Forest Slope Research Articles

Notes from an introductory course on Field Systems Ecology

For over 40 years, Professor Bernie Patten, offered a course on Field Systems Ecology at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, USA. The course combined systems analysis approaches and natural field ecology in a way that gave the students new perspectives on making conceptual and formal models of the natural world. The course employed extensive use of outdoor field laboratories at a nearby park, which had multiple ecological habitats. The main progression was to go from simple observations to “seeing systems” to modeling by learning how to ask pertinent systems-oriented questions. This started with a structured walk through the six identified subsystems (forest ridgetop, forest slope, field, lake, stream, and wetland) and proceeded to specific field sampling techniques for the terrestrial and aquatic environments. In addition to the field labs, the course required two weekend camping trips, one to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park in the Appalachian Mountains and one to the Okefenokee Swamp/Cumberland Island National Seashore. The idea was to use the two weekend trips to frame the local watershed scale processes at the continental scale. In this manner, students could observe and measure ecosystem processes and interactions at multiple scales. The notes, which are reproduced below, have been further modified for use at Towson University which utilizes a local park in Baltimore County called Oregon Ridge Park and weekend trips to Catoctin National Park and Chesapeake Bay. The general approach of these notes should have universal appeal to anyone teaching or taking a systems ecology course.

Sediment transport by uprooting in the forested part of the Tatra Mountains, southern Poland

The process of tree uprooting plays an important role in sediment transport within forested slopes. In this study we determine the intensity of sediment transport by uprooting and its dependencies. We use the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine the most important factors influencing root plate sizes, and we calculate sediment flux by windthrow for the area of the Tatra National Park (211.6km2), for the year 2013, when an extreme windthrow event occurred. For this purpose we combine field data with the results of windthrow areas mapping based on satellite imagery. We also use data recorded by the Tatra National Park concerning the amount of destroyed wood in the forests of the Tatra National Park to calculate sediment flux by windthrow for the period between 1968 and 2015 (48years). To calculate the transport distance by the uprooting needed to compute sediment flux, we modified the Gabet et al.'s (2003) Eq. (11), which in our opinion gives results which are twice the actual size. The PCA identified two the most important factors influencing root plate sizes. The first factor shows that all root plate dimensions increase with increasing tree DBH (diameter at breast height), and, to a lesser degree, with an increase in the content of coarse material. The second factor shows that the depth of a root plate increases with the downslope angle of tree fall, decreasing slope inclination, and decreasing the content of coarse material. The sediment flux by windthrow in 2013 in the area of the Tatra National Park was 3.55×10−4m3m−1yr−1. Mean annual sediment flux for the period of the last 48years was 2.76×10−5m3m−1yr−1.

Hydrologic behavior of model slopes with synthetic water repellent soils

In the natural environment, soil water repellency decreases infiltration, increases runoff, and increases erosion in slopes. In the built environment, soil water repellency offers the opportunity to develop granular materials with controllable wettability for slope stabilization. In this paper, the influence of soil water repellency on the hydrological response of slopes is investigated. Twenty-four flume tests were carried out in model slopes under artificial rainfall; soils with various wettability levels were tested, including wettable (Contact Angle, CA<90°), subcritical water repellent (CA∼90°) and water repellent (CA>90°). Various rainfall intensities (30mm/h and 70mm/h), slope angles (20° and 40°) and relative compactions (70% and 90%) were applied to model the response of natural and man-made slopes to rainfall. To quantitatively assess the hydrological response, a number of measurements were made: runoff rate, effective rainfall rate, time to ponding, time to steady state, runoff acceleration, total water storage and wetting front rate. Overall, an increase in soil water repellency reduces infiltration and shortens the time for runoff generation, with the effects amplified for high rainfall intensity. Comparatively, the slope angle and relative compaction had only a minor contribution to the slope hydrology. The subcritical water repellent soils sustained infiltration for longer than both the wettable and water repellent soils, which presents an added advantage if they are to be used in the built environment as barriers. This study revealed substantial impacts of man-made or synthetically induced soil water repellency on the hydrological behavior of model slopes in controlled conditions. The results shed light on our understanding of hydrological processes in environments where the occurrence of natural soil water repellency is likely, such as slopes subjected to wildfires and in agricultural and forested slopes.

