Tobias A. W. Elliott, Peter J. Bellingham, George L. W. Perry, Bruce R. Burns
Aims
Understanding the impacts of forest tree pathogens on understorey sapling populations is critical for understanding their population-level effects and the likely successional trajectories of infected communities. We assessed the impacts of Phytophthora agathidicida, a soil-borne pathogen, on the sapling population dynamics of the disease-susceptible, locally dominant canopy tree, the conifer kauri (Agathis australis, Araucariaceae). We also examined the indirect effects of P. agathidicida on likely resistant allospecifics that span a range of shade-tolerances as saplings, to predict future successional trajectories.
Location
Waitākere Ranges, west of Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
Methods
We analysed data from four kauri-dominated permanent plots in Aotearoa-New Zealand warm temperate rain forests. Two plots were early-successional and two were late-successional, one in each pair had overstorey kauri showing intense visual P. agathidicida symptoms, and the other overstorey kauri showing few symptoms. We examined the association between kauri trees and saplings using point pattern analysis and the relationship between the level of crowding around saplings and their growth and survival rates. We compared the growth and survival rates of kauri and allospecifics, categorised by shade tolerance, among the plots.
Results
Kauri forms sapling banks under conspecific trees that were less dense in late-successional forests and in those where the overstorey kauri showed symptoms of P. agathidicida infection. Despite having lower densities, kauri sapling growth rates were higher in symptomatic plots. The growth rates of light-demanding allospecifics were also higher in these plots, with minor differences in mortality and growth rates for more shade-tolerant allospecifics. P. agathidicida may promote sapling growth and survival of kauri and some allospecifics in infected plots.
Conclusions
Sapling vital rates and population sizes differed between asymptomatic and symptomatic plots, particularly in early-successional settings, where P. agathidicida may reset succession in early-successional communities back to those dominated by species that first colonised after disturbance.
{"title":"A Virulent Soil Pathogen Alters Temperate Rain Forest Understorey Sapling Population Dynamics and Successional Trajectories","authors":"Tobias A. W. Elliott, Peter J. Bellingham, George L. W. Perry, Bruce R. Burns","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the impacts of forest tree pathogens on understorey sapling populations is critical for understanding their population-level effects and the likely successional trajectories of infected communities. We assessed the impacts of <i>Phytophthora agathidicida</i>, a soil-borne pathogen, on the sapling population dynamics of the disease-susceptible, locally dominant canopy tree, the conifer kauri (<i>Agathis australis</i>, Araucariaceae). We also examined the indirect effects of <i>P. agathidicida</i> on likely resistant allospecifics that span a range of shade-tolerances as saplings, to predict future successional trajectories.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Waitākere Ranges, west of Auckland, Aotearoa-New Zealand.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We analysed data from four kauri-dominated permanent plots in Aotearoa-New Zealand warm temperate rain forests. Two plots were early-successional and two were late-successional, one in each pair had overstorey kauri showing intense visual <i>P. agathidicida</i> symptoms, and the other overstorey kauri showing few symptoms. We examined the association between kauri trees and saplings using point pattern analysis and the relationship between the level of crowding around saplings and their growth and survival rates. We compared the growth and survival rates of kauri and allospecifics, categorised by shade tolerance, among the plots.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Kauri forms sapling banks under conspecific trees that were less dense in late-successional forests and in those where the overstorey kauri showed symptoms of <i>P. agathidicida</i> infection. Despite having lower densities, kauri sapling growth rates were higher in symptomatic plots. The growth rates of light-demanding allospecifics were also higher in these plots, with minor differences in mortality and growth rates for more shade-tolerant allospecifics. <i>P. agathidicida</i> may promote sapling growth and survival of kauri and some allospecifics in infected plots.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sapling vital rates and population sizes differed between asymptomatic and symptomatic plots, particularly in early-successional settings, where <i>P. agathidicida</i> may reset succession in early-successional communities back to those dominated by species that first colonised after disturbance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70014","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143646083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juliana Teixeira, Lara Souza, Aline Bombo, Soizig Le Stradic
Aim
Belowground biomass, including roots and belowground bud-bearing organs, is crucial in tropical open ecosystems, particularly during post-fire regeneration. However, we still do not understand how variation in fire regime modulates the allocation of biomass in these belowground parts. In two distinct fire regimes, we investigated aboveground and belowground biomass, as well as the distribution of biomass and the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in open tropical ecosystems.
Location
Five tropical open ecosystems in Brazil (from northern to southeast Brazil).
Methods
We assessed above- and belowground plant biomass across 100 plots (10 plots for each of the two treatment conditions i.e. frequently burnt and fire excluded, and at five sites in total). We sorted out biomass as live aboveground, belowground bud-bearing organs, coarse (> 2 mm) and fine roots (< 2 mm). Bud-bearing belowground organs were classified into morphological categories (e.g., xylopodia, woody rhizome and fleshy rhizome).
