Mesophilous Forest Research Articles

Linking forest cover, soil erosion and mire hydrology to late-Holocene human activity and climate in NW Spain

Forest clearance is one of the main drivers of soil erosion and hydrological changes in mires, although climate may also play a significant role. Because of the wide range of factors involved, understanding these complex links requires long-term multi-proxy approaches and research on the best proxies to focus. A peat core from NW Spain (Cruz do Bocelo mire), spanning the last ~3000 years, has been studied at high resolution by physical (density and loss on ignition (LOI)), geochemical (elemental composition) and palynological (pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs) analyses. Proxies related to mineral matter fluxes from the catchment (lithogenic tracers, Glomus and Entorrhiza), rainfall (Bromine), mire hydrology (HdV-18), human pressure ( Cerealia-type, nitrophilous taxa and coprophilous fungi) and forest cover (mesophilous tree taxa) were the most useful to reconstruct the evolution of the mire and its catchment. Forest clearance for farming was one of the main drivers of environmental change from at least the local Iron Age (~2685 cal. yr BP) onwards. The most intense phase of deforestation occurred during Roman and Germanic times and the late Middle Ages. During these phases, the entire catchment was affected, resulting in enhanced soil erosion and severe hydrological modifications of the mire. Climate, especially rainfall, may have also accelerated these processes during wetter periods. However, it is noteworthy that the hydrology of the mire seems to have been insensitive to rainfall variations when mesophilous forest dominated. Abrupt changes were only detected once intense forest clearance commenced during the Iron Age/Roman transition (~2190 cal. yr BP) phase, which represented a tipping point in catchment’s ability to buffer impacts. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of studying ecosystems’ long-term trajectories and catchment-wide processes when implementing mire habitat protection measures.

ELEMENTOS FLORÍSTICOS DE INTERÉS PARA CONSERVACIÓN, PRESENTES EN LOS BOSQUES HÚMEDOS DE LA SIERRA DEL LAUREL Y LA SIERRA FRÍA, AGUASCALIENTES, MÉXICO

Aguascalientes se localiza en la región centro-norte de México donde convergen bosques de encino y pino-encino de la Sierra Madre Occidental, pastizales y matorrales xerófilos del Altiplano Zacatecano-Potosino, y bosque tropical caducifolio de las cuencas del río Juchipila y río Verde. Dentro de esta diversidad florística se registra un pequeño conjunto de elementos indicadores de ambientes húmedos asociados al bosque mesófilo de montaña, que se conserva en las barrancas más húmedas de la Sierra Fría y Sierra del Laurel, formando parte de bosques de encino y bosques riparios. Con el objetivo de estimar la distribución de dichos elementos florísticos y de los bosques que los contienen, se combinaron técnicas de análisis visual, imágenes de satélite multiespectrales SPOT-5 y muestreos de vegetación. Acorde con los resultados, se estima que los sitios con elementos afines al bosque mesófilo cubren 1,031.5 ha distribuidas en 12 localidades principales. Los sitios con mayor riqueza de especies son Boca Oscura y Los Alisos en la Sierra del Laurel. Entre las especies de interés destacan Alnus acuminata, Cercocarpus macrophyllus, Clethra hartwegii, Garrya laurifolia, Litsea glaucescens, Populus tremuloides, Quercus castanea y Quercus candicans, las cuales son componentes comunes en los bosques templados-húmedos del centro y occidente de México.

Density of Mazama gouazoubira (Artiodactyla, Cervidae) in a national park of the northeast of Argentina

The Mazama gouazoubira population density was estimated in the Mburucuyá National Park (Corrientes, Argentina). The assessment methods used where: strip transects sampling. Samplings were performed from June 2008 to February 2011, distributed at summer and winter in daytime hours (0600 - 1000 h) and night (1900 - 2200 h) in three habitats: mesophilous forests, pajonales (tall grasslands) and yatay palm groves. A number of 186 records were obtained after 344.76 km traveled. The calculated population size was 430 individuals (CI = 324-548), based on available habitat area in the park (62.3 km2), and an estimated average density of 6.9 ± 0.9 brocket deer/km2. Density varied significantly in each area: 11.2 ± 1.4 ind/km2 in mesophilous forest, 3.5 ± 1.1 ind/km2 in pajonales, and 5.5 ± 1.5 ind/km2 in yatay palm groves. Results showed Mazama gouazoubira´s higher affinity for mesophilous forests. Population density estimates of this species will allow monitoring and future studies in thenortheastern region of Argentina.

