Can we manage tropical landscapes? – an answer from the Caribbean perspective

Humans have used Caribbean island landscapes for millennia. Theconversion of wild lands to built-up lands or to agricultural lands in thesetropical countries follows predictable patterns. Conversion of moist forestlifezones and fertile flatlands is faster than conversion of wet and rain forestlife zones and low fertility steep lands. In Puerto Rico, these trends areleading to increased built-up areas, environmental surprises, and increaseddependence on external subsidies. Changes over the past 50 yr alsoinclude a reversal in deforestation and increase in forest patch size in spiteof increasing human population density. Present forests have different speciescomposition than the original ones but are indistinguishable in physiognomy andbasic function. The reversal of deforestation and forest fragmentation trends,if accompanied by an understanding of the forces that cause the reversal, canresult in the development of tools for landscape management. Tropical landscapemanagement requires understanding and application of natural resiliencemechanisms of ecosystems, greater use of ecological engineering approaches toinfrastructure development, enforcement of zoning laws, enlightened economicdevelopment policies, and an understanding and agreement of a conservationvision among all sectors of society. Mixing species in new combinations to formnew ecosystems is a necessary step in the development of future landscapes.Landscapes have always changed over time, but we sense,somewhat uneasily, that the processes now at work are more powerfully focusedand possibly irreversible.Our present assumption is that generally tropical lands aremuch more sensitive and less resilient than those in the temperatezones....the long-term world trend in land uses is a cascadingloss in capacity (i.e., degradation) in every broad category of landuse. J.F. Richards 1990, p 176 and 177.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fire-induced changes in northern Patagonian landscapes

In northern Patagonia, Argentina we quantify changes in fire frequency along a gradient from mesic Nothofagus dombeyi forest to xeric woodlands of Austrocedrus chilensis at the steppe ecotone, and we examine patterns of vegetation change coincident with the changes in fire regimes across a range of spatial scales. At a regional scale changes in land cover types are documented by comparing 1:250000 scale cover type maps from 1913 and 1985. Changes in landscape structure are analyzed by comparing vegetation patterns on 1:24000 scale aerial photographs taken in 1940 and 1970. Fire frequency peaked in the late nineteenth-century due to widespread burning and clearing of forests by European settlers late in the century. Subsequently, fire frequency declined dramatically about 1910 due to the cessation of intentional fires and has remained low due to increasingly effective fire exclusion. At a regional scale there has been a dramatic increase during the twentieth century in the proportion of forest cover relative to areas mapped as recent burns or shrublands in 1913. Remnant forest patches that survived the widespread late-nineteenth century burning have coalesced to form more continuous forest covers, and formerly continuous areas of shrublands have become dissected by forest. Under reduced fire frequency there has been a shift in dominance from short-lived resprouting species (mostly shrubs) towards longer-lived species and obligate seed-dispersers such as Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi. Due to limited seed dispersal of these tree species, the spatial configuration of remnant forest patches plays a key role in subsequent changes in landscape pattern.     

Landscape changes and breeding bird assemblages in northwestern Portugal: the role of fire

Fire is a major driving force of landscape change in the Mediterranean region. The objectives of this paper were to explore the implications of landscape change and wildfires in a region of northwestern Portugal for the diversity of breeding birds. Land use cover for the years 1958, 1968, 1983 and 1995 was obtained from aerial photography for a study area of 3700 ha. Breeding bird assemblages in each of six land use categories were characterized in 1998 using point counts. The main landscape changes in the study area across the 40 years were a decrease in the area of agricultural land and low shrublands (respectively 29% and 48%) and an increase in forests and tall shrublands (both over 95%). Bird assemblages showed increased richness and diversity across the gradient: low shrublands tall shrublands conifer mixed deciduous agricultural areas. Many of the species with narrow niche breadth (specialists) were associated with agricultural areas and deciduous forests. In spite of the low diversity of burned areas (mostly shrublands) a few specialist species depend on this habitat. Thus, the current fire regime probably contributes to maintaining bird diversity at the landscape level. There was an inverse relationship between landscape diversity and estimated bird diversity across the last 40 years. Landscape management actions to preserve bird diversity should focus on the maintenance of agricultural land and deciduous forests. In parallel, a wider use of prescribed burning and grazing is suggested. This would contribute to maintaining low shrublands in the landscape, useful both as an habitat for some bird species and as fuel breaks for preventing the occurrence of large wildfires.     