Results
Fire-excluded areas had a lower root-to-shoot ratio and lower total belowground-to-aboveground biomass allocation than areas frequently burnt. The total belowground biomass, as well as fine and coarse root biomass and belowground bud-bearing organ biomass, remained unchanged with fire exclusion. The composition of belowground bud-bearing organs changed towards organs with lateral spread, such as woody and fleshy rhizomes, when fire was excluded.
Conclusions
More than 10 years of fire exclusion did not affect the total belowground biomass but changed the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in tropical open ecosystems. Even after 12 years of fire exclusion, bud-bearing belowground organs were still present in the community, ensuring resilience to fire even if they were not burned regularly.
{"title":"How Does Fire Exclusion Affect the Belowground Biomass of Tropical Open Ecosystems?","authors":"Juliana Teixeira, Lara Souza, Aline Bombo, Soizig Le Stradic","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70027","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Belowground biomass, including roots and belowground bud-bearing organs, is crucial in tropical open ecosystems, particularly during post-fire regeneration. However, we still do not understand how variation in fire regime modulates the allocation of biomass in these belowground parts. In two distinct fire regimes, we investigated aboveground and belowground biomass, as well as the distribution of biomass and the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in open tropical ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Five tropical open ecosystems in Brazil (from northern to southeast Brazil).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed above- and belowground plant biomass across 100 plots (10 plots for each of the two treatment conditions i.e. frequently burnt and fire excluded, and at five sites in total). We sorted out biomass as live aboveground, belowground bud-bearing organs, coarse (> 2 mm) and fine roots (< 2 mm). Bud-bearing belowground organs were classified into morphological categories (e.g., xylopodia, woody rhizome and fleshy rhizome).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fire-excluded areas had a lower root-to-shoot ratio and lower total belowground-to-aboveground biomass allocation than areas frequently burnt. The total belowground biomass, as well as fine and coarse root biomass and belowground bud-bearing organ biomass, remained unchanged with fire exclusion. The composition of belowground bud-bearing organs changed towards organs with lateral spread, such as woody and fleshy rhizomes, when fire was excluded.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>More than 10 years of fire exclusion did not affect the total belowground biomass but changed the composition of bud-bearing belowground organs in tropical open ecosystems. Even after 12 years of fire exclusion, bud-bearing belowground organs were still present in the community, ensuring resilience to fire even if they were not burned regularly.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143638996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aino Korrensalo, Juho Kettunen, Lauri Mehtätalo, Jarno Vanhatalo, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila
Aims
Climate change-induced changes in vegetation may be at first subtle and occur only locally within the ecosystem, complicating their reliable detection. We aimed to quantify short-term changes in species and trait composition in a moss-dominated ecosystem and to examine the associated uncertainty at the local and study area scales.
Location
Pristine boreal fen (Siikaneva) in Central Finland.
Methods
We applied the recently developed pre-emptive joint species distribution model (pJSDM) to quantify the change in plant species and functional trait composition over 12 years. pJSDM allows spatially continuous prediction of change and the associated uncertainty from pointwise observations to the whole ecosystem. It includes the pre-emptive competition for space within mosses that are an important component in many high-latitude ecosystems. To address the mechanisms shaping the plant community, pJSDM was extended to predict the change in trait distribution parameters.
Results
Within the studied peatland, we detected changes in species and trait composition that were small in magnitude but occurred with high probability. Some of the changes occurred only locally, others over the whole study area, and some of the local changes occurred in opposing directions. The species originally found in the drier locations increased in abundance. Also, an increase in Sphagnum capitulum size was detected, indicating adaptation to drier conditions. The cover of wet-adapted species decreased at the study area scale but displayed local increases.
Conclusions
The studied peatland showed nonuniform change in species and trait composition. The observed short-term changes are in line with earlier descriptions of multidecadal drying and ombrotrophication of peatland vegetation and suggest increasing contrasts within the vegetation. The applied approach, pJSDM paired with trait distribution parameters, showed potential in revealing ongoing subtle changes in moss-dominated vegetation.
