Forest Regeneration Research Articles

I funghi della foresta dei Bagni di Masino (Sondrio, Italia). Osservazioni micofloristiche, fenologiche ed ecologiche

The results of the three-year survey (2019−2021) of the macromycetes of the “Val Masino - Bagni” Regional Forest, located in the eastern Rhaetian Alps, Bernina Alps subsection, are presented. The geographical, geological, geomorphological, pedological and vegetational characteristics are briefly illustrated. The local weather-climatic conditions were processed on the basis of daily temperature, precipitation and relative humidity data measured in the three-year period 2019-2021 from the nearest ARPA station (Val Masino - San Martino). The survey area, between 1100 and about 1300 m a.s.l., was divided into 11 homogeneous stations for geographical and vegetational characteristics, of which one in beech forest (Habitat EUNIS T18 - Fagus forest on acid soils), four in spruce forests (Habitat EUNIS T31 - Temperate mountain Picea forest), one in pastured clearing (Habitat EUNIS R57 - Herbaceous forest clearing vegetation), four in secondary pastures (Habitat EUNIS R21 - Mesic permanent pasture of lowlands and mountains) and one in anthropized area (dirt road, flowerbeds, parking lots). The survey led to the identification of 354 ma-cromycetes, to which a further 43 must be added, found in previous years by the members of the Mycological Group Cantù and Como. In total 397 macromycetes are currently known for the investigated area, of which 94.4% belong to the phylum Basidiomycota (375 species/varieties, 155 genera) and 5.6% to the phylum Ascomycota (22 species, 17 genera). 57 species/varieties (54 Basidiomycota and 3 Ascomycota) are reported for the first time for the province of Sondrio: Aleurodiscus amorphus, Ama-nita brunneofuliginea, A. spadicea, Amylostereum chailletii, Buchwaldoboletus lignicola, Connopus acervatus, Corticium meridioroseum, Cortinarius cinnabarinus, C. livido-ochraceus, C. torvus, Cylindrobasi-dium evolvens, Cystoderma jasonis, Cystodermella terryi, Faerberia carbonaria, Ganoderma resinaceum, Gymnopus hariolorum, Helvella bicolor, Homophron cernuum, Hydnotrya cerebriformis, Hygrophorocybe nivea, Hygrophorus unicolor, Hypholoma epixanthum, Lachnellula subtilissima, Lactarius albocarneus, L. subdulcis, Laxitextum bicolor, Lentinus substrictus, Lycoperdon echinatum, Mycena fagetorum, M. pelianthina, M. renati, Neoantrodia serialis, Neofavolus suavissimus, Panaeolus olivaceus, Panellus violaceofulvus, Phlebiopsis gigantea, Phylloporus pelletieri, Picipes melanopus, Pluteus salicinus, Polyporus tuberaster, Porostereum spadiceum, Postia tephroleuca, Psathyrella fagetophila, P. spintrigeroides, P. tephrophylla, Pycnoporellus fulgens, Ramaria stricta, Rhizocybe pruinosa, Rigidoporus sanguinolentus, Russula cavipes, R. farinipes, R. olivacea, Steccherinum fimbriatum, Stereum gausapatum, Tricholoma album, T. ustale, Xerocomellus pruinatus. A comparison with the Red List of threatened macromycetes in Switzerland shows that 31 species considered threatened were found in the survey area, equal to 7.8% of the total, of which one (Mycena fagetorum) belonging to the CR category (Critically Endangered), 3 to category EN (Endangered), 18 to category VU (Vulnerable) and 9 to category NT (Nearly Threatened). The phenological analysis, conducted excluding the 50 li-gnicolous taxa (Polyporaceae s.l. and Corticiaceae s.l.) whose fruiting bodies can persist in the environment from a few months to a few years and therefore alter the results, reveals that the month with the greatest mycological diversity is September with 237 taxa out of 347, equal to 68.3%, followed by October (145, 41.8%), July (99, 28.4%) and August (94, 26.9%). According to the season of discovery, the exclusively autumnal macromycetes (September, October and November) are 170, the exclusively estival ones (June, July and August) are 44 and those exclusively vernal (March, April and May) are 11. The evaluation of the ecosystemic health status of the forest habitats of the investigated area (stations 1−5), based on the spectra of trophic groups (biotrophic, ectomycorrhizal, mycoparasite, parasite, saprotrophic, sapro-ectomycorrhizal and sapro-parasite), shows that only station 4 (outside the borders of the Regional Forest) presents a percentage value of ectomycorrhizal species indicating a phase of acute disturbance (36.9%), while all the others show a good state of health with values between 49.6% (station 1) and 54% (station 5). In the investigated area, some species indicating degradation processes already underway (Megacollybia platyphylla, Clitocybe phaeophthalma and Apioperdon pyriforme) and future (Mycena amicta, M. galericulata, M. pelianthina and M. pura) were found. In addition, the comparison of the percentage of ectomycorrhizal macromycetes surveyed within the two fenced areas located within the station 2 (73.8%) with that of the station 2 as a whole (51.2%) shows how the anthropic disturbance, resulting from the high tourist attendance (many thousands of people every year, mostly concentrated in the months from May to September), has consequences not only on the vegetation, but also on the growth and distribution of the mycoflora. Finally, lignicolous, beech forest and grassland habitats ma-cromycetes are taken into consideration, with some observations on taxa considered of particular interest or rarity. In particular, the mycoflora of the beech forest is analyzed in detail, given that this habitat constitutes the most valuable element of the investigated area. Of the 354 taxa surveyed in the three-year period 2019−2021, those that, on the basis of the literature consulted, can be considered more or less closely associated with beech are 40, of which 13 exclusive and 27 preferential.

