Article
Plant Sciences
David Hohl, Teodora Stoycheva, R. Julia Kilgour, Elsa C. Anderson, Jalene M. LaMontagne
Summary: In urban ecosystems, tree cavities are influenced by tree health, management, and cavity excavators, and their formation and persistence are affected by changes in vegetation structure, human use patterns, and the built environment. Highly-managed parks and residential habitats have lower abundance of decayed trees and therefore fewer cavities compared to forests, while stability of cavity abundance over time is observed in managed habitats. The probability of cavity presence is increased with larger tree size and higher levels of tree decay, but this association varies between habitat types and years.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Giovanni Santopuoli, Matteo Vizzarri, Pierdomenico Spina, Mauro Maesano, Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza, Bruno Lasserre
Summary: Mediterranean forests are important for society's income and biodiversity, requiring a balance between timber production and biodiversity conservation in forest management. The study found that no management can promote the occurrence of TreMs, while a combined forest management system effectively balances forest productivity and biodiversity conservation, and a close-to-nature management system helps increase TreMs richness.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Andreea Petronela Spinu, Thomas Asbeck, Juergen Bauhus
Summary: Retention of habitat trees is a common practice in biodiversity conservation in temperate forests of Europe. This study found that dead trees provide more and varied tree-related microhabitats compared to living trees. The combination of living and dead trees enhances the diversity of stand-level tree-related microhabitats.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Forestry
Maarja Korkjas, Liina Remm, Asko Lohmus
Summary: The development of tree microhabitats is closely related to tree growth rate and age, and has significant impacts on conservation, forestry management, and public safety. Different types of microhabitats require unique management approaches to retain the natural environment.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
William Terry, Ross L. Goldingay, Rodney van der Ree
Summary: The study in southeastern Australia showed that chainsaw hollows were preferred by brush-tailed phascogales and sugar gliders over nest boxes, indicating the potential of chainsaw hollows in restoring habitat for hollow-dependent mammals. However, the study also highlighted the importance of periodic maintenance for chainsaw hollows.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Olga Cholewinska, Andrzej Keczynski, Barbara Kusinska, Bogdan Jaroszewicz
Summary: The study found that the species of large trees have a significant impact on the diversity, distance, and frequency of adjacent trees, and as the diameter of the large tree increases, the distance between neighboring trees and the large tree also increases.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Kozak, Marek Svitok, Veronika Zemlerova, Martin Mikolas, Thibault Lachat, Laurent Larrieu, Yoan Paillet, Arne Buechling, Radek Bace, William S. Keeton, Lucie Vitkova, Kresimir Begovic, Vojtech Cada, Martin Dusatko, Matej Ferencik, Michal Frankovic, Rhiannon Gloor, Jenyk Hofmeister, Pavel Janda, Ondrej Kameniar, Tomas Knir, Linda Majdanova, Marek Mejstrik, Jakob Pavlin, Dheeraj Ralhan, Ruffy Rodrigo, Catalin-Constantin Roibu, Michal Synek, Ondrej Vostarek, Miroslav Svoboda
Summary: Protecting tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) is crucial for biodiversity conservation in forested landscapes. This study examined the effects of tree age and diameter on TreM profile in primary temperate forests in Europe. The results showed that TreM richness increased with tree age and diameter, highlighting the importance of conserving large, old trees to maintain TreM resources and associated biodiversity. However, this approach may face challenges due to intensification of forest management and climate change.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James V. Carretta, Allison G. Henry
Summary: Entanglements and vessel strikes have a significant impact on large whales worldwide. This study uses the Random Forest classification tree model to classify the health status of right whales and humpback whales after entanglements and vessel strikes. The model achieves high accuracy in predicting the post-event health status of whales, and identifies important predictor variables for injury assessment. The RF method has advantages in risk modeling and data collection standards.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alwin A. Hardenbol, Lauri Korhonen, Mikko Kukkonen, Matti Maltamo
Summary: In a landscape dominated by intensive forestry with some protected areas, multifunctional forestry with retention trees plays a crucial role in nature conservation. This study successfully detected and classified retention trees using nationwide Finnish airborne laser scanning data in combination with unrectified color-infrared aerial imagery. Different detection rates were observed for dead and living trees, and overall accuracy improved when spectral information was added to the data analysis.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Patrick Cook, Daniel Alder, Lisbeth Hordley, Stuart E. Newson, David Pengelly
Summary: Irregular silviculture can increase structural diversity and potentially benefit bats in conifer plantations. The study found that bats responded positively to structural features such as mean tree diameter, canopy openness, vertical structural complexity, standing and fallen deadwood, and canopy cover of broadleaved trees. Further research to determine thresholds for deadwood and broadleaved trees would be beneficial for bat conservation in plantations.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Forestry