Effects of fire frequency on plant communities and landscape pattern in the Massif des Aspres (southern France)

Fire frequency can affect pattern and diversity in plant communities and landscapes. We had the opportunity to study changes due to recurring wildfires on the same sites over a period of 50 years in the Massif des Aspres (southern France). The study was carried out in areas occupied byQuercus suber andQ. ilex series. A comparison of historical and cartographical documents (vegetation maps covering a 50 year interval and an accurate map of major wildfires during this period) allowed us to determine the changes occurring over time with or without fire action. Plant communities were grouped into three main vegetation types: forests, treed shrublands and shrublands. The passage of three successive wildfires on the same site led to a decrease in forest areas and an increase in shrublands; however, shrublands were already present before the first fire of the period under consideration. Less frequent fire occurrence induced more complex heterogeneity and greater landscape diversity. In the study region as a whole, with or without fire action, a significant decrease in forest surfaces was recorded, whereas there was an increase of unforested communities such as treed shrublands and shrublands. In some parts of the Massif fires increased the homogeneity of the landscape, in other parts they created a greater heterogeneity and diversity of plant communities.     

Respective roles of recent hedges and forest patch remnants in the maintenance of ground-beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) diversity in an agricultural landscape

We compared three kinds of habitats: small remnants of native forests, recent hedges and barley crops, in order to investigate their respective roles in the maintenance of carabid-beetle diversity in a 950-ha area of an intensive agricultural landscape. Carabid faunas in remnants differed weakly from these found in hedges and crops. In particular, small remnants had few typical forest carabid species and a large number of open-area or ubiquitous species. Different approaches in the measurement of and -diversity (classical indices, and additive partitioning of Simpson's index) showed similar results: hedges supported a high -diversity but habitat types were quite similar overall, with weak differences between open and closed or disturbed and undisturbed habitats.A comparison of species dispersal powers in the various habitat types showed that species with a low dispersal power were rare in all habitats. However, wing development measured on two dimorphic species revealed, surprisingly, that brachypterous individuals were mainly present in hedges, which were expected a priori to be more disturbed, than remnants hence less suitable for the establishment of populations with a low dispersal power.These results suggest that small remnants do not behave as 'climax' habitats in this intensive agricultural landscape, probably because of their small size and strong isolation. We discuss the interest of new undisturbed habitats, such as recent hedges, for the maintenance of carabid diversity at both the local and landscape scale.     

Deciduous forest and resident birds: the problem of fragmentation within a coniferous forest landscape

Six species of resident birds were censused in patches of deciduous forest within a coniferous forest landscape in south central Sweden. Here, the forests have been subjected to active forestry for a long time, but with recently increased intensity. Although the forest cover is more or less continuous in this landscape, mature deciduous forest is now a rare element compared with the untouched forest.All censused patches were similar with regards to size, proportion and amount of deciduous trees, but were either isolated in the coniferous forest (isolated patches) or near to other deciduous patches (aggregated patches). We concentrated on six species of resident birds, with moderate area requirements, that are tied to deciduous forest and whose ecology is well-known. The Nuthatch and the Marsh tit, which both show strict year-round territoriality and have a restricted dispersal phase, were significantly more likely to be found in aggregated than in isolated patches. No effect was found for the Great tit and the Blue tit, which are less territorial outside the breeding season and have a longer dispersal phase. Moreover, the Great tit is less specialized on deciduous forest than the other species. Also, the Long-tailed tit was negatively affected by isolation, which may be due to restricted dispersal and to larger area requirements of this flock-territorial species. The Hazel grouse, finally, was not affected, but this larger bird probably uses the forest in a different way from the smaller species.Our study clearly shows that fragmentation of one type of forest (deciduous) within another can have serious detrimental effects on forest-living species and raises important issues for forest management practices and conservation within a forest landscape.     