Evaluation of the influence of cultivation period on soil redistribution in northeastern China using magnetic susceptibility

Magnetic susceptibility has been shown to be a reliable, economic and rapid method for tracking soil redistribution; however, more case studies are necessary to verify the link between soil movement and magnetic susceptibility. In this study, we sought to evaluate soil redistribution in northeastern China using magnetic susceptibility on the basis of data collected from croplands with different cultivation periods. The results showed that the magnetic susceptibility values, whether low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) or frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (χfd), were markedly different between forestland and cropland, with larger differences for longer cultivation periods. The magnetic susceptibility increased dramatically in topsoils on forest slope, whereas the difference in magnetic susceptibility between topsoils and subsoils decreased in cropland as the cultivation period increased. The magnetic susceptibility values varied significantly across sites on a given slope, increasing gradually from the upperslope to the lowerslope, regardless of whether the slope was forestland or cropland. Longer cultivation periods resulted in larger differences between the upperslopes and lowerslopes which were particularly notable when the cultivation period was longer than 50 years. For middleslopes and lowerslopes, the soil loss of an 110-year cultivated slope was approximately two times higher than that of a 30-year cultivated slope. These findings suggest that the use of magnetic susceptibility is feasible for tracking soil redistribution and soil loss.

Distribution, state and conservation of Equisetum telmateia in Lithuania

Abstract Conservation of endangered plant species requires a thorough knowledge about the present state of their populations and habitats as well as identification of current and potential threats. The aim of this research was to evaluate current distribution, state of habitats and the size of populations of Equisetum telmateia (Equisetaceae) in Lithuania as well as to reveal the main threats and requirement for the conservation of this species. Analysis of all available information revealed that E. telmateia currently occurs in seven localities in Lithuania, mainly in the southern part of the country. One formerly recorded population in the south-western part of Lithuania has become extinct. Two reported localities in the environs of Druskininkai (southern Lithuania) are doubtful, because the reports have been based on misidentified specimens. Locality of E. telmateia in the western part of the country probably has been provided erroneously and one locality in the south-eastern region of Lithuania should be verified and the identity of the species requires confirmation. Total area occupied by the stands of E. telmateia in Lithuania is 2.41 ha. Most frequently this species grows in river valleys or close to rivers and occupies alluvial forest habitats, which frequently creates complexes with habitats of mineral-rich springs or springs with tufa formations. Occasionally it grows in the habitats of forests of slopes, tall herb fringe communities and hay meadows. Sporulation of E. telmateia in Lithuania is poor: no fertile shoots were registered in two studied populations, whereas in other localities few fertile shoots were recorded. Evaluation of the status of E. telmateia in Lithuania applying the IUCN criteria resulted in its categorization as a vulnerable species. The main threats for E. telmateia are forest logging and changes in habitat hydrological regime, though wild animals, human activities and invasive plant species also have certain negative impact on the populations of this species.

Soil moisture variation on the outlet area of devices dewatering forest roads in Beskid Sądecki

