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The paper presents the results of a study of the species diversity and individual developmental stability of common fish species from the Vychegda River in the discharge area of treated wastewater from one of the largest forestry industries in the European, northeastern area of Russia. In 2018–2020, the European perch, roach, and bleak prevailed in the catches of a standard set of nets with a mesh size of 10 to 60 mm in the littoral zone of the monitoring sites. These species are widespread representatives of the ichthyofauna in the Vychegda River basin. White-eye bream, asp, and pike-perch were also registered; their recent appearance became possible due to the construction of canals connecting the Northern Dvina River basin with other river systems. Indicators of species diversity (the number of species, their relative abundance, and Shannon index) in areas adjacent to local timber plots were similar to those observed at monitoring sites. The integral index for the assessment of individual development, which is based on fluctuating asymmetry, indicated the absence of a negative effect on the formation of bilateral morphological structures in early ontogenesis in fish that lived both in the industrial area and in the conditionally background area. To clarify the results, an additional study should be carried out to identify physiological disorders or the accumulation of heavy metals or other pollutants in fish tissues and organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pines play a significant role in forest biodiversity globally and generate huge forest litter. Dry pine needles due to low ignition temperature and high frictional force with the ground catch fire quickly. Annual forest fires in the northern states of India greatly impact the Indian economy besides causing huge loss to biodiversity, livelihood, and environment. Pine needles are also considered unfit for fodder consumption due to presence of tannins. Although the presence of softwood lignin in pine needles makes it difficult to degrade easily, the presence of holocellulose (68.5%) containing 45–51% cellulose makes this biomass a potential substrate to be used in pulp-making industries for low-grade paper sheets. The good fiber length of pine needles (1.3–1.4 mm) with a diameter of 30–32 μm, maybe considered important property for paper making. The use of pine needles in the pharmaceutical and food industries are due to the presence of secondary metabolites (α-pinene, β-pinene, caryophyllene etc.). The various other potential applications of pine needles are for producing bio-ethanol (yield, 3.98%; purity, 94%), biogas (yield, 23.1 L kg−1), smokeless briquettes (calorific value, 18.77 MJ kg−1), biochar (calorific value, 25.6 MJ kg−1), bio-composites (tensile strength, 21–60 MPa), and bio-pesticides. This paper comprehensively reviews the current applications of pine needles along with its future prospective applications that can have the dual advantage of providing employment opportunities to the people along with environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoamerican cloud forests are important centres of biodiversity, but are under severe pressure from anthropogenic activities. Protected areas have been established to conserve remaining areas of this habitat, but it is debatable how effective these underresourced 'paper parks' are in preserving biodiversity. This study investigates this issue utilising species-level data, examining composition of avifaunal communities within an undermanaged cloud forest park. Research was conducted in the Parque Nacional Cusuco, North-West Honduras. Results indicate that overall avian species richness is greater in the less heavily protected buffer zone than the nominally inviolate core zone. However, core zone areas are shown to be effective in preserving threatened and range-restricted species. Results therefore demonstrate that buffer zone forest has a comparably reduced conservation value, but the overall park system appears to be effective in conserving the core zone. These findings should be taken into account when considering extensions to protected area networks in Mesoamerica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are subject to a huge variety of often competing socio-economic demands and environmental change. This paper assesses the related conflicts that occur along what we label to be a "Global Forest Environmental Frontier". Assessing 11 contributions to a special issue on the same topic, it summarizes the main contents of these papers and concludes with an assessment of major trends. The contributions to the special issue take both a regional and topic-related approach, assessing forest environmental conflicts on all five forested continents and investigating issues such as forest biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental justice and equity, development, and forest management and conservation discourses. Taken together, they provide an overview on the multiple facets of the Global Forest Environmental Frontier, but also identify some shared patterns and trajectories, which are outlined at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the background of termite's research by Jared Leadbetter during his journey to Costa Rica in May 2005. It is said that Leadbetter, an environmental microbiologist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, took a slice of the termite nest and transported it and its inhabitants, the tropical Nasutitermes termites, to Costa Rica's National Biodiversity Institute wherein he dissected almost 200 termites. Leadbetter found a high concentration of spirochetes, a helical bacteria that are usually associated with disease, in the termite's hindgut. It is claimed that the research implicates spirochetes in the initial hydrolysis of wood polysaccharides, making it a crucial part of the termite's digestive machinery.

Janusia is a South American genus of flowering plants. Most of its 15 described species are centered in Brazil, where they are found in diverse habitats across the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes, and a few other species can be found in the Atlantic Forest region. This paper describes Janusia longibracteolata, a new species endemic to semideciduous forests in the state of Bahia, Brazil, at elevations of 900 to 1000 m. This study was based on fieldwork and a study of herbarium collections, which resulted in photos, dried preserved material, and information about the new species and its environment. The most notable morphological characters that distinguish the new species are its subulate floral bracts and bracteoles, which are the largest known in the genus. This new species is described, illustrated, and compared with the other species in Janusia. This novelty underscores the need to preserve Bahia's remaining semideciduous forests and to increase botanical exploration in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has become one of the most compelling fields of empirical research over the last couple of decades, partly due to its socio-economic impacts. Using a meta-analysis of 235 peer-reviewed articles published between January 2010 and July 2020, this paper appraises climate change adaptation (CCA) research in Nepal and draws lessons for future adaptation planning. The number of research is observed to have increased significantly in recent years (2015–2020) although there is no consistent pattern over the review period and at the thematic level. Findings submit that the agriculture and food security has the highest number of publications (37%) followed by gender equality and social inclusion (18%) and forest, biodiversity and watershed management (16%). There are no studies found in rural and urban settlement theme. Geographic distribution of CCA studies revealed that over 40% studies were carried out from central Nepal, while no study was conducted in ten districts of eastern and western Nepal. The study focus was also discrete, and the perception and attitude and impact assessment of climate change were common agendas; however, the drivers of change and options for adaptation were understudied. CCA with multipronged initiatives provide a broader understanding of dynamics and governance of climate change that not only affects rural livelihoods, but also influences regional and global environments and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are crucial for supporting various ecosystem functions and biodiversity, but they are vulnerable to global change drivers such as climate change and land use change. The special issue "How belowground biodiversity affects ecosystem functions of forests" explores the relationship between belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functions in forests. The papers in the special issue cover topics such as the potential drivers of soil microbial biodiversity, the effects of belowground biodiversity on multiple ecosystem functions, and the implications for future research. The findings highlight the importance of belowground biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem functions and provide insights for forest management and biodiversity conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Forest restoration has resulted