气候变化引起的植被变化最初可能是微妙的，并且只发生在生态系统的局部区域，这使它们的可靠检测变得复杂。我们的目标是量化苔藓为主的生态系统中物种和性状组成的短期变化，并在局部和研究区域尺度上检查相关的不确定性。地理位置芬兰中部原始的北方沼泽（Siikaneva）方法采用新建立的先发制人联合物种分布模型（pre-emptive joint species distribution model, pJSDM），量化12年来植物种类和功能性状组成的变化。pJSDM允许从逐点观测到整个生态系统的变化和相关不确定性的空间连续预测。它包括对苔藓中空间的先发制人的竞争，而苔藓是许多高纬度生态系统的重要组成部分。为了研究植物群落的形成机制，将pJSDM扩展到性状分布参数的预测中。结果在研究的泥炭地中，我们发现物种和性状组成的变化幅度很小，但发生的概率很大。有些变化只发生在局部，有些变化发生在整个研究区域，有些局部变化发生在相反的方向。原本在干旱地区发现的物种数量增加了。此外，小头藻的大小也有所增加，表明其对干旱环境的适应。在研究区尺度上，湿适应物种的覆盖度呈下降趋势，但局部呈上升趋势。结论泥炭地的物种组成和性状组成变化不均匀。观测到的短期变化与先前关于泥炭地植被多年代际干燥和营养化的描述一致，并表明植被内部的差异越来越大。应用pJSDM与性状分布参数配对的方法，显示了揭示苔藓优势植被持续细微变化的潜力。
{"title":"Detecting Subtle Change in Species and Trait Composition and Quantifying Its Uncertainty in a Boreal Peatland","authors":"Aino Korrensalo, Juho Kettunen, Lauri Mehtätalo, Jarno Vanhatalo, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70025","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Climate change-induced changes in vegetation may be at first subtle and occur only locally within the ecosystem, complicating their reliable detection. We aimed to quantify short-term changes in species and trait composition in a moss-dominated ecosystem and to examine the associated uncertainty at the local and study area scales.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pristine boreal fen (Siikaneva) in Central Finland.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We applied the recently developed pre-emptive joint species distribution model (<i>pJSDM</i>) to quantify the change in plant species and functional trait composition over 12 years. <i>pJSDM</i> allows spatially continuous prediction of change and the associated uncertainty from pointwise observations to the whole ecosystem. It includes the pre-emptive competition for space within mosses that are an important component in many high-latitude ecosystems. To address the mechanisms shaping the plant community, <i>pJSDM</i> was extended to predict the change in trait distribution parameters.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Within the studied peatland, we detected changes in species and trait composition that were small in magnitude but occurred with high probability. Some of the changes occurred only locally, others over the whole study area, and some of the local changes occurred in opposing directions. The species originally found in the drier locations increased in abundance. Also, an increase in <i>Sphagnum</i> capitulum size was detected, indicating adaptation to drier conditions. The cover of wet-adapted species decreased at the study area scale but displayed local increases.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The studied peatland showed nonuniform change in species and trait composition. The observed short-term changes are in line with earlier descriptions of multidecadal drying and ombrotrophication of peatland vegetation and suggest increasing contrasts within the vegetation. The applied approach, <i>pJSDM</i> paired with trait distribution parameters, showed potential in revealing ongoing subtle changes in moss-dominated vegetation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143632906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alba Anadon-Rosell, Melanie Dombrowsky, Jürgen Kreyling, Irmgard Blindow, Sven Dahlke, Tobias Dahms, Felix Räder, Leonie Vogelsang, Tobias Scharnweber
Aims
Central and northern Europe experienced extremely dry conditions in 2018, which caused dieback events in many ecosystems, including coastal heathlands. Our aim was to determine the causes of the varying drought responses observed in Calluna vulgaris on the Baltic island of Hiddensee after this extreme drought.
Location
Island of Hiddensee, Baltic Sea, NE Germany.
Methods
We assessed heathland community damage in autumn 2018 and 2019 with drone-based remote sensing. In addition, we measured water table depths and excavated root samples of C. vulgaris. In 2019, we sampled neighboring C. vulgaris individuals showing contrasting vitality statuses (dead, weakened or healthy), measured their height and canopy width, and prepared cross-sections of the main stem at the root collar or soil surface level to count and measure their xylem rings. We also assessed climate-growth correlations in these individuals.
Results
An 8.0% of all heathland plants showed damage in 2018, while this value decreased to 6.6% in 2019. Only 18% of the plants showing damage in 2018 recovered in 2019. Plant damage was positively related to elevation. Groundwater measurements showed that water table depth dropped below C. vulgaris rooting depth during 2018 and 2019. Healthy plants were taller and had a larger crown area than neighboring weakened and dead individuals, but they did not differ in age nor in previous years' growth. C. vulgaris growth was positively correlated with June and July precipitation.
Conclusions
Our study evidences the negative impacts of extreme droughts on C. vulgaris in coastal heathlands, especially in individuals growing in elevated areas and/or relatively small-sized a, and emphasizes the need for adapting heathland management planning accordingly.