Abstract Water run-off - a natural part of water circulation in the natural environment - is a harmful and undesired phenomenon for humans. The most spectacular and most serious one is its erosive activity. In adverse conditions, such a runoff has high energy, it causes serious reshaping of a terrain and it destroys the natural environment and infrastructure. In the forest environment, a run-off process occurs basically on roads, skidding trails and in log storage sites, which are areas with soil cover properties changed by humans. The devices used for dehydrating a transport system direct water collected in the form of concentrated streams to a slope, which frequently causes serious linear damage or landslides. The objective of the tests carried out was to determine the spatial distribution of soil moisture on the area behind the outlet of devices dehydrating forest roads within the context of changes in selected soil properties affecting a risk of landslide formation. The tests included four water drains dehydrating a forest slope road with a soil surface. In the area located behind the outlet, according to the model accepted, soil samples were collected for testing a current moisture value, determining grain composition and a hydraulic conductivity coefficient, calculated based on the simplified Hazen formula. There were significant differences in the soil moisture means in the three-measurement series conducted; nevertheless, the highest moisture means were obtained after the lowest precipitation, and the lowest moisture means were obtained after the highest precipitation. It applies to all water drains observed, separately and collectively. Average moisture measures in all dehydrating facilities differed among one another, although in different sessions, this dependence was observed in various facility pairs. The statistical analysis did not demonstrate any significant differences in moisture in terms of the distance of moisture testing location from the road edge, or in locations with different distances from the water run-off line behind the outlet of dehydrating devices. Significant differences could be observed in the analysis of average moisture values in the soil layers. Such an analysis result could be explained by a relatively low soil permeability and low slope gradient on the area examined. Usually, a few percent fluctuation in soil moisture, despite precipitation diversity, in combination with a high amount of granular soil structure, does not create conditions facilitating the formation of landslides.

Impact of Micro-climatic variations on Forest Ecosystem in Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh

A study was carried out on “Impact of micro-climatic variations on forest ecosystem in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh” during winter and summer seasons of 2015-16. Comparisons of below forest canopy and open sites were carried out for abiotic and biotic factors under five forest ecosystems (chir pine forest, mixed forest, ban oak forest, agriculture field and bare area) and analysed the forest influence on local winter and summer climate according to forest type, soil type, slope orientation, tree height and diameter at breast height by using RBD design. Seasonal and diurnal variations in microclimatic variables viz., air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction were measured with Portable weather station (Delta T) at afternoon 2:00-4:00 PM fortnightly in each forest ecosystem and bare area during winter and summer season. Solar radiation and albedo were measured with Pyranometer (Kipp and Zonen) at 1.35 m height. A significant decrease was attained in below forest canopy and bare area data for ambient temperature (2.5-5.0 oC), soil temperature (1.5-3.6 oC) solar radiation (13.2-47.4 Wm-2), albedo (0.15-0.21) and increased relative humidity (7-18%), soil moisture (8.0-15.2%). Among different forest ecosystem, the diurnal trends in microclimatic parameters showed large variations. The ambient air temperature ranged from 02.2-16.3 oC and 14.2- 30.7 oC where as soil temperature ranged from 07.4- 16.5 oC and 15.4-32.7 oC, however relative humidity ranged from 37- 88 per cent and 14-60 per cent among different forest ecosystem during winter and summer seasons, respectively. Mico-climatic variables under Ban-Oak forest revealed significant lowest air temperature, highest relative humidity and less wind speed.

Interacting effects of fire severity, time since fire and topography on vegetation structure after wildfire

Fire is an important disturbance in forest ecosystems globally. Many of the effects of fire on forest processes are mediated through effects on vegetation structure. Understanding how fire properties, fire regimes and environmental variation interact to affect structure is required in the face of predictions of increasing size and severity of fires – “megafires”. Here, we investigated the influence of topographic position, fire severity, and time since last fire on vegetation structure in foothill eucalypt forests, two years after a large wildfire in south-eastern Australia. We found that forest gullies had significantly greater structural complexity than forest slopes; but that fire severity and time since last fire influenced the structure of vegetation in gullies and slopes in similar ways. Two years after wildfire, severely burnt gullies and slopes (tree crowns scorched or consumed) had a reduced canopy cover, but a denser cover of eucalypt saplings up to 4m tall, than gullies and slopes that had not been burnt. Compared with severe fire, understorey fire had much less influence on the structure of vegetation, with a significant effect only on slopes. There was little effect of the time since last fire prior to 2009 (≤3years vs. ≥20years) on subsequent vegetation structure after wildfire in either gullies or slopes. Finally, we found that fire did not homogenise the structure of gullies and slopes: vegetation structure in paired gullies and slopes did not become more similar following understorey or severe fire. Two years after a large wildfire, heterogeneity in the structural complexity of forest vegetation was evident at both the site and landscape scale. At the landscape scale, fire-induced heterogeneity in vegetation structure, arising from spatial variation in fire severity, provides habitat structures of differing quality for plants and animals. At a finer scale, the rapid return of distinct vegetation structure between adjacent gullies and slopes is important for the persistence of species that depend on a complex vegetation structure or require fine-scale heterogeneity in vegetation.