in approximately 300 million ha of restored forests until today. During the second decade of the twenty-first century several international initiatives have sprung up which aim to add 350 million ha of restored forest by 2030. The paper reviews the development of the forest restoration frontier. It tracks trends of the increase of restored forests, emphasizing developments since the second half of the last century. It equally reviews past and ongoing policies, programs, and projects to restore forests. Available data show how the area of restored forests has progressively increased since the 1960s. There are three major objectives to restoring forest: (1) to produce forest products (timber and other products) or spaces for recreation, (2) to produce regulatory ecosystem services (sequestered carbon, erosion control) and (3) to achieve improvement of rural livelihoods. The emphasis on each of these objectives has changed over time and each objective implied different policies and arrangements, involvement of actors and use of technology and know-how. The large international programs and projects since the beginning of the twenty-first century promote forest restoration for biodiversity conservation, regulatory ecosystem services and improving wellbeing of resident populations. Some of the findings related to the development of the forest restoration frontier since the mid-twentieth century suggest that some of the ambitious goals may be unrealistic and result in unwanted outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, calcareous beech forests were classified and differentiated according to vascular plants. Bryophytes were often omitted or not all substrates were sampled in relevés, and therefore, the role of bryophytes in plant community differentiation remained unclear. In this paper, we studied bryophyte species richness, composition and functional patterns in vegetation units differentiated by vascular plants. We analysed 45 phytosociological relevés from 400 m2 plots in Fagus sylvatica-dominated forests on dolomite bedrock in Central Slovakia. The most frequent among 59 moss and 8 liverwort species was Tortella tortuosa, followed by Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachytheciastrum velutinum and Ctenidium molluscum. Average richness of bryophytes was 8.1 compared to 38.7 species of vascular plants. Seven bryophyte species were significantly linked to a particular vegetation unit. One-way ANOVA showed no noticeable differences in bryophyte species richness between vegetation units. However, it was negatively affected by xericity and positively by cover of rocks on soil surface. CCA revealed that species composition was affected significantly by xericity, cover of bare rocks and cover of tree layer. Mat and turf life forms prevailed, and both long-lived taxa/perennials and short-lived colonists formed the bryophyte layer. Observed bryophyte species grew mostly on rock, living and dead wood, and only minority of them on soil. Therefore, available substrates greatly contributed to the species richness of bryophytes and total plant diversity of the forest community. A complete investigation of substrates is necessary to assess the drivers of bryophyte species distribution and diversity, and their role in classification of calcareous beech forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing public awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity requires the development of forest practices that increase the complexity of stand structure. Understanding the ecological processes of different forest vegetation provide insights into community coexistence mechanisms. In this paper, the spatial patterns of three different communities, evergreen broadleaf forest, deciduous broadleaf forest, and mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest at Mt. Huangshan, China, were quantified with four structural parameters, the mingling index, the uniform angle index, the diameter dominance index and the crowdedness index. All trees with a diameter at breast height of more than 5 cm were measured. Our analyses highlighted that most trees in the three communities were extremely dense and slightly clumped, with a moderate size differentiation and high mixed structure. In mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest, the distribution pattern of tree species was better than the other two forests. Overall, spatial patterns in mixed needleleaf and broadleaf forest exhibited a strong stability-effect, that is, the stand had a suitable environment for the stable survival of the forest. With the increasing of elevation, the degree of the mingling index and the crowdedness index increased, however, there was no influence on the uniform angle index and the diameter dominance index. Further, at the same elevation, four structural parameters of shady slope were larger than that of sunny slope. Then we found the relationship between stand spatial structure and environment factors had important influence on forest structure. Our work contributes to the knowledge of population structure, and further provide theoretical basis for the sustainable development of forest resources and protecting biodiversity of Huangshan Mountain. In future studies, it is necessary to explore the limiting factors of community spatial distribution by combining species diversity and functional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred groves are areas of native forest that have been protected by the local people for centuries through socio-cultural and religious practices. Many of these sites are critical biodiversity hotspots. Hence, religious beliefs and myths are considered as the primary factor for their conservation in the majority of studies. In this review, we use Generalised Linear Models (GLMs) to identify the driver of tree species richness in sacred groves at a large spatial scale in Indian subcontinent by selecting 218 sacred groves from 33 research papers and 12 doctoral theses. Six variables were selected to explain tree species richness: grove area (hec.), survey method, site elevation (m), average annual precipitation (mm), annual mean temperature (°C) and religion of the community associated with sacred grove. Our findings indicated that the tree species richness in groves is influenced by multiple variables (except religion), and the relationship with area, and average annual rainfall was positive and significant (P < 0.05). Individual model with religion showed considerable uncertainty being below the null model. Floristic surveys reported slightly higher diversity of tree species than plot-based sampling. We recommend that larger sacred groves be prioritised for conservation and management as they support greater tree diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has direct and indirect impacts on forest ecosystems worldwide. In this context, changing site conditions and altered disturbance regimes as well as forest management responses are challenging the conservation of biodiversity in forests. Climate-induced dynamics and uncertainties related to future forest ecosystem development are calling into question current conservation strategies and concepts. Given the longevity of trees, slow development rates of forest ecosystems and slow migration rates of many forest species, the planning of adaptation measures in response to climate change are especially difficult though highly important for forest biodiversity conservation. This paper introduces a special issue with eight contributions which deal with a variety of aspects of forest biodiversity conservation in the face of climate change. More specifically, the papers address direct impacts of climate change on forest biodiversity, adaptation measures for forest and conservation management, as well as resulting challenges for conservation strategies and concepts. In conclusion, adaptation measures that enhance diversity and provide different options for future action, thereby maintaining ecosystems' resilience, as well as conservation management operating on a landscape level, are promoted as being beneficial for coping with uncertainties related to climate change. Adaptive management, which constantly reviews conservation goals and measures, and which takes into account both science-based and local ecological knowledge on climate change can be a valuable tool to inform decisions for forest biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of multi-dimensional data is one of the major gaps which limit the knowledge and the assessment possibilities of European forests. Nowadays, the most extensive and complete data on the European forest statuses are given by National Forest Inventories (NFIs) which provide information about the extent of forest's resources and their composition and structure. Traditionally, NFIs collect data related to trees, with a limited consideration of other habitat components, such as ground vegetation. This information which goes beyond the mere arboreal component is instead essential for a more complete forest biodiversity assessment. This paper is aimed at introducing the ICP Forests LI-BioDiv database which resulted from BioSoil Forest Biodiversity, a large collaborative European project. This database is organized as a multi-dimensional forest geodatabase