{"title":"Dieback of Calluna vulgaris in a Coastal Heathland After the 2018 Extreme Drought","authors":"Alba Anadon-Rosell, Melanie Dombrowsky, Jürgen Kreyling, Irmgard Blindow, Sven Dahlke, Tobias Dahms, Felix Räder, Leonie Vogelsang, Tobias Scharnweber","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Central and northern Europe experienced extremely dry conditions in 2018, which caused dieback events in many ecosystems, including coastal heathlands. Our aim was to determine the causes of the varying drought responses observed in <i>Calluna vulgaris</i> on the Baltic island of Hiddensee after this extreme drought.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Island of Hiddensee, Baltic Sea, NE Germany.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We assessed heathland community damage in autumn 2018 and 2019 with drone-based remote sensing. In addition, we measured water table depths and excavated root samples of <i>C. vulgaris</i>. In 2019, we sampled neighboring <i>C. vulgaris</i> individuals showing contrasting vitality statuses (dead, weakened or healthy), measured their height and canopy width, and prepared cross-sections of the main stem at the root collar or soil surface level to count and measure their xylem rings. We also assessed climate-growth correlations in these individuals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An 8.0% of all heathland plants showed damage in 2018, while this value decreased to 6.6% in 2019. Only 18% of the plants showing damage in 2018 recovered in 2019. Plant damage was positively related to elevation. Groundwater measurements showed that water table depth dropped below <i>C. vulgaris</i> rooting depth during 2018 and 2019. Healthy plants were taller and had a larger crown area than neighboring weakened and dead individuals, but they did not differ in age nor in previous years' growth. <i>C. vulgaris</i> growth was positively correlated with June and July precipitation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study evidences the negative impacts of extreme droughts on <i>C. vulgaris</i> in coastal heathlands, especially in individuals growing in elevated areas and/or relatively small-sized a, and emphasizes the need for adapting heathland management planning accordingly.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143622701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Patricia Elizabeth Díaz Cando, Annamária Fenesi, Judit Sonkoly, Peliyagodage Chathura Dineth Perera, Péter Török
<div> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>Climate change is expected to bolster opportunities for alien species' establishment and spread. In Europe, alien C4 grass species have the potential to benefit from a changing climate, being better adapted to higher temperatures and heat stress. Our aim was to compile an up-to-date inventory of alien C4 grass species in Europe, to find information about their distribution and country- and region-wise statuses, to identify the most widespread and high-risk species, and the most invaded habitat types, and to draw the temporal trends of their European establishment.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Location</h3> <p>Europe.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>We used the standard systematic literature review methodology to identify relevant publications and online plant distribution databases to get an up-to-date list of alien C4 grass species in Europe. We aimed also to gather information on (1) their current country- and region-wise distribution; (2) alien status in each country (casual, naturalised, invasive); (3) the most widespread and high-risk species; (4) native climatic zones and habitat preferences of each species in European countries; and (5) temporal distribution patterns of the identified species.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>We detected 133 alien C4 grass species across Europe, with the highest number of species in western European countries (103 species) and the lowest in northern Europe (69 species), with considerable overlap amongst regions. Southern Europe stands out with the highest number of naturalised (55) and invasive (21) species compared to other regions, while northern Europe has the highest number of casual species (53). We identified the most widespread and high-risk species, including those from tropical and subtropical climatic zones, which pose the highest invasion risks. These species predominantly occur in ruderal and anthropogenic habitat types, but also in natural habitat types, especially in grasslands. Regarding temporal trends, we detected an alarming increase in the establishment of tropical C4 grasses in Europe in recent decades.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions</h3> <p>Many European countries already harbour a high number of C4 grass species, but with different alien statuses. Besides climate and invasion potential, human activities are also important factors in the ongoing invasion process of alien C4 grass species. Collective actions are requ
{"title":"Enemy Behind the Gates? Predicted Climate Change and Land-Use Intensification Likely Speed Up C4 Grass Invasions in Europe","authors":"Patricia Elizabeth Díaz Cando, Annamária Fenesi, Judit Sonkoly, Peliyagodage Chathura Dineth Perera, Péter Török","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70023","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Climate change is expected to bolster opportunities for alien species' establishment and spread. In Europe, alien C4 grass species have the potential to benefit from a changing climate, being better adapted to higher temperatures and heat stress. Our aim was to compile an up-to-date inventory of alien C4 grass species in Europe, to find information about their distribution and country- and region-wise statuses, to identify the most widespread and high-risk species, and the most invaded habitat types, and to draw the temporal trends of their European establishment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Europe.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We used the standard systematic literature review methodology to identify relevant publications and online plant distribution databases to get an up-to-date list of alien C4 grass species in Europe. We aimed also to gather information on (1) their current country- and region-wise distribution; (2) alien status in each country (casual, naturalised, invasive); (3) the most widespread and high-risk species; (4) native climatic zones and habitat preferences of each species in European countries; and (5) temporal distribution patterns of the identified species.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We detected 133 alien C4 grass species across Europe, with the highest number of species in western European countries (103 species) and the lowest in northern Europe (69 species), with considerable overlap amongst regions. Southern Europe stands out with the highest number of naturalised (55) and invasive (21) species compared to other regions, while northern Europe has the highest number of casual species (53). We identified the most widespread and high-risk species, including those from tropical and subtropical climatic zones, which pose the highest invasion risks. These species predominantly occur in ruderal and anthropogenic habitat types, but also in natural habitat types, especially in grasslands. Regarding temporal trends, we detected an alarming increase in the establishment of tropical C4 grasses in Europe in recent decades.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Many European countries already harbour a high number of C4 grass species, but with different alien statuses. Besides climate and invasion potential, human activities are also important factors in the ongoing invasion process of alien C4 grass species. Collective actions are requ","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143602455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dario La Montagna, Michele De Sanctis, Petr Maděra, Kay Van Damme, Salem Hamdiah, Fabio Attorre, Luca Malatesta