Spatial and temporal variability of fragmentation effects in a long term,eucalypt forest fragmentation experiment

Context

Although forest fragmentation is generally thought to impact tree growth and mortality negatively, recent work suggests some forests are resilient. Experimental forests provide an opportunity to examine the timing and extent of forest tree resilience to disturbance from fragmentation.

Objectives

We used the Wog Wog Habitat Fragmentation Experiment in southeastern Australia to test Eucalyptus growth and survivorship responses to forest fragmentation over a 26 year period.

Methods

We measured 2418 tree diameters and used spline-regression techniques to examine non-monotonic fragmentation effect over two time periods.

Results

Over the first 4 years after fragmentation, individual eucalypt tree growth was greater than in continuous forest for large trees and mortality rates were higher only within 10 m of edges. Over the following 22 years only the effects on tree growth remained and on average all fragments rebounded so that their biomass and mortality rates were equivalent to continuous forest. Importantly non-monotonic patterns were observed in growth and mortality with respect to area and distance from edge in both study periods, demonstrating that fragmentation impacts on trees can be strong in localized areas (greatest in 3 ha fragments and 0–30 m edges) and over short time periods.

Conclusions

Dry-sclerophyll eucalypt forests join the set of forest types that display resilient growth dynamics post fragmentation. Moreover, persistent non-monotonic impacts on tree growth with respect to tree size, fragment area, and fragment distance from edge, highlighting landscape fragmentation as a driver of habitat heterogeneity within remnant forest fragments.

     

A proximity-based approach to assessing habitat

Planning for either a single species, multiple species, or ecosystems is greatly dependent on spatial interactions in the landscape. Problems exist for evaluating wildlife habitat changes over large ranges of space and time. This paper illustrates the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate habitat for a single species, ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), following a time series of forest harvests. A habitat suitability model for ruffed grouse is utilized on a two-township study area in north-central Minnesota to assess the habitat suitability changes over time using an even-aged area-control harvesting plan. The results are presented as a habitat quality change map and a contingency table, representing the movement of habitat class areas between time periods resulting from the proposed harvesting. We developed a neighborhood definition to allow for spatially varying habitat values. This work illustrates the ability to look ahead and around in estimating the impact on wildlife habitat resulting from alternative future management activities.Now with the U.S. Forest Service, Sitka, AK 99835.     

Die Zukunft: krankheitsresistente Apfelsorten

Zusammenfassung Integrierte und biologische Anbauverfahren gewinnen zunehmend an Bedeutung. Die Anwendung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln gestaltet sich zunehmend schwieriger bezüglich ihrer Bereitstellung als auch im Hinblick auf zunehmende Umweltsensibilität der Bevölkerung. Im Obstbau ist eine der Alternativen der Anbau resistenter Sorten, die mit weit weniger Pflanzenschutzaufwand produziert werden können. Eines der Ziele der Pillnitzer Obstzüchtung war die Kombination von hoher Fruchtqualität mit guter Ertragsleistung und Resistenz gegenüber Krankheiten und Schädlingen. Resistente früh, mittel und spät reifende Sorten, die Re-Sorten^®, konnten ausgelesen werden. Sie garantieren einen hohen Resistenzgrad unter Feldbedingungen, sie sind aber nicht immun. Dreifachresistente Sorten mit Widerstandsfähigkeit gegenüber Schorf, Mehltau und Feuerbrand sind: Remo, Regia, Rewena und Rebella. Rebella besitzt weiterhin Resistenz gegenüber Rindenbrand, Rote Spinne und abiotische Stressfaktoren. Obwohl in Mitteleuropa seit 1984 verschiedentlich Resistenzdurchbrüche an schorfresistenten Sorten mit M.-floribunda-Resistenz (V_f) beobachtet wurden, blieben die Sorten mit anderer genetischer Basis befallsfrei, so u. a. Reglindis (V_A), Reka (V_r) oder Regia (V_r). Als künftiges Ausgangsmaterial für die Züchtung wurde in der Genbank Obst nach weiteren Resistenzträgern unter den Malusarten und alten Apfelsorten gesucht, das in Zukunft durch Pyramidisierung von Resistenzgenen bei der Züchtung neuer Sorten zu mehr Stabilität unter Feldbedingungen beitragen kann.     

