitet lichen pine forests; the incidence rate increases along the gradient of decreasing fertility and soil moisture level. The incidence of red ring rot is significantly higher in herb-rich pine forests, in gradations of maximum soil fertility and medium soil moisture. The revealed patterns are explained by the bioecological characteristic features of pathogens (for red ring rot—additionally by factors of structural immunity in pine trees). The results of the research should be recognized in the organization of forestry practice.

Опыт использования ГИС при оценке природоохранной ценности городских лесов (на примере парка «Савин Наволок», г. Петрозаводск, Республика Карелия)

The information about the state and nature conservation value of the recreational forests of the Savin Navolok Park is presented. Maps of vegetation and localization of rare and protected species of vascular plants, mosses, lichens and fungi have been compiled. Nine types of forest have been identified in the Park where birch herb-rich forests (31.8 %), spruce forests (25.2 %), and pine forests (16.3 %) prevail. About a quarter of the studied territory (25.6 %) is covered by mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, aspen and willow forests. The flora of the Park is characterized by high species diversity: 258 species of vascular plants, 40 species of mosses and 45 species of lichens have been identified. In comparison with adjacent territories, distinctive feature of the studied flora is the presence of a large number of species of the southern taiga subzone (19.7 %), including nemoral species on the northern border of their distribution range (Corydalis solida, Pulmonaria obscura, Tilia cordata, etc.). In the Savin Navolok Park, 8 species protected in the Republic of Karelia are registered: Galium odoratum, Humulus lupulus, Lentaria afflata, Neckera pennata, Punctularia strigosozonata, Thalictrum kemens, among which species Calypso bulbosa and Cypripedium calceolus are listed in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation. Species Chaenotheca brachypoda and Ulmus glabra are included in the list of taxa of the Republic of Karelia that need special attention to their state in the natural environment and are recommended for biological surveillance. According to the Federal Law “On Specially Protected Natural Areas”, the natural complexes of the Savin Navolok Park satisfies the criteria for give this territory the status of a specially protected natural area in the rank of a natural monument or a state botanical reserve of regional significance “Savin Navolok”.

Scots pine and Norway spruce foliage biomass in Finland and Sweden — testing traditional models vs. the pipe model theory

The pipe model approach was compared with foliage biomass models by using the cross-sectional area at the tree crown base for predicting foliage biomass of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). We evaluated the impacts of site type, fertilization, and climate on the relationship between foliage biomass and cross-sectional area at the tree crown base, referred as to the pipe model ratio. Our hypotheses were that (i) the pipe model approach is a more precise and accurate method for foliage prediction than the traditional biomass models and (ii) the pipe model ratio for foliage does not explicitly depend on any single environmental driver. Data used here consisted of felled trees from Finnish and Swedish biomass studies. These data were analyzed by linear mixed models with different covariates, and the uncertainties of different modelling approaches were evaluated. The pipe model outperformed other models for Scots pine but not for Norway spruce. Results showed larger pipe model ratios for Scots pine in herb-rich forests compared with those of trees in subxeric heath forest. Results from fertilized trees indicated that the addition of nitrogen temporarily increased foliage biomass.

Spatial prioritization for urban Biodiversity Quality using biotope maps and expert opinion

Spatial prioritization can produce useful information about biodiversity values from urban areas. However, its typical focus on (endangered) species distributions assumes a rather restricted approach to urban biodiversity. In 2006, Feest suggested that five attributes of species assemblages more holistically describe the so called “Biodiversity Quality” of an area: species richness, biomass, population density, evenness, and rarity. Here we apply these attributes in spatial prioritization for urban biodiversity, across ten taxonomic groups: vascular plants, polypores, fungi (other than polypores), birds, bats, mammals (other than bats), herpetofauna, butterflies, hymenoptera, and beetles. In addition, we introduce two more attributes relevant for urban biodiversity conservation: support for specialist species and regional representativeness of the species assemblages. First, spatial data about local urban biotopes was acquired. For each taxon, the capacity of each urban biotope to support the seven introduced attributes of Biodiversity Quality was evaluated via expert elicitation. Expert opinion was then translated into a spatial analysis implemented with the Zonation software. Different anthropogenic, semi-natural, and natural habitats, such as herb-rich forests, lakeshores, open wastelands, fortifications, and botanical gardens, were identified as important for urban Biodiversity Quality. To minimize negative impact on biodiversity, future construction and development should be directed to built-up areas and agricultural fields. Our conception of urban biodiversity lies in between species- and habitat/ecosystem -based analyses and offers a more comprehensive perception of urban biodiversity than a focus on species distributions only, which facilitates the planning of ecologically sustainable cities and biodiverse urban green infrastructure.

