Woodland Vegetation Research Articles

Dark Ages woodland recovery and the expansion of beech: a study of land use changes and related woodland dynamics during the Roman to Medieval transition period in northern Belgium

AbstractThe results from analyses of botanical remains (pollen, wood, charcoal, seeds) from several archaeological features excavated in Kluizen (northern Belgium) are presented. The region was largely uninhabited until the Iron Age and Roman period when a rural settlement was established, resulting in small-scale woodland clearance. The site was subsequently abandoned fromc.AD 270 till the High Middle Ages. The results of the archaeological and archaeobotanical analyses provide information on changes in land use and resulting dynamics of woodland cover and composition betweenc.600 BC and AD 1200, with a spatial and temporal resolution unrivalled in northern Belgium. Especially the long period of woodland regeneration following abandonment of the site around AD 270, covering the Late Roman and Early Medieval period, could be reconstructed in detail. Abandoned fields were first covered with pioneer woodland (Salix,CorylusandBetula), thenQuercus-dominated secondary forest and finally a late-successional forest withFagus sylvatica,Carpinus betulusandIlex aquifolium, an evolution that took over 300 years. The results also indicate that the observed increase ofFagusduring the Early Middle Ages, which was never an important element in the woodland vegetation in northern Belgium before, was related to climatic changes rather than anthropogenic factors.

Carbon stock in the Dirki woodland vegetation of Central Ethiopia: A case study in Ilu Gelan District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State

Carbon stock in the Dirki woodland vegetation of Central Ethiopia: A case study in Ilu Gelan District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State

Isotopic reconstruction of Proboscidean habitats and diets on Java since the Early Pleistocene: Implications for adaptation and extinction

Since its sub-aerial emergence, Java has experienced multiple tectonic, geographic and climatic changes, which affected the megafaunal occupation, adaptation and succession. Six Proboscidean taxa have been found from various localities throughout Java extending back to the Early to Late Pleistocene. The six taxa are: Stegoloxodon indonesicus, Sinomastodon bumiajuensis, pygmy Stegodon sp., Stegodon trigonocephalus, Elephas hysudrindicus and Elephas maximus, in which respective taxa are included in successive faunal stages. The aim of this research was to reconstruct the succession of Proboscidea in Java and the adaptation of each taxon to environmental changes by incorporating stable isotope analysis with the fossil faunal record, geology and stratigraphy. We conducted stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analysis of the carbonate phase in the tooth enamel of six proboscidean taxa from numerous localities and ages. Our results suggest that for the earliest terrestrial fauna from Java, represented by Stegoloxodon indonesicus, the feeding ecology was restricted to a closed canopy rainforest during the earliest Pleistocene, while towards the late Early Pleistocene, the successive taxon, Sinomastodon bumiajuensis, was adapted to different or increasingly drier grassy habitats. C4 expansion on the island took place since the later part of the Early Pleistocene (before 1.5 Ma) and continued until the Middle Pleistocene, as suggested by the carbon and oxygen isotope composition of assemblages of proboscidean taxa from Sangiran, Kedung Brubus, Trinil, and western Java, which also predominantly display the expected range of C4-dominant feeders. However, the occurrence of mixed C3/C4 feeder Proboscidea in the Ngandong Fauna suggests that fragmented dense evergreen forests, shrubby or woodland vegetation reappeared towards the end of the Middle Pleistocene. This environmental shift is detected in the later stage of the Middle Pleistocene, as the dietary preference of all analysed samples from individuals from this age shifted back from a C4-dominated into a C3-dominated diet, which suggests a change from a dry to more humid climate conditions.

