National Forest Research Articles

Drivers of wood-inhabiting fungal diversity in European and Oriental beech forests.

The hyperdiverse wood-inhabiting fungi play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, but often are threatened by deadwood removal, particularly in temperate forests dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis). To study the impact of abiotic drivers, deadwood factors, forest management and biogeographical patterns in forests of both beech species on fungal composition and diversity, we collected 215 deadwood-drilling samples in 18 forests from France to Armenia and identified fungi by meta-barcoding. In our analyses, we distinguished the patterns driven by rare, common, and dominant species using Hill numbers. Despite a broad overlap in species, the fungal composition with focus on rare species was determined by Fagus species, deadwood type, deadwood diameter, precipitation, temperature, and management status in decreasing order. Shifting the focus on common and dominant species, only Fagus species, both climate variables and deadwood type remained. The richness of species within the deadwood objects increased significantly only with decay stage. Gamma diversity in European beech forests was higher than in Oriental beech forests. We revealed the highest gamma diversity for old-growth forests of European beech when focusing on dominant species. Our results implicate that deadwood retention efforts, focusing on dominant fungi species, critical for the decay process, should be distributed across precipitation and temperature gradients and both Fagus species. Strategies focusing on rare species should additionally focus on different diameters and on the conservation of old-growth forests.

Soil flooding filters evolutionary lineages of tree communities in Amazonian riparian forests.

Inundations in Amazonian black-water river floodplain result in the selection of different tree lineages, thus promoting coexistence between species. We investigated whether Amazonian tree communities are phylogenetically structured and distributed along a flooding gradient from irregularly flooded forests along streams embedded within upland (terra-firme) forest to seasonally flooded floodplains of large rivers (igapós). Floristic inventories and hydrological monitoring were performed along the Falsino River, a black-water river in the eastern Amazon within the Amapá National Forest. We constructed a presence-and-absence matrix and generated a phylogeny using the vascular plant database available in GenBank. We calculated the standardized values of the metrics of phylogenetic diversity (ses.PD), average phylogenetic distance (ses.MPD), and average nearest-neighbor distance (ses.MNTD) to test whether the history of relationships between species in the community is influenced by inundation. We used the phylogenetic endemism (PE) metric to verify the existence of taxa with restricted distribution. Linear regressions were used to test whether phylogenetic metrics have a significant relationship with the variables: maximum flood height, maximum water table depth, and maximum flood amplitude. The results show that forests subject to prolonged seasonal flooding have reduced taxon richness, low phylogenetic diversity, and random distribution of lineages within communities. On the other hand, terra-firme riparian forests showed higher rates of taxon richness, diversity, and phylogenetic dispersion, in addition to greater phylogenetic endemism. These results indicate that seasonal and predictable soil flooding filters tree lineages along the hydrographic gradient. Different adaptations to root waterlogging are likely requirements for colonization in these environments and may represent an important factor in the diversification of tree lineages in the Amazon biome.

Landscape Ecological Structures and Patterns for Green Space Conservation in Forest Monasteries in Northeast Thailand

The green spaces in Wat Pah play an important role in forest conservation in Thailand. This study identified and analyzed the structures and patterns of landscape ecology in Wat Pah Nanachart, Ubon Ratchathani Province, to guide a conceptual framework for green space conservation in forest monasteries. Spatial analysis and modeling using geoinformatics technology were employed to recognize and characterize these landscapes. Information on the green space conservation and management of Wat Pah was also obtained using an in-depth interview and site observation. The results revealed that most of the green space in Wat Pah is forest, characterized by an ecological matrix and a dry evergreen forest. The forest structure can be divided into three canopies, dominated by the Dipterocarpaceae family, which has regenerated into upper and lower canopies. It is an edge matrix and ecological corridor connected to the internal and external green spaces of Wat Pah. It plays an important role in supporting cultural, religious, and aesthetic activities for ordained monks and Buddhists. The spatial landscape model can be divided into three main zones: Thoranisangha, Buddhawas, Sanghawas. Thoranisangha is an open space covered with traditional and artificially planted tree species. It is located in front of the temple and designed for public utilities in the context of managing and conserving the remaining trees. Buddhawas is a semi-open space mostly covered with traditional tree species. It represents Buddhism’s identity and uniqueness and is used for religious ceremonies and dissemination—listening to sermons, meditating, and praying. Meanwhile, Sanghawas is covered with natural forest and contains residences for monks that are designed to be in harmony with the forest ecosystem.