Сосновые леса (Pineta kochianae) в Республике Дагестан

Сосновые леса (Pineta kochianae) в Республике Дагестан

Characteristics of boreal and hemiboreal herb-rich forests as habitats for polypore fungi

Herb-rich forests are often considered biodiversity hotspots in the boreal zone but their fungal assemblages, particularly those of wood-decaying fungi, remain poorly known. We studied herb-rich forests as habitats for polypores, a distinct group of wood-decaying fungi, and assessed the importance of tree- and stand-scale variables for polypore species richness, abundance, and diversity, including red-listed species. The data include 71 herb-rich forest stands in Finland and 4797 dead wood items, on which we made 2832 observations of 101 polypore species. Dead-wood diversity was the most important variable explaining polypore species richness and diversity, whereas increasing latitude had a negative effect. Red-listed species showed a positive response to the abundance of large-diameter dead wood, which, especially birch, supported also high general abundance of polypores. The composition of polypore assemblages reflected their host-tree species. The red-listed species did not show explicit patterns in the ordination space. Compared to old-growth spruce forests, herb-rich forests seem to host lower polypore species richness and less red-listed species. However, because of high proportion of deciduous trees in the dead wood profile, herb-rich forests have a clear complementary effect on polypore assemblages in boreal forest landscapes.

Tree removal as a management strategy for the lady’s slipper orchid, a flagship species for herb-rich forest conservation

In boreal herb-rich forests, the dominance of Norway spruce (Picea abies) decreases light availability for understory species, many of which depend on canopy gaps for reproduction. Here, we explored the response of a rare clonal understory herb, the lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), to tree removal. We used demographic data spanning 16 years from ten unharvested control sites and ten harvest sites which were divided into three treatments with differing harvest intensity: (1) dense spruce forests, where half of the total tree basal area (TBA) was cut, (2) sparse spruce forests, where one-fourth of the spruce TBA was cut and (3) sparse broadleaf forests, where one-fourth of the total TBA was cut. The effects of harvesting on different demographic rates (ramet density, reproduction, survival, and dormancy) were studied with generalized linear mixed models with harvest intensity, time since harvest and the starting level of the response variable as explanatory variables. Tree removal sites had 2.2 times higher orchid ramet density, 2.4 times higher odds of survival, and 2.1–3.1 times higher odds of flowering and fruiting than the control sites, but these effects were not seen at all treatment levels at all times. Tree removal had no effect on dormancy or seedling or flower density. Orchid flowering and fruiting probabilities increased only at the most intensively harvested sites (both spruce forest sites, and dense spruce forest with 50% TBA removal, respectively), while survival and ramet density increased at the moderately harvested broadleaf forest sites. The effects on flowering and fruiting probabilities and survival disappeared quickly (after three years) when the canopy gaps closed, whereas ramet density responded only with a lag of over three years and was maintained to the end of the study. Our results thus demonstrate that for the lady’s slipper orchid, selective tree harvest might be a suitable management method that increases population size at the ramet level.

