Mid-altitude Forest Research Articles

Floristic Diversity of Natural Forest Patches Across Agroclimatic Zones in Northwestern Ethiopian

Background Natural forest resources in northwestern Ethiopia are currently under threat, requiring immediate conservation measures and a management strategy. Thus, an understanding of the present floristic diversity status is required. There is lack of such type of studies specific to fragmented forest patches and across environmental factors. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the existing state of these resources to apply sustainable forest management practices. Methods To achieve this, transects with 200 square plots measuring 400 m2 were set up at nine forest patches with 200m spacing between plots and transects. Vegetation and environmental data were collected and analyzed using R version 4.1. Results Significant variations (p 0.008) were found in vegetation features along the slope, forest patches, and agroclimatic zone. When compared to other forest patches, highland, and mid-altitude forest patches had the highest species diversity (2.48) and stocking (2578 trees/ha). The gentle slope has the most species diversity (2.83). The species similarity between highland and mid-altitude forest habitats was found significant (69%). The vegetation cover in the mid-altitude forest patches was also high (abundance: 5-12%). In all the forest patches examined, tree life forms exceeded shrubs, climbers, and herbs. Conclusions According to the study’s findings, the state of forest resources varies considerably across different environmental variations. Despite the impression of entire forest patches from the outside, the interiors are open, with only huge and mature trees covering the canopy. This state has been triggered by deforestation, degradation, and inappropriate human and grazing operations.

An app for apples: Citizen-led mapping of fire blight in Central Asia.

Fire blight, caused by the bacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora, is a severe bacterial disease of apple and pear that can quickly destroy whole plants. In the last decade, it was also detected in Central Asia, where wild pomaceous fruit plants represent the dominant species in mid-altitude forests and constitute a critical foundation for the entire ecosystem. Efficiently informing farmers, forestry services and private persons about the instances and dangers of fire blight, the correct way to recognize the symptoms, and the methods of disease control is thus of paramount importance in a vast and fragmented natural landscape like the one characterizing countries like Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. For that purpose, we have developed an app for smartphones and mobile devices that can inform stakeholders about fire blight, simultaneously allowing a citizen science approach for mapping the spread of the disease in Central Asia. The app is available in the three national languages as well as in Russian, English, and German, and can easily be adapted to new countries, languages or even diseases.

A new subspecies of Philiris diana Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from the Wet Tropics of northern Australia

Philiris diana Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 from the Wet Tropics of northeastern Queensland was previously thought to be monotypic, being most closely related to Philiris papuanus Wind & Clench, 1947 from Cape York Peninsula, Australia, and mainland New Guinea. However, a new subspecies was recently discovered on the Atherton Tableland, which we illustrate, diagnose and describe as Philiris diana fortuna ssp. nov. It appears to be a narrow-range endemic, restricted to montane forest (750–1,090 m asl) and allopatric or parapatric from the nominotypical subspecies Philiris diana diana Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914, which is largely restricted to low to mid-altitude forests in the coastal escarpment in the Cairns-Kuranda district. Despite being separated by a minimum distance of only 20–25 km, the two taxa show substantial phenotypic differences in wing pattern elements, but negligeable differences according to the mitochondrial COI barcode region (mean p-distance = 0.28%). The habitat and biology of the new taxon are summarized, and likely historical processes driving divergence between upland and lowland populations of this species hypothesized.

Orchid diversity along an altitudinal gradient in the central Balkans

Understanding patterns of species diversity along an altitudinal gradient is the major topic of much biogeographical and ecological research. The aim of this study was to explore how richness and density of orchid species and subspecies in terms of different categories of underground organ systems and pollination systems vary along an altitudinal gradient in the central Balkans. The altitudinal gradient of the study area was divided into 21 100-m vertical intervals. Data were analyzed using both non-linear and linear regressions with three data sets (total orchids, orchids of forest habitats, orchids of non-forest habitats) in the case of species richness and three data sets (total orchids—total area, forest orchids—forest area, and orchids of non-forest habitats—non-forest area) in the case of species density. The results showed a hump-shaped pattern of orchid richness and density, peaking at 900–1,000 m. The richness and density of orchids of forest habitats are generally slightly greater than the richness and density of orchids of non-forest habitats in lowland areas, whereas the orchids of herbaceous vegetation types dominating at high altitudes. Tuberous orchids dominate in low and mid-altitude areas, orchids with palmately lobed and fusiform tubers (“intermediate orchids”) dominate at high altitudes, while rhizomatous orchids are predominate in mid-altitude forest stands. Both deceptive and self-pollinated orchids show a unimodal trend with a peak at mid-altitude areas. This study underlines the importance of low and mid-altitude areas for the survival of deceptive orchids and the importance of mid- and high-altitude areas for the survival of rewarding orchids. In addition, forest habitats at mid-altitudes have been shown to be crucial for the survival of self-pollinated orchids. The results suggest that the altitudinal patterns of orchid richness and density in the central Balkans are determined by mechanisms related to land area size and habitat cover, partially confirming the species-area relationship (SAR) hypothesis. This study contributes significantly to a better understanding of the potential impacts of habitat changes on orchid diversity, thereby facilitating more effective conservation planning.