Phloem-feeding insects create parasitoid-free space for caterpillars.

Seemingly small ecological changes can have large, ramifying effects that defy expectations. Such are keystone effects in ecosystems. Phloem-feeding insect herbivores can act as keystone species by altering community structure and species interactions via plant-mediated or ant-mediated mechanisms. Plant responses triggered by phloem feeders can disrupt tri-trophic interactions induced by leaf-chewing herbivores, while ants that tend phloem feeders can deter or prey on other arthropods. Here, we investigate how phloem-feeding herbivores change caterpillar-parasitoid interactions on Quercus alba (white oak) trees in natural forests. We factorially manipulated the presence of phloem-feeding insects as well as ant access on Q.alba branches over multiple years and sites and measured parasitism rates of co-occurring caterpillars. While 19.3% of caterpillars were parasitized when phloem feeders were removed, the presence of phloem feeders completely suppressed parasitism of caterpillars (0%). This stark pattern was consistent across the diverse community of phloem feeders and caterpillars. Our manipulation of ant access had no effect on parasitism of caterpillars, implicating a plant-mediated mechanism. We further assessed the mechanistic hypothesis that phloem feeders suppress plant emission of caterpillar-induced volatile compounds, which could disrupt host-location behavior by parasitoids of caterpillars. Phloem feeders indeed reduced concentrations of four volatile compounds, consistent with the putative plant volatile-mediated mechanism. Given the important role of parasitoids in controlling herbivore populations, this keystone effect of phloem feeders offers novel insight into community dynamics in forests and potentially other terrestrial ecosystems.

Perjumpaan Pertama Bangau Storm (Ciconia Stormi) Di PBPH-HA, PT. Ratah Timber

Indonesia as a mega-biodiversity country which is the important value for avian conservation in the world. However, negative issues from activities that causes degradation and forest loss such as logging and land conversion into plantation have been considered a factor in population decline indeed for extinction of a species. The Storm’s Stork (Ciconia stormii, Blastur 1896) is a large water bird that felt the impact so the species is classified as endangered in the Red List of IUCN. The first recorded for the Storm’s Stork in Indonesia’s production forest (PBPH-HA) discovered in PT. Ratah Timber. This is a good news for avian conservation in the world, especially for Indonesia. The records are three individuals in a nest on the RKT block 2019 forest. The nest on banggeris tree (Koompassia excelsa) which is protected by management so banggeris is not included list of logged tree. The Storm’s Stork is extremely secretive so they require habitat characteristics that is primary forest, heavy canopy cover, distance from noisely and nuisance. Therefore, presence of the Storm’s Stork indicated logging activity in PBPH PT. Ratah Timber has implemented and committed for sustainablity forest production management especially for conservation and environmental aspects.Keywords: ciconia stormii; conservation; production forest; ratah timber; storm’s stork

Ecosystem service multifunctionality of mixed conifer-broad-leaved forests under climate change and forest management based on matrix growth modelling

Climate change and forest management are recognized as pivotal factors influencing forest ecosystem services and thus multifunctionality. However, the magnitude and the relative importance of climate change and forest management effects on the multifunctionality remain unclear, especially for natural mixed forests. In this study, our objective is to address this gap by utilizing simulations of climate-sensitive transition matrix growth models based on national forest inventory plot data. We evaluated the effects of seven management scenarios (combinations of various cutting methods and intensities) on the future provision of ecosystem services and multifunctionality in mixed conifer-broad-leaved forests in northeastern China, under four climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP5-8.5, and constant climate). Provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services were described by timber production, carbon storage, carbon sequestration, tree species diversity, deadwood volume, and the number of large living trees. Our findings indicated that timber production was significantly influenced by management scenarios, while tree species diversity, deadwood volume, and large living trees were impacted by both climate and management separately. Carbon storage and sequestration were notably influenced by both management and the interaction of climate and management. These findings emphasized the profound impact of forest management on ecosystem services, outweighing that of climate scenarios alone. We found no single management scenario maximized all six ecosystem service indicators. The upper story thinning by 5% intensity with 5-year interval (UST5) management strategy emerged with the highest multifunctionality, surpassing the lowest values by more than 20% across all climate scenarios. In conclusion, our results underlined the potential of climate-sensitive transition matrix growth models as a decision support tool and provided recommendations for long-term strategies for multifunctional forest management under future climate change context. Ecosystem services and multifunctionality of forests could be enhanced by implementing appropriate management measures amidst a changing climate.

