| 1. |
- Abrahamsson, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Saproxylic beetle assemblages in artificially created high-stumps of spruce (Picea abies) and birch (Betula pendula/pubescens) – does the surrounding landscape matter?
- 2009
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Ingår i: Insect Conservation and Diversity. - : Wiley. - 1752-458X .- 1752-4598. ; 2, s. 284-294
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract. 1. To create high-stumps (snags) is a common conservation action during final felling in Swedish production forests. However, many wood-living beetle species are only found in certain areas with higher overall biodiversity, so called hotspots. It has been argued that it is efficient to concentrate conservation efforts to hotspots. 2. The saproxylic beetle fauna was sampled on ten clearcuts inside hotspots and ten clearcuts outside the hotspots. They were collected with window traps mounted on 2- and 4-year-old spruce and birch high-stumps. We also used environmental data (e.g. tree species composition) to confirm differences between the surroundings of two, the clearcut types. 3. High-stumps on the hotspot clearcuts did not attract more saproxylic beetle species, or red-listed species, than high-stumps outside the hotspots. The environmental data showed that the clearcuts differed in several important aspects, for instance, were there a higher proportion of broadleaved trees around the hotspot compared with the clearcuts outside the hotspots. In a Canonical Correspondence Analysis, the proportion of coniferous and broadleaved forest was an important explanatory variables. The hotspot variable did contribute significantly in explaining the beetle composition on the birch high-stumps, but not on the spruce high-stumps. 4. In general, the study suggests that concentrating high-stumps to hotspot areas will not benefit more species. However, the result indicates birch high-stumps could be prioritised in a biologically rich landscape. The hotspot effect may be more noticeable in the future as the high-stumps decay and their importance for late successional species increase
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| 2. |
- Felton, Adam, et al.
(författare)
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Forest biodiversity and ecosystem services from spruce-birch mixtures : The potential importance of tree spatial arrangement
- 2022
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Ingår i: Environmental Challenges. - : Elsevier BV. - 2667-0100. ; 6
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is increasing empirical support for the biodiversity and ecosystem service (ES) benefits of mixed-species production forests. However, few studies control for the spatial arrangement of the trees within mixtures to determine the influence that clustering the tree species (patch scale mixtures), versus evenly dispersing them (intimate scale mixtures), may have for biodiversity and ES outcomes. To highlight the potential implications of altering tree spatial arrangement in mixtures, and the need to fill related knowledge gaps, here we provide a qualitative multi-disciplinary overview of ecological and socio-economic drivers with the potential to alter biodiversity, ecosystem services, and management-related outcomes from patch versus intimate scale mixtures. We focused our overview on even-aged mixtures of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and birch (Betula pendula or B. pubescens) in Sweden, which enabled us to contrast findings within a biogeographical and silvicultural setting. Specifically, we targeted implications for biodiversity (understory vascular plants, epiphytic lichens, saproxylic beetles, birds), biomass production, harvesting costs, management ease, recreation and aesthetics, cervid game, as well as abiotic and biotic risks (wind, fire, pathogens, pests, browsing damage). In the absence of direct empirical evidence, we primarily relied on expert inference from theory and relevant empirical studies sourced from the Fennoscandian region, and further afield if needed. Collectively these efforts allowed us to develop a number of informed hypotheses indicating that for spruce-birch mixtures in this region, patch scale mixtures may have the potential to favour the diversity of several forest dependant taxonomic groups, cervid game and reduce harvesting costs, whereas intimate mixtures may have the potential to reduce pathogen and pest damage, and likewise, potentially benefit production outcomes. Current knowledge was too limited, inconsistent or context dependant to even tentatively infer outcomes for fire risk, wind damage, browsing damage, management ease, recreational and aesthetic outcomes. We emphasize that our hypotheses require testing, but are sufficient to (1) highlight the likely importance of spatial-scale to biodiversity and ecosystem services outcomes in mixed-species production forests, (2) caution against generalization from mixture studies that lack scale considerations, and (3) motivate the targeted consideration of spatial grain in future mixture studies.
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| 3. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(författare)
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The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
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| 4. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N., et al.
(författare)
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The PREDICTS database : a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts
- 2014
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 4:24, s. 4701-4735
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. Existing global databases of species' threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species. The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project - and avert - future declines. We describe and assess a new database of more than 1.6 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world. The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries. The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups - including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses. The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems - ). We make site-level summary data available alongside this article. The full database will be publicly available in 2015.
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| 5. |
- Auffret, Alistair, et al.
(författare)
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Can field botany be effectively taught as a distance course? Experiences and reflections from the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2022
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Ingår i: AoB PLANTS. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2041-2851. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020 forced a rapid change in university teaching, with large numbers of courses switching to distance learning with very little time for preparation. Courses involving many practical elements and field excursions required particular care if students were to fulfil planned learning outcomes. Here, we present our experiences in teaching field botany in 2020 and 2021. Using a range of methods and tools to introduce students to the subject, promote self-learning and reflection and give rapid and regular feedback, we were able to produce a course that allowed students to achieve the intended learning outcomes and that obtained similarly positive student evaluations to previous years. The course and its outcomes were further improved in 2021. We describe how we structured field botany as a distance course in order that we could give the best possible learning experience for the students. Finally, we reflect on how digital tools can aid teaching such subjects in the future, in a world where public knowledge of natural history is declining.In an era of large-scale biodiversity change and reductions in basic knowledge of natural history, it is important that practical courses in subjects like field botany continue to be taught effectively. Forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to teach plant identification with no direct contact with students, we used a range of methods and tools to promote self-learning and reflection in students, and to facilitate rapid feedback by teachers. Here, we present our method for producing a course that allowed students to achieve the intended learning outcomes and that obtained positive student evaluations.
