Diversity and composition of tropical secondary forests recovering from large-scale clearing: results from the 1990 inventory in Puerto Rico

The extensive recovery from agricultural clearing of Puerto Rican forests over the past half-century provides a good opportunity to study tropical forest recovery on a landscape scale. Using ordination and regression techniques, we analyzed forest inventory data from across Puerto Rico’s moist and wet secondary forests to evaluate their species composition and whether the landscape structure of older forest affected tree species composition of recovering forests at this scale. Our results support conclusions from studies conducted in Puerto Rico at smaller scales and temperate forests at larger scales that timing of abandonment and land use history are of overwhelming importance in determining the species composition of recovering forests. Forest recovery is recent enough in Puerto Rico that previous land use is clearly evident in current species composition, and creates new forest communities. As demonstrated in other work, physical factors such as elevation and substrate co-vary with land use history, so that the species composition of the forest landscape results from the interplay between biophysical and socioeconomic forces over time. Our results also indicate that increasing the distance to the largest forest patches occurring in the landscape 12 years previous had a small negative impact on species richness but not species diversity or community composition. We conclude that land use history has as much influence in species composition as biophysical variables and that, at the scale of this study, there is no large influence of forest landscape structure on species diversity or composition.     

Forest land-use history affects the species composition and soil properties of old-aged hillock forests in Estonia

Decisions regarding forest typology, management and protection are often based on the structures of present-day forests, ignoring their successional history. Forests growing on kames, eskers and various moraine hillocks common in regions with Holocene glaciation are good examples of this approach. In Estonia, these forests locally persist as fragments of continuous primary forest, but usually they are situated on former slash-and-burn areas (bushlands) or reforested agricultural land. Our aim was to elucidate the strength of the effect of long-term land-use history on the present-day vegetation compositions of mature hillock forests and their soil chemistry. It appeared that even the mature secondary hillock forests are still distinct from historically continuous stands in terms of species composition. We discovered connections between stand history and species content in hillock forests as well as transformed soil properties. The carbon and nitrogen contents in the humus horizons of secondary forests are lower while their carbon–nitrogen ratios are higher than in continuous forests. The relationship between vegetation and stand history is demonstrated by the higher proportions of anthropophytic and apophytic species in the herb layer of the secondary forests. The presence of species that are tolerant of anthropogenic impact on the secondary hillock forests floor can also be partly explained by the effect of different species in the tree and shrub layers, gaps in the tree canopy, and the boundary effect caused by the small areas of forest patches, neighboring grasslands or fields. The extinction debt in secondary communities should also be considered.     

Biomass, diversity and composition of epiphytic macrolichens in primary and secondary forests in the subtropical Ailao Mountains, SW China

Epiphytic macrolichen litterfall was collected over 3 years from primary evergreen broad-leaved forests (PF), Populus bonatii secondary forests (PBSF), middle-aged oak secondary forests (MOSF) and old-aged oak secondary forests (OOSF) of the Ailao Mountains in SW China. To assess changes in the epiphyte communities of the subtropical forests, we compared the differences in biomass, species diversity and community structure of epiphytic lichens from the four forest types. A total of 51 species were recorded in this study. Species richness was highest in the PF, while α-diversity was highest in the MOSF. Lichen biomass differed markedly across the four forest types and was highest in the MOSF. The contribution of each dominant species to total biomass, except Nephromopsis ornata, was significantly different among forest types. Moreover, the percent contribution of foliose chlorolichens to litterfall tended to be higher in later-succession forest types, whereas the contributions of cyanolichens and fruticose chlorolichens were lower in these forest types. Compared to the PF, the lichen community structure in secondary forests differed significantly, implying that at least a few hundred years were needed for the restoration of these lichen communities. In particular, nineteen lichens were suggested as indicators, and eleven of them were present in the MOSF. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that the observed differences were mainly attributed to canopy openness and the size of the largest tree, which represented an environmental gradient from exposed to sheltered habitats. The diversity of host tree species was also important in determining the composition and distribution of macrolichens. Our findings support the idea that the maintenance of the forest landscape mosaic of heterogeneous forest types may be an important management practice to maintain or promote the epiphytic lichen community of the subtropical Ailao Mountains.     