Excavation of Red Squirrel (&lt;i&gt;Tamiasciurus hudsonicus&lt;/i&gt;) Middens by Bears (&lt;i&gt;Ursus&lt;/i&gt; spp.) in Limber Pine (&lt;i&gt;Pinus flexilis&lt;/i&gt;) Habitat in Banff National Park, Alberta

Bears (Ursus spp.) in North America eat the seeds of several pines (Pinus spp.), including Limber Pine (P. flexilis E. James). Information on use of Limber Pine in Canada is limited to a report of three bear scats containing pine seeds found in Limber Pine stands of southwestern Alberta. After my preliminary fieldwork in Banff National Park revealed that bears were eating seeds of Limber Pine there, I conducted a field study in 2014–2015 to assess this use. Because bears typically obtain pine seeds from cone caches (middens) made by Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), I described the abundance, habitat characteristics, and use by bears of Red Squirrel middens in and adjacent to Limber Pine stands at six study sites. On Bow River escarpments, I found abundant Limber Pines (basal area 1–9 m2/ha) and middens (0.8 middens/ha, standard deviation [SD] 0.2). Of 24 middens, 13 (54%) had been excavated by bears, and three bear scats composed of pine seeds were found beside middens. Although Limber Pines occurred on steep, xeric, windswept slopes (mean 28°, SD 3), middens occurred on moderate slopes (mean 12°, SD 3) in escarpment gullies and at the toe of slopes in forests of other species, particularly Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). At the five other study sites, I found little or no use of Limber Pine seeds by bears, suggesting that Limber Pine habitat may be little used by bears unless the pines are interspersed with (non-Limber Pine) habitat with greater forest cover and less-steep slopes where squirrels establish middens. These observations provide managers with an additional piece of information regarding potential drivers of bear activity in the human-dominated landscape of Banff National Park’s lower Bow Valley.

Does hydroelectric reservoirs affect the structure of surrounding tree communities? A test of hypotheses in subtropical South America

Despite its advantages over other energy sources, hydropower facilities are recognized as causes of terrestrial and freshwater environmental impacts. A deeper understanding of hydropower effects on surrounding riparian forests is thus important to the development hydropower facilities of less impact on the environment as well as to define criteria to manage the vegetation in the vicinity of large hydroelectric dams. We compared tree community structure on forest slopes exposed to a hydropower reservoir created in 2005 with control ones, in the biodiversity-rich subtropical forests of southern Brazil. Field data were collected between 2009 and 2011 on six forest slopes of which three were affected by the rise in water level caused by a hydropower dam, while the other three were in nearby sites unaffected by damming. Ninety 10 × 10 plots were set along six 50 m × 10 m transects. Forest structure was significantly affected by vicinity of reservoir, but this effect differed significantly between different tributaries of the Pelotas River. Rarefaction curves showed homogeneity in species richness among the studied hills. Composition differed significantly between reservoir and control areas. Variance partition results showed that pure reservoir effects explained a fraction of the variance in floristic composition comparable to environmental factors. Vicinity to reservoir was the main factor able to distinguish between communities in the studied system in a multiple regression tree. Our results highlight that hydroelectric facility building produces more extensive damage to remnant native forests than anticipated and that even forests upslope from reservoir border may suffer rapid structural and compositional degradation due to changes in environmental conditions caused by altered hydrology.