Altitudinal variation in plant community, population structure and carbon stock of Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. forest in Kumaun Himalaya

Aim: To study the impact of altitudinal variation on plant community composition, structure, dispersion and regeneration status of Quercus semecarpifolia forest in Kumaun Himalaya. Methodology: Along the altitudinal gradient, the forest stands between 2400 and 2610 m asl were selected at low, mid and high altitude. The phyto-sociological analysis was carried by laying ten quadrats of 10m × 10m at each site. Soil samples were collected with the help of soil corer from two depths. Various ecological indices and population structure were investigated for each forest stand and regeneration status of forest was predicted by the population size of seedlings, saplings and trees. Tree biomass was estimated using allomatric equations and carbon stock was determined by multiplying biomass of species to factor 0.475. Results: With increasing altitude the number of tree species decreased and the shrub species richness increased, while herb species showed a unimodel pattern. Q. semecarpifolia was the dominant tree species at all the three sites with the IVI values of 220.14, 255.22 and 286.23 at LA, MA and HA, respectively. A complete absence of Q. semecarpifolia seedlings indicated no regeneration in low and high altitude stands while low proportion of seedlings in mid altitude forest stand indicated poor regeneration. Soil was acidic (pH 5.66-5.86), with higher silt content and showed decreasing pattern in physico-chemical properties with increasing altitude. The biomass of tree layer ranged from 871.49 to 1050.17 t ha-1. The tree layer carbon stock was maximum in high altitude forest (498.84 t ha-1) which was largely contributed by bole, stump roots and branches. Interpretation: Variation in species richness, distribution pattern and regeneration potential is related to site characteristics governed by altitude and require various efforts to conserve and protect these forests to check ecosystem imbalance.

Eurasian lynx density and habitat use in one of Europe’s strongholds, the Romanian Carpathians

Abstract The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) faces population declines in the western part of its range, and its ecological requirements are poorly understood in the eastern part of its range. The Romanian Carpathians harbor an intact large carnivore community, in which lynx co-occur with bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), and humans (Homo sapiens), with which they potentially compete for ungulate prey. We provide a science-based estimate of lynx density and habitat use, combining non-invasive monitoring techniques (camera trapping) with spatially explicit capture-recapture models (SECR) in the Southern Carpathians of Romania. We sampled 59 and 76 trap stations during two monitoring sessions (winter and autumn), identified at least 30 individuals, from which we reconstructed encounter histories for 23 individuals. SECR modeling resulted in similar density estimates between winter and autumn (1.6 ± 0.39 SE and 1.7 ± 0.38 SE lynx/100 km2, respectively), but the cumulative number of lynx detected reached the asymptote faster during autumn, suggesting that monitoring prior to the mating season is preferable. Density varied within and across sessions with topography (slope), percent forest cover, and landscape heterogeneity (i.e., agricultural mosaic). Density hotspots shifted between low-altitude agricultural mosaic during winter and more rugged, mid-altitude forest stands during autumn. Estimated densities of lynx in the Romanian Carpathians are higher than those reported in the Alps or Slovak Carpathians, highlighting the importance of this population as a source both for natural recolonization and recent reintroduction programs. When used in an SECR framework, camera trapping is an efficient method for assessing spatial and temporal variation in lynx population density in the remote Romanian Carpathians. We recommend this methodology for improving lynx population estimates and to monitor lynx population trends nationwide.