PSIV-21 Landscape-use pattern and performance of small ruminants in woodlands with altering understory vegetation heights

Abstract The vast coverage of woodlands (>60%) in Alabama and other Southeast states presents a great potential for increasing grazing opportunity for small ruminants. Canopy height and openness may influence the utilization of woodland vegetation by small ruminants. However, such information is least explored and reported. The study objectives were to 1) determine the browsing height and preference of small ruminants for woodland vegetation present at different heights and 2) evaluate animal performance while stocked in woodlands. Study plots (6; 0.4-ha each) comprised southern pines [longleaf (Pinus palustris Mill.) and loblolly (Pinus taeda L.)], hardwood trees, and numerous understory vegetation. The non-pine (non-target) species were either cut to one of the heights from the ground level (0-m, 0.91-m, 1.52-m) or left uncut (control). Kiko wethers (n = 8, 73±2.6 kg LW) and Katahdin rams (n = 5, 98±4.6 kg LW) were rotationally stocked (3 plots/species). Browsing height was measured at ten random points in each treatment and control, and animals’ preference for different plant species (0–5: 0-not preferred, 5-highly preferred) was recorded after moving animals out of each plot at each rotation. Animal performance data (LW; body condition score, BCS; and FAMACHA score) were collected fortnightly. Data were analyzed in SAS 9.4 (Mixed and GLM procedures). Goats browsed from higher heights than sheep in 0.9-m (1.3-m vs. 1-m) and 1.52-m (1.6-m vs. 1.1-m) treatments and control (1.3-m vs. 1-m) (P < 0.0001). Numerous plant species present in 0-m and 0.91-m treatments were consumed more by both species versus the same plant species present in the control (P < 0.0001). Both animal species performed well while grazing in woodlands, maintaining the desirable BCS (goats: 2.6–2.8; sheep: 3.7–4.0) and FAMACHA (goats: 1.6–2.1; sheep: 1.0–1.6) scores. Results show that lowering the height of non-target vegetation in woodlands is very useful to increase vegetation utilization and achieve desired animal performance.

Trait divergence of woody species in relation to affinity for termite mounds in Upper Katanga (DR Congo)

AbstractQuestionDo functional traits vary in relation to affinity for termite mounds in trees of dry tropical woodlands?LocationNorth of the Zambezian Region, Plain of Lubumbashi, Upper Katanga, DR Congo.MethodsIn four woodland sites, the occurrence of a total of 3,454 stems, on and off Macrotermes mounds has been recorded. Twenty‐one functional traits including foliar concentrations of nutrients, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) were determined in 36 species. Intraspecific variation of traits was examined in one species (Dalbergia boehmii) occurring both on and off mounds.ResultsMost species had a narrow niche, with 22 species (31%) showing a strong positive affinity for termite mounds (>90% of occurrences) (T species), and 43 species (61%) showing strong negative affinity (<10% of occurrences) (NT species). Strong divergence of traits was found between T and NT species. Affinity for termite mounds was positively correlated to SLA and foliar concentrations of B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and negatively correlated to LDMC and leaf thickness. Intraspecific variation in D. boehmii showed the same pattern, though with a smaller amplitude.ConclusionsStrong environmental filters are structuring the vegetation of dry tropical woodlands, with termitophilous species expressing a syndrome of faster resource capture and use, in line with the higher nutrient and water availability of termite mound soil. Broad‐niched species are either more plastic, or have evolved locally adapted populations.

Resource selection of mule deer in a shrub‐steppe ecosystem: influence of woodland distribution and animal behavior