that contains forest structure and vegetation records collected in 19 European countries in the period of 2005–2008. The data were acquired from 3311 geocoded plots where several different types of data were gathered: stand-level general information, tree-level data, deadwood, canopy closure and floristic composition. This paper is structured in order to: (1) give a clear overview of the raw data available in the database and to (2) present an elaboration of raw data to calculate simple plot-level forest variables (biomass, deadwood volume, alpha diversity). On the basis of the results we achieved, the LI-BioDiv database appears useful mainly for research purposes aimed at studying cross-relationships between multiple forest variables and not for an operative use for monitoring and assessing European forest. In particular, we hope that this contribution can stimulate scientists to carry out cross-analysis of the database for defining future forest biodiversity indicators that could be introduced into the field protocols of the NFIs in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Protected areas (PA) are central to biodiversity, but their efficiency is challenged by human-induced habitat loss and fragmentation. In the Fennoscandian boreal region, forestry with clearcutting is a threat to biodiversity causing the loss of mature forest elements and deterioration of ecological processes in forest landscapes, ultimately affecting PAs via declined structural connectivity. This paper aims to (1) determine PAs with high, red-listed species concentrations; (2) estimate the change in forest habitat around these PAs on different spatial scales; and (3) determine if forest management intensity is higher around biologically most valuable PAs. Occurrences of red-listed forest-dwelling species in Finland were used to identify PAs harbouring these species and to produce site-specific importance indices. CORINE landcover data was used as a baseline for the distribution of forests to assess the cover of clear-cuttings from 2001 to 2019 with the Global Forest Change (GFC) data set in three buffer areas around the PAs with occurrences of red-listed species. Results: The largest proportion of clear-cuts occurred in 1 km and 10 km buffers around the PAs in the southern and middle boreal zones, being ca. 20%. This indicates that the forest habitat is degrading fast at regional and landscape levels. On the positive side, the change in forest cover was lower around the biologically most important PAs compared to other PAs with red-listed species. Conclusions: Open and free satellite-data based assessments of the cover and change of forests provide reliable estimates about the rates at which mature and old-growth forests are being converted into young managed ones in Finland mainly via clear-cuts on different scales around PAs. The rate of clear-cuts was lowest in adjacent buffer areas next to the most species-rich PAs, which provides opportunities for biodiversity conservation efforts to be targeted to the remaining mature and old-growth forests found in the vicinity of these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logging causes changes in habitat structure, which can potentially lead to variations in taxonomic and functional richness of biodiversity. Studies on how functional traits in birds are affected by logging operations can provide an important element for the understanding of ecosystem processes. In this paper, we examined how logging in subtropical Andean forests influenced taxonomic and functional diversity of cavity-nesting birds. We used these results to compare how logging affected ecosystem functions in temperate and subtropical forests of the Americas. We used point-counts to examine the effects of logging on taxonomic and functional traits in avian communities (Functional Richness, Functional evenness, Functional Divergence, and Community-weighted mean). We found that logging changed bird richness and abundance, although it had no effect on the functional response to the measured traits. The comparison of our results with those of temperate forests of Canada and Chile reveals differences in the functional richness of birds in these habitats, with a lower impact of logging on functional traits. We highlight the importance of including functional traits in the analyses, since the reduction in the species richness and abundance may not be translated into functional changes within the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European forest policymaking is shaped by progressing European integration, yet with notable ideological divisions and diverging interests among countries. This paper focuses on the coalitional politics of key environmental forest issues: biodiversity conservation, timber legality, and climate protection policy. Combining the Advocacy Coalition Framework and the Shifting Coalition Theory, and informed by more than 186 key informant interviews and 73 policy documents spanning a 20-year timeframe, we examine the evolution of coalitional forest politics in Europe. We find that the basic line-up has remained stable: an environmental coalition supporting EU environmental forest policy integration and a forest sector coalition mostly opposing it. Still, strategic alliances across these coalitions have occurred for specific policy issues which have resulted in a gradual establishment of an EU environmental forest policy. We conclude with discussion of our findings and provide suggestions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests provide ecosystem services, including timber production. In some cases, private forest owners perform management actions in order to enhance the provision of such services, or they may be encouraged by public policies and payments. This paper focuses specifically on the decision to set forest land aside for biodiversity conservation, as part of the more general question of the efficiency of multiple-use vs. specialised management of forest lands. We propose an econometric analysis to identify factors in the set-aside choice and measure the impact of this decision on forest management costs. The results show that the set-aside choice depends on the landowners' income and motivations related to forest amenities. The choice of specialised management, as reflected in the set-aside decision, has a significant and positive impact on the intensity of management in the remainder of the forest and on management costs. From a policy implications point of view, these results suggest that instruments such as forest certification, subsidies and reverse auctions for conservation will be most likely to attract the interest of those forest owners with personal motivations and forest properties that offer both benefit and cost advantages in opting for such specialised management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a conceptual model of the urban forest patch as a complex social-ecological system, incorporating cross-scale interactions. We developed this model through an interdisciplinary process engaging social and ecological scientists and urban land management decision makers, with a focus on temperate forest social-ecological systems. In this paper, we place the production and management of urban forest patches in historical perspective, present a conceptual model of urban forest patches within a broader regional context, and identify a series of research questions to highlight future directions for research on urban forest patches. This conceptual model identifies how spatial and temporal social-ecological drivers interact with patch-level conditions at multiple scales. Our integrative approach can provide insights into the role of social-ecological drivers in shaping forest health, biodiversity, and benefits forest patches provide to people in urban and urbanizing regions, with direct implications for decision-making to improve management outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, forest ecosystems are shrinking and their health is declining due to a range of biotic and abiotic factors. Forest ecosystems in Pakistan are no exception and the country faces a crisis as its growing population (> 208 million) places increasing pressure on the country's food production systems and forest resources. Effective food systems that enhance productivity, increase economic outputs, improve ecological outcomes and maintain social acceptance are needed. Agroforestry, a traditional land management system in Pakistan, offers the opportunity to meet these goals. Planting trees on private farmland provides clear ownership of any timber resource and well managed systems have great potential both to boost agriculture and reduce wood shortages. Concerted extension efforts have been made to introduce and promote innovative agroforestry practices in Pakistan, but the success of these efforts depends on many factors. This paper reviews some of the current constraints to agroforestry promotion in Pakistan, including attitudes of the extension staff, poor or weak research-extension coordination, lack of trained personnel, lack of farmer response to advice, tree species limitations, and market mechanism as well as wood price challenges. Establishing model agroforestry farms at the village level can be a productive extension approach, but