Article
Forestry
Matthew Lefoe, Anthony R. Rendall, Freya McKinnon, Desley A. Whisson
Summary: Habitat loss and degradation pose significant threats to biodiversity globally, with logging and wildfire in Australia contributing to reduced species diversity and abundance. The study focused on assessing the impact of these disturbances on the site occupancy of the Yellow-bellied Glider in Mountain Ash forests, finding that habitat disturbance limits their occupancy and likely impacts conservation status. Therefore, appropriate management is crucial to protect old-growth forests and connectivity between forest patches.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Honglin Li, Peng Luo, Hao Yang, Ting Li, Chuan Luo, Sujuan Wu, Honghong Jia, Yue Cheng
Summary: We analyzed the impact of mountain roads on species richness and community dissimilarity and found that roads have a more significant influence on the colonization of non-native and annual species, leading to modified patterns of diversity. Furthermore, the selective extinction of native perennial species is the main factor contributing to the homogenization of community compositions along mountain roads. However, roads do not affect the beta diversity response to elevation gradient. At the landscape level, mountain roads only contribute a small proportion to plant diversity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Honglin Li, Peng Luo, Hao Yang, Wenwen Xie, Chuan Luo, Honghong Jia, Yue Cheng, Yu Huang
Summary: Roads in mountain areas threaten the taxonomic homogenization of plant assemblages, but their impact on functional and phylogenetic beta diversity is inconsistent. Protection measures should be taken for ancient species in roadside communities, as they are more sensitive to mountain roads.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Victor Danneyrolles, Mark Vellend, Sebastien Dupuis, Yan Boucher, Jason Laflamme, Yves Bergeron, Gabriel Fortin, Marie Leroyer, Andre de Romer, Raphaele Terrail, Dominique Arseneault
Summary: The study found that disturbances related to land use since the 19th century have led to long-term changes in tree diversity in the northern temperate forests of eastern Canada, resulting in increased diversity within landscapes and homogenization at the regional scale. Changes in taxonomic diversity were more pronounced compared to functional diversity, and correlations between environmental variables and diversity increased over time.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Forestry
Andrew J. Larson, Sean M. A. Jeronimo, Paul F. Hessburg, James A. Lutz, Nicholas A. Povak, C. Alina Cansler, Van R. Kane, Derek J. Churchill
Summary: The article introduces ecologically-based post-fire management principles, including protecting large-diameter trees and fire refugia, anticipating future fuel accumulation, maintaining stabilizing fire-vegetation feedbacks, adjusting species composition and structure for future fire regimes and climate. In large burned landscapes, these principles can be implemented through post-fire landscape evaluations and prescriptions, helping to adapt landscapes to future conditions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
David Lindenmayer, Wade Blanchard, Lachlan McBurney, Kita Ashman, Elle Bowd, David Blair
Summary: Analysis using statistical models in Mountain Ash forests in mainland south-eastern Australia reveals that the age of overstorey eucalypts and environmental factors influence the percentage cover and basal area of two dominant Acacia species in the midstorey. Disturbance appears to be the key driver of dynamics for Montane Wattle and Silver Wattle in Mountain Ash forests, with evidence of non-linear relationships between stand age and tree metrics.
Article
Entomology
Ales Dolny, Stanislav Ozana, Michal Burda, Filip Harabis
Summary: The study found that species richness is not directly related to habitat naturalness, but endangered species increase with increasing naturalness, while habitat degradation significantly affects species composition. Understanding the impact of human activities on biodiversity is a key issue in conservation biology.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ian G. Lane, Zachary M. Portman, Christina H. Herron-Sweet, Gabriella L. Pardee, Daniel P. Cariveau
Summary: Although there were similarities in bee alpha-diversity between restored and remnant prairies, significant differences in bee composition were observed with restored areas being more homogeneous. However, these differences were not significantly related to agricultural landscapes or floral community dissimilarity. Remnant prairies had a significantly higher proportion of oligolectic bees, likely due to the absence of important host plants in restored areas.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Robert A. A. Andrus, Christine A. A. Droske, Madeline C. C. Franz, Andrew T. T. Hudak, Leigh B. B. Lentile, Sarah A. A. Lewis, Penelope Morgan, Peter R. R. Robichaud, Arjan J. H. Meddens
Summary: This study investigated the spatiotemporal limitations of post-fire seedling establishment and growth in conifer forests. The results showed that post-fire juvenile tree densities were sufficient for self-replacement of forests, but with high variability. The establishment of seedlings was positively correlated with cooler, wetter climate conditions, while salvage logging had no effect on juvenile densities. Additionally, the height growth of different tree species was influenced by climate and topographic factors.
