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Modern forestry systems rely on typologies of forest types (FTs). In Argentina, several proposals have been developed, but they lack unified criteria. The objective was to compare different approaches, specifically focusing on (i) phenoclusters (functional forests based on vegetation phenology variations and climate variables) and (ii) forest canopy cover composition by tree species. We conducted comparative uni-variate analyses using data from national forest inventories, forest models (biodiversity, carbon, structure), and regional climate. We assessed the performance of phenoclusters in differentiating the variability of native forests (proxy: forest structure), biodiversity (proxy: indicator species), and environmental factors (proxies: soil carbon stock, elevation, climate). Additionally, we proposed a simple FT classification methodology based on species composition, considering the basal area of tree species. Finally, we compared the performance of both proposals. Our findings showed that classifications based on forest canopy cover composition are feasible to implement in regions dominated by mono-specific forests. However, phenoclusters allowed for the increased complexity of categories at the landscape level. Conversely, in regions where multi-specific stands prevailed, classifications based on forest canopy cover composition proved ineffective; however, phenoclusters facilitated a reduction in complexity at the landscape level. These results offer a pathway to harmonize national FT classifications by employing criteria and indicators to achieve sustainable forest management and conservation initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research reviews the phenomenon of extractive deforestation as a possible trigger for cascade reactions that could affect part of the forest ecosystem and its biodiversity (surface, aerial, and underground) in tropical, subtropical, and boreal forests. The controversy and disparities in criteria generated in the international scientific community around the hypothesis of a possible link between "mother trees" and mycorrhizal networks in coopetition for nutrients, nitrogen, and carbon are analyzed. The objective is to promote awareness to generate more scientific knowledge about the eventual impacts of forest extraction. Public policies are emphasized as crucial mediators for balanced sustainable development. Currently, the effects of extractive deforestation on forest ecosystems are poorly understood, which requires caution and forest protection. Continued research to increase our knowledge in molecular biology is advocated to understand the adaptation of biological organisms to the new conditions of the ecosystem both in the face of extractive deforestation and reforestation. The environmental impacts of extractive deforestation, such as the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, altered water cycles, and the contribution of climate change, remain largely unknown. Long-term and high-quality research is essential to ensure forest sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dataset of relevés for native forest types, including spruce, pine, and broad-leaved forests was created as a result of route surveys of strict scientific forest reserves in the Moscow region (boreo-nemoral zone). These relevés can be considered as a "benchmark" of native forest communities in comparison with young, secondary, and anthropogenically disturbed forests. The purpose of the work is to determine the species diversity indicators for undisturbed (by logging or recreation) native forest communities in the main forest types in the Moscow region. Classification of relevés into syntaxa (forest types) was carried out according to the principles of the V.N. Sukachev's school (based on habitat features and the composition of diagnostic groups of species) with further refinement of the results by ordination of relevés in multidimensional axes of detrending correspondence analysis (DCA). Biodiversity indicators (for an area of 300 m2), such as the alpha diversity, the Shannon index, and the rank abundance curves were calculated for the first time for native undisturbed forests of the Moscow region using a unified approach. The maximum species diversity of the tree layer (A) was observed in mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest types – Pineta composita (4.9) and Piceeta composita (4.4). The maximum species diversity of the shrub layer (B2) was observed in Piceeta composita (6.1) and Piceeta oxalidosa (5.3). The maximum species diversity of the field layer (C) was observed in two nemoral spruce forest types—Piceeta composita and Piceeta oxalidosa (over 29). The maximum species diversity of the bottom layer (D) was observed in Vaccinium-type pine forest (7.6). In general, the maximum species diversity for a forest type (all layers) was observed in the nemoral spruce forest types, Piceeta oxalidosa and Piceeta composita (ca. 43) with the highest values of the Shannon index (ca. 2.8), and the shape of rank abundance curve close to S-shaped. This shape of the curves is characteristic of mature natural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Azorean archipelago, recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, is home to a diverse and unique community of arthropod species, highlighting a notable degree of endemism. However, the native forests that support these species are facing significant degradation due to habitat loss and fragmentation. In this study, we aimed to determine the ideal season for measuring the biological integrity of forest sites using a biological integrity index (IBI) based on arthropod communities captured with Sea, Land, and Air Malaise (SLAM) traps. Drawing on more than thirty years of research experience in the Azorean forests, we selected twelve reference sites, six representing preserved native forest and six representing disturbed native forest, and compared how IBI values vary between seasons. IBI values exhibited consistent variations between seasons in disturbed sites, indicating that measuring the biological integrity in these areas can be conducted at any time of the year without a specific seasonal preference. In contrast, significant differences were observed in pristine forest sites, with the winter season and the combination of winter and spring data (cold semester) showing notably higher values compared to other seasons and semesters. This finding suggests that measuring the biological integrity of preserved sites is best optimized in the cold seasons, while the detection of exotic species impact is most effective in summer and autumn. Consequently, if resources are limited, monitoring efforts should be concentrated in the winter and summer seasons to obtain the maximum and minimum values of IBI, respectively. Additionally, our study suggests that the summer season is the optimal time to detect potentially invasive exotic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure the long-term viability of a circular bioeconomy based on native forests, it is crucial to enhance our understanding and overcome existing disparities in knowledge and application throughout the entire value chain of forest products. The objective of this article is to contribute towards this goal and facilitate the proper management of forest biomass. Firstly, a methodology is proposed for the study of biomass throughout the native forest value chain, identifying the main steps, criteria, and variables to consider. This approach is evaluated through a case study in Argentina, where over 2370 tons of biomass are wasted annually. A series of strategies for analyzing the most suitable uses and applications for this biomass are examined. Finally, some key approaches for