Assessing Forest Structure and Composition along the Altitudinal Gradient in the State of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas, India

Understanding the structure and composition of native forests is a prerequisite in developing an adaptive forest management plan for Himalayan forest ecosystems where climate change is rapid. However, basic information on forest structure and composition are still limited in many places of the Eastern Himalayas. In this study, we aimed to understand the diversity, structure, and composition of forests and their variations along an altitudinal gradient in Himalayan forests. The study was conducted in the Indian federal state of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas. We carried out a comprehensive and comparative evaluation of species diversity, stand basal area, and stem density along the altitudinal gradient from 900 m a.s.l. to 3200 m a.s.l. We used stratified random sampling to survey eighty-three plots each 0.1 ha in forest communities that occurred along the altitudinal gradient: (a) lower (900–1700 m) altitude forest (N = 24), (b) mid (1700–2500 m) altitude forests (N = 37), and (c) higher (2500–3200 m)altitude forests (N = 22). We measured and identified all living trees with a >3 cm diameter at breast height in each plot. We counted 10,344 individual plants, representing 114 woody species belonging to 42 families and 75 genera. The family Fagaceae and its species Lithocarpus pachyphyllus (Kurz) Rehder. were reported as the most dominant forest trees with the highest Importance Value Index. The Shannon diversity index was recorded as being the highest for the low-altitude forests, whereas measures of structural diversity varied among forests along with altitude: the mid-altitude forests recorded the highest stem density and the high-altitude forests showed the highest mean stem DBH (diameter at 1.3 m height). One significant finding of our study was the disparity of the size class distribution among forests along the altitudinal gradient. Overall, we found a reverse J-shape distribution of tree diameter signifying the uneven-agedness. However, we showed, for the first time, a complete lack of large trees (>93 cm DBH) in the lower altitude forests. Our study highlights conservation concerns for the low-altitude forests that record high species diversity, although lacked large-diameter trees. We anticipate that our study will provide a comprehensive understanding of forest diversity, composition, and structure along the altitudinal gradient to design conservation and sustainable management strategies

A new species of tree snake (Dipsadoboa, Serpentes: Colubridae) from ‘sky island’ forests in northern Mozambique, with notes on other members of the Dipsadoboa werneri group

A new species of tree snake Dipsadoboa montisilva Branch, Conradie Tolley sp. nov. (Serpentes: Colubridae) is described from the 'sky islands' of Mount Mabu and Mount Ribáuè in northern Mozambique. Features of scalation, colour, body form and habitat distinguish the new species from other Dipsadoboa. This is supported by a phylogenetic analysis using one mitochondrial marker (cytochrome b) that shows the new Mozambican species is divergent from other sampled Dipsadoboa, including D. flavida and D. aulica, the only congeners known to occur in Mozambique. Morphologically, the new Dipsadoboa forms part of the D. werneri-shrevei complex from east and southeast Africa, but differs in having higher subcaudal counts, a different temporal pattern and only two supralabials entering the orbit. Phylogenetically, it occurs in a clade with D. shrevei and D. werneri. The status of D. shrevei in East Africa is reassessed, particularly in terms of the poorly-known Dipsadoboa shrevei kageleri from northern Tanzania. It is morphologically well defined from D. shrevei shrevei and utilises a different habitat. Although based on limited genetic data, it appears to be well-defined from typical D. shrevei and is accordingly raised to specific status. The only Tanzanian record for typical D. shrevei from Mtene, Rondo Plateau in southeast Tanzania is well isolated from the species' range to the west (e.g. Zambia, Angola) and the published scalation features, particularly ventral counts, do not fully accord with D. shrevei. The Rondo Plateau population is treated as Dipsadoboa incerta sedis, and because we return D. shrevei to its binomial status, we can no longer consider D. shrevei as occurring in Tanzania. Biogeographically, the Rondo Plateau population may have a stronger affinity to the new Mozambican species. The discovery of isolated populations of the new species in mid-altitude forest remnants on Mt Mabu and Mt Ribáuè emphasizes the high conservation importance of the Mozambique forest 'sky islands' from which numerous other endemic new species have been recently discovered. These species are impacted by ongoing habitat destruction through slash and burn clearing for subsistence agriculture.

Influence of climate on the survivorship of neonatal red pandas in captivity.

Red pandas, Ailurus fulgens, are popular exhibit animals in zoos. It is clear from data in the global studbook that there is considerable variation in their breeding success in different zoos. Population managers have long suspected that environmental temperature plays a key role in these differences. It is generally thought that this species, which is so well adapted to life in the cold damp climate of the mid-altitude forests of the Himalayas, has a problem coping with warmer climates. However, this hypothesis has not been tested until now. Using data extracted from the global studbook, we have demonstrated that climate at the location of birth has a clear impact on the survival of infant red pandas.

