Upland Woodland Research Articles

Breeding bird communities of riparian and upland woodlands respond differently to an Atlantic-Mediterranean climatic gradient in Mainland Spain

Breeding bird communities of riparian and upland woodlands respond differently to an Atlantic-Mediterranean climatic gradient in Mainland Spain

The wild Scots Pines (Pinus sylvestris) of Kielderhead

In the British Isles, Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is currently considered to be native only in the Scottish Highlands. Once widespread throughout the archipelago, the species is thought to have declined to extinction outside the Scottish Highlands c.4500 cal BP, and c.1550 cal BP in Ireland. However, there have been discussions about whether some naturally occurring populations may have persisted outside the Highlands into modern times, and potentially may still be alive today. One such population is the enigmatic “Kielderhead Pines” in a remote valley just on the English side of the Scottish border at the heart of the c.60,000 ha Kielder Forest in Northumberland. Debate about the origins of this small population of apparently wild living pines has been ongoing since the 1950s, which has inspired the creation of the “Kielderhead Wildwood” to support its conservation and restoration. We outline the status, significance and the state-of-play in 2023 of our understanding of the origin of these trees, summarising research on the age of the trees, bioclimatic studies, possible botanical evidence of flora and lichen species typical of the Scottish pinewoods and genetics. We conclude that the explanation for the occurrence of the Kielderhead Pines - that they are locally native - remains a possibility, but we recognise and recommend that further research is required. We summarise the conservation efforts that have taken place to secure the pines within a landscape of restored, wild native upland woodland and mires i.e. re-creation of a Northumbrian equivalent of the Caledonian Forest. We also reflect on how the Kielderhead Pines support the case for greater consideration of the restoration of W18 pine woodland vegetation in appropriate locations outside the Scottish Highlands. We conclude by reflecting that one day these few pines, discovered in an isolated valley in Kielder Forest in the 1950s, may be seen as the start of something much bigger in the uplands of northern England, southern Scotland and beyond.

Mesophication of upland oak forests: Implications of species-specific differences in leaf litter decomposition rates and fuelbed composition

Without periodic fire, historically open-canopied, oak-dominated upland woodlands of the central and eastern United States are shifting to closed-canopied forests with increased abundance of shade-tolerant and typically fire-sensitive species. Once established, these encroaching species (i.e., mesophytes) are hypothesized to initiate a positive feedback termed mesophication where mesophytes perpetuate conditions that foster their own proliferation at the expense of oaks (Quercus spp.). One potential mechanism of mesophication is reduced fuel loads through faster decomposition rates of mesophyte leaf litter, as leaf litter is the primary fuel in closed canopy forests. To better understand how different tree species impact fuel loads, we compared initial leaf litter chemistry and one-year (2016–2017) decomposition rates of four non-oak species exhibiting increased abundance in the region and/or relatively high sapling/midstory abundance relative to the overstory on our sites (red maple [Acer rubrum], sugar maple [A. saccharum], American beech [Fagus grandifolia], and hickory [Carya spp.]) and three oak species (black oak [Q. velutina], chestnut oak [Q. montana], white oak [Q. alba]) in an upland oak forest in north-central Kentucky. We also evaluated fuelbed mass, composition, and bulk density beneath overstory (20–60 cm DBH) individuals of each species following leaf fall in December 2016. Except for American beech (66% mass remaining), we found non-oak leaf litter, especially that of red and sugar maple, decomposed the fastest (45 and 48% mass remaining), and oak leaf litter decomposed the slowest (54–64% mass remaining). Further, although total leaf litter fuel loads in December were similar beneath individuals of different tree species, fuel composition differed. Under non-oak crowns, the proportion of leaf litter from non-oaks was 22–35%, while under oak crowns, the proportion of leaf litter from non-oaks was only 10–12%. This suggests that individual trees of non-oaks are impacting fuel composition beneath their own crowns despite continued oak dominance at the stand scale. Considering differences between species in both leaf litter inputs based on allometric equations and decomposition rates, modeled leaf litter fuel loads in a forest composed entirely of red maple, sugar maple, or Carya spp. were ∼20% lower than an oak forest after one year of decomposition. While limited to the species examined in this study, these findings confirm that the leaf litter of non-oaks, excluding American beech, decomposes more rapidly than oak and that individual non-oak trees alter fuelbed composition beneath their crowns, suggesting that oak woodlands will become less-flammable with increasing mesophytic dominance.