successful extension programming requires partners to share both an appreciation of the problem and a vision of successful outcomes. Successful promotion also requires appropriate choice of message, messenger, target audience and effective use of appropriate communication tools. Remedial measures to streamline the existing systems and devise future sustainable strategies and approaches are suggested to promote agroforestry in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant mortality is a complex process influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. In recent decades, widespread mortality events have been attributed to increasing drought severity, which has motivated research to examine the physiological mechanisms of drought-induced mortality, particularly hydraulic failure. Drought-based mortality mechanisms are further influenced by plant interactions with biota such as neighboring plants, insect pests, and microbes. In this review, we highlight some of the most influential papers addressing these biotic interactions and their influence on plant mortality. Plant–plant interactions can be positive (facilitation), neutral, or negative (competition), depending on drought intensity and neighbor identity. For example, stand-scale mortality likely increases with basal area (an index of competition). However, the diversity of forest stands matters, as more diverse forests suffer less mortality from drought than species-poor forests. Dense forest stands also increase bark beetle attack frequency, which can exacerbate drought stress and mortality, particularly for fast-growing species with lower defense allocation. In some cases, however, drought stress can alleviate biotic attack, depending on feedbacks between plant and pest physiology. Finally, plant interactions with beneficial microorganisms can increase drought tolerance, reduce the likelihood of mortality, and even extend plant distributions into drier habitats. Our review suggests more work is needed in natural herbaceous plant communities as well as dry tropical ecosystems where mortality mechanisms are less understood. Overall, relatively few studies directly link biotic interactions with the physiological mechanisms of mortality. Simultaneous manipulations of biotic interactions and measurements of physiological thresholds (e.g., xylem cavitation) are needed to fully represent biotic interactions in predictive models of plant mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe has a wealth of community forest arrangements. This paper aims to transcend the diversity of locally specific terms and forms, to highlight the value of considering them inclusively. Building on methods to make sense of diversity, we use reflexive grounded inquiry in fifteen cases in Italy, Scotland, Slovenia and Sweden. Within four dimensions (forest, community, relationships between them, and relationships with wider society), we identify 43 subdimensions to describe them collectively. Our approach shows how European arrangements contribute to wider discourses of collective natural resource management. Both tradition and innovation in Europe inform options for environmental governance. Arrangements challenge the distinction between 'communities of place' and 'communities of interest', with implications for social and environmental justice. They exemplify multilevel environmental governance through both vertical and horizontal connections. Emerging from long histories of political and environmental pressures, they have a role in enhancing society's connection with nature and adaptive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private forest (PF) program has the potential to be one of the most efficient forest management programs in Nepal but it has not gained the momentum compared to the other forest management regimes. Considering this, this paper aims to portray policy provisions, existing institutional arrangements as well as landholder experiences and perceptions over the existing mechanisms of PF registration, management, and forest product harvesting. Using the Sudoorpashchim province of Nepal as a case study, we conducted policy and literature reviews, key informant interviews, household surveys, and field observations. We found only 300 PFs registered in the Sudoorpashchim province, with lowland districts having the highest proportion (87%). Institutional arrangements and procedures for timber harvesting and selling were found to be lengthy and complex, with this being a major issue for PF owners with small forest areas. Government initiatives are inadequate to facilitate PF development due to poor implementation of policy provisions, as well as the lack of appropriate incentives and program packages. Despite a very small government investment in PF development, we found the return from PFs in terms of timber supply to be substantially higher than other forest management regimes. Among others, PF owners perceive the cumbersome regulatory procedures and lack of technical support to be the most pertinent factors responsible for the limited growth of PFs. Based on our results, we have discussed and recommended a number of policy and institutional measures to mainstream PF development programs, in order to support economic prosperity of the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal profiles at archaeological bone assemblages can bear little resemblance to original hominin discarded bone elements. Resulting patterns might originate from different taphonomic problems, such as hominin-carnivore activities in alternate visits, and lead to interpretation issues. In this paper, we present a study of predepositional scattering activities caused by small-sized carnivores on simulated short-term hominin campsites. Their disrupting actions affect skeletal element survival considerably and, to a lesser extent, the spatial distribution of hearth-related assemblages. The results of this study demonstrate that small-sized carnivores might cause as much disruption as large-sized ones. Thus, being able to recognize these taphonomic processes and their consequences is critical when discerning between human and non-human behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nearly all ecological studies are conducted in an ecosystem, there is a fundamental difference between ecology B in b ecosystems versus the ecology B of b ecosystems (Fisher [13]). Climate change is altering ecosystem structure and function at rates not seen for thousands of years, and the consequences of global warming are already having profound effects on people and ecosystems. Since cessation of the biennial Cary Conferences that brought ecosystem scientists together to explore current topics, no professional meetings focus solely on ecosystem science. [Extracted from the article]

Forests harbor extensive biodiversity and act as a strong global carbon and nitrogen sink. Although enhancing tree diversity has been shown to mitigate climate change by sequestering more carbon and nitrogen in biomass and soils in manipulative experiments, it is still unknown how varying environmental gradients, such as gradients in resource availability, mediate the effects of tree diversity on carbon and nitrogen accrual in natural forests. Here, we use Canada's National Forest Inventory data to explore how the relationships between tree diversity and the accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in tree biomass and soils vary with resource availability and environmental stressors in natural forests. We find that the positive relationship between tree functional diversity (rather than species richness) and the accumulation of carbon in tree biomass strengthens with increasing light and soil nutrient availability. Moreover, the positive relationship between tree functional diversity and the accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in both organic and mineral soil horizons is more pronounced at sites with greater water and nutrient availabilities. Our results highlight that conserving and promoting functionally diverse forests in resource-rich environments could play a greater role than in resource-poor environments in enhancing carbon and nitrogen sequestration in Canada's forests. Tree diversity can enhance carbon and nitrogen sequestration in both biomass and soils, but its effects across different environmental conditions remain unclear. This study shows that promoting tree functional diversity can increase carbon and nitrogen accumulation more in resource-rich environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achelura yunnanensis is a destructive pest of forests, causing substantial damage on tree growth and severe economic losses. Additionally, as a daytime-active moth, this species also holds important scientific value for investigating the genetic mechanisms governing day-night activity patterns of Lepidoptera. To facilitate effective pest control and deepen our understanding of the diurnal behavior's genetic basis of moths, genomic data for this species are crucial. In this study, we present a chromosome-level reference genome of A. yunnanensis (368.15 Mb in 32 chromosomes; scaffold N50 = 12.61 Mb; BUSCO completeness = 98.0%). Genome annotation shows that the new assembly comprises 37.10% (136.55 Mb) repetitive elements, 1,828 