Regional forest fragmentation effects on bottomland hardwood community types and resource values

In human-dominated regions, forest vegetation removal impacts remaining ecosystems but regional-scale biological consequences and resource value changes are not well known. Using forest resource survey data, I examined current bottomland hardwood community types and a range of fragment size classes in the south central United States. Analyses examined resource value indicators, appraised tree-based flood zone and shade tolerance indices, and identified potential regional-scale processes. Findings revealed that the largest fragments had fewer tree species, reduced anthropogenic use evidence, and more older and wetter community types than small fragments. Results also suggested the need for incorporating hydrologic, geomorphic, and understory vegetation parameters in regional forest resource monitoring efforts.Two regional-scale processes are hypothesized: (1) forest fragmentation occurs more frequently in drier habitats and dry zone (inundated 2 months annually), younger seral stage bottomland community types; and (2) forest fragmentation induces establishment of drier habitats or dry zone, younger serai stage community types. Both hypotheses suggest that regional forest fragmentation impacts survival of distinct community types, anthropogenic uses, and multiple resource values.     

Response of snails and slugs to fragmentation of lowland forests in NW Germany

Habitat fragmentation is a major cause for species loss, but its effect on invertebrates with low active dispersal power, like terrestrial gastropods, has rarely been studied. Such species can not cross a hostile habitat matrix, for which the predictions of island theory, such as positive relations between species richness and patch size, should apply. In order to test this prediction, we studied gastropod species diversity by assessing gastropod assemblage characteristics from 35 sites in 19 fragments of deciduous old-growth forests in the Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany. Assemblages differed between larger (≥700 ha) and smaller forests (<400 ha), those of large forests held a higher percentage of forest species. Although α-diversity was similar between the two forest size classes, small forests often comprised matrix species, resulting in a higher β-diversity. Edge effects on the species richness of matrix species were noticeable up to 250 m into the forest. Hierarchical partitioning revealed that distance to disturbances (external edge, internal edges like roads) explained most assemblage variables, whereas forest size and woodland cover within a 1 km radius from the sites explained only a few assemblage variables. Densities of two forest-associated species, Discus rotundatus and Arion fuscus, decreased with forest size. Yet, forest size was positively correlated with richness of typical forest species and densities of Limax cinereoniger. The latter species seems to need forests of >1,000 ha, i.e., well above the size of most fragments. In conclusion, the prediction is valid only for forest species. The response to fragmentation is species specific and seems to depend on habitat specialization and macroclimatic conditions. Jean-Pierre Maelfait: Deceased.     

Bestimmung der S-Allele in Brennkirschensorten (Prunus avium L.)

Zusammenfassung Brennkirschen sind Süßkirschensorten, welche spezielle Eigenschaften für die Branntweinproduktion und die industrielle Verarbeitung besitzen. Ihr Hauptanbaugebiet in Deutschland befindet sich in Baden-Württemberg und in Teilen Bayerns. In den letzten Jahren wurde über einen geringen Fruchtbehang in neu gepflanzten Brennkirschenanlagen berichtet. Süßkirschen sind selbstinkompatibel und benötigen deshalb eine Bestäubersorte. Ursache ist ein gametophytischer Selbstinkompatibilitätsmechanismus, bedingt durch einen S-Lokus. Mit Hilfe molekularer Marker wurden deshalb Untersuchungen zu den S-Allel-Kombinationen in 62 Brennkirschensorten bzw. -herkünften aus dem Raum Oberkirch, Mittelbaden, durchgeführt. Im Ergebnis konnten zwei bisher noch nicht beschriebene S-Allele und 14 neue Inkompatibilitätsgruppen ermittelt werden. Ursache für den schlechten Fruchtansatz in neuen Kirschenanlagen mit den Hauptsorten Dolleseppler und Benjaminer sind die gleichen S-Allel-Kombinationen (S₁S₇) in beiden Sorten. Als mögliche Befruchtersorten werden die Sorten Schwarze Schüttler (S₆S₇), Hartwälder (S₄S₇), Feuerkirsche (S₄S₁₄) und die ehemalige Sorte Dolleseppler der Baumschule Kiefer (S₁S₄) empfohlen.     

