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Positive edge effects on forest-interior cryptogams in clear-cuts
Alexandro Caruso1, Jörgen Rudolphi, Håkan Rydin
1Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. alexandro.caruso@slu.se
Plos One
|November 25, 2011
Summary
Positive edge effects can enhance forest resilience. Forest-interior cryptogams, like lichens and bryophytes, can thrive in managed stands near mature forests, especially with retained dead wood. This supports habitat specialists in fragmented landscapes.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Forestry
Background:
- Edge effects are typically studied as negative impacts on focal habitats from surrounding matrix habitats.
- Understanding positive edge effects, such as spillover, is crucial for improving landscape resilience to human disturbances.
- Epixylic (dead wood-inhabiting) cryptogams are sensitive indicators of forest habitat quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate positive edge effects in managed forest stands bordering mature old-growth forests.
- To assess the occurrence and distribution of forest-interior epixylic cryptogams in young managed stands.
- To evaluate the influence of distance from mature forest and microclimate on cryptogam communities.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed epixylic cryptogams (lichens, bryophytes, fungi) on dead wood in 30 young Swedish boreal forest stands adjacent to mature forests.
- Recorded species occurrences along transects from 0-50m into the young stands.
- Quantified the effect of distance from the mature forest, local environment, and propagule sources on species distribution.
Main Results:
- Species composition of epixylic cryptogams varied with distance from the mature forest.
- Forest-interior species frequency decreased with distance, while open-habitat species increased.
- A favorable microclimate near the mature forest edge, particularly on southern exposures, supported forest-interior species.
Conclusions:
- Epixylic forest-interior cryptogams can persist in matrix habitats like clear-cuts.
- Retaining and creating dead wood in managed stands adjacent to valuable habitats can enhance specialist persistence.
- Management strategies focusing on improving matrix habitat quality are vital for long-term conservation of habitat specialists in fragmented landscapes.
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