Impacts of Downed Dead Wood Poplar Trees on Forest Regeneration in the Semi-Arid Region of Northern China

In the past few decades, due to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation, the degree of drought in semi-arid areas has increased, leading to a large number of tree deaths and threatening the natural forests distributed in the semi-arid areas of North China. This article takes the forest ecosystem of Saihanwula Nature Reserve in the southern section of Greater Khingan Mountains in China’s semi-arid region as a research area and studies the distribution of downed dead wood and its impact on forest renewal in the area. We used the sample plot survey method, investigated the number of downed dead wood, decay class, dumping direction, existence form, and the number of regenerated seedlings in the sample plot, and calculated the density of regenerated seedlings in different plots. The renewal density is 4050 ± 824, 2950 ± 265, plants/ha, and 2625 ± 237 plants/ha, respectively, in the sample plots for Later-death plot, Mid-death plot, and Early-death plot. The average storage of downed dead wood in Saihanwula Nature Reserve is 58.51 ± 16.56 m3/ha. The distribution densities of downed dead wood are 50 ± 21, 806 ± 198, 189 ± 76, and 22 ± 5 plants/ha for decay classes II, III, IV, and V respectively. The main form of downed dead wood in the research area is “trunk base fracture”, accounting for 68.78% of the total number of downed dead wood. A large number of downed dead wood had serious negative effects, such as crushing and injuring the regeneration seedlings and other plants under the forest at the moment of dumping and for a long time after dumping. The crushed and injured rate is 5.3~7.8%, with downed dead wood accumulated in the forest from the early stage of downed dead wood. It had negative effects on the regeneration of seeds, seedlings, and young trees, such as obstructing and hiding the light from the soil surface and inhibiting the regeneration and growth of seedlings. However, after the trees were dumped, large gaps appeared in the forest, increasing the sunlight area on the soil surface. In the later stage of tree death, moderately high decayed downed dead wood changed the soil structure in terms of soil softness, water holding capacity, and nutrient content, thus promoting the growth of seedlings and young trees. Reasonably utilizing the relationship between downed dead wood and forest renewal can effectively promote the healthy development of forests.

Post-wildfire boreal forest vegetation cover change mapping via information fusion for secondary disaster risk assessments

Post-wildfire vegetation cover damage and loss can escalate the risks of secondary disasters such as flood, landslide, and water contamination, particularly in a major wildfire affected region where human settlements are situated. In assessments of the secondary disaster risks, the post-wildfire vegetation cover change plays a key role in influencing the distribution and intensity of the risks. In this work, a processing framework for mapping post-wildfire vegetation cover changes through information fusion has been generated and tested using Landsat8 and WorldView imagery data. The test site was the boreal forest region surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, affected by a massive wildfire in May 2016. The derived map results indicate that the fusion process in the framework is effective for generation of post-wildfire vegetation cover change information. The use of WorldView data revealed more variation details in distribution of the vegetation cover burn damages than use of Landsat data. Moreover, the uncertainty in vegetation burn severity using Landsat-based Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) index exists in the areas with low dNBR reading values due to the sub-pixel effect. The forest burn severity measured with dNBR index can be underestimated due to the quick herbaceous cover recovery after wildfire. These uncertainties in the post-wildfire vegetation cover mapping should be taken into consideration when the derived information is being used for risk assessments.