the promotion of a circular and sustainable forest bioeconomy are identified. While it is true that there is still a long way to go before small rural economies can make a more efficient and comprehensive use of their resources (potentially including small biorefineries) with appropriate cascade use schemes, moving towards biomass energy use constitutes a practical and concrete alternative today. This proposal provides tools for accelerating this necessary ecological and energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Chile, the native forest has suffered anthropic pressure that has resulted in the reduction in its surface and increased degradation, which has led to the development of public policies to reverse this scenario and encourage its sustainable management and conservation. This study examines the socioeconomic variables that influence the area increase in native forests in southern Chile, based on the analysis of 154 properties in the regions of Los Ríos, La Araucanía and Los Lagos. Georeferenced information from the 2015 SIMEF program survey and the Cadastre and Evaluation of Native Vegetation Resources of Chile were used. A Probit regression model was implemented, which associates a traceable increase in the native forest area with the variables regarding the owner: location, gender, age, schooling, management plan and technical advisory; and regarding the exploitation: farm size, percentage of native forest, scrub and forest plantations of the property and number of animal units. The econometric results show that smaller farms and those located in Los Lagos presented less probability of increasing their native forests. In the same way, an increase in the share of forest plantations area decreases the probability. Conversely, the scrub area share is related to the recovery of native forests in the sample. No significant effects of the variables associated with the implementation of management plans and technical assistance were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Macrozone is a socioecological region with shared geographic and demographic characteristics. Within the Chilean Austral Macrozone (43° to 56° SL), the native temperate forests serve as a crucial resource, offering multiple ecosystem services to local communities. These forests significantly support animal husbandry practices involving cattle, horses and sheep. However, introducing these exotic species affects natural regeneration and compromises their long-term sustainability. This study proposes a new classification of the temperate forests in the Chilean Austral Macrozone based on structure parameters and determine their relationships with animal husbandry and natural regeneration. Data were obtained from Chile's National Forest Inventory (NFI) (2001–2010), including 195 inventory plots (500 m2) with 21 tree species. We redefined the forest categories described in NFI according to the proportional basal area of each tree species at each plot. We used two levels of analysis: forest composition (Level 1), which includes general categories such as mono-specific (dominated by a single tree species), bi-specific (dominated by two tree species), and multi-specific forests (dominated by multiple tree species), and forest type (Level 2), which includes specific species (e.g., Nothofagus pumilio) or species groups (e.g., N. pumilio - N. dombeyi) with economic relevance. We evaluated the data using univariate and multivariate analyses. We found 18 forest types in the Austral Macrozone, in contrast to the three traditionally recognized forest types used in the NFI (e.g., lenga, evergreen, coihue de Magallanes). Livestock was observed in all forest types, where Nothofagus forests showed that regeneration in N. antarctica and N. pumilio were higher with livestock than without livestock breeding (Hedges' g > 0.51). The natural regeneration of the studied forests was influenced by animal husbandry, environmental variables (bioclimatic and topographic factors), and forest structure. Our data suggested the importance of using more forest types than the three classics to generate tools or recommendations that are more focused on the particularities of each one. The classification must be based on forest parameters obtained during NFI. The proposed forest type classification reflects the complexity and richness of the forests in a better way, which could improve forest management and the development of public policies related to climate change and sustainability. Finally, although livestock pressure was observed in all forest types, the impact over some areas (e.g., N. antarctica) needs special attention in the forest management and conservation planning for the Chilean Austral Macrozone.

This research reviews the phenomenon of extractive deforestation as a possible trigger for cascade reactions that could affect part of the forest ecosystem and its biodiversity (surface, aerial, and underground) in tropical, subtropical, and boreal forests. The controversy and disparities in criteria generated in the international scientific community around the hypothesis of a possible link between “mother trees” and mycorrhizal networks in coopetition for nutrients, nitrogen, and carbon are analyzed. The objective is to promote awareness to generate more scientific knowledge about the eventual impacts of forest extraction. Public policies are emphasized as crucial mediators for balanced sustainable development. Currently, the effects of extractive deforestation on forest ecosystems are poorly understood, which requires caution and forest protection. Continued research to increase our knowledge in molecular biology is advocated to understand the adaptation of biological organisms to the new conditions of the ecosystem both in the face of extractive deforestation and reforestation. The environmental impacts of extractive deforestation, such as the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, altered water cycles, and the contribution of climate change, remain largely unknown. Long-term and high-quality research is essential to ensure forest sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity for future generations.

Modern forestry systems rely on typologies of forest types (FTs). In Argentina, several proposals have been developed, but they lack unified criteria. The objective was to compare different approaches, specifically focusing on (i) phenoclusters (functional forests based on vegetation phenology variations and climate variables) and (ii) forest canopy cover composition by tree species. We conducted comparative uni-variate analyses using data from national forest inventories, forest models (biodiversity, carbon, structure), and regional climate. We assessed the performance of phenoclusters in differentiating the variability of native forests (proxy: forest structure), biodiversity (proxy: indicator species), and environmental factors (proxies: soil carbon stock, elevation, climate). Additionally, we proposed a simple FT classification methodology based on species composition, considering the basal area of tree species. Finally, we compared the performance of both proposals. Our findings showed that classifications based on forest canopy cover composition are feasible to implement in regions dominated by mono-specific forests. However, phenoclusters allowed for the increased complexity of categories at the landscape level. Conversely, in regions where multi-specific stands prevailed, classifications based on forest canopy cover composition proved ineffective; however, phenoclusters facilitated a reduction in complexity at the landscape level. These results offer a pathway to harmonize national FT classifications by employing criteria and indicators to achieve sustainable forest management and conservation initiatives.