AbstractUngulates inhabiting arid ecosystems are reliant on productive forb and shrub communities during summer months to meet nutritional demands for survival and reproduction. In the western United States, expansion of woodland vegetation into shrub‐dominated communities and the potential loss of habitat are of concern with regard to animal populations reliant on robust sagebrush shrub and forb vegetation. We used mixed‐effects logistic regression to model resource selection of female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) during the summers of 2005–2008. We considered selection at two spatial scales, and during three daily activity periods (night, crepuscular, and mid‐day) corresponding to resting and foraging. We evaluated habitat variables related to vegetation type, site productivity, terrain attributes, and fine‐scale abundance of pinyon–juniper cover. Those attributes allowed us to account for variation in site productivity and animal behaviors that could obscure the true relationship between density of pinyon–juniper woodland and habitat use by mule deer. We detected observable differences in habitat use by mule deer among the three activity periods with significant differences in movement rates. Deer were most active during crepuscular periods corresponding with foraging activity, and least active mid‐day when temperatures were highest. Summer habitat consisted of sites with high potential productivity, greater shrub abundance, and greater proximity to riparian areas. Deer avoided high levels of tree cover (>40% coverage) at all spatial and temporal scales, and in general selection declined with increasing pinyon–juniper cover, particularly during foraging periods. Nonetheless, mule deer selected areas with low to intermediate tree cover (10% to 40%) during resting periods and avoided areas of productive shrub and forb vegetation and riparian areas, when surrounded by denser stands of pinyon–juniper cover. These results emphasize the importance of productive shrub and forb vegetation to mule deer inhabiting semi‐arid regions and suggest that low levels of tree cover are beneficial, especially during resting periods. Nevertheless, dense pinyon–juniper cover was generally avoided even in areas of high site productivity. These relationships lend support to the concern that increases in large, dense stands of pinyon–juniper reduce availability of summer habitat and alter patterns of resource selection for mule deer, a shrub‐dependent ungulate.

Riparian or phreatophile woodland and shrubland vegetation in the Central Chilean biogeographic region: phytosociological study

The Mediterranean territory in Chile is an extensive area whose natural vegetation has suffered the impact of man-made activities far more severely than anywhere else in the country. Its northernmost section (the Atacama and Coquimbo regions) is characterised by ombroclimates that range from ultra-hyperarid to arid, and by highly irregular river courses with limited spaces for phreatophilic vegetation that have been exploited by humans as fertile farmlands. However, in the river valleys of the Central Chilean biogeographic province, where the ombroclimate is at least semiarid, there may be permanent watercourses that drain from the Andean mountain range towards the Pacific Ocean that contain representations of riparian or phreatophilic vegetation linked to riverbanks or alluvial terraces, in spite of the inevitable human influence. We studied the most conspicuous plant communities with the most highly developed biomass in these riparian environments, namely willow stands dominated by Salix humboldtiana and accompanied by some autochthonous woody species, in order to clarify their floristic composition and their correct ordination within the syntaxonomy of Chilean vegetation. The data collected suggest the existence of a phytosociological association: Otholobio glandulosi-Salicetum humboldtianae ass. nova, as the majority association in the Central Chilean province. Another possible association which replaces this (Baccharido salicifoliae-Myrceugenietum lanceolatae prov.) is also proposed in the transition to a humid ombroclimate and Temperate macrobioclimate.
 The floristic contents of these Chilean communities are compared with other associations dominated by Salix humboldtiana described for other territories bordering Chile: Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. However, given that they are all located in a Tropical macrobioclimate and their companion flora is therefore clearly different from the flora present in the Chilean communities, we propose the creation of a new phytosociological class to include these syntaxonomically: Mayteno boariae-Salicetea humboldtianae class. nova. This work also ascribes the association Tessario absinthioidis-Baccharidetum marginalis (representing a prior dynamic stage to Otholobio glandulosi-Salicetum humboldtianae) to the class Tessario integrifoliae-Baccharidetea salicifoliae.

Lipid biomarkers in lacustrine sediments of subtropical northeastern Mexico and inferred ecosystem changes during the late Pleistocene and Holocene