Predicting the spatial distribution of major species composition in secondary hardwood forests on Mt. Gozu,central Japan,based on environmental factors

Our goal was to predict the spatial distribution of canopy species composition in secondary deciduous hardwood forests at a fine spatial resolution, based on climatic and topographical factors using a geographic information system. We studied secondary forests on Mt. Gozu, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan. Canopy species composition was investigated in 100 sample plots within the study area. A digital elevation model (DEM) was created, and topographical, hydrological, and light factors were calculated using the DEM. Climatic factors were interpolated by kriging. The five major species used as response variables were Fagus crenata, Quercus serrata, Quercus crispula, Magnolia obovata, and Castanea crenata. We prepared three possible explanatory variable sets: climatic variables only, both climatic and topographic variables, and topographic variables only. Multivariate regression trees were derived, and the accuracy of predicting the major species composition was tested. The multivariate regression trees derived from the climatic variable set and from the climatic and topographic variable set had better accuracy than the regression tree derived from the topographic variable set. In the regression tree generated by the climatic and topographic variable set, the warmth index was the principal explanatory variable in classifying forest types, followed by topographic factors. This regression tree would be preferable to the other two regression trees for the prediction of canopy species composition.     

Human impacts drive forest structure and diversity. Insights from Mediterranean mountain forest dominated by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies pinsapo</Emphasis> (Boiss.)

Environmental factors and land-use are likely interacting to drive forest structure and species diversity, making it difficult to disentangle their separate impacts. Both components influence the resilience and stability of mountain forests in the Mediterranean Basin, since secular land-use has shaped stands structure and forests dynamics are constrained to the environment. Approaches covering environmental factors and contrasting land-uses are still needed to understand their implications on forest dynamics. We investigated patterns of environmental variables, stand structure and biodiversity in forest dominated by Abies pinsapo for 61 stands over their whole range. In addition, since land-use by local inhabitant could be a key factor, logging intensity was quantified by stumps basal area and recent land-use history was investigated. Partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) was conducted to assess to which degree the structural attributes are related to environmental characteristics and/or the land-use in the main A. pinsapo forests. Environmental characteristics accounted for 13% of the total variance, while the contrasting land-use (Spain vs. Morocco) and the stumps basal area, as indicator of human logging, accounted for 23% of the total variance. Trees species diversity was near 5 times higher in Moroccan stands than in stands from south Spain. According to recent human logging, Spanish stands have been strictly protected, but Moroccan stands showed widespread axe-logging by local inhabitant over the smaller tree sizes. Our results suggest that the preservation of a minor perturbation regimen by local populations enhance and help to preserve the whole biodiversity of this relict habitat.     

Response of vascular epiphyte diversity to different land-use intensities in a neotropical montane wet forest

Although vascular epiphytes contribute substantially to the biodiversity of tropical montane forests, it is unclear how their diversity and community composition is affected by forest alteration. We studied the response of vascular epiphyte assemblages to different intensities of land-use in a montane wet forest of northeastern Ecuador: (1) unmanaged mature forest; (2) mature forest with mid- and understorey opened for cattle grazing; and (3) isolated remnant trees in cattle pastures. The numbers of individuals and species of epiphytes per host tree did not differ significantly between land-use types, neither did total epiphyte species richness (n = 30 trees). However, total species richness of pteridophytes was significantly lower on isolated remnant trees compared to unmanaged forest, whereas several taxa rich in xerotolerant species (Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae) exhibited the opposite trend. An analysis of floristic composition using ordination (NMS) and randomisation techniques (MRPP) showed that epiphyte assemblages on isolated remnant trees were significantly distinct from unmanaged forest while managed forest was intermediate between those two vegetation types. Ordination analysis further indicated reduced floristic heterogeneity in disturbed habitats. These results suggest considerable, rapid species turnover since land-use change 6 years prior to study, with pteridophytes being replaced by more xerotolerant taxa. We attribute this floristic turnover primarily to changes in microclimate towards higher levels of light and desiccation stress associated with forest disturbance. Our results support the notion that community composition offers a more sensitive indicator of human disturbance than species richness.     

