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Showing papers on "Undergrowth published in 2008"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study studied microhabitat selection of the Eurasian lynx to describe its characteristics and determine the importance of habitat structure for stalking prey and for security during resting to better suit the species’ biological requirements.
Abstract: We studied microhabitat selection of the Eurasian lynxLynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758) at 116 hunting and 88 resting sites in Bialowieza Primeval Forest (Poland) to describe its characteristics and determine the importance of habitat structure for stalking prey and for security during resting. We identified lynx-used sites by radio-tracking 3 male and 3 female lynx. When hunting, the lynx did not select for any type or age class of forest. During both summer and winter, the lynx selected sites characterized by high complexity (number of structures useful for stalking: fallen logs and branches, root plates, patches of dense bushes) and low visibility. In summer, hunting sites were often located in the vicinity of small forest glades that provided good stalking opportunities for lynx and rich foraging resources for roe deer — the main prey of lynx. The habitat at kill sites was more open than at sites where the prey was cached, with higher visibility, lower density of trees and poorer undergrowth. The most important characteristic of resting sites was very low visibility that resulted mainly from using young pine or spruce thickets in the winter and dense undergrowth of oak-lime-hornbeam and ash-alder forests in the summer. The information provided by this study could have direct implications for Eurasian lynx conservation by guiding forest restructuring to better suit the species’ biological requirements.

78 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between six spectral vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, SAVI, PRI, CI, and CCI) and light conversion efficiency in Japanese coniferous forests.

53 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a stratified random sample of 93 vegetation plots (144 m2) from montane and subalpine climax forests in a representative section through the Bavarian Alps, spatial pattern and environmental correlates of species density of trees, vascular understorey and epigeic bryophytes were analyzed.
Abstract: Based on a stratified random sample of 93 vegetation plots (144 m2) from montane and subalpine climax forests in a representative section through the Bavarian Alps, spatial pattern and environmental correlates of species density of trees, vascular understorey and epigeic bryophytes were analysed. Detecting landscape scale patterns in beta- and gamma-diversity based on interpretation of rarefaction curves proved to be difficult in a sample that had been stratified by ecological criteria. In 144 m2 plots tree species density (5 ± 2.0, max. 10) declined with elevation and increased with stand age (multiple R 2 = 0.557). The latter effect can be attributed to the secular history of game management and browsing pressure, which has hindered the regeneration of species-rich tree stands since ca. 150 yr. Species density of the forest undergrowth reached remarkably high levels for vascular plants (42 ± 12.8, max. 69) and bryophytes (14 ± 6.0, max. 30) and strongly depended on cover of the respective layer...

27 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the reproduction of the Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica), including radial and apical tree increments, the age structure of stands, the amount of young growth, and its distribution along an altitudinal gradient, have been studied in the forest-tundra ecotone of the Western Sayan.
Abstract: Parameters of reproduction of the Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica), including radial and apical tree increments, the age structure of stands, the amount of young growth, and its distribution along an altitudinal gradient, have been studied in the forest-tundra ecotone of the Western Sayan. The results show that, over the past 30 years, P. sibirica undergrowth has expanded to the mountain tundra belt, the apical and radial tree increments and stand density have increased, and the life form of many P. sibirica plants has changed from prostrate to erect (single-or multistemmed). These changes correlate with the dynamics of summer temperatures and monthly (in May and June) and annual precipitation. The rise of summer temperatures by 1°C promotes the expansion of P. sibirica undergrowth for approximately 150 m up the altitudinal gradient.