Evolution of ecosystems in the northeastern Mexico since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and through the Holocene are yet to be fully characterised, creating a gap in our understanding of the ecological response to climate change in this water scarce region. Here we explore the response of lacustrine and surrounding terrestrial habitats of this region to hydrological changes of the late Pleistocene and especially the Holocene. Biomarker-based proxy data from the El Potosi Basin indicates dynamic and variable input of organic matter (OM) into the basin, with sources being the surrounding vegetation, bacterial biomass and aquatic microfauna. Changes in these inputs reveal distinct stages of ecosystem development over the last 20,000 years. Overall low lipid abundances (as a proportion of TOC) from 20 to 19 cal kyr BP, mainly from aquatic/in-situ microbial biomass and degraded terrestrial OM, are attributed to relatively low runoff. Increasing lipid proportions during the deglaciation, from 19 to 15 cal kyr BP, were mostly derived from terrestrial sources like woodland vegetation, soil and wetland vegetation, and we attribute them to more rainfall and runoff. Subsequently, the wetland biomarkers disappeared, and woodland input began to dominate the OM assemblage from 15 to 11.7 cal kyr BP. During the early- and mid-Holocene, after about 11.7 cal kyr BP, putative woodland and grass inputs decreased and the dominant vegetation appeared to shift to subtropical desert shrub, which could have been due to increasing regional aridity. The onset of the dry late Holocene was characterised by gradual environmental transition and ecosystem adaption, especially from 4.2 to 2.8 cal kyr BP. The terrestrial vegetation comprised increasing proportions of C4 grasses, documented by changes in leaf wax carbon isotopic compositions, and potentially more open-vegetation, while the in-lake bacterial production increased. With increasing desertification from 2.8 cal kyr BP, the terrestrial productivity decreased substantially, the lake became shallower/ephemeral, and the surrounding soils became more alkaline. Changes of the limnic habitat from algal towards microbial communities occurred ~300 years after the onset of terrestrial habitat changes. During the last millennium, the C3 components of the vegetation again dominated. This implies an enhanced moisture supply, possibly from agricultural activities. Overall, this work reveals the marked sensitivity of northeastern Mexico ecosystems to the climatic shifts that occurred since the LGM, and this perhaps indicates their vulnerability to future global warming.

Carbon-diversity hotspots and their owners in Brazilian southeastern Savanna, Atlantic Forest and Semi-Arid Woodland domains

Tropical vegetation provides a myriad of ecosystem services and at the same time is highly threatened. This creates a demand for more efficient conservation strategies that focus on multiple benefits at once. For instance, conservation actions that deliver returns for both aboveground carbon (AGC) and tree species diversity (TSD) would be an advance when compared to carbon-focused initiatives. Here we address this issue by identifying AGC-TSD hotspots in Savanna, Atlantic Forest and Semi-Arid Woodland vegetation domains in southeast Brazil. We modelled Fisher’s alpha as an indicator of TSD, using remote sensing, climate and terrain-related data to train the random forests algorithm. We thus defined, mapped and characterized the areas that deliver returns for both AGC and TSD (“hotspots”), identifying the hotspots owners (whether within public or private lands). Our results suggest that among the group of predictor variables, precipitation, valley depth, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and tree cover percent, are the main indicators of diversity across the state. The spatial patterns of carbon and diversity roughly coincide and indicate that Atlantic Forest has higher values for both indicators. AGC and TSD are weak related, so there is a potential risk for biodiversity if only a carbon-focused conservation approaches are considered across the studied domains. We estimate that 61% of the hotspots are located in unprotected areas within private properties making them highly susceptible to loss. Together, these hotspots account for 6,131,453 Mg of AGC and show mean values of Fisheŕs alpha of approximately 26. Our study reinforces the need to select natural areas on private lands to be considered as priority areas for protection..

Accounting for aboveground carbon storage in shrubland and woodland ecosystems in the Great Basin