Control of invasive Ailanthus altissima in the Danube floodplain forests in Bratislava using chemical and biological agents

Ailanthus altissima is an Asian tree species that has become invasive on all continents except Antarctica. In Europe, it frequently invades native floodplain forest habitats. Three methods of control are known presently, namely mechanical, chemical, and biological. As each method has its advantages and disadvantages, we compared chemical control using glyphosate with biological control using the Verticillium nonalfalfae isolate Vert56 in the protected area of the Danube floodplain forests belonging to the municipality of Bratislava, Slovakia. Furthermore, we modelled the potential distribution of A. altissima in Bratislava and searched for factors that influenced its distribution. Our results showed that although chemical control is more effective in inducing mortality of inoculated individuals, biological control additionally allows the elimination of individuals growing in the vicinity of inoculated individuals. Results also suggest that, in the situation where the Verticillium wilt becomes chronic, microclimatic conditions may play a significant role in biological control, as individuals growing in dry, sunny sites showed a higher percentage of mortality compared to individuals growing in moist, shaded forest sites. According to the species distribution model, A. altissima is equally likely to exist in urban areas and floodplain forests, as evidenced by the same probability of species occurrence. A. altissima is spreading into Bratislava´s floodplain forests, primarily around roads and railway tracks, but it also benefits from increased light conditions on forest regeneration sites caused by deforestation.

Estimating merchantable and non-merchantable wood volume in slash walls using terrestrial and airborne LiDAR

Slash walls are an effective forest management practice to prevent deer herbivory and promote forest regeneration following a timber harvest. However, the material cost, i.e. amount of wood material, needed for quality slash walls is unknown or at best based on highly uncertain empirical estimation. Quantifying how total and merchantable timber wood volume varies with width and height across slash walls will facilitate future planning and application of slash walls. In this study, we estimated wood volume per unit length (∼30.48 m) from total stem cross-sectional area in 40 randomly selected cut-through passages cut into 14 slash walls located at Cornell University’s Arnot Teaching and Research Forest (ATRF) in south-central New York. Within each passage we used Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) to identify individual stems and obtain cross-sectional surface area. We found that TLS derived stem diameters were highly consistent with manual stem diameter measurements for 10 selected wall passages (N = 308, R2 = 0.933, RMSE = 1.881 cm). However, TLS tends to underestimate total cross-sectional area due to omission of small stem cross-sections (diameter < 5.08 cm). Cross-sections of small stems often have a low number of total points even when point density is high, especially when they are not facing the scanner. They are also more vulnerable to occlusion (i.e., lack of points due to blocking by other stems). TLS-based wood volume estimates were similar across both short and tall slash walls in the study with an average volume of 21.34 m3/30 m for short slash walls and 21.50 m3/30 m for tall slash walls, corresponding to 16.9 t dry biomass /30 m and 17.0 t dry biomass /30 m respectively. The small difference in woody volume was due to tall slash walls achieving additional height mainly through non-compacted small diameter crown and brush tops that have little woody volume. Average merchantable (diameter > 15.24 cm) and non-merchantable (diameter < 15.24 cm) timber fraction was 68.75 % and 31.35 % for short slash walls and 65.04 % and 34.96 % for tall slash walls. We further assessed slash wall height and width using Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) for eight other tall slash walls. We found TLS measurements are representative of whole slash wall height and width variability based on ALS measurements. Our results provide novel data and methodology to estimate the construction cost of slash walls which are critical for optimizing slash wall applications.