non-coding RNAs, and 15,523 protein-coding genes. Genes involved in lipid metabolism and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, such as cytochrome P450 families, experienced significant expansion in the A. yunnanensis genome. The chromosome-level genome of A. yunnanensis provides a valuable genomic resource for devising novel pest control strategies, and will also help to study the genetic mechanism of the shift of diurnal behavior in Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need of designing a monitoring network in Sierra de Guerrero motivated this paper. The study of the effect of deforestation of the forest needs of monitoring in the diversity. A quantitative evaluation of diversity is measured by estimating an index. Commonly the monitoring of biodiversity is based on the periodical selection of samples for evaluating the diversity. We propose to use sample information for determining post strata. They must constitute homogeneous zones in the forest. A stochastic program is developed for determining the post strata to be used for sampling. The procedure seems to be a good alternative with respect to the use of a heuristic procedure. The results presented are based on the data obtained in a research developed at one of the most important forest diversity reservoirs of Mexico [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationship between landscape features and avian diversity in South Korea, examining both taxonomic and functional diversity. The Korean Peninsula serves as a pivotal habitat for resident bird species and a migratory pathway in the East Asia-Pacific flyway. Using a national dataset with block sizes ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 kilometers per side, we found that less urbanized open plains exhibit higher taxonomic diversity, while coastal regions with diverse water bird populations show higher functional diversity. These findings underscore the significance of conserving the existing land types and qualities in specific regions to substantially impact bird distribution and regional biodiversity. Remarkably, closed forests display diversity patterns akin to urban/built-up areas, despite their disparate land use characteristics. The stability of bird diversity indices across different land use types enables us to predict bird diversity indices based on the particular land use and land cover configurations. This study emphasizes the complementary nature of functional biodiversity indices in comprehending bird distribution patterns alongside taxonomic diversity indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Forest ecosystems are crucial for maintaining high levels of bacterial diversity and containing high amounts of carbon (C), both of which play essential roles in regulating C cycling in the soil and atmosphere through the processes of soil respiration and plant photosynthesis. However, how bacterial communities and different soil carbon components (e.g., soil organic carbon (SOC), readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC)) impact the soil respiration remains largely unknown. Therefore, we hypothesize that belowground bacterial communities and soil carbon contribute to soil respiration, which further influences soil carbon storage. Methods: We collected 24 soil samples from Mount Lu (subtropical forest ecosystem, China) along an elevation gradient consisting in eight levels. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing to detect bacterial alpha and beta diversity. We also measured several soil carbon variables, including SOC, ROC, DOC, and MBC. Particularly, regression analysis, structural equation modeling and random forest analysis were applied to explore the effects of bacterial diversity and soil carbon on soil respiration using R-3.6.2. Results: The results showed that soil respiration has a clearly positive linear regression (R2 = 0.35–0.61, p < 0.01) with all measured soil carbon components, including SOC, ROC, DOC, and MBC. Bacterial communities composition was significantly divergent along the elevation levels, primarily due to species replacement. Random forest and structural equation modeling analysis confirmed that soil carbon and bacterial beta diversity were the significant driving forces behind soil respiration. Additionally, bacterial communities composition significantly impacted changes in soil respiration, with five identified rare bacterial phyla (WPS-2, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, and Cyanobacteria) significantly correlated with soil respiration. Meanwhile, random forest regression analysis showed that rare bacterial taxa, rather than abundant ones, were the primary bacterial predictors of soil respiration. Conclusion: Taken together, belowground bacterial communities and soil carbon variables jointly contribute to soil respiration in a subtropical forest, and further regulate soil C storage as well as even influence climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Contrary to general belief, planted and naturalized stands of introduced species facilitate the recovery of natural evergreen forests and their diversity. Forest rehabilitation actions are often performed at great cost: mature forest species are planted, while species with adaptations to recover effectively and quickly after severe disturbance are ignored; or stands are cleared of invasive alien species before native tree species are planted. By contrast, cost-effective commercial plantation forestry systems generally use fast-growing pioneer tree species introduced from other natural forest regions. Such planted tree stands often facilitate the recovery of shade-tolerant native forest species. This paper provides a brief overview of disturbance-recovery processes at landscape level, and how pioneer stands of both native and introduced tree species develop from monocultures to diverse mature forest communities. It uses one example of a study of how natural forest species from small forest patches of 3 ha in total invaded a 90-ha stand of the invasive Black wattle, Acacia mearnsii, over a distance of 3.1 ha at Swellendam near Cape Town, South Africa. The study recorded 329 forest species clusters across the wattle stand: more large clusters closer to and more smaller clusters further away from natural forest patches. The 28 recorded forest species (of potentially 40 species in the surrounding forest patches) included 79% tree and 21% shrub species. Colonizing forest species had mostly larger fleshy fruit and softer small seeds, and were dispersed by mostly birds and primate species. Maturing forest trees within developing clusters in the wattle stand became a source for forest regeneration away from the clusters, showing different expansion patterns. Four sets of fenced-unfenced plots in the wattle stand showed the impact of browsing by livestock, antelope, rodents and insects on the successful establishment of regenerating forest species, and the dramatic effect of excluding browsing. The results support the approach to rather selectively manipulate than clear invader plant stands in the natural forest environment. This approach invests in the natural succession process rather than planting. It protects developing seedlings against browsing by stacking invader plant debris around them, rather than protecting them by means of costly fencing. This forest recovery process through nurse stands of invasive species can be managed, with additional benefits: Indigenous tree species provide for better streambank stability; and the practice provides for local job creation over a 10-year period for harvesting poles and firewood from the manipulative conversion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests in Central Europe have been used since centuries and were systematically changed by silvicultural practices since the late 1700s. Focusing on possible biodiversity losses, forest stand management primarily impacts on the biodiversity attributes 'composition, structure and functioning' that are interlinked and incorporate different organizational and spatial ecosystem levels. Forest stand management can manipulate tree species diversity, which in turn affects stand structure and finally leads to changes in forest functions and services. We used meta-analyses to review 49 papers with 197 comparisons on compositional and structural diversity between unmanaged and managed forests as well as 53 comparisons of biomass productivity between mixed and monoculture forests throughout the temperate biome of Europe. Besides management impacts, for species and structural comparisons, we took time since abandonment of forest stand management into consideration when dealing with unmanaged forests. For species richness and diversity, we could not detect significant management effects; no significant influences of time since abandonment of management could be identified either. Structural attributes partly revealed considerable responses to forest stand management. Importantly, deadwood quantity, the number of microhabitats, and tree size diversity were reduced by forest stand management, while no effect was found for stand basal area and the number of living trees. Some of these effects become more pronounced with increasing time since abandonment. Forest productivity was significantly enhanced