Soil nitrogen (SN) and soil phosphorus (SP) contents support several ecosystem services and define the forest type distribution at local scale in Southern Patagonia. The quantification of nutrients during forest surveys requires soil samplings and estimations that are costly and difficult to measure. For this, predictive models of soil nutrients are needed. The objective of this study was to quantify SN and SP contents (30 cm depth) using different modelling approaches based on climatic, topographic and vegetation variables. We used data from 728 stands of different forest types for linear regression models to map SN and SP. The fitted models captured the variability of forest types well (R²-adj. 92–98% for SN and 70–87% for SP). The means were 9.3 ton ha−1 for SN and 124.3 kg ha−1 for SP. Overall, SN values were higher in the deciduous forests than those in the mixed evergreen, while SP was the highest in the Nothofagus pumilio forests. SN and SP are relevant metrics for many applications, connecting major issues, such as forest management and conservation. With these models, the quantification of SN and SP stocks across forests of different protection status (National Law 26,331/07) and national/provincial reserve networks is possible, contributing to the determination of nutrient contents at landscape level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the Sierras of Córdoba suffered the most extreme fire season in recent collective memory, causing severe ecological and socioeconomic damage. In this study, we mapped the fires of 2020 using Sentinel 2 imagery, we compared the season with historical statistics from 1987-2019 in terms of number of fires, burned area, fire size distribution and fire frequency. Additionally, we analyzed fire incidence in areas of ecological value (protected natural areas [PNA], priority areas for biodiversity conservation [CPA] and native forests protected by Federal Law [#26331/07]) and in areas of socioeconomic value (productive and residential lands, considering their tax value). In 2020, nearly 291866 ha burned in the Sierras of Córdoba --becoming the fire season with the second largest burned area in 34 years--, with a record of 5 megafires (≥10000 ha). Many burned areas had fire return intervals from 3 to 9 years on average, constituting as hotspot regions of fire in our study area. Flames affected more than 5% of PNA, 12% of CPA and 12% of forests protected by federal law. Fires affected mainly the rural areas, and to a lesser extent, urban lands with tax values of AR$8677 and 24592 million, respectively. Extreme drought and fuel availability were determinants for the occurrence of megafires, while the pandemic lockdown suggests that fires were not set by negligent urban inhabitants. The damages caused by the 2020 megafires and the possibility of similar scenarios in the future require policies towards an integral management of the fire issue in Córdoba province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A long-term study monitoring arthropods (Arthropoda) is being conducted since 2012 in the forests of Azorean Islands. Named "SLAM - Long Term Ecological Study of the Impacts of Climate Change in the natural forest of Azores", this project aims to understand the impact of biodiversity erosion drivers in the distribution, abundance and diversity of Azorean arthropods. The current dataset represents arthropods that have been recorded using a total of 42 passive SLAM traps (Sea, Land and Air Malaise) deployed in native, mixed and exotic forest fragments in seven Azorean Islands (Flores, Faial, Pico, Graciosa, Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria). This manuscript is the fifth data-paper contribution, based on data from this long-term monitoring project. New information: We targeted taxa for species identification belonging to Arachnida (excluding Acari), Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Hexapoda (excluding Collembola, Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera (but including only Formicidae)). Specimens were sampled over seven Azorean Islands during the 2012-2021 period. Spiders (Araneae) data from Pico and Terceira Islands are not included since they have been already published elsewhere (Costa and Borges 2021, Lhoumeau et al. 2022). We collected a total of 176007 specimens, of which 168565 (95.7%) were identified to the species or subspecies level. For Araneae and some Hemiptera species, juveniles are also included in this paper, since the low diversity in the Azores allows a relatively precise species-level identification of this life-stage. We recorded a total of 316 named species and subspecies, belonging to 25 orders, 106 families and 260 genera. The ten most abundant species were mostly endemic or native non-endemic (one Opiliones, one Archaeognatha and seven Hemiptera) and only one exotic species, the Julida Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860). These ten species represent 107330 individuals (60%) of all sampled specimens and can be considered as the dominant species in the Azorean native forests for the target studied taxa. The Hemiptera were the most abundant taxa, with 90127 (50.4%) specimens. The Coleoptera were the most diverse with 30 (28.6%) families. We registered 72 new records for many of the islands (two for Flores, eight for Faial, 24 for Graciosa, 23 for Pico, eight for Terceira, three for São Miguel and four for Santa Maria). These records represent 58 species. None of them is new to the Azores Archipelago. Most of the new records are introduced species, all still with low abundance on the studied islands. This publication contributes to increasing the baseline information for future longterm comparisons of the arthropods of the studied sites and the knowledge of the arthropod fauna of the native forests of the Azores, in terms of species abundance, distribution and diversity throughout seasons and years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations and C:N ratio are critical for understanding the elemental compositions of forests, N use efficiency, productivity and the biogeochemical cycles. We evaluate differences in C and N allocation among biomass compartments of three N‑fixing tree species of Espinal Argentine eco-region; the scaling relationship between C and N and the C:N ratio variation among compartments and tree size. Neltuma affinis (Spreng.) C.E. Hughes & G.P. Lewis, Neltuma nigra (Griseb.) C.E. Hughes & G.P. Lewis and Vachellia caven (Molina) Seigler & Ebinger plants (n = 30 for each species) were felled, grouped by stem basal diameter-based size classes and partitioned into 3 biomass compartments: stem (st), large branches (lb) and small branches + leaves, flowers and fruits (sbl). C and N concentrations were markedly influenced by species and biomass compartments. In general, sbl compartment presented more N than the st and lb, while C concentrations in Neltuma stems were the highest. Overall, no isometric C–N scaling relationships were found in different compartments. C:N variations in compartments were positively correlated with N concentrations but did not exhibit any significant association with C concentrations. C:N ratios differed significantly among species and biomass compartments. The C:N ratio for compartments ranked in an order of st > lb > sbl. C:N ratio variability in sbl was the least. Only in N. affinis and V. caven stems C:N relationship differed among tree size. Our results provide evidence of the importance of using in situ C and N concentration per main tree species and biomass compartments, to more accurate estimates of C and N stocks.