Formation of the machine-building zone of the Arkhangelsk Region forest complex as a response to sanctions

Formation of the machine-building zone of the Arkhangelsk Region forest complex as a response to sanctions

Association of Carbon Pool with Vegetation Composition along the Elevation Gradients in Subtropical Forests in Pakistan

As the most important way to mitigate climate change, forest carbon storage has been the subject of extensive research. A comprehensive study was carried out to investigate the influence of elevation gradients and diameter classes on the forest growth, composition, diversity, and carbon pools of the Bagh Drush Khel Forest area. Research revealed that elevation gradients significantly influenced the composition, diversity, and carbon pools in forests. At lower elevations, Eucalyptus camaldulensis was the dominant species, with Olea ferruginea as a co-dominant species, whereas at higher elevations, Pinus roxburghii was the dominant species with Quercus incana as a co-dominant species. Regeneration was higher at higher elevations with the maximum number of saplings and seedlings of P. roxburghii. Species diversity association with elevation was negative (R2 = −0.44; p &lt; 0.05—Shannon Index). Soil organic carbon (SOC association with elevation was non-significant while positive with DBH classes (R2 = 0.37; p &lt; 0.05). Overall, carbon pool association with elevation and diameter at breast height (DBH) were negative (R2 = −0.73; p &lt; 0.05) and (R2 = −0.45; p &lt; 0.05). Litter biomass correlated positively with elevation (R2 = 0.25; p &lt; 0.05) and DBH (R2 = 0.11; p &lt; 0.05), while deadwood biomass correlated negatively with elevation gradients (R2 = −0.25; p &lt; 0.05), and no effect was observed for DBH classes. The highest carbon stock (845.89 t C/ha) was calculated at low elevations, which decreased to (516.27 t C/ha) at high elevations. The overall carbon stock calculated was (2016.41 t C/ha) respectively. A total of six tree species were found at the study site. Future research is essential for forest health monitoring and understanding fine-scale impacts. This study offers a methodological framework for similar investigations in unexplored yet potentially significant forest regions worldwide.

Update on the geographical distribution of freshwater crabs of the Pseudothelphusidae family in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

The humid forest zones of northeastern Brazil are recognized as endemic hotspots for pseudothelphusid crabs. In this study, we report new occurrence records of the pseudothelphusids, Fredius ibiapaba and Kingsleya attenboroughi, in humid soil and streams within humid forests of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. These new records expand the geographical distribution of these crabs, highlighting their potential to inhabit humid forests throughout this region. Furthermore, this information indicates that these crabs, especially K. attenboroughi, are not confined to slopes and patches of humid forests in highland swamps but can also extend to springs in other areas of the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Changes in Soil Organic Carbon Density and Its Response to Climate Change and Human Activities Before and After the Grain for Green Project on the Loess Plateau

Accurately assessing the changes in soil organic carbon storage （SOCS） before and after the Grain for Green Project （GFG） in the Loess Plateau （LP） and exploring the relationship between its spatial and temporal distribution and the influencing factors were important references for the development of regional recycling as well as the formulation of ecological protection policies. Based on the data of climate, human activities, and SOCD in the surface （0-20 cm） and deep （0-100 cm） soil before and after GFG in the LP from 2001 to 2020, we investigated the changes in SOCD at different spatial and temporal scales by using the methods of trend analysis, the kriging method, and variance partitioning analysis. The results showed that： ① Before and after the GFG, the surface SOCS of the whole region increased by 8 338.7×104 t； the deep SOCS increased by 1 160.02×104 t. ② In each bioclimatic subregion, the whole-region average SOCD of Ⅰ （Semi-Humid Forest Region）, Ⅱ （Semi-Humid Semi-Arid Forest and Grassland Region）, and Ⅲ （Semi-Arid Typical Grassland Region） showed a significant increasing trend, with a decreasing trend in Ⅳ （arid semi-arid desert grassland area） and Ⅴ （arid desert area）. ③ The average surface SOCS increase in different ecosystems was ranked as follows： cropland &gt; grassland &gt; woodland &gt; shrubs &gt; bare land and sparse vegetation. The deep soil increase was ranked as follows： grassland &gt; cropland &gt; woodland &gt; shrubs &gt; bare land and sparse vegetation. ④ Climate factors were the most important driving factors for changes in SOCD； the annual average temperature and precipitation were significantly positively correlated with changes in SOCD. The results of the study could provide data support for regional ecological management and land use policy formulation to promote high quality development of the ecological environment in the LP.