New records of Castniidae (Lepidoptera) from Queretaro and Tamaulipas, Mexico

Nine specimens belonging to two species of the family Castniidae were collected: Athis delecta (Shaus, 1911) (one specimen) was recorded in vegetation of Matorral and Athis inca orizabensis (Strand, 1913) (eight specimens) in Selva baja subcaducifolia with elements of Encino and Mesophilic Forest. Athis delecta represents a new record for Tamaulipas, while the second speciesit is reaffirmed for Tamaulipas, but it is new record for Querétaro.

Spatial variability more influential than soil pH and land relief on thermophilous vegetation in overgrown coppice oak forests

<p>The overgrown coppice oak forests that cover the southern slopes beneath the foothills of the Sudetes (Silesia, Central Europe) are considered to be Euro-Siberian steppic woods with a <em>Quercus </em>sp. habitat (91I0): a priority habitat in the European Union, according to the Natura 2000 system. In subcontinental parts of Central Europe, thermophilous oak forest vegetation is found extrazonally; its presence, in the study site, is related to previous coppice management. In this paper we explore the differentiation of the vegetation caused both by land-relief derived variables (potential heat load, slope inclination and exposition, soil depth) and soil pH, as well as spatial processes. The data on the vegetation were collected from 117 regularly arranged sampling plots, located in three mountain ranges. The vegetation consisted of a mixture of species considered as typical for different habitats (mesophilous forests, acidophilous forests, thermophilous oak forests, grassland, thermophilous fringes and mesophilous mantle) and was relatively rich in species. Many of the species found were rare and are protected in Poland. The results of the bioindication, on the basis of Ellenberg indicator values, suggest the pH gradient to be the most important, followed by the insolation/moisture gradient, to the differentiation of the studied vegetation. The thermophilous oak forests seem to occupy the niche between acidophilous and mesophilous forest. However the decomposition of spatial variation, assessed on the basis of semivariance values of the vegetation similarity coefficient (frequency index), emphasizes a strong differentiation of vegetation between sites and mountain ranges.</p><p>The results of canonical correspondence analysis, performed on a spatially stratified sub-set of the data, revealed a stronger effect caused by spatial variation (32.7% of explained species variation) than environmental variables, such as soil pH and potential heat load (13.1%). Since the shared variation was low (1.8%), it showed a strong influence of spatial processes, revealing the effect of the local species pool.</p>

Comparing patterns in abundance and diversity of hole-nesting birds in mediterranean habitats

Hole-nesting birds include species highly dependent on old trees or dead wood for nesting, roosting, breeding and feeding. In this study we characterize the assemblages of these species occurring in five different habitat types located in a heterogeneous Mediterranean landscape. We used the point count method. In all habitat types, tits (Parus major and Cyanistes caeruleus) were the most abundant species, except in beech forests, where Sitta europaea showed the highest mean abundance. Hole nesting bird assemblages increase in abundance, richness and diversity, with significant changes from termophilic and sclerophyllous forests (Holm-oak and Cork-oak) to temperate and mesophilic forests (chestnut, Turkey oak and Beech). This pattern reflects the progressive change in vegetation type both due to structure and species composition, ultimately due to progressive change in altitude and local climate. In particular, data at singles species level corroborate that the presence of mature and dead trees (i. e., with high mean diameter) may explain the abundance of Sitta europaea, Picus viridis and Certhia brachydactyla. Our dataset highlights that, for the hole-nesting birds, mesophilous beech and oak Mediterranean forests of biogeographic and conservation concern, represent suitable habitat types for these specialized species.