Mingxia Yang, Xiaolu Zhou, Zelin Liu, Peng Li, Jiayi Tang, Binggeng Xie, Changhui Peng
Summary: Understanding the biomass, characteristics, and carbon sequestration of urban forests is crucial for maintaining and improving the quality of life and ensuring sustainable urban planning. This review evaluates recent developments in urban forest research methods, compares the accuracy and efficiency of different methods, and identifies emerging themes in urban forest assessment.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maja Michalowska, Jacek Rapinski
Summary: Remote sensing techniques, especially Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), have greatly improved large-scale forest inventory by providing three-dimensional point cloud data for object extraction and classification. Various LiDAR-derived metrics, combined with classification algorithms, contribute to high accuracy in tree species discrimination. Full-waveform data extraction and the use of random forest or support vector machine classifiers have shown to be most effective in increasing species discrimination performance.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Zardad Khan, Naz Gul, Nosheen Faiz, Asma Gul, Werner Adler, Berthold Lausen
Summary: The impact of training data size on machine learning methods has been extensively studied, showing that the predictive performance of tree based methods generally improves at a decreasing rate with increasing training data size. In optimal trees ensemble (OTE), modified tree selection methods are proposed to address the issue of failing to learn from some training observations due to internal validation. These modified methods show improved performance compared to OTE and other existing methods, as demonstrated in analysis on benchmark datasets and simulation studies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Janina M. Kowalski, Tenley M. Conway
Summary: Interest in planting urban food trees (UFTs) in public spaces is growing, but there is minimal research on governance and policy aspects. To fill this gap, this study investigates UFT site governance in four Canadian cities. The findings reveal minimal municipal engagement, basic knowledge gaps, and conflicting by-laws. The study highlights the value of co-governance and a shift in focus from risks to benefits.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Maria Angeles Castillejo, Jesus Pascual, Jesus V. V. Jorrin-Novo, Tiago Santana Balbuena
Summary: This review compiles proteomic studies on forest tree species in the past decade, with a focus on Eucalyptus, Pinus, and Quercus. Advances in equipment, platforms, and methods have improved the understanding of these species at molecular, organismal, and community levels. Integrating proteomics with other omics and systems biology approaches contributes to a comprehensive understanding of biological processes and can aid in climate mitigation strategies and molecular breeding programs.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James M. Pay, Todd E. Katzner, Clare E. Hawkins, Amelia J. Koch, Jason M. Wiersma, William E. Brown, Nick J. Mooney, Elissa Z. Cameron
Summary: Lead exposure was found in Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles in Australia, with 100% of carcasses testing positive for lead and elevated concentrations in some samples. This highlights the threat of lead-based ammunition exposure to raptors and underscores the importance of addressing lead contamination in the ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Don A. Driscoll, Georgia E. Garrard, Alexander M. Kusmanoff, Stephen Dovers, Martine Maron, Noel Preece, Robert L. Pressey, Euan G. Ritchie
Summary: Suppressing expert knowledge can lead to harmful practices and policies being hidden from public view. A survey revealed that government and industry respondents were more likely to experience interference from employers, while university respondents were less affected. The main reason for researchers to avoid public commentary was fear of misrepresentation in the media.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Don A. Driscoll, Dolors Armenteras, Andrew F. Bennett, Lluis Brotons, Michael F. Clarke, Tim S. Doherty, Angie Haslem, Luke T. Kelly, Chloe F. Sato, Holly Sitters, Nuria Aquilue, Kristian Bell, Maria Chadid, Andrea Duane, Maria C. Meza-Elizalde, Katherine M. Giljohann, Tania Marisol Gonzalez, Ravi Jambhekar, Juliana Lazzari, Alejandra Moran-Ordonez, Tricia Wevill
Summary: The interaction between fire and fragmentation of habitats has three main pathways: fire influencing fragmentation, fragmentation influencing fire, and mutual interactions affecting responses like species abundance and extinction risk. This interaction can lead to ecosystem conversion and may become more common due to human activities and climate change. Understanding these interactions is crucial for conserving biodiversity in the face of emerging challenges.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
N. Sweaney, D. B. Lindenmayer, D. A. Driscoll
Summary: The study found that butterflies exhibit avoidance behavior at the edges of plantations, with low perceptual range in these areas, leading them to quickly depart. Butterflies often cross from farmland into woodland and stay, but hardly any cross from woodland or plantations into farmland and stay. The distance butterflies move away from plantation edges in woodland is greater than in farmland, indicating that the edge-effects of one land-cover type depend on the animals' response to the alternative land-cover.