The Influence of Land Use and Slope Variation to Soil Infiltration Rate on Semarang City, Indonesia

Abstract From 2018 to 2022, there have been 3 floods in Gunungpati District. One factor that influences flood in this area is the infiltration rate. Many factors influence infiltration rates, two of them being land use and slope. This study aimed to determine the distribution of land use and slope gradient in Gunungpati District using GIS-based spatial analysis. The results show that land use in the research area is divided into 5 classes: primary and secondary dry land forests; plantations; shrubs and grasslands; dryland farming; and settlements, paddy fields, bodies of water, and open land. Land use is dominated by settlements, paddy fields, bodies of water, and open land (33.7% of the total area). The slopes in the study area are divided into 5 classes: flat (<8%), gentle (8—15%), wavy (15—25%), steep (25—40%), and very steep (>40%). The wavy class dominates the slopes (29.3% of the total area). Based on these results, a moderate infiltration rate dominates the infiltration rate in the study area.

Land in limbo: Nearly one third of Indonesia’s cleared old-growth forests left idle

Indonesia has experienced rapid primary forest loss, second only to Brazil in modern history. We examined the fates of Indonesian deforested areas, immediately after clearing and over time, to quantify deforestation drivers in Indonesia. Using time-series satellite data, we tracked degradation and clearing events in intact and degraded natural forests from 1991 to 2020, as well as land use trajectories after forest loss. While an estimated 7.8 Mha (SE = 0.4) of forest cleared during this period had been planted with oil palms by 2020, another 8.8 Mha (SE = 0.4) remained unused. Of the 28.4 Mha (SE = 0.7) deforested, over half were either initially left idle or experienced crop failure before a land use could be detected, and 44% remained unused for 5 y or more. A majority (54%) of these areas were cleared mechanically (not by escaped fires), and in cases where idle lands were eventually converted to productive uses, oil palm plantations were by far the most common outcome. The apparent deliberate creation of idle deforested land in Indonesia and subsequent conversion of idle areas to oil palm plantations indicates that speculation and land banking for palm oil substantially contribute to forest loss, although failed plantations could also contribute to this dynamic. We also found that in Sumatra, few lowland forests remained, suggesting that a lack of remaining forest appropriate for palm oil production, together with an extensive area of banked deforested land, may partially explain slowing forest loss in Indonesia in recent years.

Structural changes and enhanced properties of bamboo fibers by controlled pyrolysis

Bamboo has low-cost, fast-growing, good mechanical properties, and its cultivation results in environmental benefits such as CO2 sequestration and preservation of native forests, in addition to being an excellent source for natural fibers. Bamboo fiber presents high mechanical performance, which can be further improved by chemical or physical treatments. Controlled pyrolysis is an important treatment for modifying natural fibers, generating materials with different properties. In the present study, bamboo fibers from the species Dendrocalamus asper were subjected to controlled pyrolysis at 160, 400, and 800 °C and their morphological, thermal, and electric properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, molecular absorption test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Controlled pyrolysis at 160 °C caused few changes to the structure and properties of the bamboo fiber. However, thermal stability, crystalline structure, and fiber morphology were strongly affected during pyrolysis at 400 and 800 °C. A resistive electric behavior was also verified in the fiber pyrolyzed at 800 °C, while for the other treated fibers, a capacitive electric behavior was verified. The controlled pyrolysis of bamboo fibers proved to be viable for producing new fibers with different properties.