<div> <section> <h3> Question</h3> <p>Plant–plant facilitation is a critical ecological mechanism in arid environments, influencing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience globally. Shrubs often serve as nurse species, enhancing tree regeneration and sheltering plant communities, particularly in overgrazed or degraded habitats. In this study, we examine the role of shrubs as nurse species in the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen), a biodiversity hotspot in which several endemic tree species, including the iconic frankincense (<i>Boswellia</i> spp.), myrrh (<i>Commiphora</i> spp.), and Socotran dragon's blood (<i>Dracaena cinnabari</i>) trees, are threatened. This is largely due to a lack of natural regeneration caused by the combined effects of overgrazing by goats, sheep, and climatic events such as extreme droughts and cyclones. To aid conservation of threatened trees in arid regions, nature-based solutions are urgently needed to help tree regeneration. Effective nurse plants have this potential, particularly in arid environments. We therefore examined the role of thorny, poisonous, and/or unpalatable shrubs as nurse plants in sheltering threatened plant communities, with a focus on woody species in an arid insular context.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Study Area</h3> <p>The Socotra Archipelago (Yemen) situated in the western Indian Ocean, east of the Horn of Africa. It is a biodiversity sanctuary and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>Vegetation surveys were conducted in 144 paired plots under six common shrub species and adjacent open areas. Community data, environmental variables, and functional traits were analysed using RLQ and fourth-corner analyses, while Linear Mixed Models (LMMs) evaluated the effects of environmental variables and nurse species on key functional traits based on Community Weighted Means (CWMs). Facilitation effects were quantified using the Relative Interaction Index (RII).</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>Our analysis revealed significant variations in species composition and functional traits between under-canopy and open-area plots. Certain shrubs, such as <i>Cebatha balfourii</i>, facilitated significantly higher species richness under its canopy compared to open areas. Elevation and grazing pressure influenced these interactions, with notable effects on functional traits like the occurrence of legumes and tree growth forms. <i>Buxus hildebrandtii</i> was less effective in supporting species richness, while <i>C. balfourii, Lycium sokotranum</i>, and two <i>Cissus
{"title":"Shrubs as Nurse Species for Plant Communities in Arid Environments: A Case Study From Socotra Island (Yemen)","authors":"Dario La Montagna, Michele De Sanctis, Petr Maděra, Kay Van Damme, Salem Hamdiah, Fabio Attorre, Luca Malatesta","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70020","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Plant–plant facilitation is a critical ecological mechanism in arid environments, influencing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience globally. Shrubs often serve as nurse species, enhancing tree regeneration and sheltering plant communities, particularly in overgrazed or degraded habitats. In this study, we examine the role of shrubs as nurse species in the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen), a biodiversity hotspot in which several endemic tree species, including the iconic frankincense (<i>Boswellia</i> spp.), myrrh (<i>Commiphora</i> spp.), and Socotran dragon's blood (<i>Dracaena cinnabari</i>) trees, are threatened. This is largely due to a lack of natural regeneration caused by the combined effects of overgrazing by goats, sheep, and climatic events such as extreme droughts and cyclones. To aid conservation of threatened trees in arid regions, nature-based solutions are urgently needed to help tree regeneration. Effective nurse plants have this potential, particularly in arid environments. We therefore examined the role of thorny, poisonous, and/or unpalatable shrubs as nurse plants in sheltering threatened plant communities, with a focus on woody species in an arid insular context.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Study Area</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Socotra Archipelago (Yemen) situated in the western Indian Ocean, east of the Horn of Africa. It is a biodiversity sanctuary and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Vegetation surveys were conducted in 144 paired plots under six common shrub species and adjacent open areas. Community data, environmental variables, and functional traits were analysed using RLQ and fourth-corner analyses, while Linear Mixed Models (LMMs) evaluated the effects of environmental variables and nurse species on key functional traits based on Community Weighted Means (CWMs). Facilitation effects were quantified using the Relative Interaction Index (RII).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our analysis revealed significant variations in species composition and functional traits between under-canopy and open-area plots. Certain shrubs, such as <i>Cebatha balfourii</i>, facilitated significantly higher species richness under its canopy compared to open areas. Elevation and grazing pressure influenced these interactions, with notable effects on functional traits like the occurrence of legumes and tree growth forms. <i>Buxus hildebrandtii</i> was less effective in supporting species richness, while <i>C. balfourii, Lycium sokotranum</i>, and two <i>Cissus","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70020","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143564935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Victoria Larrosa, Diana I. Montemayor, Eugenia Fanjul, Juan Alberti, Carlos Martín Bruschetti, Paulina Martinetto, Jesús Pascual, Oscar Iribarne, Pedro Daleo
Questions
Salt marshes are highly productive coastal ecosystems that, like other coastal wetlands, play a key role in climate change mitigation due to their efficiency in sequestering and storing atmospheric carbon (C). This ability is partly explained by the low decomposition rates of organic matter that is buried in their sediments. However, given that decomposition dynamics are temperature-dependent, escalating temperatures potentially threaten salt marsh C sequestration capacity. The question addressed in this study is whether increasing temperature affects salt marsh detritus decomposition rates not only directly but also indirectly by affecting plant community composition.