Article
Environmental Sciences
James M. Pay, Todd E. Katzner, Clare E. Hawkins, Leon A. Barmuta, William E. Brown, Jason M. Wiersma, Amelia J. Koch, Nick J. Mooney, Elissa Z. Cameron
Summary: The study revealed widespread exposure of the endangered apex predator Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles in Australia to anticoagulant rodenticides, especially with high concentrations of second generation ARs. Exposed eagles were found in agricultural habitats with high human population density, and the main source of exposure was flocoumafen from agricultural suppliers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Busola Christianah Adedokun, James Barrie Kirkpatrick, Melinda Therese McHenry
Summary: Recreational fishers forming paths to access wilderness waterbodies in Australia has not been well documented. This study found that paths parallel to waterbodies experience more human traffic than orthogonal paths, with path width greater on parallel paths. The presence of paths may have a conservation benefit in terms of maintaining rare plant communities.
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kristian Bell, Tim S. Doherty, Tricia Wevill, Don A. Driscoll
Summary: Maintaining ecosystem processes within patches of remnant vegetation is critical for minimizing biodiversity loss. In agricultural landscapes, foundation plant species that interact with multiple other species are a conservation priority. A study in Australia showed that reintroducing controlled burns and removing competitors can restore a foundation plant species in degraded agricultural areas.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Dean M. Corva, Nathan Semianiw, Anne C. Eichholtzer, Scott D. Adams, M. A. Parvez Mahmud, Kendrika Gaur, Angela J. L. Pestell, Don A. Driscoll, Abbas Z. Kouzani
Summary: The current camera traps can only monitor endothermic animals, but this study presents a solar-powered and artificial-intelligence-assisted camera trap system that can monitor both endothermic and ectothermic animals. Field trials showed a high success rate in recording animals.
Article
Geography
Jamie B. Kirkpatrick
Summary: The isolation effects on plant species distributions in fragmented forests appear to be weak over short time scales but strong over long geological eras. The study focused on the effects of intermediate periods of isolation on plant species occurrence and composition using Bass Strait and other disjunctions in Eucalyptus regnans forests. The results showed minimal isolation effects from Bass Strait but a lesser compositional effect of disjunctions within land masses than between land masses.
GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicholas B. Fitzgerald, Jamie B. Kirkpatrick, Catherine R. Dickson, Laura K. Williams, Alexander J. Fergus, Jennie Whinam
Summary: This study examines the use of species distribution models to predict plant species assemblages in a subantarctic environment. It finds that modeling based on core range produces more accurate vegetation patterns compared to presence or absence modeling, and identifies the most influential predictor variables for each species.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
J. Lazzari, C. F. Sato, D. A. Driscoll
Summary: This study investigates the responses of reptile trait groups to habitat fragmentation, patch isolation, and fire. The results show that experimental burns do not benefit any trait group, but reduce the abundance of viviparous, small, and above-ground species. Species richness is lower in isolated sites, while generalist trait groups are unaffected by patch isolation. Large-sized reptiles have higher abundance in remnant patches.
Article
Geography
Busola Christianah Adedokun, Melinda Therese McHenry, James Barrie Kirkpatrick
Summary: Flyfishers in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area are motivated by a love of nature and desire for challenge, but they also recognize the environmental and social problems caused by fishing activities and are willing to take action to mitigate these impacts.
GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zimeng Liu, Jamie B. Kirkpatrick
Summary: Variation in tree death in eucalypt forests across environmental gradients was analyzed. It was found that tree mortality has increased as the climate has become warmer, drier, and windier. Factors such as elevation, fire history, aspect, soil type, and vegetation type were found to be significant predictors of tree death.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kristina J. Macdonald, Don A. Driscoll, Kimberley J. Macdonald, Bronwyn Hradsky, Tim S. Doherty
Summary: Ecosystem disturbance is increasing globally, and its impacts on animal populations have been primarily studied. However, changes in individual body condition can serve as more sensitive indicators of reduced fitness and population declines. In this study, we conducted a global review and analysis on the effects of disturbance on reptile and amphibian body condition, finding a negative overall effect.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Applied
Anne C. Eichholtzer, Don A. Driscoll, Rebecca Patrick, Lorenzo Galletta, Justin Lawson
Summary: This study investigates the health co-benefits of biodiversity citizen science participation. The results suggest that citizen science participation can increase nature relatedness and self-efficacy to help address biodiversity loss. Although no significant changes were observed for other well-being or anxiety measures, most participants reported positive outcomes related to mental or physical well-being. Participants without previous environmental volunteering experience showed stronger positive effects.
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY-HEALTH AND WELL BEING
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Sadadi Ojoatre, Jos Barlow, Suzanne R. Jacobs, Mariana C. Rufino
Summary: This study evaluates the changes in a forest complex in Kenya and finds that within 20 years of disturbance, there is rapid recovery of aboveground biomass and carbon accumulation, and the species diversity remains high in these previously disturbed fragments.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Astor Torano Caicoya, Peter Biber, Miren del Rio, Ricardo Ruiz-Peinado, Catia Arcangeli, Robert Matthews, Hans Pretzsch
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of site and climate on the self-thinning line in Scots pine forests in Europe. The results showed that species tolerance, temperature, and precipitation influenced the slope of the self-thinning line. In terms of the intercept, latitude and radiation had compensating effects. Time did not show significant trends in the self-thinning line. The study highlights the need to adapt management strategies and models based on self-thinning to different latitudes. Climate change has not yet significantly impacted the self-thinning trajectory, but a continuous rise in temperature and high precipitation may accelerate the self-thinning process and result in increased biomass accumulation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Haonan Zhang, Jianing Xu, Weiqi Meng, Zhonglin Li, Yanyan Ni, Weijie Li, Hao Chen, Xingshuo Zhang, Huanhuan Yuan, Zhi Wang
Summary: Secondary forests play a crucial role in ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity recovery. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying secondary succession in a restored secondary forest and found that deciduous tree species transition from diversity accumulators to repellents as they progress through different life history stages, while evergreen tree species can act as accumulators or remain neutral. The study also revealed the effects of density dependence on the mortality and regeneration of different tree species, and highlighted the importance of early-arriving tree species in facilitating the establishment and diversity of late-arriving counterparts.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Yierxiati Abulaiti, Zijian Huang, Guojiao Xie, Xiaojuan Zou, Qin Luo, Minhuang Wang, Qiong Yang, Ping Hu, Shixiao Yu
Summary: In this study, the resistance to pest infestation of native and exotic mangrove species was compared based on their traits and spectral reflectance. The results showed that exotic species exhibited higher resistance to pest infestation compared to native species.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Thomas Feiss, Vincent Robin, Delphine Aran, Joseph Levillain, Thierry Paul, Jean-Luc Dupouey
Summary: Fagus sylvatica L. is a competitive tree in European temperate deciduous forests, but often sporadic or absent in present-day stands where Quercus spp. are dominant. Through soil charcoal analysis in the Lorraine Plateau in France, the presence of Fagus and Quercus in mature Quercus stands was confirmed. Radiocarbon dating results indicated that historical forest management caused the replacement of Fagus by Quercus, starting from the Bronze Age.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Paula Halbig, Anne-Sophie Stelzer, Peter Baier, Josef Pennerstorfer, Horst Delb, Axel Schopf