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| 6. |
- Dahlberg, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Modelled impact of Norway spruce logging residue extraction on biodiversity in Sweden
- 2011
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Forest Research. - 0045-5067 .- 1208-6037. ; 41, s. 1220-1232
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Logging residues are increasingly being extracted for bioenergy purposes. This study estimates how extraction of fine woody debris (FWD) may affect the overall habitat availability for 577 species of wood-and bark-inhabiting basidiomycetes, beetles, and lichens in Sweden using Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) as their primary substrate. We combined modeling of (i) the amount of various types of woody debris available throughout a forest rotation in managed forests with (ii) a classification of each species' associations with different types of wood. In three different regions, we compared a scenario with no logging residue extraction with three different levels of extraction. Our results suggest that the extraction may cause a 35%-45% reduction in aboveground FWD and a more than 20% decline in the potential amount of substrate for about 50% of the species (affecting basidiomycetes and beetles more than lichens). The intensified forestry during the last century has, however, steadily increased the production of FWD. Furthermore, no red-listed species is primarily associated with logging residues of Norway spruce. Therefore, the current situation in Sweden with extraction of 70% of Norway spruce FWD on 50% of the clearcuts probably constitutes a minor contribution to the regional extinction risks.
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| 7. |
- Dion, Claude, et al.
(författare)
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Controllable 3D atomic Brownian motor in optical lattices
- 2008
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Ingår i: The European Physical Journal - Special Topics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1951-6355 .- 1951-6401. ; 159:1, s. 11-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We study a Brownian motor, based on cold atoms in optical lattices, where atomic motion can be induced in a controlled manner in an arbitrary direction, by rectification of isotropic random fluctuations. In contrast with ratchet mechanisms, our Brownian motor operates in a potential that is spatially and temporally symmetric, in apparent contradiction to the Curie principle. Simulations, based on the Fokker-Planck equation, allow us to gain knowledge on the qualitative behaviour of our Brownian motor. Studies of Brownian motors, and in particular ones with unique control properties, are of fundamental interest because of the role they play in protein motors and their potential applications in nanotechnology. In particular, our system opens the way to the study of quantum Brownian motors.
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| 8. |
- Felton, Adam, et al.
(författare)
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The tree species matters : Biodiversity and ecosystem service implications of replacing Scots pine production stands with Norway spruce.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Ambio. - : Springer. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 49:5, s. 1035-1049
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The choice of tree species used in production forests matters for biodiversity and ecosystem services. In Sweden, damage to young production forests by large browsing herbivores is helping to drive a development where sites traditionally regenerated with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) are instead being regenerated with Norway spruce (Picea abies). We provide a condensed synthesis of the available evidence regarding the likely resultant implications for forest biodiversity and ecosystem services from this change in tree species. Apart from some benefits (e.g. reduced stand-level browsing damage), we identified a range of negative outcomes for biodiversity, production, esthetic and recreational values, as well as increased stand vulnerability to storm, frost, and drought damage, and potentially higher risks of pest and pathogen outbreak. Our results are directly relevant to forest owners and policy-makers seeking information regarding the uncertainties, risks, and trade-offs likely to result from changing the tree species in production forests.
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| 9. |
- Goug, Leonie A., et al.
(författare)
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Specialists in ancient trees are more affected by climate than generalists
- 2015
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 5:23, s. 5632-5641
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ancient trees are considered one of the most important habitats for biodiversityin Europe and North America. They support exceptional numbers of specializedspecies, including a range of rare and endangered wood-living insects. In thisstudy, we use a dataset of 105 sites spanning a climatic gradient along the oakrange of Norway and Sweden to investigate the importance of temperature andprecipitation on beetle species richness in ancient, hollow oak trees. We expectedthat increased summer temperature would positively influence all wood-livingbeetle species whereas precipitation would be less important with a negligible ornegative impact. Surprisingly, only oak-specialist beetles with a northern distributionincreased in species richness with temperature. Few specialist beetles and nogeneralist beetles responded to the rise of 4°C in summer as covered by our climaticgradient. The negative effect of precipitation affected more specialist speciesthan did temperature, whereas the generalists remained unaffected. In summary,we suggest that increased summer temperature is likely to benefit a few specialistbeetles within this dead wood community, but a larger number of specialists arelikely to decline due to increased precipitation. In addition, generalist species willremain unaffected. To minimize adverse impacts of climate change on this importantcommunity, long-term management plans for ancient trees are important.
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| 10. |
- Gough, Leonie A., et al.
(författare)
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Data from: Specialists in ancient trees are more affected by climate than generalists
- 2016
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Annan publikationabstract
- Ancient trees are considered one of the most important habitats for biodiversity in Europe and North America. They support exceptional numbers of specialized species, including a range of rare and endangered wood-living insects. In this study, we use a dataset of 105 sites spanning a climatic gradient along the oak range of Norway and Sweden to investigate the importance of temperature and precipitation on beetle species richness in ancient, hollow oak trees. We expected that increased summer temperature would positively influence all wood-living beetle species whereas precipitation would be less important with a negligible or negative impact. Surprisingly, only oak-specialist beetles with a northern distribution increased in species richness with temperature. Few specialist beetles and no generalist beetles responded to the rise of 4°C in summer as covered by our climatic gradient. The negative effect of precipitation affected more specialist species than did temperature, whereas the generalists remained unaffected. In summary, we suggest that increased summer temperature is likely to benefit a few specialist beetles within this dead wood community, but a larger number of specialists are likely to decline due to increased precipitation. In addition, generalist species will remain unaffected. To minimize adverse impacts of climate change on this important community, long-term management plans for ancient trees are important.
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