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content supports several ecosystem services. Quantifying SOC requires: (i) accurate C estimates of forest components, and (ii) soil estimates. However, SOC is difficult to measure, so predictive models are needed. Our objective was to model SOC stocks within 30 cm depth in Patagonian forests based on climatic, topographic and vegetation productivity measures from satellite images, including Dynamic Habitat Indices and Land Surface Temperature derived from Landsat-8. We used data from 1320 stands of different forest types in Patagonia, and random forest regression to map SOC. The model captured SOC variability well (R² = 0.60, RMSE = 22.1%), considering the huge latitudinal extension (36.4° to 55.1° SL) and the great diversity of forest types. Mean SOC was 134.4 ton C ha−1 ± 25.2, totaling 404.2 million ton C across Patagonia. Overall, SOC values were highest in valleys of the Andes mountains and in southern Tierra del Fuego, ranging from 53.5 to 277.8 ton C ha−1 for the whole Patagonia region. Soil organic carbon is a metric relevant to many applications, connecting major issues such as forest management, conservation, and livestock production, and having spatially explicit estimates of SOC enables managers to fulfil the international agreements that Argentina has joined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general objective of this study was to provide information regarding the productivity and site quality of Palo Santo forests in their Argentinean distribution area in order to establish guidelines for sustainable management and use. We used data taken from 482 plots as part of national, regional and local forest inventories in northern Argentina, carried out in native forests within aboriginal and peasant community tenures and management plans. Basal area, stem volume and dominant height of Palo Santo trees were used to determine site quality class. This was correlated to forest structure by using a classification mosaic from Landsat satellite images. A sustainable cutting cycle duration and harvest intensity for Palo Santo forests were calculated according to their site quality. The results suggest that the current stocks of Palo Santo are sufficient to continue with its sustainable use without compromising its longterm availability. This information is useful for decision makers and defines the potential of the species to provide resources to regional economies and provincial productive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the several collective narratives developed by participants of the social and environmental struggles, in response to the many ecological disasters that plagued Argentina in the last decade. These adversities have resulted in around 95.000 persons being displaced during the same period. Quantitative data was gathered by means of an active participant observation methodology. Additionally, legislation and social media posts were also inspected. The present study provides evidence that the advance of colonialist development plans has resulted in a sustained clearing of forests, fumigation and extermination of minority peoples and social groups. The actions of the powerful power networks behind these current colonialist practices are visualized and the high environmental impact of their territorialization practices is illuminated (particularly in the province of Cordoba). Resistance against the above process in the Gran Chaco and Espinal ecoregions is researched as a case of emancipatory social action. Likewise, it becomes evident how the State has criminalized these struggles in its attempts to break down the social coalitions built by the assemblies and social movements, involved in building a collective counter hegemony. Finally, the conclusion is reached that the defense of forests and life, as driven by the socio environmental assemblies is progressively uprooting agribusiness, large scale metallic mining, quarries and real estate development.

Soil nitrogen (SN) and soil phosphorus (SP) contents support several ecosystem services and define the forest type distribution at local scale in Southern Patagonia. The quantification of nutrients during forest surveys requires soil samplings and estimations that are costly and difficult to measure. For this, predictive models of soil nutrients are needed. The objective of this study was to quantify SN and SP contents (30 cm depth) using different modelling approaches based on climatic, topographic and vegetation variables. We used data from 728 stands of different forest types for linear regression models to map SN and SP. The fitted models captured the variability of forest types well (R²-adj. 92–98% for SN and 70–87% for SP). The means were 9.3 ton ha−1 for SN and 124.3 kg ha−1 for SP. Overall, SN values were higher in the deciduous forests than those in the mixed evergreen, while SP was the highest in the Nothofagus pumilio forests. SN and SP are relevant metrics for many applications, connecting major issues, such as forest management and conservation. With these models, the quantification of SN and SP stocks across forests of different protection status (National Law 26,331/07) and national/provincial reserve networks is possible, contributing to the determination of nutrient contents at landscape level.

Conserving the remaining wildest forests is a top priority for conservation, and human footprint maps are a practical way to identify wild areas. However, available global assessments of wild areas are too coarse for land use decisions, especially in countries with high deforestation rates, such as Argentina. Our main goal was to map the human footprint in Argentina’s forested areas to improve conservation planning at regional and country levels. Specifically, we quantified the level of human influence on the environment and mapped the wildest native forests (i) across forest regions, and (ii) in the different land-use categories of the National Forest Plan, which is a key policy instrument for conserving the nation’s native forests through zoning, and (iii) identified wildest forests that are at risk due to human activities. We analyzed detailed spatial data on settlements, transportation, energy, and land use change, and estimated the areal extent to which these various human activities disrupt natural processes. We defined pixels with human footprint index of zero as wildest areas. We found that a substantial portion (43%) of Argentina’s forested area remains wild, which suggests there are opportunities for conservation. However, levels of human influence varied substantially among forest regions, and Atlantic and Chaco forests have the highest levels of human influence. Further, we found that the National Forest Plan does not conserve the wildest forests of the nation, as most (78%) of the wildest native forests are located in zones that allow silvopasture, timber production, and/or forest conversion to crops, thus potentially threatening biodiversity in these areas. Our map of wildest forests is an important, but first, step in identifying wildland forests in Argentina, as available spatial data layers of human activities capture many, but not all, human influences on forests. For instance, small human features, like certain rural roads, trails, and rural settlements exist in our wildest areas. Our study provides new datasets to assist land use planners and conservationists, and identifies areas for conservation attention in Argentina. More broadly, our analyses highlight the value of detailed human footprint data to support conservation decisions in forest landscapes.