Deforestation drivers in northern Morocco: an exploratory spatial data analysis

Formulating effective policies to address or mitigate deforestation requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors. This study examines the drivers of deforestation from 2001 to 2020 in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (TTA) region, a northern Moroccan area distinguished by the country’s highest deforestation rate. Through an extensive review of existing literature and employing Geist and Lambin’s deforestation framework, we identified five key causes: infrastructure extension, agricultural expansion, logging, wildfires as direct causes, and demographic factors as an indirect cause. Data on deforestation and its contributing factors were sourced from diverse databases, including Global Forest Change (GFC), Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD), Burned Area Product (MODIS Fire_CCI51), World Population, Forest Proximate People (FPP), and National Forest Inventory (NFI) datasets. Pixel-level analysis of GFC data indicated that wildfires are the primary driver of deforestation in the region, accounting for 35.2%, followed by agricultural expansion (30.6%), logging (13.2%), and infrastructure extension (10.1%). The remaining 10.9% of losses were attributed to other disturbances, such as illegal extraction, pests, and dieback. Spatial patterns were further analyzed through Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) methods at a 1 km2 gridded scale, revealing strong clustering for all studied factors. Spatial relationships were explored using the bivariate local Moran’s index, which highlighted the highest spatial dependence between deforestation and fires (I = 0.21). Correlations between deforestation and other factors, including agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure extension, and demographic pressure, were assessed at 0.18, 0.17, 0.08, and 0.05, respectively. Landscape pressures (LSP), encompassing deforestation, agricultural expansion, fires, infrastructure extension, and demographic pressure, were analyzed using the local Geary index, revealing a positive correlation in approximately 59% of spatial units. Last, a composite map of LSP clusters and an explanatory diagram illustrating dominant patterns in the TTA region were generated based on the results from local Geary’s multivariate and local Moran’s univariate tests.

Discriminating woody species assemblages from National Forest Inventory data based on phylogeny in Georgia.

Classifications of forest vegetation types and characterization of related species assemblages are important analytical tools for mapping and diversity monitoring of forest communities. The discrimination of forest communities is often based on β-diversity, which can be quantified via numerous indices to derive compositional dissimilarity between samples. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of unsupervised classification for National Forest Inventory data from Georgia by comparing two cluster hierarchies. We calculated the mean basal area per hectare for each woody species across 1059 plot observations and quantified interspecies distances for all 87 species. Following an unspuervised cluster analysis, we compared the results derived from the species-neutral dissimilarity (Bray-Curtis) with those based on the Discriminating Avalanche dissimilarity, which incorporates interspecies phylogenetic variation. Incorporating genetic variation in the dissimilarity quantification resulted in a more nuanced discrimination of woody species assemblages and increased cluster coherence. Favorable statistics include the total number of clusters (23 vs. 20), mean distance within clusters (0.773 vs. 0.343), and within sum of squares (344.13 vs. 112.92). Clusters derived from dissimilarities that account for genetic variation showed a more robust alignment with biogeographical units, such as elevation and known habitats. We demonstrate that the applicability of unsupervised classification of species assemblages to large-scale forest inventory data strongly depends on the underlying quantification of dissimilarity. Our results indicate that by incorporating phylogenetic variation, a more precise classification aligned with biogeographic units is attained. This supports the concept that the genetic signal of species assemblages reflects biogeographical patterns and facilitates more precise analyses for mapping, monitoring, and management of forest diversity.

Phylogeography of mammals in Southeast Alaska and implications for management of the Tongass National Forest

AbstractInsular evolution on archipelagos generates a significant proportion of global biodiversity, yet islands are among the ecosystems most sensitive to accelerating anthropogenic disturbance, introductions of non‐native species, and emerging pathogens, among other conservation challenges. The Alexander and Haida Gwaii archipelagos along North America's North Pacific Coast support a disproportionate number of endemic taxa compared to other high‐latitude terrestrial ecosystems. In this region, endemics in Canada are explicitly protected, but in the United States, endemics have been operationally ignored. We reviewed regional research on terrestrial mammals and endemics from 2000–2022 to guide wildlife management. Elevated regional endemism is due to a combination of deep and shallow temporal processes (i.e., long‐term refugial isolation vs. recent colonization). With adequate sampling, genomic analyses are well‐suited to identifying nuanced patterns of divergence and endemism, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of regional diversity. We identified 18 mammalian endemics in Southeast Alaska, USA, at varying taxonomic scales, but research effort has significant taxonomic biases and sampling infrastructure remains inadequate. Of the 66 terrestrial and aquatic mammal species in Southeast Alaska, only 55% are represented by ≥10 archived samples over the last 2 decades. Across taxa, major spatial and temporal sampling gaps limit interpretations of wildlife responses to changing environmental conditions. The Tongass National Forest is spread across an island archipelago, and climate change is projected to have disproportionate impacts on island endemics worldwide. In this case, the United States Forest Service is not closely monitoring endemic taxa, as was required by the Tongass Land Management Plan in 1997. Our review underscores a need for increased consideration of how endemism can be incorporated into land and wildlife management across the Alexander Archipelago. Moving forward, we encourage state and federal agencies, Indigenous communities, and international collaborators to continue to partner with natural history biorepositories to ensure strategic wildlife sampling infrastructure is built and made accessible to the broader scientific community as part of the land management process.