Summary: The incidence of oak processionary moth in Central Europe has been increasing, posing severe threats to oak trees, humans, and animals. To address this issue, researchers have developed an online early warning system that provides phenological forecasts and decision support for the protection of oak trees and human health.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Jean-Baptiste Ndamiyehe Ncutirakiza, Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury, Philippe Lejeune, Xavier Bry, Catherine Trottier, Frederic Mortier, Adeline Fayolle, Francois Muhashy Habiyaremye, Leopold Ndjele Mianda-Bungi, Gauthier Ligot
Summary: This study examines the influence of canopy structure on tropical tree growth using data collected through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and field measurements. The results show that combining UAV and field data can improve the prediction of tree diameter increment. Diameter at breast height and crown area are complementary predictors, and crown-based competition indices significantly enhance prediction models. The calibrated model at one site can accurately predict growth at another site.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Abebe Damtew, Emiru Birhane, Christian Messier, Alain Paquette, Bart Muys
Summary: Restoring degraded dryland requires a diverse mixture of trees and shrubs. Shading and species diversity can improve seedling survival and vitality. Shaded conditions led to higher seedling survival, vitality, and chlorophyll content, while increasing species richness improved seedling vitality in non-shaded conditions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Francois Hebert, Isabelle Delisle, Marc Tremblay, Pascal Tremblay, Jean- Francois Boucher, Yan Boucher, Daniel Lord
Summary: Regeneration failures in the closed-crown boreal forest, resulting in the creation of open lichen woodlands, can be restored through clear-cutting, scarification, and natural seeding. Clear-cutting combined with scarification promotes seedling establishment, and scarification creates suitable microsites for germination. Seedling growth in lichen woodlands is higher when logging and scarification are combined, but lower compared to feather moss stands. Afforestation through natural seeding following scarification could be a cost-effective option for restoring lichen woodlands.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bianca Wulansari Kassun, A. Maarit I. Kallio, Erik Tr Omborg, Meley Mekonen Rannestad
Summary: Mapping and analyzing forest ecosystem services in dry and mountain forests can provide valuable knowledge for sustainable forest management strategies.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Michael Premer, Eric Turnblom, Aaron Weiskittel
Summary: Managed forests serve as a natural climate change solution by sequestering carbon and storing it in harvested wood products, while also providing ecosystem services and wildlife habitat. This study focused on the stem sinuosity of juvenile coastal Douglas-fir and found that genetic improvement, silviculture practices, and local growing conditions can impact stem sinuosity. Factors such as tree spacing, vegetation control, and climate variables also affect the severity of stem sinuosity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Bronwyn Lira Dyson, Rhea Herpel, Peter Karasch, Jorg Mueller, Dominik Thom, Claus Baessler
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of different forest management strategies, dead wood types, and microclimates on Fomes fomentarius. The results showed that the occupancy of Fomes fomentarius was lower in control stands, while the percent cover occupied on snags under a closed canopy was higher. Increasing the number of snags and maintaining dense forest canopies could enhance the presence of Fomes fomentarius as well as provide important microhabitats for various arthropods.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Di Liu, Chaofan Zhou, Xiao He, Xiangdong Lei, Huiru Zhang, Xianzhao Liu
Summary: Canopy structure plays a significant role in the distribution and growth of saplings. Traditional canopy metrics are inadequate in irregular stands. The innovative framework of canopy triangular units provides a comprehensive understanding of the canopy's three-dimensional attributes. Through this framework, we can analyze the differences in various triangular unit types and the spatial dispersion of saplings.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Amalia Valeria Ibanez Moro, Fabian Borghetti, Leonardo Galetto, Juan M. Cellini, Sandra J. Bravo
Summary: This study evaluated the size and persistence of soil seed banks (SSB) of six native woody species in dry subtropical forests of the western Argentine Chaco region. The results showed that SSB size was influenced by different sites and sampling years, and forest disturbances had varying effects on SSB.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Stephanie Landry, Marc-Andre Villard, Gaetan Pelletier, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
Summary: In many regions of the world, excessive browsing by ungulates has reached unsustainable levels, threatening biodiversity and forest regeneration. Moose, as ecological engineers, have severe impacts on forest structure and composition through overbrowsing. The distribution of forage and cover patches affects moose browsing pressure, and this relationship has been explored in conifer-dominated stands but not in hardwood-dominated landscapes.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2024)