Why understanding stakeholder perspectives and emotions is important in upland woodland creation – A case study from Cumbria, UK

Upland regions in the United Kingdom (UK) are increasingly under consideration as potential areas for the creation of woodlands. This is driven by a combination of factors, including the aims of UK forestry and environmental policy to increase woodland cover, meeting international greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, agro-environment schemes in national and international policy, and an increasing public awareness of the ecosystem service benefits landscapes can deliver for society. Creating new woodlands in upland areas is challenging, partly due to concerns of the potential impacts from a change in land use and due to stakeholder perspectives. In the UK, the upland landscape is in multiple ownership and currently managed by multiple land managers and stakeholders with contrasting aims and objectives. This research adds a much-needed qualitative element to the overall understanding of this complex topic, by carrying out a Q-methodology investigation of stakeholder perspectives of upland woodland creation. Three characteristic groups of stakeholders are identified as 1. ‘Not enough is done to protect the environment’, 2. ‘Changing the landscape is changing us’ and 3. ‘let’s not let our emotions get in the – seeing the bigger picture’. The clear potential for antagonism, and even conflict, in ideologies and approaches between these groups highlights the importance of engaging with stakeholders and employing approaches rooted in mutual understanding, participation and collaboration. Stakeholder perspectives are a powerful influence on if, and how, woodlands are created and maintained, thus understanding emotions and attitudes is a vitally important part of the challenge of creating new woodlands in the uplands of Cumbria.

Native woodland establishment improves soil hydrological functioning in UK upland pastoral catchments

AbstractExtreme rainfall and flood events are predicted to increase in frequency and severity as a consequence of anthropogenic climate change. In UK upland areas, historical over‐grazing and associated soil compaction have further exacerbated peak flood levels and flash‐flood risk along many river catchments. As a result, the reinstatement of upland woodland is increasingly seen as a key component of an integrated suite of options forming part of natural flood management (NFM) associated with a 'public money for public goods' approach to European agriculture. Nevertheless, understanding the impact of native woodland establishment on upland soil hydrology remains relatively poor. We compare physical and hydrological properties from the surface soils of establishing woodland and grazed pasture across four flood vulnerable upland headwater catchments in Dartmoor National Park, SW England. We show upland native woodland establishment is a viable soil recovery option, with a doubling of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, increased 'wetness threshold' and reduced surface soil compaction and bulk density within 15 years of establishment. Our study supports the establishment of native woodland as an effective tool to improve the hydrological functioning of soils in upland pastoral catchments and the provision of flash‐flood mitigation 'ecosystem services'. We caution, however, that land managers and policymakers must consider past and present management, soil type and catchment location when planning new NFM schemes if environmental benefits are to be maximised and 'public money for public goods, are to be commensurate with outcomes.

Identifying and understanding attitudinal diversity on multi-functional changes in woodlands of the Ukrainian Carpathians