AbstractImproving the accuracy of carbon accounting in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for understanding carbon fluxes associated with land cover change, with significant implications for global carbon cycling and climate change. Semi‐arid ecosystems account for an estimated 45% of global terrestrial ecosystem area and are in many locations experiencing high degrees of degradation. However, aboveground carbon accounting has largely focused on tropical and forested ecosystems, while drylands have been relatively neglected. Here, we used a combination of field estimates, remotely sensed data, and existing land cover maps to create a spatially explicit estimate of aboveground carbon storage within the Great Basin, a semi‐arid region of the western United States encompassing 643,500 km2 of shrubland and woodland vegetation. We classified the region into seven distinct land cover categories: pinyon‐juniper woodland, sagebrush steppe, salt desert shrub, low sagebrush, forest, non‐forest, and other/excluded, each with an associated carbon estimate. Aboveground carbon estimates for pinyon‐juniper woodland were continuous values based on tree canopy cover. Carbon estimates for other land cover categories were based on a mean value for the land cover type. The Great Basin ecosystems contain an estimated 295.4 Tg in aboveground carbon, which is almost double the previous estimates that only accounted for forested ecosystems in the same area. Aboveground carbon was disproportionately stored in pinyon‐juniper woodland (43.7% carbon, 16.9% land area), while the shrubland systems accounted for roughly half of the total land area (49.1%) and one‐third of the total carbon. Our results emphasize the importance of distinguishing and accounting for the distinctive contributions of shrubland and woodland ecosystems when creating carbon storage estimates for dryland regions.

134 Vegetation characteristics and diurnal periods influenced the landscape-use pattern of goats and sheep in woodlands

Abstract Woodlands dominate the landcover in the Southeast and offer great opportunities for expanding small-ruminant grazing. However, unmanaged understory shrubs grown beyond animals’ access minimizes the utilization of such vegetation. Managing the understory shrubs and non-target trees to lower heights may increase animals’ access to woodland vegetation and alter the landscape-use patterns of animals. The study objective was to determine the effect of vegetation height on the behavior and distribution of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams in woodlands. The study was conducted in six woodland plots (0.4-ha each) containing southern pine and hardwood trees and numerous understory vegetation. The non-pine species were either cut to one of the heights from the ground level (0 m, 0.91 m, 1.52 m) or left uncut (control). Once the cut vegetation grew back and attained the full canopy, Kiko wethers (8, 48–50 months old, 72.8 ± 2.29 kg live weight) and Katahdin rams (5, 29–32 months old, 95.5 ± 4.31 kg live weight) were rotationally stocked in separate plots (3 plots each species), and their diurnal (dawn-dusk) behaviors and distribution patterns monitored when they were in each plot during the summer of 2018. Data were analyzed in Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test in R. Both wethers and rams visited the control treatment the least, rams grazed mostly in areas with short vegetation (0 m), and wethers visited more to areas with higher vegetation (1.52 m) than rams for feeding (P < 0.001), which was predominant during the post-midday period (3:00-dusk) (P < 0.0001). Browsing was the dominant feeding behavior of wethers (39% browsing vs. 4% grazing), while rams’ feeding behavior was dominated with grazing (24% grazing vs. 12% browsing). Lying was the dominant diurnal behavior of both wethers (46%) and rams (35%), and predominant during the midday period (11 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) (P <0.05). Vegetation heights and diurnal period highly influenced animals’ behavior.

2 Vegetation characteristics and diurnal periods influenced the landscape-use pattern of goats and sheep in woodlands

Abstract Woodlands dominates the landcover in the Southeast and offer great opportunities for expanding small-ruminant grazing. However, unmanaged understory shrubs grown beyond animals’ access minimizes the utilization of such vegetation. Managing the understory shrubs and non-target trees to lower heights may increase animals’ access to woodland vegetation and alter the landscape-use patterns of animals. The study objective was to determine the effect of vegetation height on the behavior and distribution of Kiko wethers and Katahdin rams in woodlands. The study was conducted in six woodland plots (0.4-ha each) containing southern pine and hardwood trees and numerous understory vegetation. The non-pine species were either cut to one of the heights from the ground level (0 m, 0.91 m, 1.52 m) or left uncut (control). Once the cut vegetation grew back and attained the full canopy, Kiko wethers (8, 48–50 months old, 72.8 ± 2.29 kg live weight) and Katahdin rams (5, 29–32 months old, 95.5 ± 4.31 kg live weight) were rotationally stocked in separate plots (3 plots each species), and their diurnal (dawn-dusk) behaviors and distribution patterns monitored when they were in each plot during the summer of 2018. Data were analyzed in Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test in R. Both wethers and rams visited the control treatment the least, rams grazed mostly in areas with short vegetation (0 m), and wethers visited more to areas with higher vegetation (1.52 m) than rams for feeding (P < 0.001), which was predominant during the post-midday period (3:00-dusk) (P < 0.0001). Browsing was the dominant feeding behavior of wethers (39% browsing vs. 4% grazing), while rams’ feeding behavior was dominated with grazing (24% grazing vs. 12% browsing). Lying was the dominant diurnal behavior of both wethers (46%) and rams (35%), and predominant during the midday period (11 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) (P < 0.05). Vegetation heights and diurnal period highly influenced animals’ behavior.