Distribution of carabid beetles among 40-year-old regenerating plantations and 100-year-old naturally regenerated forests in Southwestern China

Effects of reforestation by native tree species on species assemblages of carabid beetles were studied between 40-year-old regenerating plantations and 100-year naturally regenerated forests in Southwestern China. Two old naturally regenerated forest types (ca.100 years old) were chosen: hemlock-spruce forests (Tsuga chinensis and Picea brachytyla) and birch forests (Betula albo-sinensis). Three young regenerating forest types (ca. 40 years old), including spruce plantations (P. brachytyla), larch plantations (Larix kaempferi and Larix mastersian), and natural broad-leaved forests, were established after the logging of the old naturally regenerated forests. Using pitfall traps, we compared the distribution of carabid beetles in the five forest types. Three replicated plots for each forest type were chosen, and each plot was investigated with four trap sites twice each month during the growing season (May to October) in 2004. Our results showed that species richness and abundance were significantly higher in the young regenerating forests than in the old naturally regenerated forests. Analysis of complementarity in carabid species lists across the forest ages and types showed that the old naturally regenerated birch forests had the lowest similarity with the young regenerating larch plantations, and the highest similarity was shown between the two young regenerating plantations. Although PCoA ordination grouped the carabid assemblages according to forest type and forest age, the overall similarity among all forest types was high. Moreover, quantitative character species analysis did not detect significant species associated with forest types and ages. Based on the specificity and fidelity, most carabid species were abundant in all habitats, and only a few species were restricted in one or two forest types. Multiple linear regression between the species richness, abundance and Shannon diversity of carabids and of five environmental variables showed that the cover of canopy and herbaceous layer, and the depth of leaf litter had significant effects in determining richness, abundance and diversity of carabid beetles. Thus, the young regenerating forests at the mature stage could provide an appropriate habitat for most forest species of carabids survived in adjacent old naturally regenerated forests and might replace the role in part of the old-growth forests in sustaining the diversity of carabid assemblages. But some species are still restricted in old naturally regenerated forests, so in order to protect the diversity of carabid assemblages, it is necessary to sustain the intact old naturally regenerated forests when reforesting with some native tree species following natural succession.     

Structure and species composition of novel forests dominated by an introduced species in northcentral Puerto Rico

The African tulip tree, Spathodea campanulata Beauv., is an introduced species forming novel forest types in Puerto Rico. These forests develop naturally after deforestation, agricultural use and land abandonment, and there are many questions as to their ecological characteristics. We sampled structure and species composition of large, small, and juvenile trees (≥10, ≥2.5 to <10, and <2.5 cm diameter at breast height, respectively) in nine secondary forests dominated by S. campanulata on alluvial, karst, and volcanic substrates in northcentral Puerto Rico. No differences were found in S. campanulata forest structure between substrates. Of a total of 79 species found, 17 were introduced. Forests on karst and alluvium had the highest and lowest global species richness, respectively. Species richness increased from large to small to juvenile trees in most sites, but more so on karst. The percentage of introduced species was inversely related to species richness of tree size classes on all substrate types. The dominance of S. campanulata in the large tree size class was highest and lowest in alluvial and volcanic sites, respectively, and decreased from large to small to juvenile trees on all substrate types. Species richness of S. campanulata forests is lower than that of native forests on equivalent substrates. Although land use history affects composition, the juvenile tree species established in S. campanulata forests seems to correspond to the geological substrate were sites are found. This study shows S. campanulata restores forest structure and native tree species on abandoned agriculture and grazing lands in Puerto Rico. Management of these novel forests should consider them as resources were natural processes have the potential of making them more diverse.     