Resource use of wood-inhabiting fungi in different boreal forest types

Abstract Generalist species are usually widespread and abundant, and thrive in heterogeneous environments. Specialists, in turn, are generally more restricted in their range, and benefit from more stable conditions. Therefore, increasing human-induced disturbance can have more negative effects on specialist than generalist species. We assessed the specialization of 77 wood-inhabiting fungal species across seven boreal forest types and different substratum qualities. A significantly higher number of specialist species was associated with herb-rich forests and afforested fields than with managed coniferous forests and wood pastures, the number of specialists associated with natural coniferous forests being intermediate. Also, forest type specialists were indicated to be specialists for their substratum tree species as well, but specialization in substratum diameter was not connected with other kinds of specialization. Species with restricted resource or habitat preferences can less readily respond to environmental change, and therefore are more vulnerable to extinction.

The role of novel forest ecosystems in the conservation of wood-inhabiting fungi in boreal broadleaved forests.

The increasing human impact on the earth's biosphere is inflicting changes at all spatial scales. As well as deterioration and fragmentation of natural biological systems, these changes also led to other, unprecedented effects and emergence of novel habitats. In boreal zone, intensive forest management has negatively impacted a multitude of deadwood‐associated species. This is especially alarming given the important role wood‐inhabiting fungi have in the natural decay processes. In the boreal zone, natural broad‐leaved‐dominated, herb‐rich forests are threatened habitats which have high wood‐inhabiting fungal species richness. Fungal diversity in other broadleaved forest habitat types is poorly known. Traditional wood pastures and man‐made afforested fields are novel habitats that could potentially be important for wood‐inhabiting fungi. This study compares species richness and fungal community composition across the aforementioned habitat types, based on data collected for wood‐inhabiting fungi occupying all deadwood diameter fractions. Corticioid and polyporoid fungi were surveyed from 67 130 deadwood particles in four natural herb‐rich forests, four birch‐dominated wood pastures, and four birch‐dominated afforested field sites in central Finland. As predicted, natural herb‐rich forests were the most species‐rich habitat. However, afforested fields also had considerably higher overall species richness than wood pastures. Many rare or rarely collected species were detected in each forest type. Finally, fungal community composition showed some divergence not only among the different habitat types, but also among deadwood diameter fractions. Synthesis and applications: In order to maintain biodiversity at both local and regional scales, conserving threatened natural habitat types and managing traditional landscapes is essential. Man‐made secondary woody habitats could provide the necessary resources and serve as surrogate habitats for many broadleaved deadwood‐associated species, and thus complement the existing conservation network of natural forests.

Silvicultural treatments and subsequent vegetation impact long-term mineral soil biogeochemistry in mixedwood plantations

The combined influence of silvicultural treatments and subsequent forest vegetation succession affects long-term soil organic C (SOC) and nutrient cycling in mineral soil in ways still poorly understood, possibly by influencing soil pH and microbial activity. We investigated how silvicultural disturbance and associated vegetation affected surface (0–15cm) and subsurface (15–40cm) mineral soil biogeochemistry, 25years after establishment of white pine (Pinus strobus) plantations in Petawawa, Ontario, Canada. Three silvicultural treatments led to distinct communities, characterized by contrasting structure and functional composition. The control (CTR) was characterized by a Hardwood shrub-rich forest, blade-scarification treatment (S) by a Hardwood herb-rich forest, while blade-scarification combined with vegetation control (S+V) resulted in a Softwood monoculture. Increasing dominance of the hardwood canopy and herbaceous cover in CTR and S treatments was associated with higher surface mineral soil pH and exchangeable base cations, and dominance of net nitrate (NO3−-N) over ammonium (NH4+-N) production during incubation. In contrast, increased overstory softwood cover in the S+V treatment was associated with lower surface mineral soil pH and NH4+-N concentrations. Across all treatment-induced communities, surface mineral soil pH and exchangeable Ca and Mg were positively correlated with total N and SOC. The relation of Ca with SOC, total N and net nitrification was similarly observed in subsurface soil. Surprisingly, herb cover rather than overstory functional character (hardwood vs softwood) was related to subsurface N cycling; increasing cover in CTR and S treatments was related to higher NH4+-N availability and lower organic-to-inorganic N ratio, indicating accelerated cycling. We conclude that through effects on soil pH and base cations, silvicultural operations combined with subsequent hardwood and herbaceous species cover strongly regulate C and N cycling in the mineral soil of mixedwood forests.