by regular moderate thinning compared with untreated stands and by tree species mixing compared with monospecific stands. Based on these results, we discuss the role of direct and indirect silvicultural effects, interactions between biodiversity components, the problem of defining the unmanaged reference state, and perspectives for forest stand management in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is devoted to the analysis and generalization of the results of stationary studies on differentiation of factors of the epi-soil environment, natural forest regeneration, and formation of secondary dendrocenoses on burns and clean cuts in two pine forest types most prevalent in the pre-forest-steppe subzone of Western Siberia (Pripyshmiskian pine forests). It is shown that the same primary forest type (or even biogeocenosis) in burns, on the one hand, and in clean cuts, on the other hand, is replaced by two types of biogeocenoses that are alternative to each other in terms of structure and functions and represent qualitatively different, diverging ecodynamic series of natural regeneration and development of the primary, autochthonous forest type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of 20-year studies into the impact made by an experimental high-intensity fire on ecosystem components and postfire succession in a middle-taiga pine forest. About 44% of forest fuel loads burned down during the fire, and the emission of carbon was more than 18 t C/ha. As a result of the fire impact, trees died within 3 years after the fire, and this resulted in a significant accumulation of fuel loads. Twenty years after the fire, the biomass of forest fuel loads surpassed the prefire values 4 times, which led to the possibility of the origin of a repeated high-intensity fire. The initial stage of postfire succession in the pine forest is determined by forest vegetation conditions and takes place with the replacement of dominant grass and shrubs. The agrochemical and hydrothermal soil indicators were revealed to be changed after the fire, and this promoted improved conditions for the origin and development of natural regeneration sufficient for the formation of forest stand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arboreal mammals are a group of special concern. We reviewed the available literature to summarize the overall potential effects of forest habitat disturbances on dormice ecology and population parameters. We took into consideration the influence of forest structure, area size and fragmentation, vegetation biodiversity, forestry treatments, and the development of road networks. The vast majority of studies have only examined two species, hazel and edible dormouse, while the ecological requirements and conservation priorities of forest, garden, and Japanese dormice have rarely been studied. There has been a substantial increase in the number of dormice studies; however, many aspects of their ecology are still unknown. The current state of knowledge points to the essential role of the complex vertical structure of forest vegetation in providing arboreal movement corridors and safe nesting places for dormice species. Moreover, dormice species are cavity dwellers that depend on the presence of old trees and nest boxes, which could have ambiguous effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of alternative stable states in forest systems has significant implications for the functioning and structure of the terrestrial biosphere, yet empirical evidence remains scarce. Here, we combine global forest biodiversity observations and simulations to test for alternative stable states in the presence of evergreen and deciduous forest types. We reveal a bimodal distribution of forest leaf types across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere that cannot be explained by the environment alone, suggesting signatures of alternative forest states. Moreover, we empirically demonstrate the existence of positive feedbacks in tree growth, recruitment and mortality, with trees having 4–43% higher growth rates, 14–17% higher survival rates and 4–7 times higher recruitment rates when they are surrounded by trees of their own leaf type. Simulations show that the observed positive feedbacks are necessary and sufficient to generate alternative forest states, which also lead to dependency on history (hysteresis) during ecosystem transition from evergreen to deciduous forests and vice versa. We identify hotspots of bistable forest types in evergreen-deciduous ecotones, which are likely driven by soil-related positive feedbacks. These findings are integral to predicting the distribution of forest biomes, and aid to our understanding of biodiversity, carbon turnover, and terrestrial climate feedbacks. Alternative stable states in forests have implications for the biosphere. Here, the authors combine forest biodiversity observations and simulations revealing that leaf types across temperate regions of the NH follow a bimodal distribution suggesting signatures of alternative forest states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Atlantic Forest is diverse and heavily fragmented, little is known about the impact of edges created from fragmentation on forest structure and plant diversity. Our investigation of vegetation at agricultural edges aimed to determine edge width, to compare effects of edge influence and topography and to assess patterns of diversity. We collected data on forest structure, plant groups, plant families, and vertical vegetation structure in 2 × 2 m contiguous plots along 250 m transects across the edges of 24 fragments approx. 70 km west of São Paulo, Brazil. We used randomization tests to estimate the magnitude and distance of edge influence, generalized linear mixed models to assess the effect of topography, and wavelet analysis to evaluate spatial patterns. Although there was evidence of edge degradation (lower diversity and cover of most plant groups compared to interior forest) and edge sealing (abrupt changes at the edge particularly for leafy vertical diversity), edge influence did not extend very far with a distance of edge influence of 20 m or less for most variables. Less extensive edge influence compared to other tropical forests was not explained by topography (slope) but could be due to more extensive fragmentation and land use history. The use of multiple approaches to studying forest edges provided complementary information to improve our understanding of the structure of anthropogenic edges in Atlantic Forest. Signs of edge degradation suggest that edge influence should be considered in conservation planning even though edges are narrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of secondary forest can contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon storage. In the Yucatan Peninsula, forest owners practise thinning and tree enrichment with commercial species in secondary forest, with the aim of halting deforestation and raising household income. This field study assessed the effects of thinning (60% removal) and tree species enrichment in 15 to 17-year-old secondary forests in Calakmul, Yucatan Peninsula, on carbon stocks (live biomass, dead biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC)), tree species diversity and abundance and the ability of tree species to store carbon. The treatments were two thinnings (T2), three thinnings (T3), two thinnings plus enrichment with pepper (Pimenta dioica) (T2P), no thinning and enrichment with cedar (Cedrela odorata) and mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) (T0CM) and, natural secondary forest (NSF). There were no significant differences in total carbon stocks (live biomass C + dead biomass C + SOC) between treatments, but T2P had significantly less live biomass C than T2, T3 and NSF. There were also no significant differences in tree species diversity and richness between treatments, but T0CM differed from T2, T3 and NSF in terms of species abundance. In the present study some tree species with high potential to store carbon were identified. Although no increment in carbon stocks were identified at the time of the carbon stock assessment (10–12 years after thinning) with 60% removal of vegetation compared to NSF, the nursed and introduced tree species give extra benefits to landowners, with no detrimental effects on forest diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to examine the contribution of cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CAFS) in the conservation of native tree species of nearby forests. The study was conducted in two sites in Mbankomo sub-division of Cameroon, where a field inventory was carried out in both land use systems in 26 sample plots of 30 × 30 m each, in 20 cocoa agroforest plots and six adjacent secondary forests plots. Tree diversity, composition and structure in the cocoa agroforests and secondary forests were characterized, α-diversity was evaluated and similarity/dissimilarity of species composition assessed using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). The results reveal that all the CAFS appear to conserve 46 % of forest tree species found in nearby forests. This may be justified by the multipurpose use of forest tree species during the implementation and the evolution of the