Testing landscape metrics as indicators of habitat loss and fragmentation in continuous eucalypt forests (Queensland,Australia)

Landscape metrics are widely applied in landscape ecology to quantify landscape structure. However, many are poorly tested and require rigorous validation if they are to serve as reliable indicators of habitat loss and frag-mentation, such as Montreal Process Indicator 1.1e. We apply a landscape ecology theory, supported by explor-atory and confirmatory statistical techniques, to empirically test landscape metrics for reporting Montreal Process Indicator 1.1e in continuous dry eucalypt forests of sub-tropical Queensland, Australia. Target biota examined included: the Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis); the diversity of nectar and sap feeding glider species including P. australis, the Sugar Glider P. breviceps, the Squirrel Glider P. norfolcensis, and the Feathertail GliderAcrobates pygmaeus; six diurnal forest birds species; total diurnal bird species diversity; and the density of nec-tar-feeding diurnal bird species. Two scales of influence were considered: the stand-scale (2 ha), and a series of radial landscape extents (500 m –2 km;78–1250 ha) surrounding each fauna transect. For all biota, stand-scale structural and compositional attributes were found to be more influential than landscape metrics. For the Yellow-belliedGlider, the proportion of trace habitats with a residual element of old spotted-gum/ironbark eucalypt trees was a significant landscape metric at the 2 km landscape extent. This is a measure of habitat loss rather than habitat fragmentation. For the diversity of nectar and sap feeding glider species, the proportion of trace habitats with a high coefficient of variation in patch size at the 750 m extent was a significant landscape metric. None of the landscape metrics tested was important for diurnal forest birds. We conclude that no single landscape metricadequately captures the response of the regions forest biota per se. This poses a major challenge to regional reporting of Montreal Process Indicator 1.1e, fragmentation of forest types.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of patch shape on the number of organisms

This study examined effects of habitat patch shape on the abundance of organisms. The effects of patch shape were considered in terms of (1) immigration and emigration of organisms. (2) the amount of available resources in a patch and (3) spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the organisms and environment. I hypothesized that (1) the number of organisms would increase as patch shape elongates because organisms are more likely to encounter an elongated patch, (2) the number of organisms in a patch would remain constant for all patch shapes where the number of organisms in a patch was limited by the amount of resources, because patch shape does not change the patch area that is directly associated with the amount of patch resources, and (3) spatial and temporal variation of the abundance of organisms would increase as patch shape elongates because an elongated patch is more likely to interact with the variable surrounding matrix.Common millipedes,Oxidus gracilis, and their habitat, plywood boards of five shapes (width:length ratio; 11, 14, 19, 136, 1144) with an area of 900 cm² were placed in forest and old field and the number of millipedes appearing under the boards was monitored. Significantly higher mean number of millipedes under the boards was observed at a patch with an elongated shape in the forest and the old field. A significant positive correlation was observed between perimeter length of a patch and the number of millipedes in the old field. The temporal and spatial variation of the number of millipedes was high in the old field. The spatial and temporal variation was higher for boards with elongated shape.     

Für eine Verdopplung der Ca-Gehalte der Äpfel sind auch unter günstigen Bedingungen mindestens 12 Spritzungen mit Kalziumchlorid erforderlich