Article
Entomology
Vanessa S. Ribeiro, Lucas N. Paolucci, Jose H. Schoereder, Ricardo R. de C. Solar
Summary: Habitat fragmentation can lead to biotic homogenization or heterogenization in biological communities. In this study, ants in an Atlantic Forest landscape were examined over a 15-year period to investigate the occurrence of biotic homogenization or heterogenization. The results showed that the ant communities in forest fragments became more heterogeneous over time, primarily due to an increase in generalist ant species and a decrease in forest specialist ant species. This biotic heterogenization may have implications for ecosystem functioning.
Article
Ornithology
Angelo Marcon Pezda, Lucilene Ines Jacoboski, Andre Luis Luza, Sandra Maria Hartz
Summary: The conversion of natural grasslands into tree plantations in southern Brazil has altered bird composition, with tree plantations potentially depending more on sparse resource availability within the plantations rather than adjacent forests. As the cover of tree plantations in the landscape increases, bird composition becomes more homogenized across different sites, showing lower turnover compared to native forests.
ORNITHOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Logan A. Volkmann, Karen E. Hodges
Summary: The study found that martens establish habitats in areas with low burn severity post-fire and avoid salvage-logged areas. Martens can adapt to large burned areas and utilize a range of post-fire conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Britta Uhl, Mirko Woelfling, Konrad Fiedler
Summary: The study found that plant communities in mixed oak stands are influenced by local conditions, forest structure, and landscape attributes. Species richness and functional dispersion increase near canals, along with an increase in salt tolerant species. The composition of plant communities is markedly modulated by environmental variation.
Review
Ecology
Elena D. Concepcion
Summary: Urban growth poses a serious threat to global biodiversity. This comprehensive review examines the impacts of urban sprawl on biodiversity, with a focus on the contribution of different components of urban sprawl, such as urban area, land use intensity, and dispersion degree. The response to urbanization varies among taxonomic and ecological groups depending on their mobility, specialization degree, and interaction. Urbanization leads to species assemblage homogenization, changes in community assembly patterns, and decreases in functional redundancy and diversity levels. These impacts are particularly harmful when urbanization encroaches upon sites of high conservation value, such as protected areas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pablo Prieto, Jacob J. Bukoski, Felipe S. M. Barros, Hawthorne L. Beyer, Alvaro Iribarrem, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Robin L. Chazdon, David B. Lindenmayer, Bernardo B. N. Strassburg, Manuel R. Guariguata, Renato Crouzeilles
Summary: Predicting and mapping the recovery of species richness and total abundance in tropical and subtropical second-growth forests can inform spatial restoration planning. The study found that socioenvironmental factors influenced the recovery of biodiversity in second-growth forests. Natural forest regrowth in tropical and subtropical forest landscapes has the potential to promote biodiversity recovery.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Darren Southwell, Sarah Legge, John Woinarski, David Lindenmayer, Tyrone Lavery, Brendan Wintle
Summary: This article discusses the impact of the 2019-2020 fires in Australia on threatened species and considerations for emergency survey design, emphasizing the urgency and complexity of post-wildfire surveys.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David B. Lindenmayer, Lachlan McBurney, Wade Blanchard, Karen Marsh, Elle Bowd, Darcy Watchorn, Chris Taylor, Kara Youngentob
Summary: This study quantifies the factors associated with the presence and abundance of the Southern Greater Glider in the forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. Forest type, forest age, abundance of denning sites in large old hollow-bearing trees, climatic conditions, and vegetation density were found to influence the occurrence of the species. The study emphasizes the importance of sites with large old hollow-bearing trees for the Southern Greater Glider and suggests that higher elevations will be increasingly important for its conservation.