Characteristics of surface soil creep on a forest slope in Japan

Soil creep was monitored for 6 years using the strain probe method, and compared to soil moisture conditions in order to reveal details of the soil creep mechanism on a forest slope in a weathered granite area of Central Japan. The results revealed a relationship between soil creep and soil moisture changes. Bending strain of the topsoil was induced downslope by soil drying, and was reversed by soil wetting. However, an amount of bending strain remained, which accumulated annually to form net soil creep. On the upper slope, when rainfall exceeded a certain threshold, miniature sliding sometimes occurred, caused by soil destruction in areas where shear deformation became concentrated. On the middle slope, topsoil deformation was more complex. In order to monitor the soil creep phenomenon related to the concentration of shear deformation in a narrow zone, improvement of the strain probe method is needed.

Quantifying the effect of forests on frequency and intensity of rockfalls

Abstract. Forests serve as a natural means of protection against small rockfalls. Due to their barrier effect, they reduce the intensity and the propagation probability of falling rocks and thus reduce the occurrence frequency of a rockfall event for a given element at risk. However, despite established knowledge on the protective effect of forests, they are generally neglected in quantitative rockfall risk analyses. Their inclusion in quantitative rockfall risk assessment would, however, be necessary to express their efficiency in monetary terms and to allow comparison of forests with other protective measures, such as nets and dams. The goal of this study is to quantify the effect of forests on the occurrence frequency and intensity of rockfalls. We therefore defined an onset frequency of blocks based on a power-law magnitude–frequency distribution and determined their propagation probabilities on a virtual slope based on rockfall simulations. Simulations were run for different forest and non-forest scenarios under varying forest stand and terrain conditions. We analysed rockfall frequencies and intensities at five different distances from the release area. Based on two multivariate statistical prediction models, we investigated which of the terrain and forest characteristics predominantly drive the role of forest in reducing rockfall occurrence frequency and intensity and whether they are able to predict the effect of forest on rockfall risk. The rockfall occurrence frequency below forested slopes is reduced between approximately 10 and 90 % compared to non-forested slope conditions; whereas rockfall intensity is reduced by 10 to 70 %. This reduction increases with increasing slope length and decreases with decreasing tree density, tree diameter and increasing rock volume, as well as in cases of clustered or gappy forest structures. The statistical prediction models reveal that the cumulative basal area of trees, block volume and horizontal forest structure represent key variables for the prediction of the protective effect of forests. In order to validate these results, models have to be tested on real slopes with a wide variation of terrain and forest conditions.

Patterns of long-term regeneration of forest fire slopes in the Northern European Alps – a logistic regression approach

ABSTRACTWe report on vegetation recovery after stand-replacing wildfires on steep slopes on limestone and dolostone bedrock. The sites burnt in the nineteenth and twentieth century and some have remained almost bare of vegetation. We mapped and analysed 26 burned slopes to determine site-specific factors influencing regeneration. We followed a multinomial-logistic regression approach to explain the patterns of grassland, shrub and tree vegetation in 10 × 10 m cells. We considered eight potential controlling parameters (time since fire, elevation, aspect, slope, topographical index, distance to forest edge, land cover of neighbouring pixels and lithology). The pseudo R² values for the multinomial-logistic regression point to a reasonably good model fit, even if some potentially important parameters (e.g. post-fire management) could not be incorporated. Tree regeneration is impeded by higher elevation and by steep slope angles while shrubs are unaffected by inclination. Although the probability of pixels with grasslands is higher in proximity to neighbouring grassland pixels, we found no such effect for trees or shrubs. There is no statistical correlation between the type of vegetation and time elapsed since the fire. This means that under adverse conditions, the time required for forest recovery is longer than the time period captured by our investigation (200–300 yr).

