Title data
Schauer, Bastian ; Thorn, Simon ; Blaschke, Markus ; Kudernatsch, Thomas:
Conversion of pure spruce to mixed spruce beech stands : Effects on alpha
and beta diversity of multiple taxonomic groups.
In: Forest Ecology and Management.
Vol. 545
(29 July 2023)
.
- 121297.
ISSN 0378-1127
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121297
Abstract in another language
The conversion from pure coniferous stands to mixed forests is a major goal of forest management strategies in
the light of climate change. However, the effects of forest conversion on the associated species diversity and the
factors driving diversity changes remain poorly understood. To investigate these effects, we established 54 plots
in a managed forest in southern Germany, where large areas have been converted from pure spruce to mixed
spruce-beech stands since the middle of the 20th century. Our sampling plots consisted of three different age
classes and increasing proportions of beech, measured by the number of stems. We sampled fungi, plants, invertebrates,
and birds and combined classical methods (identification by specialists) and metabarcoding for
species identification. Furthermore, important forest structure and site parameters were recorded to test their
influence on species alpha and beta diversity. Alpha diversity of embryophytes, and therein tracheophytes,
increased with increasing availability of light, whereas fungi decreased. With increasing humus thickness alpha
diversity of insects, especially dipterans and hymenopterans increased, whereas embryophytes, tracheophytes
and fungi decreased. Increasing numbers of habitat trees increased the alpha diversity overall, especially in
tracheophytes and hymenopterans. The proportion of beech determined the alpha diversity of one out of 12 taxa
and influenced the beta diversity of 10 from 12 taxa. However, factors influencing the diversity are taxa
dependent. Our study indicates that the proportion of beech had less impact on alpha diversity but impacts beta
diversity. Changes in forest structures and environmental conditions occurring during forest conversion are as
important as the introduction of beech for alpha and beta diversity.
Further data
Item Type: | Article in a journal |
---|---|
Refereed: | Yes |
Keywords: | Beech; Spruce; Metabarcoding; Arthropods; Birds; Fungi; Vascular plants; Mosses |
Institutions of the University: | Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Biology > Professor Animal Population Ecology |
Result of work at the UBT: | No |
DDC Subjects: | 500 Science > 570 Life sciences, biology 500 Science > 580 Plants (Botany) 500 Science > 590 Animals (Zoology) |
Date Deposited: | 02 Aug 2023 06:46 |
Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2023 06:46 |
URI: | https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/86446 |