Palaeovegetational evolution of the Çankırı-Çorum Basin during the Mio-Pliocene (Central Anatolia) based on the IPR analysis method

Reconstruction of past vegetation and climates in the Cankiri-Corum Basin, one of the largest basins of Central Anatolia, is important for understanding the regional palaeovegetation. In this study, the palaeovegetational and palaeoclimatic proxies of the basin within the late middle Miocene and early Pleistocene interval are presented using the Integrated Plant Record (IPR) vegetation analysis and the coexistence approach (CA). The IPR analysis allows the reconstruction of six types of zonal vegetation: broad-leaved deciduous forests (BLDF), mixed mesophytic forests (MMF), broad-leaved evergreen forests (BLEF), xeric open woodlands and xeric grasslands or steppes, all identified from the microfloras of Cankiri-Corum Basin. During the late middle Miocene, warm temperate and humid climatic conditions prevailed and the palaeovegetation in the Cankiri-Corum Basin was represented by BLEF and an ecotone between MMF and BLEF. The cooling from the late middle Miocene to early late Miocene had begun as well, as low precipitation periods in the climatic conditions during the same time interval were recorded in the basin. Presumably, the proportion of broad-leaved deciduous elements remained balanced because the palaeotopography did not change significantly during the late Miocene in the Cankiri-Corum Basin. The recorded cooling could be related to a global climatic change from the middle to late Miocene. During the Tortonian to Messinian transition, the palaeovegetation type was represented by BLDF and suggests a continuous cooling trend in the basin. The palaeovegetation types of the late late Miocene comprise MMF in the northern part of the Cankiri-Corum Basin and xeric grassland or steppe in the southern part of the basin. Warm and dry climatic conditions were recorded from the Tortonian to the Messinian; these warm conditions during the Messinian could be correlated to the Messinian salinity crisis. According to the IPR analysis results, the northern part of the Cankiri-Corum Basin palaeotopography seems to be higher in altitude than the southern part. Palaeovegetation types in the latest late Miocene and early Pliocene were characterised by MMF and an ecotone between BLDF and MMF in the northern part of the Cankiri-Corum Basin and open woodland vegetation in the southern part of the basin. The percentage of the broad-leaved deciduous component from the latest late Miocene and early Pliocene decreases in the Cankiri-Corum Basin, which could be related to beginning uplift starting changes in the palaeotopography. In the early Pliocene, this uplift was continued in the basin.

Emergence of the African savannah

African savannah grasslands initially proliferated in the late Miocene due to declining atmospheric CO2, rather than previously proposed regional climate drying. Supplanting previous woodland vegetation due to photosynthetic adaptations, these grasslands set the stage for subsequent mammalian evolutionary trends on the continent.