Floristic and structural patterns along a chronosequence of secondary forest succession in Argentinean subtropical montane forests

We studied forest structure and composition along a chronosequence of secondary forest succession in Northwest Argentina's montane forests (‘Yungas’) at 27°S, between 700 and 900 m. Early herbaceous stages, forested stages of 11, 25, 45, and 50 years after abandonment, and old-growth forests were surveyed. Secondary forests included stands that originated in abandoned herbaceous crops and in abandoned fruit orchards. Basal area and species composition differed between 50-year-old secondary forests and old-growth forests. In contrast, tree density and species diversity were similar in the 50-year-old and in the old-growth forests. The previous use (herbaceous crops or fruit orchards) was an important influence on secondary forest composition. Whereas stands originating in herbaceous fields were dominated by wind-dispersed native species such as Heliocarpus popayanensis, Tecoma stans, Parapiptadenia excelsa, and Tipuana tipu, fruit-orchard-originated stands were dominated by animal-dispersed species. Among the animal-dispersed species, the exotic tree Morus alba was the most abundant, and its abundance in secondary forests seems to slow the succession toward old-growth forest composition. Overall, after accounting for differences attributable to pre-abandonment conditions, secondary forest succession showed a trend toward compositional convergence, with the rate of succession apparently regulated by the demography of long-lived pioneer species.     

Temperature sensitivity and recruitment dynamics of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata) in northern Mongolia’s boreal forest

This study sought to clarify the recruitment dynamics and growth of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata) in relation to changing temperatures in northern Mongolia. These tree species are the primary forest species found in the closed-canopy boreal forest of north-central Mongolia. Mongolia’s boreal forests exist along the southern terminus of the Siberian boreal system in both pure and mixed species stands. I collected tree cores and cross-sections as well as site and tree stature parameters from 118 forest plots in the Darhad valley of north-central Mongolia. Principle components analysis of 130 L. sibirica tree ring series informed the construction of two composite chronologies for this species. A chronology for P. obovata was developed using 24 tree ring series. Correlation analysis between tree ring indices and temperature data showed two distinct growth signals: a positive response to growing season temperatures was exhibited by one L. sibirica chronology and a negative response to spring temperatures was exhibited by a second L. sibirica chronology. The P. obovata chronology exhibited strong negative correlations with mean monthly and mean maximum monthly growing season temperatures. Multiple analyses of variance (MANOVA) indicated that tree stature (dbh, height) and site parameters (latitude, longitude, slope, aspect, elevation) did not significantly predict growth response or species. Forest recruitment events appear episodic for both species. Synchronous establishment of saplings, based on approximate root collar age, suggests an initial floristic model for mixed composition stands likely due to supra-annual variations of fire, land-use and climate. Forest management activities in the region should consider the diverging growth response to temperature shown here by prioritizing protection forests and the various ecosystem services provided by forests in arid ecosystems. In addition, promoting selection harvests over clear-felling would maximize future alternatives under conditions of rapidly changing climate. Care should be taken in new forest management planning activities until adequate information exists on the likely trajectory of this system due to climate-induced forest change.     

Spatial patterns of past wood exploitation,natural wood supply and growth conditions: indications of natural tree species distribution by anthracological studies of charcoal-burning remains