LONG-TERM CHANGES IN PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE PATTERNS AND THEIR POSSIBLE IMPACTS ON VEGETATION (TOLFA-CERITE AREA, CENTRAL ITALY)

Climate change is a major global issue that impacts vegetation, agriculture, biodiversity and human safety. These impacts are predicted to be int ense in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this paper is to define how local climatic trends are af fecting plant communities in the Tolfa-Cerite area (Northern Latium), which is a semi-coastal area wit h Mediterranean to broad-leaf vegetation. Climate data analysis covered a long time period (1951-2007 ), considering 18 gauging stations. Data were analyzed using geostatistical methods and descripti ve statistics. Climate trends and drought indicator s, in relation to different vegetation associations, were analyzed using the zonal statistic tool (ArcGIS). During the investigated period, rainfall showed a uniform decreasing trend, while temperature increased, with an irregular trend. The specialization of climatic dat a showed a shift towards a thermo-Mediterranean bioclimate. Local climatic trends showed to have mo re severe impacts on specific plant communities (mesophilous forests, endangered shrubland-pastures , relict associations of meadows, etc). The observe d trends towards aridity occurred in many areas cover ed by vulnerable plant communities. Considering the predicted changes in climate conditions for the Med iterranean area, these communities will face a furt her aridity increase. A permanent monitoring of these c ommunities may increase the effectiveness of conservation policies and sustainable regional plan ning.

Environmental conditions in relation to variability of deciduous forest vegetation — a study from volcanic mountain in central Slovakia

The deciduous forests represent dominant natural vegetation of Central European landscape and an important functional component for maintenance of biological diversity. However, their syntaxonomy and ecological gradients still remain unclear. The numerical classification was conducted to determine the main units of forest vegetation, while ordination techniques were used to explain the structure of vegetation-environmental data matrix consisting of 110 forest stands in the Stiavnicke vrchy Mts (central Slovakia). Ten vegetation types within the phytosociological classes of deciduous forests Quercetea robori-petraeae and Querco-Fagetea were distinguished. The major environmental driver responsible for variation in forest species composition was interpreted as a response to soil moisture which also accounted for a large part of species variability (3.74%). Soil nutrient/acidity complex expressed by pH, Ca and Al concentration was also an important source of vegetation variability. Relevance of soil conditions in relation to plant survival and community distribution was discussed. Along the soil moisture gradient, vegetation types were arranged from the subxerophilous oak forests through the mesophilous beech and ravine forests to the hygrophilous alder ash vegetation.

The phytocoenoses of anthropogenically transformed areas with a great importance for Apoidea

The paper indicates the phytocenoses most rich in bee taxons and occurring in habitats located along railway lines crossing Lublin Upland. To date, in the study area 124 basic phytocoenoses have been discovered, described and classifi ed into 12 different synecological groups. Among 52 phytocoenoses, the participation of bee flora was considerable. Most voluble phytocoenoses represent ruderal and segetal associations (<i>Artemisietea vulgaris</i>, <i>Stellarietea mediae</i> classes - 87 species), meadow and pasture associations (<i>Mollinio-Arrhenatheretea</i> - 56 species), psammophilous and xerothermic grasslands (<i>Festuco</i>- <i>Brometea</i>, <i>Koelerio glauce</i>-<i>Corynophoretea canescensis</i> - 38 species), thermophilous forest edge communities and thickets (<i>Trifolio</i>-<i>Geranietea</i> and <i>Rhamno</i>-<i>Prunetea</i> - 33 species). Significantly fewer melliferous and polleniferous taxons were noticed in mesophilous deciduous forests or thermophilous oak forests - 29 species. Most simple in structure and species richness are associations with <i>Rumex acetosa</i>, <i>Reseda lutea</i>, <i>Linaria vulgaris</i>, <i>Papaver rhoeas</i>, <i>Cirsium arvense</i>, <i>Oenothera biennis</i>, <i>Viola arvensis</i> and <i>Potentilletum anserine</i> or <i>Sisymbrietum altissimi</i>. The communities form patches (15-20 m<sup>2</sup>) with 80-100% cover of the diagnostic taxon and are of low or medium stability. The most persistent and floristically stable are <i>Tanaceto Artemisietum</i>, <i>Rudbeckio</i>- <i>Solidaginetum</i>, <i>Echio</i>-<i>Melilotetum</i>, <i>Sambucetum nigrae</i>, <i>Rubo fruticosi</i>-<i>Prunetum spinosae</i> and communities with <i>Rosa rugosa</i>, <i>Rubus caesius</i>, <i>Geranium robertianum</i>, <i>Pastinaca sativa</i>, <i>Trifolium medium</i> or <i>Euphorbia cyparissias</i>. The maintenance of the mosaic of phytocoenoses in anthropogenically transformed habitats, including those along railway lines, is of decisive importance for the protection of floristic diversity and adaptation processes of Apoidea.