Eucalyptus pellita and Acacia mangium are widely planted in the tropics and managed over five-to-fifteen-year rotations for wood and wood products. This study compares the growth of routine plantings of A. mangium with trial plantings of E. pellita and nearby native forests across six broadly distributed locations on Melville Island, northern Australia. In addition to tree growth measurements, litter mass and chemical properties, and topsoil (0–10 cm) physical and chemical parameters were assessed. Melville Island has a pronounced seasonal rainfall and soils that range from loamy sand to sandy loam textures; across the sites sampled soils comprised 65–85% sand and 8–16% clay. Across our sites, the maximum mean annual increment of E. pellita was 31.12 m3/ha/year compared to 14.64 m3/ha/year for A. mangium , with stand volume strongly positively correlated with clay content. On a site basis tree volume growth correlated strongly with soil clay content, with lower survival on sites with less clay in the predominantly sandy soils. The higher E. pellita growth compared with A. mangium reduced available phosphorous and calcium in topsoil, indicating that addition of P and Ca in subsequent rotations will be important to maintain and increase E. pellita productivity. The N 2 -fixing species, A. mangium , significantly increased nitrogen in litter (1.88 ± 0.04%) and in top soil (0.15 ± 0.01%) compared to E. pellita (litter 0.93 ± 0.05%; topsoil 0.11 ± 0.01%) so that carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios in Acacia litter (23.90 ± 0.81) and soil (23.06 ± 0.91) were significantly lower than in Eucalyptus (litter 46.30 ± 2.66; top soil 27.66 ± 1.65). Topsoil C/N also decreased with increasing soil clay content in all land uses (A. mangium, E. pellita, native forests) indicating better conditions for decomposer activity and turnover in sites with higher clay content soils. The Eucalyptus plantation drawdown of N and PO 4 3- in topsoil suggests that future plantings of E. pellita may benefit from additional N fixed into biomass and soil organic matter by the preceding A. mangium plantations. Tree growth correlations with rainfall and soil characteristics showed growth is best explained by annual rainfall, soil texture (as a percentage of clay or of sand), soil electrical conductivity, and soil bulk density. Overall, in tropical long dry season regions, for plantation development on sandy soils, E. pellita is a better choice than A. mangium. • Eucalyptus pellita had higher productivity than Acacia mangium. • While A. mangium increased soil N, E. pellita tended to decline soil N status. • E. pellita was more efficient at taking up soil available P and Ca. • E. pellita growth is influenced by rainfall, bulk density, and sand content. • Stocking rate should be higher in clayey sites with higher water availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The talares represent the main native forest of the Buenos Aires province; however, they are in danger. Given their extreme vulnerability, it is not only necessary to promote their conservation, but also their restoration. The native plant nurseries represent a key link in restoration projects. In this work, the first survey of native plant nurseries in the distribution area of talares of Buenos Aires was carried out to characterize and evaluate them as possible restoration nodes. During 2019, surveys to these nurseries were carried out either in person or online. More than 70% of the nurseries were concentrated in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area and their objectives comprise commercialization, conservation/restoration or education. More than 60% of the nurseries were less than 5 years old and less than 500 m2 in size, and they do not control humidity, temperature and/or light; however, they have greenhouses. These characteristics seem to reflect an increase in society's interest on native plants in recent years, which would have led to the development of new nurseries at small scale. The main plant species of the talares were cultivated in these nurseries, so they could be very important actors when planning restoration projects of these forests. We emphasize the importance of consolidating a network of collaboration between nurseries, scientists, protected areas, and government agencies in order to restore this ecosystem. In this way, it is necessary to expand the scope of this study in order to know the native plant nurseries in the rest of the country, associated with other endangered ecosystems, and to be able to evaluate if Argentina is in a position to meet its internal goals and international restoration commitments. We hope that the results of this work will promote joint collaborations to restore the talares of Buenos Aires and other ecosystems in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest‐dwelling raptors living on islands are more vulnerable than continental relatives due to their particular life history traits and habitat degradation. The Canary Islands' forests have suffered severe transformations because of intense human exploitation since its colonization by the Europeans. In recent decades, forest managers have initiated actions to restore the original ecosystems. Consequently, gathering knowledge on the relationships between habitat and reproduction output of forest species is essential to develop long‐term conservation actions. Here, we explore the suitability of exotic tree plantations as breeding habitat for an island endemic raptor, the Macaronesian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti. We monitored territories distributed in three main forest types, two native (laurel forest and Canarian pinewood) and one composed of exotic trees. We assessed breeding density, characterized nesting habitat at macro‐, micro‐habitat and nest tree levels, and estimated breeding parameters in the three forests. We evaluated habitat selection and its potential relationship with breeding parameters, as well as nest structure survival in native versus exotic tree species. Density was higher in exotic forests and habitat features differed among forests at three spatial scales. Sparrowhawks used areas with high cover of exotic trees, with high trees, far away from human settlements and at low altitudes. All models testing for differences in breeding success and productivity among the forest types were not significant, but the percentage of successful pairs was slightly higher in exotic tree plantations than in native forests. Nest structures located in exotic trees showed a higher annual survival than those placed in native trees. Our results indicate that exotic plantations are a secure nesting habitat and therefore forestry practices, including those aiming to eradicate exotic trees, must be carefully planned to avoid nest destruction or disturbance in occupied forest patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Australia’s energy future is at the crossroads and the role of renewable sources is in focus. Biomass from sustainably managed forests provide a significant opportunity for electricity and heat generation and production of liquid fuels. Australia has extensive native forests of which a significant proportion are on private land. However, there is limited knowledge on the potential capacity of this resource to contribute to the expansion of a biomass for bioenergy industry. In addition, there are concerns on how to reconcile biomass harvesting with environmental protection. Methods We used regional ecosystem vegetation mapping for Queensland to stratify harvestable forests within the 1.8 m hectares of private native forests present in the Southeast Queensland bioregion in 2014. We used a dataset of 52,620 individual tree measurements from 541 forest inventory plots collected over the last 10 years. Tree biomass was estimated using current biomass allometric equations for Australia. Biomass potentially available from selective sawlog harvesting and silvicultural treatment across the bioregion was calculated and mapped. Results Current sawlog harvesting extracts 41.4% of the standing tree biomass and a biomass for bioenergy harvest would retain on average 36% of felled tree biomass on site for the protection of environmental and fauna habitat values. The estimated area extent of harvestable private native forests in the bioregion in 2013 was 888,000 ha and estimated available biomass for bioenergy in living trees was 13.6 million tonnes (t). The spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata) forests were the most extensive, covering an area of 379,823 ha and with a biomass for bioenergy yield of 14.2 t∙ha−1 (with approximately 11.2 t∙ha−1 of the biomass harvested from silvicultural thinning and 3 t∙ha−1 recovered from sawlog harvest residual). Conclusions Silvicultural treatment of private native forests in the Southeast Queensland bioregion, has the capacity to supply a large quantity of biomass for bioenergy. The availability of a biomass for bioenergy market, and integration of sawlog harvesting and silvicultural treatment operations, could provide land owners with additional commercial incentive to improve the management of private native forests. This could potentially promote restoration of degraded forests, ecological sustainability and continued provision of wood products.