In close-to-nature silviculture one strives to derive the advantages of the natural adaptations of tree species to different growth conditions. Evidence of the natural distribution of tree species is obtained through vegetation science (recent ground vegetation, primeval forest relicts), studies of old written sources, and pollen and macrofossil analyses. Here we have analysed macrofossil samples of charcoal kiln sites and the recent ecological conditions in the vicinity of these sites, as well as secondary written sources on forest and land-use history. From charcoal analysis of kiln sites we were looking for spatial patterns of past tree species exploitation, with special regard to regional and local differences in the forest growth conditions and the natural wood supply. Therefore, we selected remote forest areas characterised by a high density of kiln sites and significant differences in the ecological conditions. The sample sites ranged over a landscape profile of 40 km, covering many ecological site types. The anthracological results of 181 post-medieval kiln sites were evaluated, considering two spatial scales: the total 40-km profile and a fine-scale profile of 4 km. Considering the charcoal material analysed as a whole, all of the tree taxa to be expected based on the natural conditions were found. The frequencies of the exploited taxa also reflected a natural situation. Wood of the climax vegetation, Fagus, Abies and Picea, was mainly used and all other taxa were quantitatively unimportant. The results for the individual sites showed considerable differences in taxa composition, from which regular spatial patterns of the past tree species distribution were deduced. These regional and local patterns are explained by natural differences in the ecological conditions in the vicinity of the sample sites. At the same time, new indications of the natural tree species composition of our forests are inferred. A pronounced dependency of charcoal production on the local natural wood supply is discernible. No indications of tree species selection or forest degradation could be found.     

Bird and Plant Diversity in Tropical Landscape Mosaics in East Usambaras, Tanzania

The role of land uses outside protected areas in conserving tropical biodiversity remains poorly understood and contested. This paper summarizes the results of plant and bird surveys conducted in three rural landscapes in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania, covering a gradient from Village forest reserves to tree-based and other agricultural land uses. The species richness and occurrence of conservationally important species across the land uses were analyzed. Twelve plots of 0.2 ha, stratified among land use types, were established to survey the large trees, with sub-plots of 1 × 40 m for tree saplings, shrubs and non-woody plants, and 5 × 40 m plots for small trees. Avian richness was measured in the same sites as the plants through mist netting and timed species counts. The village forests had higher plant species richness and more conservationally important plant species compared to other land uses. Agroforest and fallows supported a relatively high number of plant species, but the species composition was largely different to the adjacent village forests. Bird species of conservation importance were recorded across all land uses. Village forest reserves and some of the tree-based agricultural land uses were found to contribute to biodiversity conservation goals in tropical landscape mosaics. There is a need to better integrate them, and address their multiple functions, in village land-use planning and conservation efforts at the landscape level.     

Influences of life history, environmental gradients, and disturbance on riparian tree regeneration in Western Oregon

In two related field studies: (1) a multiscale riparian forest inventory and (2) a comparative study of natural forest gap and nongap environments, we explored regeneration patterns of native riparian trees in relation to large- and small-scale ecological drivers in four western Oregon watersheds spanning a climatic gradient from dry to wet. Twenty-three tree species were classified by life history traits into five functional groups that differed in shade and drought tolerance; distribution and abundance of tree regeneration were analyzed by group. For most groups, seedling abundance varied substantially across the large scale climate gradient. In particular, drought tolerant species decreased sharply in abundance from the drier to wetter watersheds. Overall seedling frequency and diversity also decreased from the driest to wettest watersheds, while nurse log use increased. Regeneration of most, but not all, species was greater in gaps.Principal conclusions are that life history information was useful for categorizing species and quite predictive of regeneration behavior overall, yet for many species contextual factors such as climate, forest structure, and adjoining species were also very important. Species appeared to regenerate opportunistically wherever local conditions fell within their environmental tolerances and competitive abilities. Management or restoration of riparian forests, therefore, requires knowledge of site conditions, the life history of the riparian trees present, and in particular an understanding of the species’ environmental tolerances, disturbance responses, and competitive abilities relative to one another.     