Syntaxonomy and ecology of forest vegetation in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts (Central Slovakia)

Vegetation of deciduous forests in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts (Central Slovakia) was studied using the standard Zürich-Montpellier approach. The numerical classification and ordination technique were applied to determine the main forest vegetation types and to find the responsible environmental drivers related to their distribution patterns, respectively. The data set including 198 relevés collected by authors in 1997-2009 and 185 relevés excerpted from literature was used to analysis. Numerical classification resulted in delimitation of fourteen vegetation types representing eleven associations with two variants and two communities within the Quercetea robori-petraeae and Querco-Fagetea classes. The major environmental gradients in variation of forest species composition were associated with moisture and nutrient content following the average Ellenberg indicator values. Along the moisture gradient, vegetation types were ordered from subxerophilous oak forests turn mesophilous mixed oak-hornbeam, beech and ravine forests to hygrophilous riparian alder forest. The results confirmed important role of soil nutrients and moisture by determination of forest vegetation in subcontinental part of Central Europe. Special attention was given to the discussion of floristical characteristics, site conditions and syntaxonomy.

Description and characterisation of a new rock sward association in the Villány Mountains (Festuco rupicolae-ArrhenatheretumErdős et Morschhauser, ass. nova)

A new closed rock sward association ( Festuco rupicolae-Arrhenatheretum Erdős et Morschhauser, ass. nova.) has been found and described in the Villány Mts (SW Hungary). This community lives in northern expositions, near the ridge or the plateau. Bedrock is limestone and dolomite. In the association dominated by the grasses Festuca rupicola and Arrhenatherum elatius , an unusual mixing of species can be encountered: species of the mesophilous forests, of the karst shrub-forests and of the xerophilous grasslands and rock swards occur together in this community. Description of the new community as a distinct association is supported by the PCoA ordination and the differential species. Ecological properties of the community were characterised by using ecological indicator values. This analysis also shows the dual character of the association. We analysed the new association by computing the spectra of the social behaviour types. The extraordinarily great amount of the disturbance tolerants is probably a consequence of the former grazing pressure or some other disturbance.

Low Satellite DNA Variability in Natural Populations of Drosophila antonietae Involved in Different Evolutionary Events

Drosophila antonietae is a cactophilic species that is found in the mesophilic forest of the Paraná-Paraguay river basin and in the dunes of the South Atlantic coast of Brazil. Although the genetic structure of the Paraná-Paraguay river basin populations has already been established, the relationship between these populations and those on the Atlantic coast is controversial. In this study, we compared 33 repetitive units of pBuM-2 satellite DNA isolated from individuals from 8 populations of D. antonietae in these geographic regions, including some populations found within a contact zone with the closely related D. serido. The pBuM-2 sequences showed low interpopulational variability. This result was interpreted as a consequence of both gene flow among the populations and unequal crossing over promoting homogenization of the tandem arrays. The results presented here, together with those of previous studies, highlight the use of pBuM-2 for solving taxonomic conflicts within the D. buzzatii species cluster.