CAFS on a spatial-temporal scale. CAFS harbored lower forest tree species diversity at the plot level compared to nearby forest stands meanwhile the non-parametric estimator suggested that both land uses conserve approximately the same species richness. Mean values for species richness, the Shannon and reciprocal Simpsons indices diversity, stem density and basal area were significantly higher in forests than in CAFS ( p < 0.001). The NMDS showed a clear dissimilarity which was confirmed by the R = 0.998 and p value = 0.009 of the analysis of similarities test between cocoa agroforests and forest stands. In conclusion, the results show that CAFS can serve as reservoirs for the conservation of forest tree species; this can be expanded if the issue of ownership of timber forest trees is addressed in the forest law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragmentation of the forests affects forest ecosystems by changing the composition, shape, and configuration of the resulting patches. Subsequently, the prevailing conditions vary between patches. The exposure to the sun decreases from the patch boundary to the patch interior and this forms core and edge areas within each patch. Forest harvesting and, in particular, the clear-cut management system which is still preferred in many European countries has a significant impact on forest fragmentation. There are many indices of measuring fragmentation: non-spatial and spatial. The non-spatial indices measure the composition of patches, while the spatial indices measure both the shape and configuration of the resulting patches. The effect of forest harvesting on fragmentation, biodiversity, and the environment is extensively studied; however, the integration of fragmentation indices in the harvest scheduling model is a new, novel approach. This paper presents a multi-objective integer model of harvest scheduling for clear-cut management system and presents a case study demonstrating its use. Harvest balance and sustainability are ensured by the addition of constraints from the basic principle of the regulated forest model. The results indicate that harvest balance and sustainability can be also achieved in minimizing fragmentation of forest ecosystems. From the analyses presented in this study, it can be concluded that integration of fragmentation into harvest scheduling can provide better spatial structure. It depends on the initial spatial and age structure. It was confirmed that it is possible to find compromise solution while minimizing fragmentation and maximizing harvested area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest management globally affects the ecosystem services, especially those related to ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation, by altering forest structure and composition. The degree of alteration was related to the intensity and type of harvesting; therefore, the major silvicultural challenge is to develop alternatives to mitigate climate change and maintain forest functions and biodiversity while also providing acceptable levels of timber production. Variable retention forestry (VRF) is a highly flexible concept, with continuity of forest cover, structure, function, and species composition, thereby supporting multiple economic, environmental, and cultural goals. This special issue provides an overview of the concepts and applications related to VRF implementation around the world. It shows that VRF has been applied globally for several decades, with varying levels and retention types, depending on local conditions and the economic importance of forestry. The challenges of VRF seem to differ to some extent on different continents, yet the general aims have been accepted in most of the continents. VRF has been successful in mitigating many effects of intensive harvesting, though in some forests of the world, the retention levels are too low to maintain acceptable levels of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. We conclude that an active collaboration between scientists and forest practitioners is needed to realize all of the opportunities provided by VRF in solving global forestry-related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing forest biodiversity, naturalness and old-growth status (B-N-OG) is crucial for supporting sustainable forest planning, yet comprehensive monitoring networks specifically designed for such purposes are lacking in many countries. National Forest Inventories (NFIs) are the official source of statistics on status and trends of forests. While initially designed for wood production assessment, NFI data may be pivotal for ecological forest monitoring, thanks to their robust sampling protocols—enabling statistical inference—and regular field campaigns that ensure continuous information updates. As a consequence, in this study we explore the potential of NFIs for estimating B-N-OG indexes, aiming to establish compatible, scientifically relevant, and cost-effective indicators using existing NFI data at a European level. Based on data from the 2005 Italian NFI collected from 6563 plots, 18 indicators were selected following previous experiences and then used to estimate B-N-OG aggregated indexes. Relationships between the 18 indicators and the three indexes were investigated, along with comparisons of their relationships relative to forest type categories, management types and protected versus non-protected areas. Results confirm that NFI data offer valuable insights into specific B-N-OG indexes, especially concerning forest structure and deadwood. Moreover, the indexes contribute to developing meaningful relationships across geographic regions, forest categories and types of management. However, limitations in NFI field protocols are evident, as they are not explicitly designed for certain indicators. The study suggests the potential for NFIs to evolve into accessible, harmonized European reference networks for B-N-OG assessment for better supporting sustainable forest management, planning and conservation decisions related to forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global environmental changes drive biodiversity loss and community compositional change. Yet whether and how both factors simultaneously impact biomass dynamics in natural ecosystems remains elusive, especially considering their multidimensional effects (e.g., taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic) over spatial scales. To fill this knowledge gap, we generated an experimental spatial gradient using circular quadrats that vary in radius (2–30 m) in a subtropical forest on Dinghushan Mountain, China. Within each quadrat over 10 years, we calculated the changes in aboveground biomass (i.e., net Δbiomass), biodiversity (i.e., Δbiodiversity for richness, Shannon diversity, functional, phylogenetic), and community composition (i.e., β-diversity for taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic). Based on multi-model inference, we determined the most parsimonious relationships of Δbiomass as a function of Δbiodiversity and β-diversity and then quantified their standardized coefficients in response to the spatial gradient. Our results showed that Δbiomass, Δbiodiversity, and β-diversity decreased with quadrat size; the former at an accelerating rate and the latter at decelerating rates. While Δbiomass as a function of Δbiodiversity and β-diversity had low occurrences across the gradient, Δbiomass was strongly related to the change in functional dispersion (i.e., ΔFDis) and taxonomic β-diversity at larger spatial scales. Our results suggest scale-dependent influences of biodiversity loss and community compositional change on biomass dynamics in natural ecosystems. Further, our results highlight that multiple dimensions of biodiversity should be considered when predicting biomass dynamics at large spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature conservation policy is mainly concerned with aboveground terrestrial species and soil biodiversity has been largely ignored, resulting in a lack of information about the conservation status of most soil organisms and about the effects that nature conservation policies have on soil systems. Forests in Northern Portugal are characterized by a remarkable diversity of ecosystems and provide habitat for an enormous diversity of living organisms. This study aims to investigate whether and to what extent protected areas and forest typology (native vs. exotic) affect soil nematode biodiversity and functions in forest ecosystems. We studied soil nematode communities, which have been widely used for their bioindicator value, to: (i) assess differences in soil biodiversity and functions between protected and non-protected areas, and between native and exotic forest types; and (ii) infer how protected areas deal with pressures and drivers of soil biodiversity and functions. We showed that current work done by nature conservation in Northern Portugal is producing some significant effects on the soil system, showing a larger Structure and Omnivore footprints and greater abundance of fungivorous and omnivorous nematodes in protected areas. Furthermore, native forest areas are better suited to ensure soil biodiversity and ecological functioning and should have a greater importance in nature conservation measures. Soil