The response of understory herbaceous plants to nitrogen fertilization in forests of different land-use history

Forests growing on former agricultural land often have reduced frequencies of many native forest herbs compared with forests that were never cleared for agriculture. A leading explanation for this pattern is that many forest herbs are dispersal limited, but environmental conditions may also hinder colonization. We examined the response of six forest herb taxa (Arisaema triphyllum, Cimicifuga racemosa, Disporum lanuginosum, Osmorhiza spp., Polygonatum spp., and Prenanthes altissima) to nitrogen (N) fertilization in forests with and without an agricultural history to investigate how N availability affects plant performance. The study was conducted in the southern Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina, USA. There was a significant interaction between land-use history and N treatment for several species. In A. triphyllum and Osmorhiza spp., N fertilization increased aboveground biomass or leaf area more in the post-agriculture site than in the reference site. However, in the reference site, N fertilization depressed aboveground biomass or leaf area in the same taxa, as well as in C. racemosa. The foliar N concentration of these three taxa was elevated in fertilized plots regardless of land-use history, and there was no indication that the light environment differed among plots. These results suggest that some plants growing in post-agricultural stands may be N limited, whereas undisturbed stands in this region appear to be approaching N saturation. Thus, environmental conditions, and particularly N availability, may be an obstacle to the restoration of forest herb communities.     

热带次生林经营研究文献分析

热带次生林面积巨大且在热带森林资源中的作用越来越重要,因而拥有巨大的经营潜力和生态功能。次生林演替过程中的主要研究成果如下：土壤贮存的种子对次生林的再生非常重要,光投射的强度增加和温度提高将刺激种子萌芽,而残余植被群落强烈影响次生林种子的散布,食种子动物影响次生林的成林;次生林群落植物种类数量一般随演替的进程而增加;随着演替的进程,次生林内阳生树种趋于衰亡,耐荫树种不断增加;次生林的树种数量能接近原生林水平的时间过程更随着林分种类、过去土地的利用强度和利用种类,以及环境条件的不同而异;在一定环境中,人工林树种通过人工林树种改变光、温度和土壤表层的湿度,能够促进发芽和种子生长,改善林地和林下植被的状况,从而加速次生林演替。大多数食草动物喜欢在次生林中取食,因为次生林中先锋树种很少或没有机械和化学保护,且林内许多树种产生大量可食用的果实;环境和火对次生林演替有一定影响;在早期的演替过程中,更多的生物量分配到资源需求旺盛的组织（如叶和细根）,在演替晚期阶段,更多的生物量则分配到结构组织中（如木质部和根端）。次生林在15至20年内能迅速积累生物量,然后积累逐渐减慢;次生林被砍伐或火烧后,森林土壤的结构被破坏,导致土壤有机质和氮减少。     

Effects of Different Management Practices on Stand Composition and Species Diversity in Subtropical Forests in Nepal: Implications of Community Participation in Biodiversity Conservation

In this article, we compared the structure, composition, and diversity of trees, shrubs and saplings, seedlings and herbaceous species of community- and government-managed forests in the lowlands of eastern Nepal. Results suggest that among the trees, the community forest was dominated by a single species, Shorea robusta. However, Shorea robusta and Terminalia myriocarpa were codominant in the government forest. Tree density and basal area were higher in the government forest, but shrub/sapling density and basal area were higher in the community forest, suggesting a positive effect of community management on tree regeneration. Overstory species assemblages showed an obvious compositional difference between the forests, but understory species assemblages were less obvious. Plot-level tree and shrub/sapling species richness was higher in the government forest than the community forest. However, seedling-herbaceous species richness was higher in the community forest. The dominance of Shorea robusta trees in the community forest suggests that people involved in managing forests may be more interested in a limited number of economically valuable species while removing less important trees. Such preferential management practices may increase resource heterogeneity within a forest and maintain species diversity in the understory. Thus, community participation in forest management should be encouraged, with guided management techniques and exercises, to achieve maximum forest recovery, provide sustainable ecosystem services, and maintain forest diversity.     