Investigating temporal variation in soil bacterial communities advances our fundamental understanding of the causal processes driving biological variation, and how the composition of these important ecosystem members may change into the future. Despite this, temporal variation in soil bacteria remains understudied, and the effects of spatial heterogeneity in bacterial communities on the detection of temporal changes is largely unknown. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we evaluated temporal patterns in soil bacterial communities from indigenous forest and human-impacted sites sampled repeatedly over a 5-year period. Temporal variation appeared to be greater when fewer spatial samples per site were analysed, as well as in human-impacted compared to indigenous sites (P < 0.01 for both). The biggest portion of variation in bacterial community richness and composition was explained by soil physicochemical variables (13–24%) rather than spatial distance or sampling time (<1%). These results highlight the importance of adequate spatiotemporal replication when sampling soil communities for environmental monitoring, and the importance of conducting temporal research across a wide variety of land uses. This will ensure we have a true understanding of how bacterial communities change over space and time; the work presented here provides important considerations for how such research should be designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Uruguaya de Ciencia Política is the property of Instituto de Ciencia Politica (Universidad de la Republica de Uruguay) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The factors contributing to biodiversity of terrestrial gastropods on Mo’orea, French Polynesia are investigated. Gastropods are sampled from four native forests of predominately Hibiscus tiliaceus, and four nonnative forests of predominately Falcataria moluccana within two elevational ranges. It is determined that the type of forest has an effect on the species composition of that habitat. Additionally, it is determined that elevation is a determinant in relative species composition. An additional variable possibly contributing to species distribution is the predatory detection of the introduced flatworm, Platydemus manokwari, by two predominant species of this study. This is primarily a study on the current biodiversity of a vastly neglected group of molluscs on island of Mo’orea.

Correlation analysis among different variables do not always fully express the real direct effect of one variable on another, especially in forest experiments. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the correlations among direct/indirect effects of tree diameter, height, and biomass components on tree total aboveground biomass and consequences when using path analysis. We also aimed to define which of the variables should be included in biomass modeling. The tree data were collected from eight sites located in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, where the diameter at 1.30 m aboveground (dbh), total height (h), biomass of stems, branches, leaves and tree total aboveground biomass were measured. Spearman's correlation showed that dbh (0.93), stems (0.94), and branches (0.90) had the highest association with total aboveground biomass when the direct and indirect effects of these variables were deconstructed by path analysis. The stem (0.44) and branch (0.35) components provided greater direct effects when compared with dbh (0.17). For the component stem, branches, and leaves the total aboveground biomass presented the greatest direct effects of 0.59, 0.74, and 0.36, respectively. Thus, these results indicate the convenience of including at least one biomass component in the biomass regression model, along with dbh and height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until now, the Southern Yungas forests have been managed only to provide wood from a few economically valuable tree species. Successive reentries without considering the time needed for the ecosystem to recover led to a degradation and simplification of great proportion of the Southern Yungas, making these forests more susceptible to transformation to other land-uses. For this reason, an early adoption of guidelines for sustainable forest management, including the wide range of values that these forests provide (e.g., biodiversity and ecosystem services), is needed. Currently, guidelines to attain a sustainable yield of wood and decrease the negative effects of logging are available, and also a great amount of information has been developed to start delineating sustainable forest management guidelines for other values of the Southern Yungas forest. However, these guidelines have been mainly ignored in the Southern Yungas due to, in our opinion, primarily, a lack of a socio-economic and political scenario framed in a long-term forest policy is set. It is necessary to provide economic compensations that promote land-owners to shift to sustainable forest management activities. An alternative should be to recognize and pay for the diverse ecosystem services that the Southern Yungas provide. To implement sustainable forest management guidelines will ensure that these forests continue providing multiple goods and services that benefit local stakeholders which depend on the Southern Yungas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of new tree species in forest ecosystems promotes changes in stand dynamics that are reflected by forest structure. These processes are particularly relevant in native forests conservation. Tala (Celtis ehrenbergiana var. ehrenbergiana) and coronillo (Scutia buxifolia) forests are considered among the main forest communities of Buenos Aires province, in Argentina, and are included in several protected areas. In the El Destino Reserve, a very well conserved native forest is currently in the presence of Ligustrum lucidum, which has demonstrated a high invasive potential in other forest of Argentina and the world. The aim of this work was to characterize present structure of these stands and to infer changes in the dynamics promoted by the presence of L. lucidum. We found that these talares are currently dominated by L. lucidum in tree density (93%) and basal area (80%), and that native forest structure has departed from the characteristic values. Around 80% of native trees are dead, widely surpassing the 20% reported natural mortality, and dead tree density is positively associated with L. lucidum density. The exotic species initially established in a non-selective and spatially random pa'ern and reached current canopy dominance by rapidly exceeding native species total height. Present conditions were reached approximately in 20-25 years, which indicate a high rate of structural change. These results demonstrate these talares have profoundly changed and, considering the degree of modification, could be treated as new ecological systems, either novel or hybrid ecosystems. Whichever the approach, the control of L. lucidum and the active restoration of the native component, as well as the eradication of the exotic species in areas where establishment is still recent, are all of high priority in order to ensure the long-term conservation of these forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our country, ecologists are increasingly called to play a more active role in natural resource management and in rural ecosystem and landscape planning. The effectiveness of management and planning depends to a large extent on the ability to transform the human behaviors that most influence the state of ecosystems and landscapes. Therefore, the capacity of research processes and results in ecology to transform the reality of territories can be enhanced by its integration with conceptual and methodological elements of the human behavioral sciences. In the territory, changes in land use and land cover are the result of a multiplicity of decisions made by those individuals that affect and benefit from ecosystems, mostly farmers. This paper reviews theories, concepts, methods and applications of social psychology to