Forest Habitats in the Nature Reserve ROSCI 0032 Rudariei Gorges

The Rudăriei Gorges, named after the Rudărica rivulet, is close to the Eftimie Murgu village, also known by the name of Rudăria. It is located in south-west Romania, Caras-Severin County, Almăjului Depression. It is known both in Romania and abroad less for its flora, fauna and landscape features and most for its mill reserve, where water mills are still used by the natives. The paper has as purpose, establishment of forest habitats in the area of ​​research. At the same time the work wants to clarify inconsistencies on the types of forest habitats reported to be present in accordance with the Standard Form of the site of community importance ROSCI0032 and habitats identified in the field. The methodology is specific to the identification and characterization of habitats. Field survey (during vegetation, March-October) showed that the vegetation in the area was mosaic-like, which hindered habitat mapping. Moreover, we have noticed differences between the habitats mentioned for the area (Standard Form) and those identified in the field. Thus, the Standard Form of ROSCI0032 Cheile Rudăriei mentions as existing in the area the habitat 91K0 - Illyrian Fagus sylvatica forests (Aremonio-Fagion), but in the field there were found no species representative for this type of habitat. According to our studies, the beech forests in the Rudăriei Gorges are part of the Habitat 9110 - Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests. Other new habitats described in the area and not mentioned in the Standard Form are 91E0* - Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae); 91M0 – Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak – sessile oak forests. The habitat 9180* - Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines, mentioned in the Standard Form, was confirmed in the field.

Siri cattle – An endangered breed of Sikkim, India

Siri is a dual purpose cattle breed originating from Bhutan and also available in Sikkim and Darjling (West Bangal of India). Number of Siri cattle declined drastically from 79,000 to 13,948 during the years 2003 to 2012 and therefore the breed falls under threatened category. Siri cattle is reared mostly on stall feeding, some time graze on steep slopes in thick forests. The prominent body colour is brown with white patches or black with white patches, however, pure black and brown colours are also available. Siri cattle have typical hump i.e. cervico-thoracic and covered with long hairs. Size of the cattle is larger as compared to cattle of other states of north east states. The daily milk yield ranged from 2.0 to 6.50 kg. The age at first calving, lactation length and calving interval ranged from 40–60 months, 200–240 days, 450–600 days, respectively. A pair of bullock may plough 1.0 acre of land in 6–8 h. Bullocks were used for 3 to 4 months in a year for different agricultural operations. Keeping in view the status, utility and adaption of breed, there is urgent need to check the crossbreeding in the breeding tract and breed may be improved genetically through systematic performance recording in the field. The State Animal Husbandry Department, Sikkim has already started a genetic improvement program in the field, which needs to be strengthened

A new Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey

A new Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey is described and illustrated. Centaurea mersinensis Uysal and Hamzaoğlu exists on calcareous slopes in Pinus brutia forests of Aydıncık (Mersin) in southern Anatolia. It belongs to C. sect. Phalolepis (Cass.) DC., and taxonomically its closest relative is C. lycaonica. Diagnostic morphological characters from very similar taxa are provided, and a key is provided that includes related species of sect. Phalolepis from Turkey. The geographical distribution of the new species and relatives of the same section are mapped. The chromosome number of C. mersinensis, 2n = 18, counted in root tips, is also reported and illustrated.

Characterizing the climatic water balance dynamics and different runoff components in a poorly gauged tropical forested catchment, Nicaragua

ABSTRACTThe water balance dynamics and runoff components of a tropical forested catchment (46 km2) on the southwestern Pacific coast of Nicaragua were studied combining hydrometry, geological characterization and hydrochemical and isotopic tracers (three-component hydrograph separation). The climatic water balance was estimated for 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 with net values of 811 mm year-1, 782 mm year-1 and –447 mm year-1, respectively. Runoff components were studied at different spatial and temporal scales, demonstrating that different sources and temporal contributions are controlled by dominant landscape elements and antecedent rainfall. In forested sub-catchments, permeable soils, stratigraphy and steep slopes favour subsurface stormflow generation contributing 50% and 53% to total discharge. At catchment scale, landscape elements such as smooth slopes, wide valleys, deeper soils and water table allow groundwater recharge during rainfall events. Groundwater dominates the hydrograph (50% of total discharge) under dry prior conditions. However, low soil infiltration capacity generates a larger surface runoff component (42%) under wet prior conditions which dominates total discharge. Our results show that forested areas are important to reduce surface runoff and thus soil degradation, which is relevant for the design of water management plans.Editor D. Koutsoyiannis Associate editor D. Gerten