The impact of former iron ore mining on the transformation of vegetation cover of the Gielniowski Hump (Małopolska Upland)

The impact of former iron ore mining on the transformation of vegetation cover of the Gielniowski Hump (Małopolska Upland) The impact of the 17th-19th century iron ore mining on the current state of vegetation cover of the Gielniowski Hump, an upland region situated within the Old Polish Industrial Region (a former centre of mining and smelting), was studied. In the course of the research, the detailed floristic lists were compiled using the cartogram method (ATPOL grid) and phytosociological relevés were made according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Relevés were taken both at the post-mining sites (on spoil banks) and, for comparative purposes, in the adjacent, not affected areas. The obtained results show significant differences between the flora and vegetation of the sites affected and unaffected by mining. These differences result from the changed mineralogical composition of soil in the post-mining areas, which has lead to an increase in the proportion of mesophilous forest communities and in the number of species of the class Querco-Fagetea as compared to the unaffected sites. Overall, the former iron ore mining activity has increased the biodiversity level in the Gielniowski Hump mesoregion due to an increase in the total number of species in the area, brought about by the formation of a mining-related habitat mosaic.

New Genus and Three New Species of Leaf-Litter-Inhabiting Ozophorini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Rhyparochromidae: Rhyparochrominae)

Abstract One new genus, Pseudomenotelus from México, is proposed within Lygaeoidea (Ozophorini) based on the new species P. oculatus from the state of Chiapas in Mexico. In addition, two new species from Honduras are described in the genus Pseudomenus, P. hondurensis and P. olanchus, each belonging to Ozophorini. A key to the Mexican genera of Ozophorini is included, as well as a key to the known species of Pseudomenus. All taxa here reported are leaf-litter-inhabiting and were collected in mesophilous forest.

A New Species of Typhlochactas (Scorpiones, Typhlochactinae) from Eastern Mexico

Typhlochactas sissomi, a new species of troglomorphic scorpion in the subfamily Typhlochactinae Mitchell, 1971, is described, based on a single subadult male collected under a stone in a mesophilous forest in the mountains of the state of Queretaro, Mexico. This is the seventh species in the genus Typhlochactas Mitchell, 1971. Although all seven species are troglomorphic, four are troglobitic and two are humicolous. The new species described here is probably also humicolous. A key to the identification of Typhlochactas species is presented.

Gyűrűfű környékének tájhasználata és élőhelyei

Habitat map and habitat descriptions of 1 km2 study area of 1st Hungarian Biodiversity Day in the neighbourhood of eco-village Gyűrűfű, SW Hungary, with some facts on land-use history. Habitats found (according to categories of MÉTA database): mesophilous forests, regenerating forests, hillside pastures (more or less degraded or regenerating), wetland habitats of a stream valley.

Nest site preference of common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in two different habitat types of Central Italy

Nest site preference of common dormouse was studied in two different habitat types of central Italy: a mesophilous deciduous forest dominated by Fagus sylvatica, and a thermophilous deciduous oak wood with Quercus cerris and Q. pubescens. In each site, 50 nest boxes were fixed to trees and monitored monthly for two years (May 1998–April 2000). Moreover, in both study sites, 19 habitat variables were measured within a 3‐m radius circular plots centred on each nest box. We hypothesised that specific habitat features may induce common dormice to choose a particular site for nesting. Therefore, we compared habitat variables, recorded at the neighbourhood of either occupied or unoccupied nest boxes, in order to identify the importance of factors in nest site preference. In both beech and oak woodlands, the choice of nest site was affected by understorey vegetation structure rather than species diversity. In particular, the common dormouse prefers sites with high understorey density probably for the presence of route‐ways through branches and visual protection from predators.