Using integrated step selection to determine effects of predation risk on bison habitat selection and movement

AbstractAnimal movement is a fundamental mechanism that shapes communities and ecosystems. Ungulates alter the ecosystems they inhabit and understanding their movements and distribution is critical for linking habitat with population dynamics. Predation risk has been shown to strongly influence ungulate movement patterns, such that ungulates may select habitat where predation risk is lower (refugia), adjust movement rates, temporal patterns, or selection of cover variables in areas with greater predation risk. We evaluated potential predation avoidance behavior in a population of plains bison inhabiting the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) and adjacent Kaibab National Forest (KNF). The KNF has year‐round hunting managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department, whereas hunting is not allowed in GRCA. Human‐maintained water sources on the KNF are particularly important resources for bison wherein they may be exposed to higher predation risk to access these resources. We used 2‐h GPS locations for three years from 31 bison (n = 9 males; n = 22 females), and integrative step selection analysis to test four hypotheses about the potential for bison to reduce their risk from human predation by avoiding areas of high predation risk; moving faster in areas with high predation risk; entering high‐risk areas at night when risk is reduced; and entering high‐risk areas in habitats that provide cover (coniferous forest). The highest performing model indicated bison movement was 1.3 times faster per 2‐h step interval than in areas with no hunting across all vegetation classes (coniferous forest, shrub, quaking aspen, grass‐forb meadow) and across all topography classes (valley, slope, ridge). Bison moved more slowly in grass‐forb meadows than all other vegetation types, and in valleys relative to slopes and ridges. Several radio‐collared individuals had no GPS locations in KNF for the duration of the study. Bison avoided predation risk using two strategies: moving faster while in the KNF, and fully avoiding high‐risk areas by remaining within GRCA. Management that manipulates or reduces timing of hunting seasons may reduce perceived predation risk and encourage bison to distribute into the KNF and across a broader range of available habitat.

Colonization ability and uniformity of resources and environmental factors determine biological homogenization of soil protists in human land-use systems.

Humans have substantially transformed the global land surface, resulting in the decline in variation in biotic communities across scales, a phenomenon known as "biological homogenization." However, different biota are affected by biological homogenization to varying degrees, but this variation and the underlying mechanisms remain little studied, particularly in soil systems. To address this topic, we used metabarcoding to investigate the biogeography of soil protists and their prey/hosts (prokaryotes, fungi, and meso- and macrofauna) in three human land-use ecosystem types (farmlands, residential areas, and parks) and natural forest ecosystems across subtropical and temperate regions in China. Our results showed that the degree of community homogenization largely differed between taxa and functional groups of soil protists, and was strongly and positively linked to their colonization ability of human land-use systems. Removal analysis showed that the introduction of widespread, generalist taxa (OTUs, operational taxonomic units) rather than the loss of narrow-ranged, specialist OTUs was the major cause of biological homogenization. This increase in generalist OTUs seemingly alleviated the negative impact of land use on specialist taxa, but carried the risk of losing functional diversity. Finally, homogenization of prey/host biota and environmental conditions were also important drivers of biological homogenization in human land-use systems, with their importance being more pronounced in phagotrophic than parasitic and phototrophic protists. Overall, our study showed that the variation in biological homogenization strongly depends on the colonization ability of taxa in human land-use systems, but is also affected by the homogenization of resources and environmental conditions. Importantly, biological homogenization is not the major cause of the decline in the diversity of soil protists, and conservation and study efforts should target at taxa highly sensitive to local extinction, such as parasites.