Conservation status of the only representative of infraorder Mygalomorphae (Araneae) in cultivated regions of Central Europe

Purse-web spiders Atypus spp. (Araneae: Atypidae) are the only representatives of the archaic spider infraorder Mygalomorphae in the Central European fauna. These burrow-dwelling spiders are red-listed in all Central European countries. Atypus muralis occurs on relics of continental steppes, Atypus piceus on dry submediterranean grassland and dry herb-rich forest fringes, while Atypus affinis inhabits sparse dwarf dry forests, usually those dominated by oaks. Long-term sustainability of their habitats in the relatively humid Central European climate was maintained by grazing. Since the 1950s, pasturing was terminated across most of Central Europe, which led to immediate overgrowth of pastures by aggressive grasses and woody plants. Grazing was later reinstated in some reserves, but in cases of poorly controlled grazing intensity, footsteps had immediate detrimental effects on the residual populations of purse-web spiders and other invertebrates. Therefore, grazing intensity needs to be regulated, considering its double-edge effects on the biota of xerothermophilic habitats. Nests of European Atypus species have never been found in habitats subject to recent or even regular distribution. Therefore, they may serve as reliable indicators of well preserved xerothermic habitats. Their nests are easy to detect, and the European Atypus spiders can be utilized as model species for monitoring impacts of conservation management. Monitoring population dynamics of Atypus requires establishing permanent study plots of uniform size, documentation of vegetation by phytocenological releve, counting their density (number of purse-webs found in the plot) and age structure (diameter of purse webs).

Breeding Success of the Threatened Great Crested Newt in Boreal Forest Ponds

Amphibian declines have been reported worldwide during the last decades. In this study, we focused on the endangered great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), which has suffered from intensive forestry and past mire ditching in the northern verge of its distribution. We collected data from 46 breeding ponds in eastern Finland during 2005–2011 using dip-netting. We modeled breeding success with cost-effective methods by using site-level forest data. The results highlight the importance of herb-rich forests in the vicinity of breeding ponds. Based on the results possible new breeding sites can now be located based on the presence and size of types of nutrient-rich forest, proportion of deciduous trees, young stands, shading and unfavorable habitats in the vicinity of ponds. Also practical conservation measures, like creating new ponds within a certain area, can now be allocated more accurately using the same variables.

Chemical composition of wet precipitation in old-growth middle-taiga spruce stands

Total mineralization is fairly low in throughfall under the canopies of old-growth spruce stands. Canopy throughfall is slightly acidic and potassium-calcium-bicarbonate, and its total dissolved solids is higher than that of rainwater collected in open areas. Rainwater collected in open areas is typically potassium-bicarbonate-sulfate, whereas creek water is calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate. Temporal variability in throughfall chemistry is similar for all stations located within blueberry-type and herb-rich blueberry-type spruce forests on podzolic soils. The chemical composition of throughfall and creek water is dominated by dissolved organic carbon.

Description and DNA barcoding of Tipula (Pterelachisus) recondita sp. n. from the Palaearctic region (Diptera, Tipulidae)

Tipula (Pterelachisus) recondita Pilipenko & Salmela, sp. n. is described. The new species is collected from two localities: Finland, Kittilä (North boreal ecoregion) and Russia, Primorski kray (Zone of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests). Although variation in the structure of male hypopygium between the Finnish and Russian populations is observed, DNA barcode sequences differ only by three nucleotides (0.2 % K2P distance), supporting presence of one widespread species. K2P minimum distances between the new species and 17 other species of the subgenus range from 5.3 to 15.8 % (mean 8.8 %). The new species is forest-dwelling, known from an old-growth herb-rich forest (Finland) and Quercus mongolica forest (Russia). The new species is perhaps closest to Tipula (Pterelachisus) imitator Alexander and in lesser extent to Tipula (Pterelachisus) pauli Mannheims; the inner gonostylus of both species are illustrated.

PR Skalní potok – ukázka typické malakofauny Hrubého Jeseníku [Skalní Potok Nature Reserve – an example of a typical malacofauna in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts.