How tree species have modified the potentially toxic elements distributed in the developed soil–plant system in a post-fire site in highly industrialized region

The biogeochemical cycles of trace elements are changed by fire as a result of the mineralization of organic matter. Monitoring the accumulation of trace elements in both the environment and the tree biomass during the post-fire (PF) forest ecosystem regeneration process is important for tree species selection for reforestation in ecosystems under anthropogenic pressure. We analyzed the soil concentrations of different groups of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including beneficial (Al), toxic (Cd, Cr, Pb), and microelements (Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn), and their bioaccumulation in the tree species (Pinus sylvestris, Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa) biomass introduced after a fire in a forest weakened by long-term emissions of industrial pollutants. The results indicated no direct threat from the PTEs tested at the PF site. The tree species introduced 30 years ago may have modified the biogeochemical cycles of the PTEs through different strategies of bioaccumulation in the belowground and aboveground biomass. Alder had relatively high Al concentrations in the roots and a low translocation factor (TF). Pine and birch had lower Al concentrations in the roots and higher TFs. Foliage concentrations and the TF of Cd increased from alder to pine to birch. However, the highest concentration and bioaccumulation factor of Cd was found in the alder roots. The concentrations of Cr in the foliage and the Cr TFs in the studied species increased from pine to birch to alder. Higher concentrations of Cu and Ni were found in the foliage of birch and alder than of pine. Among the species, birch also had the highest Pb and Zn concentrations in the roots and foliage. We found that different tree species had different patterns of PTE phytostabilization and ways they incorporated these elements into the biological cycle, and these patterns were not dependent on fire disturbance. This suggests that similar patterns might also occur in more polluted soils. Therefore, species-dependent bioaccumulation patterns could also be used to design phytostabilization and remediation treatments for polluted sites under industrial pressure.

Assessment of ecosystem services of recreational and health-improving forests in Ivano-Frankivsk Region

Optimising the interaction between society and the environment is one of the fundamental directions of recreational forest management. To improve the efficiency of using ecosystem services of recreational and health-improving forests, there is a need to develop new approaches and tools for management decision-making, a key component of which is the assessment of these beneficial goods. The aim of the study is to analyse public opinion regarding the expressed and identified preferences for the characteristics of recreational forests and recreational facilities, as well as to assess the willingness to pay for preferred forest characteristics and the maintenance of recreational facilities in proper condition. The study was conducted from June to August 2022 using a direct and anonymous online survey. It was found that respondents are willing to pay an average of 1-100 UAH/year to create and maintain the preferred characteristics of the forest and 101-500 UAH/year to create and maintain recreational facilities. As for the respondents’ perception of forest characteristics that affect the choice of a place to relax, preference is given to mixed forests (74.8%), in which three tree species grow (57.9%), and forests up to 20 meters high (40.2%). On the other hand, only 15.9% of respondents preferred forests taller than 20 meters. The presence of deadwood in the forest is positively perceived by 51.4% of respondents, and 10.3% do not pay attention to the presence or absence of standing dead and drying up trees in the forest. The most important needs for which respondents visit recreational forests were walks, family recreation, and observing forest landscapes. The integration of the identified perceptions and preferences regarding recreational forests and objects into innovative decision-making in the field of forestry ensures a synergy of benefits, such as increasing the attractiveness of recreational forests and forest landscapes, increasing the resilience of forests to climate change, and meeting the local demand for wood biomass

Changes in gross ecosystem product and its response to land use changes in forest resource dominant regions: A case study of Zixi County, Jiangxi Province, China.

Forests are one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems and play a crucial role in the construction of ecological civilization. Understanding the changes in gross ecosystem product (GEP) and its response to land use change in areas with unique advantages in forest resources is of great significance for promoting sustainable development. We examined the GEP of Zixi County of Jiangxi Province. Based on the theory and method of ecosystem value accounting, and on the basis of the general indicator system for regulating services (water source conservation, soil conservation, oxygen supply, carbon fixation, climate control, flood regulation, water purification, air cleaning, species conservation) and the general indicator system for cultural services (landscape recreation, education), we added negative oxygen ions and health care indicators and introduced forest ecosystem service correction coefficients to construct a GEP indicator system and method with unique advantages in forest resources. We evaluated the spatio-temporal variations of GEP in 2010, 2017 and 2020, and quantified the impact of land use/land cover change on GEP by means of elasticity index and value profit and loss analysis. The results showed that the GEP of Zixi County in 2010, 2017 and 2020 was 16.788 billion, 26.817 billion, and 38.407 billion yuan, respectively. Forests contri-buted the largest amount of GEP, followed by wetland, farmland, grassland, and town. During the study period, the added value of GEP mainly came from forest ecosystems. Land use change had an important impact on GEP. From 2010 to 2020, the total land use change area in the study area was 8501.88 hm2. The amplitude of land use change was grassland (-2811.17 hm2)>town (1428.06 hm2)>forest (1357.67 hm2)>wetland (1031.05 hm2)> farmland (-1005.01 hm2). The absolute changes of various land use types were mainly occurred from 2017 to 2020. The elasticity index of each indicator on forest ecosystems was significantly higher than that of other ecosystems, indicating that GEP had the highest sensitivity to changes in forest area. The results of value profit and loss analysis showed that urban development had reduced GEP to some extent, while the protection of forest and wetland had increased GEP. From 2010 to 2020, the conversion of land use types in Zixi County led to an increase of 1.865 billion yuan in GEP, indicating that land use change in Zixi County had a positive ecological impact on the whole. Our results reflect the green development effect of Zixi County after becoming a national ecological civilization construction demonstration county, which could provide decision-making support for high-quality development, high-level protection and sustainable development and utilization of land resources in the future, and provide reference for other similar areas of GEP accounting.