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:45-56 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01448 Identifying and understanding attitudinal diversity on multi-functional changes in woodlands of the Ukrainian Carpathians Albert Nijnik1, Maria Nijnik2,*, Serhiy Kopiy3, Lyudmyla Zahvoyska3, Simo Sarkki4, Leonid Kopiy3, David Miller2 1Environmental Network Limited, The Hillocks, Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4TJ, Scotland, UK 2The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK 3Ukrainian National Forestry University, Gen. Chuprynky 103, Lviv 79057, Ukraine 4Thule Institute, PO Box 7300, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland *Corresponding author: ■maria.nijnik@hutton.ac.uk‑Advance View was available online May 18, 2017 ABSTRACT: This paper advances existing knowledge of stakeholder attitudes towards ecosystem-based forest strategies and management practices in marginalized mountain areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The principal research question was to analyse the state of affairs regarding multi-functional changes in upland woodlands, as viewed by relevant stakeholders. An ultimate goal was to assist decision-makers in evaluation (e.g. through stakeholder evaluation using the suggested method) and implementation (through stakeholder engagement) of sustainable policy and management decisions. The Q-method, with the sequential application of its correlation and factor analytical tools, was applied to elucidate a range of existing attitudes (e.g. towards the expansion of woodlands under climate change and other drivers) and the spectrum of sustainability (its ecological, economic and social components) to which they relate. Dominant attitudes of representatives of relevant stakeholder groups towards multi-functional changes in forestry in the Carpathian Mountains were revealed and analysed. Key factors influencing the attitudinal diversity were explained. The results improve our understanding of stakeholder priorities and of commonalities and differences in existing attitudes/perceptions, providing some indication of how the diversity of attitudes towards forestry changes (e.g. integration of woodlands in mountain landscapes) could potentially influence sustainable forestry decisions. At times, entirely opposite attitudes (e.g. of the so-called Conservationists and Productivists attitudinal groups) towards forestry practices and key objectives of forestry in the Carpathian uplands were revealed. However, people put strong emphasis on multi-functional forestry offering a range of benefits to people, the environment and the economy. KEY WORDS: Public attitudes and preferences · Ecosystem-based adaptation practices · Carpathian Mountains · Q-method Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Nijnik A, Nijnik M, Kopiy S, Zahvoyska L, Sarkki S, Kopiy L, Miller D (2017) Identifying and understanding attitudinal diversity on multi-functional changes in woodlands of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Clim Res 73:45-56. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01448 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Density and nest survival of golden‐cheeked warblers: Spatial scale matters

ABSTRACTConservation and management plans often rely on indicators such as species occupancy or density to define habitat quality, ignoring factors that influence reproductive success, and potentially limiting conservation achievements. We examined relationships between predicted density and nest survival with environmental features at multiple spatial scales for the golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) in a large preserve within an urbanizing landscape. Larger‐scale features of the forest and landscape composition best predicted density, whereas small‐scale vegetation features best predicted nest success. Predicted warbler density was more influenced by vegetation structure at the forest (100‐m) and landscape (1‐km) scales than at the plot (5–11.3‐m) scale. Predicted warbler density increased with greater woodland cover (100‐m), average canopy height (100‐m), and mixed woodland cover (1‐km). Average predicted density derived from distance sampling models fit to count data across 1,506 points surveyed during 2011–2014 was 0.21 males/ha (95% CI = 0.20–0.22). Nest survival (n = 610 nests) was strongly correlated with vegetation and terrain characteristics at the plot scale. Period nest survival decreased 28% and increased 36% and 21% across the range of slope, woody understory, and juniper basal area, respectively. Daily nest survival averaged 0.97 (0.96–0.98) but declined throughout the breeding season and varied annually (2011–2015). We recommend management for a high percentage of closed‐canopy, tall mixed juniper (Juniperus ashei)‐oak (Quercusspp.) woodland at the forest and landscape scales to support high densities of warblers. We also recommend protecting upland woodlands with a well‐developed woody understory and greater basal area of junipers because these characteristics were associated with greater nest success. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

Loss of aboveground forest biomass and landscape biomass variability in Missouri, US