Drivers of β-diversity and its component-dependence along the natural restoration in an extremely heterogeneous forest ecosystem

β-diversity usually refers to species turnover along a gradient or changes in species diversity between communities. It is a key concept in understanding the mechanisms of biodiversity pattern formation. However, the component dependence and the driving factors of β-diversity during natural restoration remain unclear. In this study, a series of forest dynamic plots (FDPs) were established through the natural restoration stages in degraded karst forests, including the shrub-canopy mixed forest stage (SC), the secondary-growth forest stage (SG), and the old-growth forest stage (OG). After comparing species composition during natural restoration and its dependence on species turnover and nestedness, it was found that natural restoration significantly influenced the species composition by altering the species turnover in degraded karst forests rather than the nestedness. The contribution of turnover to β-diversity gradually increased, while the contribution of nestedness decreases gradually. Furthermore, the PER-SIMPER method was used to quantify the first-order assembly process that drives variations in species composition during restoration stages. To identify the factors influencing β-diversity, both variation partitioning analysis and a random forest model were employed. The results suggested that differences in species compositions across restoration stages were mainly driven by stochastic processes, and the deterministic processes were strengthened during the natural restoration. In addition, topographic factors contributed more to β-diversity than soil nutrient factors. This study highlighted changes in component dependence of degraded karst forests during natural restoration and emphasized the importance of a more comprehensive framework in assessing the restoration of degraded forest ecosystems. More attention should be paid to topographic structure in understanding biodiversity patterns, especially in highly heterogeneous forest ecosystems.

A dataset of the plant species list across typical nature reserves in Fengtai District, Beijing during 2021–2022

Plants serve as the core elements of nature reserves as well as the fundamental resources for preserving ecosystem functions, including biodiversity. In this paper, using the findings from field surveys of plants in 2021 and 2022, we compiled a dataset of the plant species list for four typical nature reserves (i.e. Nanyuan Forest and Wetland Park, Lüdi Park, Lotus Pond Park, and Beigong National Forest Park) in Fengtai District, Beijing. This dataset includes 255 species of 179 genera across 73 families of tree, shrub, and herbaceous plant species. In addition, the dataset contains information such as the nature reserve name, family Chinese name, scientific name, genus Chinese name, genus scientific name, plant species name, and Latin name, etc. Also a multi-source based flora database was integrated with literature and expert reviews to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the data. Through comprehensive mapping and monitoring of plant species in key nature reserves in Fengtai District, the dataset provides data support for research on the spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity as well as the response of plants to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in Beijing.

A dataset of biomass production of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) plantation (2007–2020)

Chinese fir plantation is the largest and most abundantly stocked plantation in China. Based on the long-time biomass production observation on the Chinese fir plantation comprehensive observation field at Huitong National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Hunan (Huitong Station), this dataset collects the annual biomass production of the Chinese fir plantation at Huitong Station from 2007 to 2020, covering dry weight of trunk, branches, leaves, fruits (flowers), bark and aerial roots. In this dataset, biomass is calculated based on field survey data combined with biomass modeling. The field survey was collaboratively carried out in strict accordance with CERN specifications, and the quality control and evaluation of the data was carried out by the station monitors, data managers, and quality control personnel of the sub-centers. The establishment and sharing of this dataset mainly provide data support for the biomass production research of Chinese fir plantation under the background of global change. This is of great significance for deeply understanding the structural and functional characteristics of Chinese fir plantation ecosystem and formulating reasonable management measures for Chinese fir plantation.

Snake species assemblages across habitat types in four departments of the Republic of Congo, with emphasis on medically-relevant venomous species

Snakebite is a neglected public health crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a particular lack of data (on snakes and snakebite) from the central African region. This study was conducted in the departments of Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette-Ouest and Kouilou, in the Republic of Congo. The objective was to inventory snakes in the four localities with particular emphasis on medically relevant venomous snakes in order to improve knowledge of snakes in order to minimize the risks of snakebite envenomation to humans. Two methods (active and passive) were used to collect specimens from different habitats. Fifty-one (51)snake specimens including 14 medically relevant snake specimens representing 3 families, 3 subfamilies, 5 genera, and 6 species, in addition to 22 harmless species, were collected. We found a high number of medically important venomous species in Okoyo, Mokéko and Mvouti districts with 3 species each. The highest number of medically important venomous species was recorded in natural forests and human habitations, five and four species respectively. The species obtained (Atheris squamigera, Bitis arietans, Bitis gabonica, Dendroaspis jamesoni, Naja melanoleuca and Toxicodryas blandingii) are medically relevant toxic species according to the WHO classification. Further studies would be necessary to assess the epidemiology of bite risks snakes and educate the public to minimize accidental human-snake contact.