Location
We performed a field manipulative experiment in a Southwestern Atlantic salt marsh in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina.
Methods
We increased temperature using open-top chambers (OTCs). At the end of a 3-year experiment, we estimated plant species cover at each plot and estimated litter decomposition rates with a litterbag approach using a standardized substrate (i.e., Spartina litter) and a community-based substrate.
Results
Results show that the use of OTCs raised the temperature in warming treatments by 1.05°C on average. After 3 years of experiment, the plant community structure under warming was characterized by increased dominance of Spartina densiflora, which produces a less labile detritus. Warming reduced the decomposition of community-based litter by 50% to levels similar to those of the standardized Spartina litter.
Conclusions
Our results show that warming is likely to have significant consequences on salt marsh plant community structure, increasing the biomass of the dominant species and driving more recalcitrant litter production, which could slow decomposition dynamics. Despite only covering 0.3% of the land surface, salt marshes are important C reservoirs; thus, the contrasting dynamics of warming on salt marsh decomposition should be considered when assessing the broader effects of global change.
{"title":"Experimental Warming Affects Salt Marsh Litter Decomposition Through Changes in Plant Species Assemblage","authors":"Maria Victoria Larrosa, Diana I. Montemayor, Eugenia Fanjul, Juan Alberti, Carlos Martín Bruschetti, Paulina Martinetto, Jesús Pascual, Oscar Iribarne, Pedro Daleo","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70022","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Salt marshes are highly productive coastal ecosystems that, like other coastal wetlands, play a key role in climate change mitigation due to their efficiency in sequestering and storing atmospheric carbon (C). This ability is partly explained by the low decomposition rates of organic matter that is buried in their sediments. However, given that decomposition dynamics are temperature-dependent, escalating temperatures potentially threaten salt marsh C sequestration capacity. The question addressed in this study is whether increasing temperature affects salt marsh detritus decomposition rates not only directly but also indirectly by affecting plant community composition.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We performed a field manipulative experiment in a Southwestern Atlantic salt marsh in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We increased temperature using open-top chambers (OTCs). At the end of a 3-year experiment, we estimated plant species cover at each plot and estimated litter decomposition rates with a litterbag approach using a standardized substrate (i.e., <i>Spartina</i> litter) and a community-based substrate.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results show that the use of OTCs raised the temperature in warming treatments by 1.05°C on average. After 3 years of experiment, the plant community structure under warming was characterized by increased dominance of <i>Spartina densiflora</i>, which produces a less labile detritus. Warming reduced the decomposition of community-based litter by 50% to levels similar to those of the standardized <i>Spartina</i> litter.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results show that warming is likely to have significant consequences on salt marsh plant community structure, increasing the biomass of the dominant species and driving more recalcitrant litter production, which could slow decomposition dynamics. Despite only covering 0.3% of the land surface, salt marshes are important C reservoirs; thus, the contrasting dynamics of warming on salt marsh decomposition should be considered when assessing the broader effects of global change.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143564943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joshua Tsamba, Peter C. le Roux, Luis R. Pertierra, Bongekile S. N. Kuhlase, Michelle Greve
Aims
Cold environments, such as polar systems, are highly vulnerable to global change drivers such as climate change and invasive species. Therefore, it is essential to assess what drives the diversity of native and invasive species in these systems.
Location
We investigated what drives native and alien plant species richness on sub-Antarctic Marion Island and determined the scale-dependence of these drivers.
Methods
Native and alien plant species richness was surveyed at “small” (1 m2) and “large” (9 m2) sampling grains. Difference in richness between the two sampling grains was calculated to assess how local turnover contributes to species assemblage. The factors driving richness at both grains, and the differences in richness between the two grains, were analysed using simultaneous auto-regressive models. Drivers related to energy and environmental heterogeneity were correlated with native richness, whilst drivers related to productivity were related to alien richness.
Results
Biotic interactions with a cushion plant facilitated native richness, but restricted alien richness at low elevations. Further, some drivers of richness depended on spatial grain. Native richness was positively related to northness at large, but not small grain size, suggesting that higher northness increases local turnover at a grain size > 1 m2. On the other hand, topographical wetness index (TWI) boosted native richness at small but not large grains, implying that competition for water limits coexistence at low TWI (i.e., low moisture availability) only at small grain. Differences in native species richness between large and small grain sizes were more pronounced at low elevations, suggesting higher compositional heterogeneity at low altitudes.
Conclusions
Our study highlights that drivers of plant species richness in a polar ecosystem differ between native and alien plant species. Additionally, the effects of some drivers on richness differ between sampling grains, and considering these differences provides insight into drivers of local patterns of species assemblage.