Disturbance regimes and forests have changed over time in the eastern United States. We examined effects of historical disturbance (circa 1813 to 1850) compared to current disturbance (circa 2004 to 2008) on aboveground, live tree biomass (for trees with diameters ≥13cm) and landscape variation of biomass in forests of the Ozarks and Plains landscapes in Missouri, USA. We simulated 10,000 one-hectare plots using random diameters generated from parameters of diameter distributions limited to diameters ≥13cm and random densities generated from density estimates. Area-weighted mean biomass density (Mg/ha) for historical forests averaged 116Mg/ha, ranging from 54Mg/ha to 357Mg/ha by small scale ecological subsections within Missouri landscapes. Area-weighted mean biomass density for current forests averaged 82Mg/ha, ranging from 66Mg/ha to 144Mg/ha by ecological subsection for currently forested land. Biomass density of current forest was greater than historical biomass density for only 2 of 23 ecological subsections. Current carbon sequestration of 292TgC on 7 million ha of forested land is less than half of the estimated historical total carbon sequestration of 693TgC on 12 million ha. Cumulative tree cutting disturbances over time have produced forests that have less aboveground tree biomass and are uniform in biomass compared to estimates of historical biomass, which varied across Missouri landscapes. With continued relatively low rates of forest disturbance, current biomass per ha will likely increase to historical levels as the most competitive trees become larger in size and mean number of trees per ha decreases due to competition and self-thinning. Restoration of large diameter structure and forested extent of upland woodlands and floodplain forests could fulfill multiple conservation objectives, including carbon sequestration.

Woodland disturbance and possible land-use regimes during the Late Mesolithic in the English uplands: pollen, charcoal and non-pollen palynomorph evidence from Bluewath Beck, North York Moors, UK

Pollen, micro-charcoal and non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) data from the mid Holocene Ulmus decline and the preceding millennium have provided evidence of repeated fire disturbance of the upland woodland at Bluewath Beck Head, on the North York Moors in northeast England. Woodland disturbance coincides with the Ulmus decline, which at several similar upland sites in northern England is dated to ca. 4800 uncal b.p. (ca. 5550 cal b.p.), and so to the early Neolithic period. Two fire events occur within a cycle of disturbance and regeneration between about 6100 (ca. 6950 cal b.p.) and 5700 b.p. (ca. 6475 cal b.p.), placing them in the later stages of the Late Mesolithic hunter-gatherer occupation of the upland and near the start of the transition to early Neolithic agricultural economies. Increased Melampyrum and Corylus pollen percentages characterise the post-fire vegetation response. These disturbances probably resulted from human activity, suggesting that fire was an integral part of the Late Mesolithic ecology. The local origin of some NPPs greatly enhances the palaeoecological interpretation, showing variations in the hydrological responses to disturbance that are much less visible in the pollen record, and helping to distinguish between local and regional vegetation changes. Other NPPs indicate burning near to the site. A substantial peak in spores of the wood-rot fungus Kretzschmaria deusta across the Ulmus decline may indicate girdling and other woodland management techniques as part of Neolithic woodland farming.

Prehistoric and Historic Landscape Change in Aragón, Spain

The Moncayo Archaeological Survey (MAS) was initiated in 2000 to investigate population, economic and environmental change in a study area northwest of Zaragoza in the northeast of Spain. This is an interdisciplinary project which combines landscape archaeology with earth-science methodologies and approaches. Research undertaken during the first four field seasons has concentrated on reconstructing and explaining landscape change, while at the same time cataloguing existing archaeological records and prospecting for previously unknown sites. Two episodes of significant landscape change dating to the Neolithic/Bronze Age and post-medieval period have been identified from the geomorphological record. These are interpreted here as the result of human land-use change: in the prehistoric period from clearance of woodland during the Neolithic and the subsequent expansion of agriculture in the Bronze Age, and in the 19th century from the removal of upland woodland following changes in land ownership and management. Notably, evidence for erosion and deposition was not found for either the Roman or medieval periods when archaeological and historical evidence indicate that local population was at its highest and agriculture at its most intense, nor from the height of the Little Ice Age when climate is thought to have been at its most extreme. Therefore, direct relationships between the intensity of agriculture or climate change and landscape modification are rejected here in favour of a more complex interaction of multiple human and climatic variables. These can only be understood by a combination of high-resolution archaeological survey, geoarchaeological study and chronometric dating.