The recent research has shown a high malacological value of the Skalní Potok Nature Reserve that had never been searched for molluscs. The reserve hosts 49 mollusc species, which represents almost 20% of the entire Czech malacofauna. Such richness can be explained mainly by a high habitat diversity of the target area. Several types of forest such as ravine forests, alder carrs, herb-rich beech forests and spruce forests alternate on the area of 2 km². Among endangered species, the most interesting findings represent sensitive species from the family Clausiliidae, chiefly Bulgarica cana, Clausilia cruciata, and Ruthenica filograna. This area deserves the strictest protection as the reserve belongs to one of the well-preserved remnants of deciduous leaf forests in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts.

Airborne laser scanning based identification and interpretation on ecologically important old-growth forest habitats in natural conservation areas

Over the last decades, accurate and cost efficient remote sensing techniques in large-scale forest inventories have developed rapidly. In particular, the airborne laser scanning (ALS) has provided new possibilities to quickly and accurately monitor forest ecosystems over large areas. ALS provides three-dimensional data on forest structure and basic forest characteristics (e.g. wood volume per hectare) with good accuracy. Currently, ALS is already applied in the stand level management inventory in many countries. However, the applicability of ALS to detect more rare items and forest characteristics has not yet been entirely assessed. My study focuses on these uncommon forest characteristics and tests the potential of ALS to facilitate biodiversity inventories. Boreal forest stands with high herbaceous plant species diversity, large European aspen (Populus tremula L.) individuals, and old-growth forest canopy gaps have been found to be important biodiversity characteristics in western taiga forests. The field inventories of these forest structures are often time-consuming and, therefore, the inventory methods in various scales should be developed to improve their conservation and management. In this thesis I developed and evaluated ALS based methods to identify the old-growth forest characteristics. All the data were collected from Koli National Park (Koli NP) in eastern Finland. The data used in this thesis included 274 mature forest stands belonging to five different forest site types and varying in size. The spatial and temporal patterns of the chosen biodiversity characteristics were investigated. The longevity of aspen stands was studied based on multi-source data. About one-third of the old-growth forest areas of the Koli NP contained large aspen trees that persisted throughout the period between 1910 and 2004. The results show that aspen can maintain long-term occurrence in old-growth forests and that the species is not only transient or confined to early successional stages. The ALS was used to identify herb-rich forest stands. ALS was capable of distinguishing herb-rich forests from less fertile site types with an accuracy of 88.9%. This was mainly based on the vertical vegetation profiles that characterize forests on high fertility sites. The best overall classification accuracy achieved for all the forest site types was 58.0%. As a basis on earlier studies canopy gaps can be located using ALS data. I found clear differences between the canopy gaps of natural forests and managed forests. In addition, both the density of vegetation and amount of coarse woody debris are utilizable characteristics in the ALS data-based identification of canopy gaps. In the large-scale forest inventories ALS-data proved to be a useful technology for the identification of several forest characteristics related to biodiversity in old-growth boreal sites. In particular, locating the herb-rich stands was found to be accurate.

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>The subgenus <em>Tipula (Pterelachisus)</em> in Finland (Diptera: Tipulidae)—species and biogeographic analysis</strong></p>

A total of 19 Finnish species of the subgenus Tipula (Pterelachisus) are presented. The highest species richnesses are observed in the southern, south eastern and eastern parts of the country and the lowest number of species are found in south western, western and northernmost Finland. This pattern is probably caused by the climate and the eastern Palaearctic origin of several species, but also by differences in forestry history between eastern and western Finland. 16 % of the species are red-listed (NT-VU); these species are confined to primeval heath forests or herb-rich forests and have small distribution areas. 42 % of the species are generally poorly known (NE-DD) and 42 % are rather wide-spread and common (LC). Furthermore, 26 % of the species are National Responsibility Species of Finland; these are boreal species, being absent or rare in Central Europe. The distribution of species in Finland and their area of occupancy is positively correlated. There is also a positive relation between the global range of any species and the extent of its regional occurrence in Finland.