make visible and discuss their real and potential contributions to the research and management of rural ecosystems and landscapes subject to transformation by agriculture, which are illustrated by studies in the Argentine Dry Chaco. The Theory of Planned Behavior proved to be a conceptual and analytical model of great synoptic value to understand the endogenous motivational factors that influence the formation of intentions to conserve remnant forests by agricultural producers. The social valuation of ecosystem services made it possible to observe the diversity of identities and valuation profiles that coexist in the territory. Finally, overlapping trade-off and indifference curves proved to be a simple and powerful tool for linking ecological and preference trade-offs, and for identifying barriers and opportunities for farmers to transition to land use systems that are both biophysically efficient and socially acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a long lasting debate on the effects of domestic cattle grazing on natural ecosystems worldwide. Cattle are generally assumed to have negative effects on forest conservation; however, several studies also report positive and neutral effects. We aimed to investigate the available evidence for positive, negative and neutral effects of cattle grazing on forest and woody ecosystems of southern South America. We conducted a peer-review literature search using the ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases to identify studies dealing with cattle impacts for nature conservation. We compiled a database of 211 cases from 126 original publications. A reduced number of forest ecosystems (Patagonian forest, Chaco and Monte) concentrated ~ 85% of the reported study cases. The hierarchical cluster analysis to group cases based on cattle effects, ecological variables and ecosystems reported that negative effects (~ 66% of cases) were mostly informed for vegetation variables and mainly occur in Patagonian forest and Chaco; positive effects (~ 16%) were mostly informed for Monte (no particular variable associated), while neutral effects (~ 18%) were mostly informed for fauna-related variables and Uruguayan savanna. Our study suggests that grazing effects by cattle on southern South America forests are not homogeneous and depend on the particular forest ecosystem considered as well as on the forest attribute measured. Different cattle effects found can be partially explained by differences in grazing history and different ecosystems productivity. It is vital to improve our understanding of cattle-forest interactions to guide synergies between sustainable management and forest conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aims to clarify the influence of forests, as well as other prevalent land cover types, on extreme hydrological events through a land cover gradient design. We selected 10 catchments within a gradient of forest land cover, in which there were 15 years of simultaneous daily hydrological and meteorological data, and an additional forest descriptor, forest maturity. The study was developed in a heterogeneous region in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). This area includes different vegetation types and has a long history of human disturbance and land use change that has produced a gradient in forest cover. This study focuses on regular hydrological extremes: regular floods and low flow events. Specific objectives were to observe the relationship between land cover and extreme hydrological events, once the variance explained by precipitation was removed, and compare the effectiveness of forest coverage and maturity to predict them. Partial correlations and ordinary least square regressions were developed using hydrological indices, obtained from flow records, and hydrological parameters calculated through modelling, using the Identification of unit Hydrographs And Component flows from Rainfall, Evaporation and Streamflow data (IHACRES) software and hydrometeorological data. Land cover characteristics were better able to predict floods than low flows. Forests were associated with less extreme flow events (lower intensity and frequency of floods and greater base flows), whereas shrub formations did the opposite. These results were more evident using forest maturity than using forest coverage. This study indicates that hydrological modelling may benefit in the future from considering not only the coverage of different land cover types but also the conservation status of the different vegetation formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native forests' destruction is an important environmental question that has recently accelerated not only at world scale but also in Argentina, a country where it has assumed particularly serious and disturbing features. On the basis of official, historical statistics, this paper characterizes the growth of deforestation in Argentina throughout the 1998-2016 period and studies the advance of illegal logging after the enforcement of the National Forests Law by analyzing both phenomena at the provincial and departmental scale. The findings show that almost 7 million hectares of native forests were destroyed during the analyzed period, while the annual rates of deforestation of several provinces largely exceeded the international average. In addition, due to the Nation Forests Law's ineffectiveness, clandestine deforestation has become a widespread matter throughout the whole country, especially in provinces such as Santiago del Estero, Salta, Chaco, and Formosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use zoning has been proposed as an instrument to steer sustainable land use and reduce deforestation. Its effectiveness is a growing concern among researchers and decision makers. Nowadays, the dry forests of the Argentine Chaco are a global hotspot of deforestation, where a zoning policy has been established through the enactment of a National Forest Law. The law imposed on the provinces the obligation to define land use zones in their native forests. Ten years after the enforcement of the National Forest Law, we assessed the effectiveness of the zoning policy of Santiago del Estero, one of Argentina’s provinces with higher deforestation rates. For this, we combined the provincial forest zoning with the extent of forest cover and a plot level land transformation geodatabase. The deforested area halved during the five-year period after the enactment of the law, decreasing from 910 10 3 ha in 2003–2008 (i.e. before the law) to 450 10 3 ha in 2009–2014. Most of this forest cover loss (257 10 3 ha) occurred in areas classified under categories where deforestation was forbidden. After the enactment of the Law, annual deforestation rates decreased mostly in areas that allowed deforestation, slightly decreased in areas where deforestation was forbidden and increased in areas where a certain level of deforestation was allowed, although above that level. Despite the reductions in deforestation rates, our results suggest that the zoning policy in Santiago del Estero was not effective enough, since deforestation occurred in forbidden areas and generally surpassed the level of deforestation permitted. Alternative coercive mechanisms (e.g. more severe penalties for offenders) and greater efforts to detect illegal clearings are needed to enhance the effectiveness of the Forest Law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Luna Azul is the property of Universidad de Caldas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista SAAP is the property of Sociedad Argentina de Analisis Politico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite controversy about effects of plantation forestry on streamflow, streamflow response to forest plantations over multiple decades is not well understood. Analysis of 60-year records of daily streamflow from eight paired-basin experiments in the Pacific Northwest of the United States (Oregon) revealed that the conversion of old-growth forest to Douglas-fir plantations had a major effect on summer streamflow. Average daily streamflow in summer (July through