BEECH FORESTS OF THE "VYZHNYTSKYI NATIONAL NATURAL PARK": CURRENT SANITARY CONDITION AND PROBLEMS OF PRESERVATION

The beech primeval forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park are a unique cultural heritage and play a special role for the Carpathian region and Ukraine as a whole, therefore they are strictly protected in the territories of the nature reserve fund, performing ecological, educational and scientific-cognitive functions. In this regard, monitoring the current state of the beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park and highlighting the problem of their preservation becomes relevant. In the course of conducting research, classical and modern methods of forestry research were used, as well as specific methods of phytosanitary monitoring and comparative ecology. The massif of primeval beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park is characterized by a remarkable diversity of fungi. We identified fruiting bodies of wood-destroying fungi on the trunks of beech trees: Fomes fomentarius (L. ex Fr.) Gill., Daedalea quercina L. ex Fr., Phellinus igniarius (L.: Fr.) Quel, Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Bond. et Sing., Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél., Stereum hirsutum (Willd.) Pers., Daldinia concentrica (Bolton) Ces. & De Not., Аrmillariella mellea (Vahl) P.Karst., and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P.Kumm. Groups of Coprinus micaceus (Fr.) and Hypholoma capnoides (Fr. ex Fr.) Kumm were noted near rotten beech stumps. We also came across a unique find the invasive red-listed Clathrus archeri (Berk.) Dring. In the course of surveys, fruiting bodies of typical representatives of the marsupial class Xylaria polymorpha (Pers.) Grev., and Xylaria hypoxylon (L.: Fr.) Grev). Representatives of xylophilic ascomycetes were identified on the dead trunk of a European beech Bisporella citrina (Batsch) Korf et S.E. Carp. Symptoms of dieback of central shoots and side branches, dieback of European beech bark, which is directly related to the vital activity of Nectria ditissima Tul., were recorded. & C.Tul. Cumulative manifestations of infectious and non-infectious pathologies were noted. The problems of preserving the beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park should include: intensive and uncontrolled economic activity; irresponsible behavior of tourists (arson, mechanical damage, littering, poaching, etc.); construction of highways and tourist centers in the immediate vicinity of primeval forests; damage to forest stands due to atmospheric air pollution, climate change; significant spread of pests or pathogens of forest diseases; danger of forest fires; recreational load and livestock grazing. Given the role and importance of the beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park, a comprehensive study of the forest systems is necessary to preserve these unique resources.

Soil Fungal Community Differences in Manual Plantation Larch Forest and Natural Larch Forest in Northeast China.

Soil fungal communities are pivotal components in ecosystems and play an essential role in global biogeochemical cycles. In this study, we determined the fungal communities of a natural larch forest and a manual plantation larch forest in Heilongjiang Zhongyangzhan Black-billed Capercaillie Nature Reserve and Gala Mountain Forest using high-throughput sequencing. The interactions between soil fungal communities were analysed utilising a co-occurrence network. The relationship between soil nutrients and soil fungal communities was determined with the help of Mantel analysis and a correlation heatmap. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated that different genera of fungi differed in the two forest types. The results show that there was a significant change in the alpha diversity of soil fungal communities in both forests. In contrast, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis showed significant differences in the soil fungal community structures between the manual plantation larch forest and the natural larch forest. The soil fungal co-occurrence network showed that the complexity of the soil fungal communities in the manual plantation larch forest decreased significantly compared to those in the natural larch forest. A Mantel analysis revealed a correlation between the soil fungal co-occurrence network, the composition of soil fungi, and soil nutrients. The RDA analysis also showed that AN, TK, and pH mainly influenced the soil fungal community. The null model test results showed the importance of stochastic processes in soil fungal community assembly in manual plantation larch forests. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the differences in soil fungal communities in manual plantation larch forests and natural larch forests, providing insights into their sustainable management. It also serves as a reminder that the ecological balance of natural ecosystems is difficult to restore through human intervention, so we need to protect natural ecosystems.