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandro B. Leverkus, Simon Thorn, David B. Lindenmayer, Juli G. Pausas
Article
Ecology
David Lindenmayer, Lachlan McBurney, Wade Blanchard
Summary: Large quantities of dead wood generated by disturbances like wildfires play critical ecological roles in forest ecosystems globally. A 10-year study in southeastern Australia revealed that 23% of measured trees collapsed between 2011 and 2021, with smaller diameter trees and trees in fragmented patches being more prone to collapse. The potential loss of dead trees by 2030 could have major negative effects on biodiversity conservation in ash-type forests.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephen G. Kearney, James E. M. Watson, April E. Reside, Diana O. Fisher, Martine Maron, Tim S. Doherty, Sarah M. Legge, John C. Z. Woinarski, Stephen T. Garnett, Brendan A. Wintle, Euan G. Ritchie, Don A. Driscoll, David Lindenmayer, Vanessa M. Adams, Michelle S. Ward, Josie Carwardine
Summary: Earth's extinction crisis is worsening and threat classification schemes are crucial for assessing the drivers and threats causing species declines. However, there is a lack of a complementary framework for evaluating the conservation responses needed to reduce these threats. In this study, an expert-driven threat-abatement framework was developed and applied to 1532 threatened species in Australia, highlighting the importance of retaining and restoring habitat, controlling invasive species and diseases, and improving fire management for species recovery. Integrated management responses are necessary for the survival and recovery of most species.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
David B. Lindenmayer, Marta Yebra, Geoffrey J. Cary
Summary: Plantations of trees are important for wood supply but also pose fire risks. Greater consideration of fire risks in planning is needed, including the choice of tree species and their placement based on climatic and environmental factors. Other factors like landscape configuration and new technologies for fire detection and suppression should also be considered. Better planning and management of wildfires in plantations is essential due to their significance and potential danger to human safety.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Elle J. Bowd, Lachlan McBurney, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Under the current trajectory of accelerated climatic and environmental change, many forests are at risk of regeneration failure and subsequent transition to alternate stable states. Detailed empirical understanding of these alternative states is limited. Using a manipulative experiment, we found that frequent stand-replacing disturbance can result in regeneration failure in ash-type eucalypt forests in Australia. These shifts to alternative stable states can have severe ecological implications and require management interventions to conserve forest integrity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
David B. Lindenmayer, Elle J. Bowd, Philip Gibbons
Summary: Wildfires pose challenges to forest restoration due to their varied impacts on vegetation and biodiversity. Appropriate management interventions, such as prescribed burning, excluding activities that hinder post-fire recovery, and artificial seeding, should be selected to achieve favorable restoration outcomes in different ecosystems.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jiajia Liu, Xiaofeng Jin, Shenhao Yao, Yuan Wang, Yifei Lu, Qianyu Chen, Chuping Wu, Ferry Slik, David Lindenmayer
Summary: The discovery rates of new plant species should be accelerated to prevent extinction before formal description. Current studies have focused on the occurrence and characteristics of new species, but limited attention has been given to the taxonomists who discover and describe them. Using China as a case study, we found that recently described species are mostly endemic, and the proportion of species described by resident Chinese taxonomists has increased over time. In contrast, species discoveries by non-resident experts, often non-endemic, have shown signs of leveling off. This study highlights the need for training, support, and collaboration with resident taxonomists in megadiverse countries with high potential for discovering undescribed plant species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Shilu Zheng, Juntao Hu, Zhijun Ma, David Lindenmayer, Jiajia Liu
Summary: The authors used body size data from mammal and bird museum collections in North America to show that intraspecific variation in body size has increased over time, while mean body size has not changed. Previous studies have mainly focused on the declining average body size of animals, and less is known about long-term changes in intraspecific trait variation, which is crucial for understanding species' ability to cope with environmental challenges.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Jessica L. L. Williams, David Lindenmayer, Brett Mifsud
Summary: Large old trees in Australia, such as the Mountain Ash, play critical ecological roles. By collating information about the tallest and largest trees in the country, we can identify priority species and areas for conservation. Documenting the size, condition, and location of these trees will enable monitoring and potential preservation efforts.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. B. Lindenmayer, W. Blanchard, M. J. Evans, R. Beggs, T. Lavery, D. Florance, C. Crane, D. Smith, A. Siegrist, E. Lang, B. C. Scheele
Summary: This study found that the Noisy Miner bird species in Australia poses a threat to other bird species. The study also revealed that environmental factors such as tree cover and net primary productivity influence the impact of the Noisy Miner. Therefore, protecting refugia characterized by high net primary productivity and tree cover is crucial for the conservation of woodland bird communities in areas with deforestation.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jackie L. O'Sullivan, Claire N. Foster, Damian R. Michael, Wade Blanchard, David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Understanding the factors that influence retreat-site selection by fauna is important for habitat management and species conservation. However, there is limited knowledge about the attributes of surface rocks that contribute to their use in agricultural landscapes, especially during the winter months when reptiles are brumating.
Article
Environmental Studies
David B. Lindenmayer
Summary: Tens of thousands of species are at risk of extinction globally, and forest degradation can profoundly affect biodiversity. This study presents a detailed case study of species declines associated with forest degradation in southeastern Australia's montane ash forests. The study highlights the key drivers of declines, including logging, wildfire, habitat loss, climate change, and policy failures. Lessons for better conservation and forest management efforts are discussed, emphasizing the need to address the conflicts between conservation and logging policies.