Combining spaceborne lidar from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation with local knowledge for monitoring fragmented tropical landscapes: A case study in the forest-agriculture interface of Ucayali, Peru.

Improving our ability to monitor fragmented tropical ecosystems is a critical step in supporting the stewardship of these complex landscapes. We investigated the structural characteristics of vegetation classes in Ucayali, Peru, employing a co-production approach. The vegetation classes included three agricultural classes (mature oil palm, monocrop cacao, and agroforestry cacao plantations) and three forest regeneration classes (mature lowland forest, secondary lowland forest, and young lowland vegetation regrowth). We combined local knowledge with spaceborne lidar from NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation mission to classify vegetation and characterize the horizontal and vertical structure of each vegetation class. Mature lowland forest had consistently higher mean canopy height and lower canopy height variance than secondary lowland forest (μ = 29.40 m, sd = 6.89 m vs. μ = 20.82 m, sd = 9.15 m, respectively). The lower variance of mature forest could be attributed to the range of forest development ages in the secondary forest patches. However, secondary forests exhibited a similar vertical profile to mature forests, with each cumulative energy percentile increasing at similar rates. We also observed similar mean and standard deviations in relative height ratios (RH50/RH95) for mature forest, secondary forest, and oil palm even when removing the negative values from the relative height ratios and interpolating from above-ground returns only (mean RH50/RH95 of 0.58, 0.54, and 0.53 for mature forest, secondary forest, and oil palm, respectively) (p < .0001). This pattern differed from our original expectations based on local knowledge and existing tropical forest succession studies, pointing to opportunities for future work. Our findings suggest that lidar-based relative height metrics can complement local information and other remote sensing approaches that rely on optical imagery, which are limited by extensive cloud cover in the tropics. We show that characterizing ecosystem structure with a co-production approach can support addressing both the technical and social challenges of monitoring and managing fragmented tropical landscapes.

Modeling the current and future habitat suitability of Neltuma pallida in the dry forest of northern Peru under climate change scenarios to 2100.

The development of anthropic activities and climate change effects impact worldwide species' ecosystems and habitats. Habitats' adequate prediction can be an important tool to assess current and future trends. In addition, it allows strategies development for their conservation. The Neltuma pallida of the forest region in northern Peru, although very significant, has experienced a decline in recent years. The objective of this research is to evaluate the current and future distribution and conservation status of N. pallida in the Peruvian dry forest under climate change (Location: Republic of Peru). A total of 132 forest presence records and 10 variables (bioclimatic, topographic, and soil) were processed and selected to obtain the current and future distribution for 2100, using Google Earth Engine (GEE), RStudio, and MaxEnt. The area under the curve values fell within the range of 0.93-0.95, demonstrating a strong predictive capability for both present and future potential habitats. The findings indicated that the likely range of habitats for N. pallida was shaped by factors such as the average temperature of wettest quarter, maximum temperature of warmest month, elevation, rainfall, and precipitation of driest month. The main suitable areas were in the central regions of the geographical departments of Tumbes, Piura, and Lambayeque, as well as in the northern part of La Libertad. It is critical to determine the habitat suitability of plant species for conservation managers since this information stimulates the development of policies that favor sustainable use programs. In addition, these results can contribute significantly to identify new areas for designing strategies for populations conserving and recovering with an ecological restoration approach.