Impact of land use on woody aboveground biomass in Miombo woodlands of western Zambia – comparison of three allometric equations

Globally, the intensification of land use for agriculture, timber and fuel is considered the leading threat to the diversity and biomass of forests and woodlands. To suggest management options, it is important to understand the patterns and drivers of diversity, structure, biomass and carbon stock of woodland vegetation. In this study we used data from three sites in the Miombo woodlands of western Zambia, which are subject to low, medium and high land-use intensity. We sampled 20 plots of 1 000 m² at each of these sites. Woody vegetation was sampled for richness and structure to provide an understanding of the impact of land-use intensity. Woody plant species richness was not affected by land-use intensity. However, an ANOVA revealed that stem diameter at breast height (DBH) was higher at the low land-use intensity (national park) than at medium and high land-use intensities (selective timber harvest, and non-selective harvest for crop fields and timber). We tested three different allometric equations (one global and two regionally adapted) to determine woody aboveground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock at the three sites. The estimated AGB using the regionally adapted allometric equation of Ryan et al. and the global tropical equation of Brown et al. revealed that the AGB for low and high land-use intensity sites were significantly different from each other with the medium land-use intensity site being intermediate. We concluded that DBH and AGB estimations were influenced by the land-use intensity in the Miombo woodlands as suggested by other studies in the tropical forest and woodlands.

Seasonal shifts in habitat use and diet by eland confined in a small fenced reserve

AbstractLarge‐scale environmental changes create challenges for conservation of wildlife, particularly in fenced, insular protected areas where many wildlife populations persist. Moreover, large mammalian herbivores inhabiting spatially and temporally heterogeneous environments face the challenge of securing highly variable forage resources. Mixed feeders like the eland (Taurotragus oryx) can switch between browse and grass, but the cues that elicit that switch are not well understood. We investigated the seasonal diet shift of eland confined to a small fenced reserve and the role of greenness to elicit that shift. Eland changed from a diet in the wet season, consisting of grasses and browse found in woodland and grassland vegetation types, to a diet in the dry season dominated by the greenest browse species still available in woodland vegetation types, as greenness of dry season forage decreased. Our results suggest that eland switch from browsing to grazing in response to phenophase of the grass sward, which could explain the varying selection of grasses versus browse observed across the species range.

Personal and environmental drivers of resident participation in urban public woodland management – A longitudinal study

Woodlands are a core component of urban green infrastructure in terms of both ecosystem service provision and areal cover, with particular relevance and potential for engaging citizens in co-management approaches. Despite widespread agreement on the importance of user participation, there is still a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the underlying drivers. Extending existing knowledge is important for efforts by local authorities to facilitate and sustain participation. The present longitudinal mixed-method study investigated residents’ drivers for participating in the management of urban woodland bordering their gardens in a so-called co‐management zone in the Danish residential area Sletten, Holstebro. Repeated field surveys of physical signs of participation were combined with a field survey of woodland vegetation characteristics and demographic data on residents. Mixed generalised linear modelling was performed to identify the dominant personal, physical environmental and social environmental variables explaining level of resident participation. The statistical analysis was complemented by interviews with residents. Both personal and environmental drivers explained participation. Interest in gardening, stand height and residents inspiring their neighbours helped explain participation in 2010, while increase in participation between 2010 and 2015 was supported by forest edge type and length of residence. Thus, a stronger focus on the temporal dimension is recommended for future studies. Green space managers wanting to facilitate co-management can encourage participation by identifying people interested in gardening who inspire others, combined with strategic woodland vegetation design and management aimed at increasing visual and physical accessibility, i.e. establishing one-step and semi-open forest edges and sufficient tree height.

Woody Species Diversity and Composition of Dry Woodland Vegetation in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia: Implications for Their Sustainable Management