Zusammenfassung Siebenjährige Apfelbäume der Sorten Elstar, Gala, Karmijn de Sonnaville, Pinova und Pilot wurden 2003 von Juni bis September 12-mal mit 400 l/ha CaCl₂-Lösungen gesprüht. Kontrollen (Fu) waren Bäume, die nur mit Fungiziden (Discus, Dithane Ultra oder Kumulus) behandelt wurden. Bei den Behandlungen FuCa wurde den Fungiziden CaCl₂ (ansteigend von 5–25 g/l) zugegeben. Die Behandlungen FuCaTe enthielten zusätzlich das Netzmittel Plantacare 1200 UP, um die Benetzung der Früchte (Oberflächenspannung 29–30 mN/m) zu verbessern. Die Ca-Konzentrationen in den Kontrollfrüchten (Schale plus 5 mm Fruchtfleisch) variierten von 3,6 (Elstar) bis 9,0 mg/100 mg Frischsubstanz (Pilot). Durch die Fruchtdüngung (FuCa) stiegen die Konzentrationen auf 6,3 bzw. 13,3 mg/100 g Frischsubstanz (FS). Zugabe des Netzmittels (FuCaTe) erhöhte die Ca-Gehalte weiter auf 6,8 bzw. 14,9 mg/100 g FS. Bezogen auf die Behandlung Fu entspricht das einer Erhöhung der Ca-Konzentrationen der Früchte auf 163 bzw. 193%. Der Tensideffekt auf die Ca-Konzentrationen der Früchte wird auf die schnellere Penetration des CaCl₂ infolge besserer Benetzung zurückgeführt, da ein Einfluss auf die Retention der Spritzbrühe ausscheidet. Von der applizierten Ca-Dosis in Höhe von 26 kg/ha wurden nur 2,3 kg in den Früchten (50 t/ha) wieder gefunden, was einer Wiederfindungsrate von 8,8% entspricht. Die beobachtete Erhöhung der Ca-Konzentrationen der Früchte durch 12 Spritzungen dürfte in der Nähe des maximal Möglichen liegen, da die Witterungsbedingungen günstig und die Ca-Konzentrationen der Spritzbrühen hoch waren.     

Changes in anthropogenic impervious surfaces,precipitation and daily streamflow discharge: a historical perspective in a mid-atlantic subwatershed

Aerial photography provides a historical vehicle for determining long-term urban landscape change and, with concurrent daily streamflow and precipitation records, allows the historical relationship of anthropogenic impervious surfaces and streamflow to be explored. Anthropogenic impervious surface area in the upper Accotink Creek subwatershed (near Annandala, Virginia, USA) was mapped from six dates of rectified historical aerial photography ranging from 1949 to 1994. Results show that anthropogenic impervious surface area has grown from approximately 3% in 1949 to 33% in 1994. Coincident to this period, analysis of historical mean daily streamflow shows a statistically significant increase in the streamflow discharge response (per meter of precipitation) associated with normal and extreme daily precipitation levels. Significant changes were also observed in the frequency of daily streamflow discharge at given volumes above and below the historical daily mean. Simultaneously, the historical magnitude, frequency and pattern of precipitation values 0 mm, 6.0 mm and 35.0 mm show either no statistically significant change or influence on streamflow. Historical changes in streamflow in this basin appear to be related to increases in anthropogenic impervious surface cover. Historical aerial photography is a viable tool for revealing long-term landscape and ecosystem relationships, and allows landscape investigations to extend beyond the temporal and spatial constraints of historical satellite remote sensing data.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effects of future urban development on habitat fragmentation in the Santa Monica Mountains

A site suitability model of urban development was created for the Santa Monica Mountains in southern California, USA, to project to what degree future development might fragment the natural habitat. The purpose was to help prioritize land acquisition for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and examine to what extent projected urban development would affect distinct vegetation classes. The model included both environmental constraints (slope angle), and spatial factors related to urban planning (proximity to roads and existing development, proposed development, and areas zoned for development). It implemented a stochastic component; areas projected to have high development potential in the suitability model were randomly selected for development. Ownership tracts were used as the spatial unit of development in order to give the model spatial realism and not arbitrarily `develop' grid cells. Using different assumptions and parameters, the model projected the pattern of development from 5 to 25 years hence (based on recent development rates in the area). While <25% of the remaining natural landscape is removed under these scenarios, up to 30% of core (interior) habitat area is lost and edge length between natural vegetation and development increases as much as 45%. Measures of landscape shape complexity increased with area developed and number of patches of natural habitat increased four- to nine-fold, depending upon model parameters. This increase in fragmentation occurs because of the existing patterns of land ownership, where private (`developable') land is interspersed with preserved park lands.     