Comparison of Bee Diversity in Upland and Wet Flatwood Longleaf Pine Savannas in Louisiana (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract Two longleaf pine savanna communities, upland woodlands and wet pine flatwoods, occur in Louisiana. Because these communities differ in soil profiles, hydrology, topography, and floral composition and diversity, the objective of this study was to determine how bee diversity and composition differed between them. We surveyed three upland woodlands and one flatwood site over a four year period. Our results indicated higher richness and abundance of bees in uplands compared to the wet flatwood. Upland sites consistently contained about 10 more species and 2.5 times as many individuals. Rarefaction curves indicated similar to higher rates of species accumulation of upland sites compared to the wet site. Similarity in species composition was higher between upland sites than between uplands and the wet site. Differences in diversity are discussed in relation to differences between savanna types, age and size of preserves, and fire management. Size of the preserve appeared to be less important than flor...

Understanding the drivers of agricultural land use change in south-central Senegal

Described is (1) the land use and land cover changes that have taken place in the Department of Velingara, an area of tropical dry woodland in south-central Senegal, (2) the biophysical and socio-economic drivers of those changes with an emphasis on transition to agricultural use, and (3) an assessment of the likelihood of intensification of agriculture in the Department. Results indicate that land devoted to agriculture, either in active cultivation or short-term fallow, is increasing. There is little evidence of agricultural intensification in most of Velingara, with extensification coming largely at the cost of reduction in both upland woodlands and riparian forest.

Locating eutrophication effects across British vegetation between 1990 and 1998

AbstractLarge‐scale ecological surveillance data were analysed to determine the locations of apparent eutrophication effects across common British vegetation types between 1990 and 1998. Plant species composition was recorded from a total of 9514 fixed plots located in a stratified, random sample of 501 1 km squares across Britain. Changes in plant species composition along a gradient of substrate fertility were inferred from statistical tests of change in mean Ellenberg fertility value calculated for each fixed plot. Plots were grouped by eight vegetation types, five landscape features (hedges, road verges, watercourse banks, small biotopes, larger units in fields and unenclosed land) and six environmental zones. Tests of change in mean Ellenberg value were carried out on all combinations of these strata. Decision tree modelling was used to identify groups of test outcomes sharing the same direction of change and where each group was defined by a minimum number of strata. Post hoc power analysis was used to select statistically non‐significant test outcomes that could be used to infer stability in the sampled sub‐population.Out of a total of 142 tests of change in fertility value, 67% were increases, 8% were reductions and 25% indicated stability. The best overall predictor of increases in fertility value, and therefore of shifts in favour of plants suited to higher substrate fertility, was vegetation type. Irrespective of landscape feature and environmental zone, increased means were associated with infertile grasslands, moorland, upland woodlands and heath/bog. Already highly fertile grasslands and woodland assemblages in lowland Britain remained largely stable. The small number of decreasing test outcomes were associated with arable land in Scotland, Wales and western England. These patterns of change are hypothesized to reflect pervasive land‐use drivers combined with the inherent responsiveness of the vegetation.

Short-term movement patterns of the endangered American burying beetle Nicrophorus americanus

We conducted a mark–recapture study to evaluate short-term movements of the endangered American burying beetle Nicrophorus americanus. We found that beetles moving between sites averaged 1.23 km night −1 in their search for carrion ( n=23 movements between sites) with a range from 0.25 km for 1 night to a maximum of 10.0 km over 6 nights. In support of the supposition that American burying beetles are generalists in their search for carrion, we observed individual beetles moving between different habitat types (71% of recaptures were in a habitat different from that of the previous site of capture), including movements between grassland and woodlands, as well as between bottomland and upland woodlands. No differences in recapture rates were detected between males and females, or between teneral and fully sclerotized beetles. No beetles were recaptured between trapping sessions within a few weeks of one another within the same year, or from 1 year to the next. The relatively long distances that individual beetles move and the potentially short residency time should be taken into account when evaluating data from monitoring of extant populations and when devising plans to establish new ones.