{"title":"Fine Scale Patterns and Drivers of Plant Species Richness on a Sub-Antarctic Island","authors":"Joshua Tsamba, Peter C. le Roux, Luis R. Pertierra, Bongekile S. N. Kuhlase, Michelle Greve","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cold environments, such as polar systems, are highly vulnerable to global change drivers such as climate change and invasive species. Therefore, it is essential to assess what drives the diversity of native and invasive species in these systems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigated what drives native and alien plant species richness on sub-Antarctic Marion Island and determined the scale-dependence of these drivers.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Native and alien plant species richness was surveyed at “small” (1 m<sup>2</sup>) and “large” (9 m<sup>2</sup>) sampling grains. Difference in richness between the two sampling grains was calculated to assess how local turnover contributes to species assemblage. The factors driving richness at both grains, and the differences in richness between the two grains, were analysed using simultaneous auto-regressive models. Drivers related to energy and environmental heterogeneity were correlated with native richness, whilst drivers related to productivity were related to alien richness.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Biotic interactions with a cushion plant facilitated native richness, but restricted alien richness at low elevations. Further, some drivers of richness depended on spatial grain. Native richness was positively related to northness at large, but not small grain size, suggesting that higher northness increases local turnover at a grain size > 1 m<sup>2</sup>. On the other hand, topographical wetness index (TWI) boosted native richness at small but not large grains, implying that competition for water limits coexistence at low TWI (i.e., low moisture availability) only at small grain. Differences in native species richness between large and small grain sizes were more pronounced at low elevations, suggesting higher compositional heterogeneity at low altitudes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study highlights that drivers of plant species richness in a polar ecosystem differ between native and alien plant species. Additionally, the effects of some drivers on richness differ between sampling grains, and considering these differences provides insight into drivers of local patterns of species assemblage.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70015","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143564942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div> <section> <h3> Question</h3> <p>Scattered trees are easily discernible in landscapes worldwide. They are integral to “wooded grassland” ecosystems, characterized by grazed and/or mowed open areas. In the Mediterranean basin, these dynamic systems are threatened by the abandonment of traditional management of marginal areas. Despite the ecological relevance of wooded grasslands and the importance of scattered trees for biodiversity, few holistic studies consider multiple ecosystem components simultaneously, and none focus on the Apennine area. This study aims to investigate the ecological impact of large scattered <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> trees on seminatural grasslands.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Location</h3> <p>Central Apennines, Italy.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>Following a distance gradient from the tree trunk towards the open grassland, we established four distinct sampling positions. At each position, we conducted an analysis encompassing a range of ecosystem components. This included vegetation composition and productivity, soil chemistry, root density, hydrological properties, light availability, and soil fungal diversity.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>Plant species richness, aboveground live biomass, and ground light availability exhibited a positive correlation with increasing distance from the trunk, signifying a gradual transition towards a more diverse and open grassland community. Conversely, litter and root biomass exhibited a negative correlation, decreasing with distance from the beech trees. Soil pH and nitrogen content increased with distance from the trunk, suggesting spatial heterogeneity in nutrient availability driven by the influence of the beech. Finally, four distinct plant communities were recorded with different abundances of all fungal taxa communities related to the plot from the trunk towards grassland. By examining the soil fungal abundance and diversity, we highlighted differences among soil plots correlated with different fungal functional guilds, highlighting a clear zonation effect mediated by the scattered beech trees.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions</h3> <p>At a landscape scale, the coexistence of isolated trees and grasslands increases biodiversity, while the abandonment of traditional practices with forest recolonization leads to homogenization. Regional and local policies should identify management practices to protect this valuable ecosystem.</p>
{"title":"Under the Crown of Scattered Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Impact on Plant Community, Soil Resources, and Fungal Diversity","authors":"Giulio Tesei, Giuliano Bonanomi, Paride D'Ottavio, Matteo Francioni, Demetra Giovagnoli, Lucia Landi, Sergio Murolo, Laura Trozzo, Marina Allegrezza","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Question</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Scattered trees are easily discernible in landscapes worldwide. They are integral to “wooded grassland” ecosystems, characterized by grazed and/or mowed open areas. In the Mediterranean basin, these dynamic systems are threatened by the abandonment of traditional management of marginal areas. Despite the ecological relevance of wooded grasslands and the importance of scattered trees for biodiversity, few holistic studies consider multiple ecosystem components simultaneously, and none focus on the Apennine area. This study aims to investigate the ecological impact of large scattered <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> trees on seminatural grasslands.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Central Apennines, Italy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Following a distance gradient from the tree trunk towards the open grassland, we established four distinct sampling positions. At each position, we conducted an analysis encompassing a range of ecosystem components. This included vegetation composition and productivity, soil chemistry, root density, hydrological properties, light availability, and soil fungal diversity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Plant species richness, aboveground live biomass, and ground light availability exhibited a positive correlation with increasing distance from the trunk, signifying a gradual transition towards a more diverse and open grassland community. Conversely, litter and root biomass exhibited a negative correlation, decreasing with distance from the beech trees. Soil pH and nitrogen content increased with distance from the trunk, suggesting spatial heterogeneity in nutrient availability driven by the influence of the beech. Finally, four distinct plant communities were recorded with different abundances of all fungal taxa communities related to the plot from the trunk towards grassland. By examining the soil fungal abundance and diversity, we highlighted differences among soil plots correlated with different fungal functional guilds, highlighting a clear zonation effect mediated by the scattered beech trees.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>At a landscape scale, the coexistence of isolated trees and grasslands increases biodiversity, while the abandonment of traditional practices with forest recolonization leads to homogenization. Regional and local policies should identify management practices to protect this valuable ecosystem.</p>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvs.70021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143564944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jorge González Le Barbier, Jose V. Roces-Díaz, Borja Jiménez-Alfaro
Questions
Forest timberlines are globally influenced by climatic and anthropogenic factors, with regional differences in species composition, spatial patterns, and temporal dynamics. We studied mountain forests in a climatically heterogeneous region to analyze (I) the distribution and structure of the timberline across local climatic and topographic gradients, and (II) the temporal dynamics of regional timberlines over the last 70 years and their drivers.