Three new species of Licania (Chrysobalanaceae) from Peru.

Recent collections received for identification contain three conspicuous new species for the mid altitude forests of Amazonian Peru. Licania palcazuensis, Licania apiknae and Licania monteagudensis are described as new and their relationship to other species is discussed. A key is provided for all the species of Licania subgenus Licania section Licania known to occur in Peru.

Woody species diversity and forest structure from lowland to montane forest in Hyrcanian forest ecoregion

Abstract Alborz Mountains host Caspian Hyrcanian forest ecoregion along the northern slopes and forest steppe ecoregion in highlands. Hyrcanian forest covers the southeastern part of Caucasus biodiversity hotspot and is of great biogeographic importance. Altitudinal pattern and correlation between woody species biodiversity (DIV), forest structure ((stem density (DEN), mean basal area (MBA) and mean height class (MHC)) and disturbance (DIS) were explored along 2,400 m altitudinal gradient in Hyrcanian relict forest, Central Alborz Mountains. Vegetation changes from lowland forest (LoF) to midaltitude forest (MiF) and montane forest (MoF) in this area. The altitudinal gradient was divided into twelve 200 m elevational belts. Point centered quarter method (PCQM) with 96 sampling points and 83 vegetation samples by plot method (PM) were used to record field data. Shannon-Wiener index and Pearson coefficient were used for diversity and correlation analysis. The results showed that DEN decreased linearly, MBA and MHC showed relatively hump shaped and DIS showed a reverse hump shaped pattern of change along altitudinal gradient. Woody species diversity decreased non-steadily from LoF to MoF. Transitional vegetations of Carpinus-Fagus and Fagus-Quercus represented higher diversity of woody taxa compared to adjacent homogenous communities. Significant correlation was observed between altitude and all parameters: DEN with MBA, DIS and DIV; MBA with DIS; MHC with DIS along with DIV; and DIS with DIV at the study area scale. Surprisingly, correlation between studied parameters differed within each vegetation type. Altitude probably acts as a proxy for human and environmental driving forces in this area. Stability of warm and wet condition, season length, soil depth along with forest accessibility probably influences the altitudinal pattern of the studied parameters. Disturbance affects forest structure and consequently diversity; especially in lowlands. The obtained results recommend using both forest biodiversity and mensuration data in management process of forest ecosystems.

Regeneration of the East African timber tree Ocotea usambarensis in relation to historical logging

East African montane forests have been subjected to heavy logging, particularly of Ocotea usambarensis Engl., formerly one of the dominant tree species of moist mid-altitude forests. At Mt. Kenya, logging was suspended in 2000 after a conspicuous decline in population size, but the success of this conservation measure has not yet been evaluated. Given that a management scheme of O. usambarensis forests based on vegetative regeneration has been suggested, we hypothesized that natural regeneration mainly by root suckers would be sufficient for a recovery of this species. Demography and regeneration (both sexual and vegetative) of O. usambarensis were studied in 45 study plots between 1700 and 2500m asl along a gradient of historical logging intensity, while taking altitude and light incidence into account as predictor variables. The diameter distribution showed a high percentage of old individuals and rather low recruitment in O. usambarensis. In heavily logged areas (removed basal area >25m2ha−1), smaller trees (<50cm DBH, >130cm high) were completely absent. The number of seedlings was low and independent of logging intensity. It increased with higher light incidence. The number of root suckers was 5.6-fold the number of seedlings, underscoring the importance of vegetative reproduction. However, number of root suckers and logging intensity were negatively correlated. We conclude that regeneration of O. usambarensis at Mt. Kenya is generally low and negatively influenced by historical logging. Therefore, natural regeneration is inadequate for the recovery of this valuable timber species, and additional conservation measures such as enrichment planting should be considered.