Impacts of Tsetse Control and Land-Use on Vegetative Structure and Tree Species Composition in South-Western Ethiopia

More effective control of the tsetse fly in Africa will reduce constraints imposed by the livestock disease, trypanosomiasis. Trypanosomiasis lowers livestock productivity, and in some areas, may limit the ability of farmers to keep livestock and plough the land using animal traction. Control of the disease may cause the expansion of livestock populations and cultivated land area which, in turn, may have negative impacts on ecosystem structure and function. The objective of this study was to assess the impacts of tsetse control, through expansion of agricultural land-use, on vegetative structure and tree species composition in the Ghibe Valley, south-western Ethiopia. This was done by first describing land cover/land-use patterns in areas with and without tsetse flies, and then quantifying land-use impacts on vegetation. Land-use/land cover was assessed and quantified by classifying a recent LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) image of the valley and analysing the abundance of cover types in a geographical information system (GIS). Vegetative structure and tree species composition were measured in field plots in two types of cultivated fields (oxen and tractor-ploughed), and in upland wooded grasslands and riparian woodlands. Land cover in the Ghibe Valley was dominated by wooded grasslands (60%) and cultivation (26%), with smaller patches of dense upland woodland (9%) and sparse woodland strips along river courses (3 %). Most farms were cultivated by smallholders using oken (25% of the total cultivated area) with limited areas ploughed by large holders using tractors (0.5%). The cover of woody plants was highest in riparian woodlands (53%), moderate in oxen-ploughed fields (6%) and wooded grasslands (9%), and lowest in tractor-ploughed fields (1%). Species diversity (Shannon index - H') was greatest in riparian woodlands (1.6) and smallholder fields (1.4), moderate in grasslands (1.0) and low on largeholder farms (0.7). These results highlight the importance of rare but biologically rich riparian areas, which should be a focus for conservation. If tsetse control, through the expansion of cultivation causes degradation of these woodlands, the potential for impact is high. However, there appear to be few changes in the vegetation in the process of conversion of wooded grasslands into smallholder fields, which is the likely result of successful tsetse control. A hypothetical model of vegetative change in the Ghibe Valley is described in the light of the vegetative potential of the area and recent changes in the frequency of hunting and burning in the valley.

Effects of season and intensity of sheep grazing on tree regeneration in a British upland woodland

This paper reports some effects of experimental alteration of season (summer, winter) and intensity of sheep grazing on tree regeneration, growth and browsing damage in an upland broadleaved woodland in Cumbria, UK. During the first 3 years of grazing treatments, seedling recruitment was primarily Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia and Fraxinus excelsior. After 7 years of grazing treatments, seedlings and saplings of many species were numerous, with fewer seedlings in winter-grazed plots but a higher proportion of these were browsed. More seedlings had reached sapling stage in winter-grazed plots. Sapling numbers increased with decreasing grazing intensity, with lower proportions browsed at low grazing intensities. Within the first 3 years grazing treatments, recruitment of Betula pubescens seedlings was greater in grazed than ungrazed plots, and greater in winter-grazed than in summer-grazed plots. Browsing damage to these seedlings increased with grazing intensity in winter, and height increments were greatest in ungrazed plots. After 7 years, B. pubescens seedlings and saplings showed no significant treatment effects. After 3 years, recruitment of Sorbus aucuparia seedlings was greater in grazed than ungrazed plots, and greater in summer-grazed than winter-grazed plots. Fewer seedlings were browsed in low grazing intensity plots, and seedling height increments were greatest in ungrazed plots. After 7 years, more S. aucuparia seedlings were browsed in winter than summer, but saplings showed no treatment effects. After 3 years, recruitment of F. excelsior was greatest in low grazing intensity plots and smallest in medium grazing intensity plots. More seedlings were browsed at higher grazing intensities, but in summer-grazed plots height increments tended to be greatest in the most heavily grazed plots. After 7 years, F. excelsior seedlings were more numerous in summer-grazed plots but were not differentially browsed; sapling numbers were not affected by grazing treatments but browsing damage was very high in all except summer low grazing plots. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to woodland grazing management issues.