Location
Cantabrian Mountains, Northwestern Spain.
Methods
We used local vegetation maps describing habitat distributions with high spatial and thematic resolution to characterize montane forest types forming natural timberlines. We assessed the elevation distribution of the timberline for each forest type and fitted generalized linear models to analyze their main environmental and anthropogenic drivers at the regional scale. We also examined current and historical aerial imagery to explore timberline changes since the 1950s and fitted generalized linear mixed models to evaluate their driving factors.
Results
The elevation of regional timberlines varied from 1700 to 2000 m, with the highest elevations found in Betula celtiberica and Quercus orocantabrica forests. Regional variation of timberline was primarily influenced by mean annual temperature and solar radiation, and secondarily by the distance to roads. We detected upward shifts of timberlines dominated by Betula celtiberica (10.9 ± 11.6 m), Quercus petraea (7.7 ± 8.5 m), and Fagus sylvatica on acid (6.4 ± 9.2 m) and non-acid (3.0 ± 3.9 m) soils, while Quercus orocantabrica forests largely remained unchanged. Beyond the forest type, elevation shifts were mainly explained by northness, eastness, and slope.
Conclusions
Our study indicates that within-regional variation in spatial patterns and dynamics of timberlines is primarily determined by the forest type and its relationships with climate and topography. We also provide evidence of the continentality–oceanity gradient in determining the elevation of the natural timberline in middle latitudes. Although higher timberline elevations are reached under continental conditions, stronger upward shifts of regional timberlines under oceanic conditions may be explained by the dispersal abilities of Betula species.
{"title":"Timberline Patterns and Dynamics Depend on Forest Type, Regional Climate, and Topography in the Cantabrian Mountains (Spain)","authors":"Jorge González Le Barbier, Jose V. Roces-Díaz, Borja Jiménez-Alfaro","doi":"10.1111/jvs.70018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Questions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Forest timberlines are globally influenced by climatic and anthropogenic factors, with regional differences in species composition, spatial patterns, and temporal dynamics. We studied mountain forests in a climatically heterogeneous region to analyze (I) the distribution and structure of the timberline across local climatic and topographic gradients, and (II) the temporal dynamics of regional timberlines over the last 70 years and their drivers.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Location</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Cantabrian Mountains, Northwestern Spain.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We used local vegetation maps describing habitat distributions with high spatial and thematic resolution to characterize montane forest types forming natural timberlines. We assessed the elevation distribution of the timberline for each forest type and fitted generalized linear models to analyze their main environmental and anthropogenic drivers at the regional scale. We also examined current and historical aerial imagery to explore timberline changes since the 1950s and fitted generalized linear mixed models to evaluate their driving factors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The elevation of regional timberlines varied from 1700 to 2000 m, with the highest elevations found in <i>Betula celtiberica</i> and <i>Quercus orocantabrica</i> forests. Regional variation of timberline was primarily influenced by mean annual temperature and solar radiation, and secondarily by the distance to roads. We detected upward shifts of timberlines dominated by <i>Betula celtiberica</i> (10.9 ± 11.6 m), <i>Quercus petraea</i> (7.7 ± 8.5 m), and <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> on acid (6.4 ± 9.2 m) and non-acid (3.0 ± 3.9 m) soils, while <i>Quercus orocantabrica</i> forests largely remained unchanged. Beyond the forest type, elevation shifts were mainly explained by northness, eastness, and slope.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our study indicates that within-regional variation in spatial patterns and dynamics of timberlines is primarily determined by the forest type and its relationships with climate and topography. We also provide evidence of the continentality–oceanity gradient in determining the elevation of the natural timberline in middle latitudes. Although higher timberline elevations are reached under continental conditions, stronger upward shifts of regional timberlines under oceanic conditions may be explained by the dispersal abilities of <i>Betula</i> species.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":49965,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vegetation Science","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143513743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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