How does forest fragmentation affect tree communities? A critical case study in the biodiversity hotspot of New Caledonia

Context

The biodiversity hotspot for conservation of New Caledonia has facing high levels of forest fragmentation. Remnant forests are critical for biodiversity conservation and can help in understanding how does forest fragmentation affect tree communities.

Objective

Determine the effect of habitat configuration and availability on tree communities.

Methods

We mapped forest in a 60 km² landscape and sampled 93 tree communities in 52 forest fragments following stratified random sampling. At each sampling point, we inventoried all trees with a diameter at breast height ≥10 cm within a radius of 10 m. We then analysed the response of the composition, the structure and the richness of tree communities to the fragment size and isolation, distance from the edge, as well as the topographical position.

Results

Our results showed that the distance from the forest edge was the variable that explained the greatest observed variance in tree assemblages. We observed a decrease in the abundance and richness of animal-dispersed trees as well as a decrease in the abundance of large trees with increasing proximity to forest edges. Near forest edges we found a shift in species composition with a dominance of stress-tolerant pioneer species.

Conclusions

Edge-effects are likely to be the main processes that affect remnant forest tree communities after about a century of forest fragmentation. It results in retrogressive successions at the edges leading to a dominance of stress-tolerant species. The vegetation surrounding fragments should be protected to promote the long process of forest extension and subsequently reduce edge-effects.

     

Induction of vertical zones in sub-alpine valley forests by avalanche-formed fuel breaks

Vertical zonation of forests in high mountains is normally explained in terms of climatic variation, but avalanche tracks can act as fuel-breaks in southern Alberta Rocky Mountain forests. This is an additional way of explaining the spruce-fir (Picea engelmannii (Parry) Engelm. - Abies lascioparpa (Hook.) Nutt.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Wats.) communities of the upper and lower sub-alpine zones. The hypotheses are that: 1) Fires start more often at lower than high altitude and that, as they spread into high valleys, 2) they are halted where avalanche tracks reach the valley bottom from both slopes. Also, (3) the average return interval of fires will be greater above this avalanche block, and 4) vegetation above the block will consist primarily of near-climax, fire-intolerant communities. These hypotheses were tested using the Highwood Pass (50 °21 N, 114 °26W) in the Rocky Mountains of southern Alberta, Canada. Maps of avalanche tracks and past fires, a point-centered quarter survey of forest stands, and disturbance histories established by increment coring were used to test the hypotheses which were all upheld. Thus avalanche tracks are one of the complex of factors limiting fires in the sub-alpine zone of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. The results, additionally, imply that vertical vegetation zones in temperate high mountains are influenced, not only by climatic factors, but also by avalanches and other landforms.     

Modeling the effects of forest harvesting on landscape structure and the spatial distribution of cowbird brood parasitism

Timber harvesting affects both composition and structure of the landscape and has important consequences for organisms using forest habitats. A timber harvest allocation model was constructed that allows the input of specific rules to allocate forest stands for clearcutting to generate landscape patterns reflecting the look and feel of managed landscapes. Various harvest strategies were simulated on four 237 km² study areas in Indiana, USA. For each study area, the model was applied to simulate 80 years of management activity. The resulting landscape spatial patterns were quantified using a suite of landscape pattern metrics and plotted as a function of mean harvest size and total area of forest harvested per decade to produce response surfaces. When the mean clearcut size was 1 ha, the area of forest interior remaining on the landscape was dramatically reduced and the amount of forest edge on the landscape increased dramatically. The potential consequences of the patterns produced by the model were assessed for a generalized neotropical migrant forest bird using a GIS model that generates maps showing the spatial distribution of the relative vulnerability of forest birds to brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds. The model incorporates the location and relative quality of cowbird feeding sites, and the relation between parasitism rates and distance of forest from edge. The response surface relating mean harvest size and total area harvested to the mean value of vulnerability to cowbird brood parasitism had a shape similar to the response surfaces showing forest edge. The results of our study suggest that it is more difficult to maintain large contiguous blocks of undisturbed forest interior when harvests are small and dispersed, especially when producing high timber volumes is a management goal. The application of the cowbird model to landscapes managed under different strategies could help managers in deciding where harvest activity will produce the least negative impact on breeding forest birds.