Soil water consumption along the profile in response to soil water content variations in a black locust plantation with a rainfall exclusion in Loess Plateau

Soil drying is frequently observed in mature forests in water-limited regions, and poses a threat to sustainable development of the ecosystems. Herein, we assessed the effects of rainfall reduction on the water-use characteristics of a black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) plantation in a sub-humid region of the Loess Plateau, China. Paired plots were established in the plantation, including a treatment with 30 % throughfall exclusion and a control. We comparatively investigated the dynamics of soil water content (SWC) throughout the profile in the two plots after four years of the treatment and determined the contribution of soil water storage (SWS) in each soil layer to water consumption according to the SWS budget. While SWC across the profile in the control plot showed general responses to replenishment and consumption under rainy and dry weather conditions, respectively, the treatment plot had smaller replenishment and consumption in deep layers, causing an aggravated deficiency in SWS and the formation of a temporary dried soil layer (DSL) at a depth of 55–100 cm. The cumulative decrement in SWS during each dry event (consecutive rainless days of ≥ 5-day duration) in the control plot was significantly correlated with SWC at 100–160 cm, suggesting a substantial contribution of water consumption from this layer. However, the treatment plot showed a major contribution to water consumption from the 0–100 cm soil layer during dry events. The vertical distribution of the root system supports these findings, which differed from our hypothesis that deep soil water would be used in response to reduced rainfall input. The distribution of fine root density in the treatment plot was relatively shallower (0–22 and 0–73.1 cm accounting for 50 % and 90 % of fine roots, respectively) than in the control plot (0–31.2 and 0–103.5 cm for corresponding values). These findings indicate that soil water deficiency resulted in the formation of DSL, which hindered water consumption and root development deeper in the soil profile. The severity and recovery of the DSL may be jointly determined by the vertical distribution of SWS and transpiration demand of the plantation. These findings provide insights for water resource management and sustainable development of the plantations in this region.

Relationship between extreme species richness and Holocene persistence of forest-steppe grasslands in Transylvania, Romania

The most species-rich grasslands worldwide are known from the Carpathian Mts and their periphery in East-Central Europe. They occur in forest-steppe regions, transitional between temperate forest and arid steppe biomes. Their climate, largely suitable for forests, raises questions about the origin of these grasslands. Have they been forested in the past, or locally maintained through a disturbance regime? We addressed these questions to contribute to the broader understanding of Holocene dynamics of open habitats in temperate Europe. We employed soil charcoal analysis and soil morphology to reconstruct past representation of woody species with fine spatial resolution. Our study area was Romanian Transylvania, a region renowned for a well-developed forest-steppe. Six soil profiles along a climatic gradient were assessed: four in forest-steppe grasslands, two in grasslands in adjacent forest region (forest grasslands). The results revealed profound differences between forest-steppe and forest grasslands. Forest-steppe profiles showed Phaeozems with low specific anthracomass of woody species and continuous dominance by Juniperus, suggesting a long-term presence of grasslands. Forest grasslands showed Luvisols with higher anthracomass and abundant charcoal of broad-leaved trees, indicating establishment after deforestation. The high radiocarbon ages of charcoals in basal soil horizons point to a glacial origin of soils and the link of forest-steppe grasslands to glacial forests. Siberian hemiboreal forests and related grasslands may be modern analogues of the reconstructed ecosystems, sharing many species with present day forest-steppe. We suggest that disturbances such as fire, herbivore grazing, and human activities have played an important role in shaping the forest-steppe over time, contributing to the formation of today’s richest grasslands.

The dynamics of deciduous dipterocarp forest in relation to climate variability in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Northeastern Thailand