The potential effects of climate change on the status of Seychelles frogs (Anura: Sooglossidae)

The status of the Seychelles frogs of the family Sooglossidae was investigated, using monitoring data from 1993-2010, climate data from 1998-2010 and studies of populations and local climate effects. Climate monitoring at each plot covered rainfall and temperature, with leaf wetness and soil moisture being monitored additionally at one site. Analysis of the data and ecological modelling of the distribution identify geographical patterns in climate which explain the present distribution of the different sooglossid species. In addition it identifies a drying trend in the first quarter of the year which corresponds to frog population declines in mid-altitude forests. This is interpreted as evidence of an ongoing deterioration in the suitability of habitats for the frogs, with declines recorded in areas of marginal suitability. By extension it is assumed that currently optimal frog habitat is also undergoing a decline in suitability, due to early year decreases in moisture. Projected changes in climate were used to predict changes in ranges of the sooglossids over the next 90 years. This predicts significant declines, with the possible extinction of the palm frog Sooglossus pipilodryas by 2100. Accordingly all four sooglossid species should be categorised as Endangered, rather than their current status of Vulnerable. Captive assurance colonies have not been successfully established to date. Captive groups have been maintained with a high degree of success but breeding has not been recorded so far. Further work needed for the conservation of the frogs is outlined: development of a reliable method of monitoring the cryptic S. thomasseti and development of captive breeding techniques.

A new species of Atheris (Serpentes: Viperidae) from northern Mozambique

A new species of forest viper (Atheris Serpentes: Viperidae) is described from Mount Mabu and Mount Namuli, northern Mozambique. This is the most southerly record of the genus, and the first record from Mozambique. Features of scalation, colour, body form and behaviour distinguish the new species from all other African Atheris, particularly its small size (maximum total length 384mm), retention of juvenile colouration in adults, and relatively low ventral, subcaudal and labial scale counts. It appears to be a dwarf, possibly paedomorphic, species that feeds among leaf litter on small frogs and geckos. The discovery of the new species in isolated populations in mid-altitude forest remnants on Mount Mabu and Mount Namuli, emphasizes the high conservation importance of the region.

Composition of a high diversity leaf litter ant community (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from an Ecuadorian pre-montane rainforest

The pre-montane forest of the northern Andes is considered one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Tools for rapidly assessing biodiversity inventories are currently being developed and may aid conservation efforts. Here, we focus on the use of the Ants of the Leaf Litter (ALL) protocol as such a tool and describe the composition of an Ecuadorian pre-montane leaf litter ant community. Two 200-m transects (i.e. two complete replications of the protocol) with a total of 40 winkler sacs and 39 pitfall traps were analyzed. In total, we collected 4 875 specimens from 103 species, 37 genera and 9 subfamilies. The abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE), an asymptotic estimator of species richness, predicted a total of 109 ant species for the forest fl oor, making this ant community one of the most diverse recorded in tropical mid-altitude forests. Subsets of the community sampled by winkler sacs and pitfall traps differed signifi cantly. Winkler sacs were more effi cient than pitfall traps at capturing individual ants (226% more) and species (129% more). Relative to pitfall traps, an analysis of morphology suggested that winkler sacs collected a subset of the ant community that was smaller, less mobile and with smaller eyes (e.g. more subterranean). Finally, we present the fi rst published records of the ant species Acanthognathus teledectus Brown & Kempf 1969, Hypoponera distinguenda (Emery 1890), Prionopelta amabilis Borgmeier 1949, Pachycondyla chyzeri (Forel 1907) and Procryptocerus mayri Forel 1899 for Ecuador.

The Canaries: an important biogeographical meeting place

The Canaries: an important biogeographical meeting place

Six New Species of Occipital-lobed Calumma Chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) from Montane Regions of Madagascar, with a New Description and Revision of Calumma Brevicorne

As a result of our recent herpetological surveys conducted in Madagascar, important new collections of large occipital-lobed Calumma chameleons have been made. These collections allow the recognition of six new Calumma species, in addition to the six currently recognized species. Five of the new species were located at specific montane regions, and one is broadly distributed in mid-altitude forest within the interior of the island. As previously reported for Brookesia dwarf chameleons, species richness in this Calumma group is greatest in northern Madagascar. An identification key is given for all 12 species and a new description provided for Calumma brevicorne, a species that has been confused with several other species. Previously described taxonomic uncertainties associated with this species are resolved, including the problematic status of the Calumma brevicorne tsarafidyi holotype, which we consider to represent the nominate form and unlikely to have been collected at Tsarafidy. Sexual dimorphism (including hemipenis development), biogeography, and conservation issues are also discussed for the group. The Bemanevika Lakes region of Southwest Tsaratanana harbors a new Calumma species not currently recorded for any protected area, and forest of this region is suggested for inclusion within a future reserve.

The Flora and Phytogeography of the Evergreen Forests of Malawi I: Afromontane and Mid-Altitude Forests

The Flora and Phytogeography of the Evergreen Forests of Malawi I: Afromontane and Mid-Altitude Forests