Assessing the diversity of dung beetle assemblages utilizing Japanese monkey feces in cool-temperate forests

Ecological investigation of the distribution and composition of dung beetle species utilizing feces of wild mammals has rarely been attempted, especially in cool-temperate forests. In this study we recorded and evaluated the community structure of dung beetle species utilizing feces of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) by conducting a macro-scale inventory survey in the northeastern Shirakami Mountains, located in the northernmost part of mainland Japan. Moreover, to assess the effect of human-induced forest disturbance on species assemblages in this cool-temperate area, we also carried out field sampling using pitfall traps baited with monkey feces in primary forests, secondary forests, and coniferous plantations, during every season except winter. Our findings were: (1) 14 dung beetle species comprising eight dwellers and six tunnelers utilized monkey feces; (2) Aphodius eccoptus was the core species in dung beetle assemblages attracted to the feces during spring and summer; (3) the frequency of occurrence of every species was extremely high in spring; and (4) human-induced forest disturbance did not increase species richness or biomass in cool-temperate forests.     

Past land-use and ecological resilience in a lowland Brazilian Atlantic Forest: implications for passive restoration

The ecological resilience of abandoned pastures has important implications for the potential of passive restoration in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, especially in the face of the ambitious restoration targets for this biodiversity hotspot. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of past land-use on natural regeneration in two secondary forests that established on abandoned pastures with different land use histories (Abandoned + Fire—15 years since the last fire event and Abandoned—36 years ago) in a lowland Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Both secondary forests exhibit low resilience for the three analyzed attributes: vegetation structure, richness, and species composition. Secondary forests affected by fire have the lowest values for species richness, aboveground biomass and leaf area index compared to old-growth forests. Secondary forests were dominated by Moquiniastrum polymorphum—Asteraceae, which was absent from the old-growth forests. Fire resistance, capacity to establish in nutrient-poor soils and efficient seed dispersal in human-modified landscapes are important attributes that may explain the dominance of this species. We demonstrate that even in sites considered appropriate for passive restoration a priori (e.g. located in a protected area, 36 years since abandonment and close to old-growth forests), secondary forests exhibited low aboveground biomass and communities were dominated by few species. Therefore, our results highlight the effects of past land-use on natural regeneration and suggest the necessity to use interventions such as enrichment plantings, nucleation techniques and assisted natural regeneration in order to accelerate forest restoration.     

Analysis of the changes in forest ecosystem functions,structure and composition in the Black Sea region of Turkey

We used geographical information system to analyze changes in forest ecosystem functions, structure and composition in a typical department of forest management area consisting of four forest management planning units in Turkey. To assess these effects over a 25 year period we compiled data from three forest management plans that were made in 1986, 2001 and 2011. Temporal changes in forest ecosystem functions were estimated based on the three pillars of forest sustainability: economics, ecology and socio-culture. We assessed a few indicators such as land-use and forest cover, forest types, tree species, development stage, stand age classes, crown closure, growing stock and its increment, and timber biomass. The results of the case study suggested a shift in forest values away from economic values toward ecological and socio-cultural values over last two planning periods. Forest ecosystem structure improved, due mainly to increasing forest area, decreasing non-forest areas (especially in settlement and agricultural areas), forestation on forest openings, rehabilitation of degraded forests, conversion of even-aged forests to uneven-aged forests and conversion of coppice forests to high forests with greater growing stock increments. There were also favorable changes in forest management planning approaches.     

Decreases by disturbance-dependent tree species in the eastern and central USA

Open pine and oak forest ecosystems and floodplain forests have declined because of fire and flooding suppression. I determined tree species that have contracted in area occupied (where area occupied was ≥0.5 % of total species composition) or decreased in percent composition (i.e., percentage of all stems) during recent surveys (2000–2013) to ≤85 % of area occupied or composition during older surveys (1968–1999). I then identified whether species were associated with frequent fire, flooding, wetlands, postfire conditions, or other disturbances. Of 35 species that decreased in area occupied or composition, 16 species were associated with fire or postfire disturbance and fire-dependent species decreased in composition from 20 to 14 % during tree surveys. Even though species of floodplain forests and wetlands comprise a small percent of overall tree composition, 12 decreasing species were associated with floodplain forests or wetlands. Fire maintains open oak and pine ecosystems and flooding maintains floodplain forests, generally suspending succession. Suppression of fire in upland forests and flooding in floodplain forests has allowed disturbance-sensitive species to remain established and advance successional forests throughout the USA.