Abstract. Yatar C, Thinkampheang S, Sungkaew S, Wachrinrat C, Asanok L, Kamyo T, Hermhuk S, Kachina P, Thongsawi J, Phumphuang W, Yarnvudhi A, Waengsothorn S, Cheysawat S, Marod D. 2024. The dynamics of deciduous dipterocarp forest in relation to climate variability in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Northeastern Thailand. Biodiversitas 25: 3088-3098. Climate change is a major environmental problem influencing forest dynamics. To clarify tropical seasonal forest dynamics under climate change, we conducted long-term monitoring of all trees with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) ?4.5 cm within a 1-ha permanent plot established in 2004 in a deciduous dipterocarp forest in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Northeastern Thailand. Surveys of all trees within the plot with DBH ?2 cm were conducted in 2008, 2015, and 2019. Climate data were obtained from the SBR climate station during 2004-2019 and used to extract dates with drought and wet conditions. Forest dynamics varied among species and periods, with stem density exhibiting a decreasing trend. Despite prolonged drought conditions from 2004 to 2009, which usually leads to increased mortality rates, the recruitment rate was 7-fold higher than the mortality rate at a site protected from fire during 2004-2008, and most of the recruited species were pioneer species, shrubs, and small trees. A contrasting trend was observed during 2015-2019, with a mortality rate almost 10-fold higher than the recruitment rate, indicating a significant ecological disturbance, likely to have been driven by a severe El Niño event during 2015-2016. Thus, climate induced disturbances (i.e., drought and fire) appear to have inhibited tree regeneration in the deciduous dipterocarp forest, particularly when they occurred in combination and for specific timing and intensity levels. Addressing the challenges posed by drought and fire to tree regeneration requires holistic management approaches that consider both ecological and climatic factors. Monitoring and adaptive management are also essential to mitigate the impact of future disturbances and support the long-term viability of forest ecosystems.

The edible mushrooms from small community Tierras Coloradas in Hidalgo, Mexico

In Mexico, there is a rich tradition of mushroom consumption. In the state of Hidalgo, approximately 120 edible species are reported; however, there are few ethnomycological studies in temperate forest regions. The aim of this study was to report the wild edible mushrooms in the small community Tierras Coloradas in Hidalgo, Mexico. Field trips were conducted between 2022 and 2023 during the rainy season in “La Loma del Maguey” of Tierras Coloradas, a community with around 20 inhabitants. Interviews were conducted with residents regarding the mushrooms they consume and their methods of preparation. In total, 12 species of edible mushrooms were identified, with grilling or frying being the primary methods of preparation in the region. This study reports for the first time in the state of Hidalgo the consumption of Xerocomellus chrysenteron and a possible first national report of the edible use of Lycoperdon flavotinctum. Highlights the importance of mushrooms in the community's diet, as they are not harvested for sale. Studies of this kind in small communities, where migration is a social issue, contribute to the preservation and strengthening of knowledge about edible mushrooms.

Modeling of solar radiation and sub-canopy light regime on forest inventory plots of mixed conifer and deciduous temperate forests using point clouds from personal laser scanning

Solar radiation is a major driver of forest ecosystems and affects the hydrological cycle and energy balance. The vitality of trees strongly depends on the amount of light input to individual trees, and successful forest regeneration demands a certain level of solar radiation. Therefore, characterization of the light regime inside a plant canopy (i.e., quantification and timing of light penetration) is of particular importance. Because these parameters greatly depend on the 3D structure of the forest canopy, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems provide suitable technology for solving this task. In this study, an algorithm was developed to estimate the amount of potential solar radiation reaching the forest floor from a point cloud collected in a temperate mixed forest located in Lanzenkirchen (Lower Austria) using terrestrial LiDAR. The path length through the canopy was calculated for 40 forest inventory plots as the distance between the first and last canopy hit along a sun ray, that is, for each day during the vegetation period at an hourly resolution. This distance was easily derived from the z-coordinates of the point cloud after transforming the latter into a coordinate system in which the z-axis ran parallel to the sun rays. Applying Beer’s law, the amount of solar radiation on the forest floor was expressed as a function of the solar radiation above the canopy and the path length through the canopy. To validate the results, we used two sets of reference data: (1) hemispherical photographs taken at the same plots, using a camera on a self-levelling mount, which were processed with the HemiView software, and (2) data from a Solariscope survey. Both the Solariscope and HemiView software calculate below-canopy radiation as a percentage of above-canopy radiation, joining direct and diffuse radiation (Total Site Factor, TSF). The TSF values obtained from our modeling procedure were consistent with the Solariscope (R²=0.61) and HemiView (R²=0.71) results for the entire growing season. Because modern LiDAR-based forest inventories provide all the necessary data for our light modeling approach (the point cloud, the geographical position, and a record of the occurring tree species) without additional requirements, together with the easy applicability of the algorithm, this tool is a promising asset for ecological and silvicultural activities.

Navigating the Challenges of Commodity Traps and Platform Economies: An Assessment in the Context of the Northern Black Forest Region and Future Directions

Navigating the Challenges of Commodity Traps and Platform Economies: An Assessment in the Context of the Northern Black Forest Region and Future Directions