organic carbon, apparent density, soil moisture, and deciduous forest cover mainly influenced soil functional biodiversity with higher nematode trophic groups being positively associated with soil organic carbon and moisture and negatively associated with apparent density. Finally, conservation efforts targeted at the protection of native forests need to better consider effects on soil biodiversity and function, to provide an integrated protection of both aboveground and belowground components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex and contrasted distribution of terrestrial biota in Asia has been linked to active tectonics and dramatic climatic changes during the Neogene. However, the timings of the emergence of these distributional patterns and the underlying climatic and tectonic mechanisms remain disputed. Here, we apply a computational data analysis technique, called redescription mining, to track these spatiotemporal phenomena by studying the associations between the prevailing herbivore dental traits of mammalian communities and climatic conditions during the Neogene. Our results indicate that the modern latitudinal zoogeographic division emerged after the Middle Miocene climatic transition, and that the modern monsoonal zoogeographic pattern emerged during the late Late Miocene. Furthermore, the presence of a montane forest biodiversity hotspot in the Hengduan Mountains alongside Alpine fauna on the Tibetan Plateau suggests that the modern distribution patterns may have already existed since the Pliocene. The timing of the emergence of the modern Asian terrestrial biota is unclear. Here, the authors apply redescription mining to herbivore dental trait data, finding that different aspects of modern zoogeographic patterns originated in the Pliocene and Middle and Late Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Elucidating the interactions of above- and below-ground communities in forest ecosystems is of great importance for comprehending biodiversity maintenance and ecosystem functioning. Methods: In the context of a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning experiment conducted in China (BEF-China), we explored the combined effects of tree species richness (1, 2, and 4) and shrub species richness (0, 2, 4, and 8) on soil fungal community diversity and structure under tree species with different mycorrhizal types (i.e., arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) tree and ectomycorrhizal (EM) tree) using the Illumina sequencing method. Results: Results demonstrated that the fungal alpha diversity, community composition and network structure were significantly different between EM trees and AM trees. Although tree and shrub species richness had no significant interactive effect on soil fungal alpha diversity regardless of tree mycorrhizal types, however, their interactions did influence fungal community composition and co-occurrence network structure. Specifically, the interactive effect of tree and shrub species richness on soil fungal community composition was observed in AM trees, and their interactions affected the soil fungal co-occurrence network structure in EM trees. Conclusions: These findings highlight the tree mycorrhizal type dependence of the interactive effects of tree and shrub species richness on soil fungal communities in a subtropical forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neotropical landscapes are often characterized as mosaics of actively grazed pastures and forest fragments at various stages of succession. Restoring abandoned pastures requires intervening with actions informed by local ecological succession. Here we evaluate how litter production, a key component of nutrient cycling in forests, varies between physiographic landscapes (hill and lowland mountain), among stand age groups (early-secondary: 0–20 year, intermediate-secondary: 20–40 year, and old-growth forests: > 40 year), and in response to climatic (precipitation and irradiation) and forest structure and biodiversity variables (stand density, basal area, species density, diversity), in a tropical humid forest chronosequence. Total and leaf litter production was higher in the lower elevation hill landscape. Leaf litter production increased with stand age in both landscapes but only correlated positively with forest structure and biodiversity in the hill landscape. Lack of correlation in the mountain landscape is attributed to greater variance in structure and species composition in the subset of plots selected from this landscape for this study. Both landscapes exhibited an asynchronous, bimodal regime of leaf fall in response to precipitation. Leaf litter peaks prior to the wet season likely occur in response to water stress, while peaks after the wet season that coincided with increasing solar irradiation are likely the result of a leaf turnover strategy to optimize photosynthesis. Ecological succession in these landscapes does not appear limited in leaf litter production, but further research on the drivers of leaf litter production recovery is necessary to adequately guide intervention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Forest–grassland ecotones, the transitional zones between forests and grasslands, often harbor high levels of biodiversity. According to the portfolio theory, communities with such high biodiversity should exhibit high stability in ecosystem functioning. On the contrary, the theory of 'bi-stability' or 'multistability' predicts that ecosystems exhibiting multiple states or regimes (e.g. forest and grassland) are less stable. Understanding the stability of forest–grassland ecotone has broad implications for forest management and restoration. Objectives: In this study, by quantifying landscape heterogeneity and temporal invariability of regional climatic and vegetational metrics, we aimed to reveal how landscape diversity influences the stability of ecosystem functioning in the forest–grassland ecotone. Methods: We focused on the forest–grassland ecotone in northern China (i.e. from the forest belt in the Greater Khingan Mountains to the steppe grassland in Inner Mongolia) and used remote sensing data of land cover dynamics from 1992 to 2015 to analyze the landscape diversity and ecosystem dynamics at different grain sizes. To measure the temporal stability of climatic variables and vegetational dynamics, we calculated the interannual variation of temperature (T), wind speed (WS), precipitation (P), and the net primary productivity (NPP) on the grided sampling cells at different spatial scale over the same period. Results: Our results showed that landscape diversity across this forest–grassland ecotone was positively related to the stability of T and NPP, but negatively related to that of WS and P. These opposite patterns may be explained by the differential nature of ecosystem variables, namely whether they involve transporting substance across space (WS and P) or not (T and NPP). We also found that as the spatial scale increases, the diversity-stability relationships strengthened for all three climatic variables (i.e., T, P, WS). However, the stabilizing effects of landscape diversity on NPP first increased but then decreased with increasing grain size, peaking at ~ 30 km. Conclusions: Our empirical analyses demonstrate strong, but context-dependent diversity-stability relationships, shedding light on the paradox in the stability of ecosystem functioning in the ecotone. These findings also have implications for the management of landscape resources to maintain the sustainability of forest–grassland ecotones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest mammal diversity declined rapidly due to the widespread loss and fragmentation of primary forest habitats, requiring further research on forest mammal diversity. China is a country with diverse forest types, large climate and elevation gradient, high mammal diversity, but massive anthropogenic disturbance on natural landscapes. However, few studies have assessed the associations between forest mammal diversity and these natural and anthropogenic factors. Therefore, this study tried to explore the relationships between forest mammal diversity captured by camera traps with elevation range, contemporary climate, paleoclimate change and human activities in China. We firstly collected mammal species lists from published literatures, calculated different diversity indices, and related these indices with explanatory variables using the multiple linear regression models. The results showed that forest sites with higher elevation range had higher species richness. Higher contemporary precipitation and cropland area promoted phylogenetic diversity and over-dispersed phylogenetic and functional structure. These findings suggest that the mammal diversity in Chinese forest ecosystems is mainly associated with natural environmental variables, supporting the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis, the energy availability hypothesis and tropical conservatism hypothesis. Meanwhile, the associations between forest mammal diversity and cropland area indicate that although these forest ecosystems play important role in conserving forest mammal diversity, further anthropogenic activities should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]