September) in basins with 34- to 43-year-old plantations of Douglas-fir was 50% lower than streamflow from reference basins with 150- to 500-year-old forests dominated by Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and other conifers. Study plantations are comparable in terms of age class, treatments, and growth rates to managed forests in the region. Young Douglas-fir trees, which have higher sapwood area, higher sapflow per unit of sapwood area, higher concentration of leaf area in the upper canopy, and less ability to limit transpiration, appear to have higher rates of evapotranspiration than old trees of conifer species, especially during dry summers. Reduced summer streamflow in headwater basins with forest plantations may limit aquatic habitat and exacerbate stream warming, and it may also alter water yield and timing in much larger basins. Legacies of past forest management or extensive natural disturbances may be confounded with effects of climate change on streamflow in large river basins. Continued research is needed using long-term paired-basin studies and process studies to determine the effects of forest management on streamflow deficits in a variety of forest types and forest management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilean Patagonia has protected mountainous areas with evergreen native forests; in which the lakes and rivers, of volcanic or glacial origin, are oligotrophic. In Bulgaria, there are mountainous zones with native forests and associated lakes of volcanic origin. The aim of the present study is to carry out a preliminary comparison of zooplanktonic crustaceans in lake ecosystems associated with native forests of Chilean Patagonia and of Bulgarian mountains. The study revealed that the lakes studied in Chilean Patagonia are associated mainly with Nothofagus forests; they are oligotrophic, with a low number of zooplanktonic crustacean species. Similar results were observed for Bulgarian mountain lakes associated with Fagus forests. A null model analysis of species co-occurrence was applied to the two groups of lakes, and the result revealed the absence of regulatory factors in species associations. These studies agree with similar descriptions of lakes in Andean Patagonia and New Zealand. They highlight the important role of native Nothofagus forests in Argentina and Chile, and of Fagus forests with associated soil properties in Bulgaria, in the oligotrophy of the lakes studied.La Patagonia de Chile tiene una serie de áreas protegidas con bosques nativos perennes asociados a lagos y ríos oligotróficos y de origen glacial. Por otro lado en Bulgaria hay una serie de zonas montañosas con lagos asociados de origen volcánico o glacial. El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar una primera descripción de especies de crustáceos zooplanctónicos en ecosistemas lacustres asociados a bosques nativos en la Patagonia de Chile y en las montañas de Bulgaria. Los estudios indican que los lagos de la Patagonia de Chile están asociados principalmente con bosques de Nothofagus, mientras que similares resultados fueron observados en lagos de Bulgaria con bosques de Fagus. La regresión lineal entre concentración de clorofila y número de especies para lagos chilenos, fue significativa mientras que en lagos de Bulgaria el análisis de regresión no indicó diferencias significativas. Se aplicó un análisis de co-ocurrencia de especies para ambos grupos de lagos y los resultados indicaron la ausencia de factores reguladores en las asociaciones de especies. Estos estudios concuerdan con descripciones similares para lagos de la Patagonia andina y Nueva Zelanda, y remarcan el rol de los bosques nativos de Nothofagus en Argentina y Chile, así como la presencia de bosques de Fagus y las propiedades del suelo en Bulgaria, como regulador importante de la oligotrofía asociada a los lagos analizados.

O projeto Parque na Escola foi implantado de forma integrada, sistematizada e continuada durante o ano letivo de 2011 em escolas municipais de Porto Ferreira, a partir de planejamentos participativos com o Departamento Municipal de Educação com os objetivos de sensibilizar a comunidade escolar sobre os temas ambientais locais, a importância do Parque Estadual de Porto Ferreira e despertar o interesse para o desenvolvimento de práticas pedagógicas e vivências em contato com a natureza Para tanto foram utilizadas as estratégias de palestras temáticas, vídeos ambientais, jogos educativos, atividades lúdicas e visitas ao Parque. O projeto atingiu o total de 1.676 alunos, 63 professores e foi avaliado por meio da aplicação de dois questionários. Os resultados indicaram que o mesmo contribuiu para a aquisição de conhecimentos específicos e complementou o currículo escolar com atividades e práticas pedagógicas relacionadas aos temas ambientais locais e às características e importância do Parque como estratégia de conservação de florestas nativas no município de Porto Ferreira e região. Cursos de educação ambiental com ênfase na vertente socioambiental, conhecimentos específicos sobre o Parque e outros ambientes naturais locais são necessários à formação continuada de professores do município de Porto Ferreira.The Park at School project was implemented in 2011 in an integrated, systematic and continuing way in municipal schools in Porto Ferreira based on a participatory planning carried out with the Municipal Department of Education to sensitize the school community to local environmental themes and the importance of Porto Ferreira State Park, and to arouse the interest of the same community towards carrying out both pedagogical practices and experiences in contact with nature. The means used to achieve such aims included thematic lectures, environmental videos, educational games, recreational activities, and visits to the park. The project, which reached a total of 1.676 students and 63 teachers, was assessed based on the administration of two questionnaires. The results indicated that it has contributed to the acquisition of specific knowledge and has complemented the school curriculum with pedagogical activities and practices related to environment local themes, and the importance of the park in the conservation of native forests in the Porto Ferreira and region. Environmental education courses focusing on socioenvironmental research, on specific knowledge about Park and on the local natural environments are necessary to the continuing to teachers in Porto Ferreira.

Cuando se aprobó la Constitución de 1998, la sensación incierta de haber logrado algo invadió los círculos intelectuales y políticos cercanos a algunos movimientos sociales, en particular, al movimiento indígena. Los derechos colectivos junto a ciertos principios, insertos en la parte dogmática,constituyeron sin duda un avance, peroquedó la duda cuando otras disposiciones, incluyendo transitorias, posibilitaron varias reformas legales e institucionales acordes a las prioridades de las políticas de ajuste neo-liberal.

The communities of glomeromycotan fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF) under native Juniperus brevifolia forest from two Azorean islands, Terceira and São Miguel, were compared, mainly by spore morphology, and when possible, by molecular analysis. Thirty-nine morphotypes were detected from 12 genera. Glomeromycotan fungal richness was similar in Terceira and São Miguel, but significantly different among the four fragments of native forest. Spore diversity and community composition differed significantly between the two islands. The less degraded island, Terceira, showed 10 exclusive morphotypes including more rare types, whereas the more disturbed forest on São Miguel showed 13 morphs, mostly of common types. Forests from Terceira were dominated by Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae . Whereas members of Acaulosporaceae , Glomeraceae and Ambisporaceae were most frequent and abundant in those from São Miguel. Spore abundance was greatest on Terceira, and correlated with soil chemical properties (pH), average monthly temperature and relative humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]