The dry land forest of Ethiopia possesses diverse tree species that are known for their ecological and economic values. Despite growing recognition of environmental and economic benefits of these species, the woodland harbouring these species is degrading. Adequate knowledge on the resource base including the current status of its population is crucial for sustainable management of the forest resource. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the diversity and composition of woody species in Kara dry lands forest. A total of 90 quadrants were established along transect lines. A 400 m² quadrants was used, distance between quadrants and transecting lines were 200 m and 500 m respectively. Species diversity and evenness, density, frequency, important value and regeneration status were assessed. This study reveals total of 48 woody species representing 23 families and 31 genera’s were found. Out of that, 13 woody species were identified as gum and resin bearing species. The genus of Commiphora and Acacia species were found to be the dominant gum and resin bearing species at the study area. Diversity of the entire woody species assemblage and of the gum- and resin-bearing species was H= 3.47 and H= 2.3 respectively. The evenness values of entire and gum and resin producing woody species were 0.67 and 0.77 respectively. The gum and resin producing woody species accounted for 44.56% of the density, 49.87% of the basal area and 45.49% of the Importance Value Index. However, we recorded the declining natural regeneration of most gum- and resin-bearing woody species except for a small number of species, which exhibited signs of healthy populations. Generally, the results of the present study highlighted the absence of conservation actions that will probably be subject to a progressive decline of gum and resin bearing species because of uncontrolled grazing, charcoal production and shifting cultivation. Therefore, proper management plan and domestication of the species through artificial regeneration and area closure are urgently needed.

Gathering honey from wild and traditional hives in the Miombo woodlands of the Niassa National Reserve, Mozambique: What are the impacts on tree populations?

Honey gathering is one of the activities sustaining people's livelihoods in the Miombo woodlands of southern Africa. Current practices involve killing trees and can cause uncontrolled fires, affecting villages, animals and trees. This study aimed to understand honey gathering and production and its impacts on the Miombo woodland vegetation, in Lizongole village, Niassa National Reserve. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 15 honey gatherers in one village and on 95 plots where all trees ≥10 cm, dbh (diameter at breast height), alive or dead, were identified at species level, and their dbh (cm) and heights (m) measured. Forty-seven percent of the respondents produced and managed beehives and 100% gathered wild honey. Bark beehives are preferentially made from Julbernardia globiflora (‘Ntchenga’) while wild honey is gathered from natural cavities in a diversity of tree species, typically by felling the tree. Both techniques are destructive and primarily target larger trees (average dbh of 26.1 ± 1.2 cm for debarked trees and 30.4 ± 2.4 cm for trees felled). Impacts on tree populations varied among the 12 species killed for honey, depending largely on their relative abundances. For nine species, felling and debarking were found to have reduced the number of larger trees by between 40% and 100% compared to previous densities. This is diminishing the nectar resource, the number of bee colonies, and the number of trees suitable for wild hives. However, honey can be gathered using non-destructive traditional practices based on tree climbing. Widespread adoption of such practices is needed to sustain honey production.

The Influence of Slope on Vegetation Recovery Following Nonnative Grazer Removal on Santa Rosa Island, California

Ecosystem restoration efforts have been ongoing on the Channel Islands of California since the 1980s. Although these island ecosystems evolved without ungulate grazers, large nonnative grazers, including sheep, cattle, feral pigs, deer, and elk, were present on the islands for over 160 years. Intensive grazing led to reductions in the extent of woody vegetation, increases in the area of grassland and bare ground, and widespread landsliding and gully erosion. This study focuses on Santa Rosa Island, the second largest (215.3 km2) island in Channel Islands National Park. After the park was created in 1980, the National Park Service progressively removed nonnative grazers to facilitate the restoration of native vegetation and the wildlife communities they support. We constructed a time series (1989 to 2015) of Landsat TM5 and Landsat 7 ETM+ images to evaluate large-scale and long-term vegetation change in response to grazer removal on Santa Rosa Island. We also evaluated the influence of slope percent, which can be an indicator of past grazing accessibility, on ecosystem recovery. Results indicate that removing nonnative grazers led to passive restoration of 42.1 km2 of scrub, chaparral, and woodland vegetation. In contrast, the area of grassland vegetation decreased by 31.2 km2 and bare ground decreased by 12.0 km2. The extent of scrub and woodland vegetation recovery was greater on gentle and moderate slopes compared to steep slopes, indicating that terrain does influence passive restoration. Despite changes in vegetation cover, 5.4 km2 has remained bare. Much of the bare ground is on ridgelines that were denuded down to the bedrock or regolith. Active restoration will be necessary on bare ridgelines, such as erosion control, fog capture, and oak woodland reforestation.