BROMELIACEAE FROM CAPARAÓ NATIONAL PARK, MINAS GERAIS/ESPÍRITO SANTO STATES, BRAZIL, WITH NOTES ON DISTRIBUTION AND CONSERVATION

The Brazil is an important representative of the diversity of Bromeliaceae, having 72% of genera and 38% of the species. In the Atlantic Forest, where the family is the fourth most diverse, the hight altitude grassland are na important environment for concentrated endemic species. The Serra do Mar and Mantiqueira are important hight altitude grassland environment that occur in southeastern Brazil. In this latter is located the Caparao National Park (CNP) presenting predominance of tropical rain forest and hight altitude grasslands, however, according to altitude, other environments can be recognized. This study aimed to generate a list of the species of Bromeliaceae from the CNP, providing data on the distribution of species in different environments and at different elevations, and analyze whether species are common or rare, as well as implications for conservation. We recorded 46 species in 12 genera. The high altitude grassland had the lowest number of species, however, many of them were found only in this type of environment. The riparian forest were the richest, due to moisture and substrate diversity that had the highest number of species with more than one type of substrate preference. The altitudinal quota that has the higher species richness was 1000-1500m, comprising the riparian forest and slope forest. Only 9% of the species were considered common, whereas 32% were the rarest, and are species with restricted geographic distribution, specific habitat and varying only according to the local population size. Four species are included in the list of endangered species of Brazilian flora, and Neoregelia brownii, with the highest form of rarity (F7), is categorized as critically endangered. The several environments distributed along the altitudinal gradient of CNP proved to be a vegetation mosaic important for the conservation of Bromeliaceae because it covers endangered species of restricted distribution and classified as rare.

Temporal trends in the protective capacity of burnt beech forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) against rockfall

Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests covering relief-rich terrain often provide direct protection from rockfall for humans and their property. However, the efficacy in protecting against such hazards may abruptly and substantially change after disturbances such as fires, windthrows, avalanches and insect outbreaks. To date, there is little known about the mid-term evolution of the protective capacity in fire-injured beech stands. We selected 34 beech stands in the Southern European Alps that had burnt in different intensity fires over the last 40 years. We inventoried all living and dead trees in each stand and subsequently applied the rockfall model Rockfor.net to assess the protective capacity of fire-injured forests against falling rocks with volumes of 0.05, 0.2, and 1 m3. We tested forested slopes with mean gradients of 27°, 30°, and 35° and lengths of 75 and 150 m. Burnt beech forests hit by low-severity fires have nearly the same protective capacity as unburnt forests, because only thin fire-injured trees die while intermediate-sized and large-diameter trees mostly survive. However, the protective capacity of moderate- to high-severity burns is significantly reduced, especially between 10 and 30 years after the fire. In those cases, silvicultural or technical measures may be necessary. Besides the installation of rockfall nets or dams, small-scale felling of dying trees and the placement of stems at an oblique angle to the slope can mitigate the reduction in protection provided by the forest.

Ecology, distribution, and predictive occurrence modeling of Palmer’s chipmunk (Tamias palmeri): a high-elevation small mammal endemic to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, USA

Abstract Although montane sky islands surrounded by desert scrub and shrub steppe comprise a large part of the biological diversity of the Basin and Range Province of southwestern North America, comprehensive ecological and population demographic studies for high-elevation small mammals within these areas are rare. Here, we examine the ecology and population parameters of the Palmer’s chipmunk (Tamias palmeri) in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada, and present a predictive GIS-based distribution and probability of occurrence model at both home range and geographic spatial scales. Logistic regression analyses and Akaike Information Criterion model selection found variables of forest type, slope, and distance to water sources as predictive of chipmunk occurrence at the geographic scale. At the home range scale, increasing population density, decreasing overstory canopy cover, and decreasing understory canopy cover contributed to increased survival rates.