Effects of season and intensity of sheep grazing on a British upland woodland: Browsing damage to planted saplings

Summary The effects of experimental alteration of season (summer/winter) and intensity of sheep grazing on browsing damage to planted saplings in an upland broadleaved woodland in Cumbria are reported. For saplings of Fraxinus excelsior, Ilex aquifolium and Quercus petraea planted in 1986, browsing of current year's shoots was greatest in summer but browsing of previous years' shoots was greatest in winter. For saplings planted in 1988, season of grazing only significantly affected Quercus petraea, with more damage in winter than summer. Intensity of grazing affected saplings planted in 1988 of all three species, with increased damage at higher grazing intensities. It is suggested that, for sheep, the availability of non-woody forage may be an important determinant of the degree of browsing damage to saplings, which has implications for the choice of herbivore for woodland grazing management.

Seed Bank Composition and Variability in Five Woodlands in South-West England

This paper examines the species composition and variability of the seed banks associated with four lowland woodlands and one upland woodland in south-west England. The sites studied are conifer plantations and neglected and coniferized coppice. The sampling covers a range of stand types, stand ages and management systems, on both acidic and

Habitat Selection by Birds of Riparian Communities: Evaluating Effects of Habitat Alterations

Avifauna of riparian communities were studied in Iowa during late spring and early summer. Birds were censused on 28 study plots representing a habitat gradient from hayfields to closed-canopy woodlands. An index of nesting niche breadth was determined for 18 open-nesting bird species on the basis of vegetation life form(s) used for nesting, and for 10 cavity-nesting species on the basis of type(s) of nest-cavity support. Cavity-nesters preferred soft snags as nest sites. Floodplain woodlands supported higher densities of breeding birds than upland woodland or herbaceous habitats. Bird species richness increased (P < 0.01) with the width of wooded riparian habitats. Wooded habitats supported a maximum of 32 species; herbaceous habitats, 8. Observation frequencies of 41 bird species in 6 general habitat types were used to calculate indices of tolerance to habitat alteration. Microhabitat characteristics selected by each species were determined by comparing bird observation frequencies with 36 vegetation variables, using stepwise multiple regression. The potential effects of 6 alterations to wooded riparian habitats on the 41 species are predicted. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 44(1):1-15 Riparian habitats are critical to wildlife, especially in regions with intensive agriculture where streamside habitat is being depleted rapidly. Nongame birds constitute a major component of riparian wildlife communities, but most research concerning nongame bird management has been local in nature or concerned with endangered species (Robbins and Erskine 1975). Recently, contributors to several symposia have emphasized the need for research on management of all nongame birds (Smith 1975; DeGraaf 1978a,b). Such research is essential to assess the impacts of habitat alterations on the associated wildlife (Lennartz and Bjugstad 1975). Our study is an attempt to satisfy part of that need. Our objectives were to quantify factors critical in nest-site and habitat selection by breeding birds of riparian communities over a range of habitat types and to use the results to evaluate effects of habitat perturbations on avian communities. The results are applicable to both riparian and upland habitats of the Central Plains and, with caution, could be used in other areas as well. We are grateful to the landowners of Guthrie County, Iowa, for their cooperation in all phases of the field work. T. Rosburg and R. Deitchler assisted in collecting field data. D. F. Cox, L. Wolins, M. Hand, and B. J. Meador provided help with the statistics and computer analysis. J. J. Dinsmore, R. B. Dahlgren, and R. Q. Landers reviewed an earlier draft of the manuscript. The manuscript also benefited from the suggestions of 2 anonymous referees.