16 000 years of vegetation and settlement history from Egelsee (Menzingen, central Switzerland)

Past vegetation dynamics and human impact from the Lateglacial to the present are reconstructed by pollen analysis of a core 12 m long from the raised bog Egelsee, central Switzerland (770 m a.s.l.). The depth—age model of the core is based on 29 AMS 14C dates. The oldest dated macrofossil has an age of 13 080 ± 105 radiocarbon yr BP (15 370 cal. yr BP); extrapolation leads to a basal age of the core of 16 200 cal. yr BP. The biostratigraphy shows a typical vegetation development for Central Europe from open pioneer vegetation to Betula- Pinus forests in the Lateglacial, thermophilous mixed deciduous forests in the early Holocene, then mesophilous Abies-Fagus forests, and finally to the present cultural landscape. The initial population expansion of Abies alba may have coincided with climatic change at c. 8500 cal. yr BP. The mass expansion of Abies alba at 8100 cal. yr BP may have been triggered by the 8.2-ka event and coincided with the empirical limit of Fagus silvatica, indicating initial population expansions. The succession of ecosystems with different plant composition is confirmed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA): the main changes in the DCA axis 1 and 2 correspond to the transition phases between the different ecosystems. DCA axis 1 has an eigenvalue of λ1 = 0.46 and is significantly correlated ( r = 0.82) to the non-arboreal pollen percentage curve. Rarefaction analysis shows a high pollen diversity in the Lateglacial, lower pollen diversity in the Holocene before human impact, and increasing pollen diversity correlated with increasing human impact. Very little is known about the archaeology of the montane belt in central Switzerland. This study provides new data concerning human impact and settlement history in this area. Human activities are indicated by cereal pollen (earliest Hordeum/Triticum type at 4700 cal. yr BP). Distinct pulses of anthropogenic forest clearances can be observed from the Neolithic period onwards.

Palynological characterization of gassy sediments in the inner part of Ría de Vigo (NW Spain). New chronological and environmental data

Palynological characterization of the pollen assemblages from core ZV-01 offers a reliable age record of shallow ‘gas seal’ and ‘gas reservoir’ sediments from the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain). Gassy sediments show a direct correspondence with the palynological assemblage zones (LPAZ) 2, 3 and 4, which range in age from 950 to 1510 a.d. for the interval 81–176 cm where gas is found. The facies acting as a seal would correspond to the sedimentation in the ria starting from 1510 a.d. These assemblages also provide significant data which make it possible to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental changes recorded in the sedimentary infill of the Ria de Vigo. The gassy horizon corresponds to the phase when riparian and mesophilous forest were better represented. This coincides with a relative high abundance of Lingulodinium machaerophorum, which indicates that the waters of the ria had been less renewed by oceanic waters and had a plentiful supply of continental nutrients. At that time, anoxic conditions resulted from restricted vertical circulation of seawater and/or high biological productivity. The dinocyst assemblages overlying and underlying the gassy horizon in core ZV-01 are clearly different from those concomitant with the accumulation of the gassy sediments. This suggests that oceanographic conditions in the Ria de Vigo may have changed several times during the time interval covered by our record. The weaker relationship between L. machaerophorum/Spiniferites spp., and simultaneous significant increases in Impagidinium spp. and Bitectatodinium tepikiense may indicate a greater intrusion of colder, more oceanic waters into the Ria de Vigo, which may have provoked intensification in upwelling during two periods, ca. 700–850 a.d. and ca. 1500–1750 a.d.

Madonna dell'Arma (San Remo, Italie) : expression locale de la végétation ligure au cours du Paléolithique moyen

Pollen analysis of Madonna dell’Arma cave inside part (Liguria, Italy) allowed us to reconstitute, at local scale, the Ligurian coastal vegetation between the end of the last interglacial period and the beginning of the pleniglacial. This transition period shows an important representation of arboreal cover and a persistence of thermophilous elements that allowed us to considerate the western Liguria as a periglacial refuge. During the end of the last interglacial, xerophytic, halophytic herbs and shrubs taken over from a Mediterranean pre-forest unit in the first slopes constituted the coastal zone. The nearness of Argentina torrent and the Armea influenced, in the coast, the existence of marshy zones colonized by hygrophilous trees. In the Ligurian lowlands spread out sclerophyllous and mesophilous forests according to altitude. The beginning of the pleniglacial is indicated in the sequence by increases of Pinus, Cupressaceae and Artemisia in the context of a decline in the thermophilous components. This picture of vegetation has become integrated into the multidisciplinary studies of the site and contributed to the elaboration of palaeoclimatic hypothesis similar as those revealed by the fauna.