25 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a second diameter measuring standard at 30cm shoot extension (diam30) was proposed as an input variable for allometric biomass estimation of small and mid-sized plant shoots.
Abstract: This paper proposes the establishment of a second diameter measuring standard at 30cm shoot extension ('diam30') as input variable for allometric biomass estimation of small and mid-sized plant shoots. This diameter standard is better suited than the diameter at breast height (DBH, i.e. diameter at 1.30m shoot extension) for adequate characterization of plant dimensions in low bushy vegetation or in primary forest undergrowth. The relationships between both diameter standards are established based on a dataset of 8645 tree, liana and palm shoots in secondary and primary forests of central Amazonia (ranging from 1-150mm dbh). Dbh can be predicted from the diam(30) with high precision, the error introduced by diameter transformation is only 2-3% for trees and palms, and 5% for lianas. This is well acceptable for most field study purposes. Relationships deviate slightly from linearity and differ between growth forms. Relationships were markedly similar for different vegetation types (low secondary regrowth vs. primary forests), soils, and selected genera or species. This points to a general validity and applicability of diameter transformations for other field studies. This study provides researchers with a tool for the allometric estimation of biomass in low or structurally heterogeneous vegetation. Rather than applying a uniform diameter standard, the measuring position which best represents the respective plant can be decided on shoot-by-shoot. Plant diameters measured at 30cm height can be transformed to dbh for subsequent allometric biomass estimation. We recommend the use of these diameter transformations only for plants extending well beyond the theoretical minimum shoot length (i.e., >2m height). This study also prepares the ground for the comparability and compatability of future allometric equations specifically developed for small- to mid-sized vegetation components (i.e., bushes, undergrowth) which are based on the diam(30) measuring standard.

19 citations


01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: The ordination of undergrowth species revealed that some species are more saline tolerant, closely associated and widely distributed in the Sundarban mangrove forest like Derris trifoliata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Nypa fruticans, Sarcolobus globosus, Dalbergia spinosa, Flueggia virosa, Pandanus foetidus and Phoenix paludosa.
Abstract: Undergrowth species diversity was investigated by random quadrat method. Ordination and Shannon-Wiener diversity index were produced by the CANOCO program and Cluster analysis was done by the SAS (Statistical Analylitical System, sixth version) program. 48 undergrowth species were recorded in the Sundarban mangrove forest belonging to the dominant families such as Fabaceae (Cynometra ramiflora, Dalbergia spinosa, Derris trifoliata), Poaceae (Myriostachya wightiana, Porteresia coarctata), Palmae (Nypa fruticans, Phoenix paludosa), Acanthaceae (Acanthus ilicifolius), Pteridaceae (Acrostichum aureum), Myrsinaceae (Aegiceras corniculatum), Rhizophoraceae (Rhizophora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza). On the basis of frequency distribution of undergrowth vegetation data sets six undergrowth species were found to be dominant and widely adapted to the various salinity conditions in different zones of Sundarban mangrove forest, which were frequently occurring in most of the sites and quadrats such as Acanthus ilicifolius, Acrostichum aureum, Derris trifoliata, Vitis trifoliata, Sarcolobus globosus and Phoenix paludosa. The ordination of undergrowth species was assessed between environmental variables (salinity and pH) and undergrowth species. The ordination of undergrowth species revealed that some species are more saline tolerant, closely associated and widely distributed in the Sundarban mangrove forest like Derris trifoliata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Nypa fruticans, Sarcolobus globosus, Dalbergia spinosa, Flueggia virosa, Pandanus foetidus and Phoenix paludosa. It is interesting to note that salinity is a vital factor for the development of undergrowth species. It can also be concluded that the rich diversity of undergrowths of healthy individuals might be indicative of the healthy mangrove forest of the low saline zone area and poor diversity of undergrowths, as well as their stunted growth might be indicative of the ill mangrove forest of high saline zone area.

16 citations


DOI
31 Jul 2008
TL;DR: Although species richness in bird's nest ferns may not be as high as for the forest floor, the hypothesis that these epiphytes are important reservoirs of arthropod biodiversity is supported.
Abstract: Litter trapped in epiphytic ferns (Asplenium nidus L.) and their rootballs were sampled for arthropods and compared with the forest floor (soil and litter) in a Japanese subtropical forest. A total of ca 40,000 individuals were identified to species, representing 13 arthropod groups and 553 species. The densities (numbers per 100 g dry wt of substrate) of the five most abundant taxa (Oribatida, Mesostigmata, Collembola, Coleoptera, Formicidae) were generally higher in the fern habitats (trapped litter and roots) than in the forest-floor habitats (soil and litter). From the 553 species, 267 were collected from bird's nest ferns and 403 from the forest floor. Rarefaction curves indicate that for a same number of individuals collected, species richness was at least twice higher on the forest floor than in the 12 Shigenori Karasawa et al. ferns for four of the five most diverse groups (Oribatida, Mesostigmata, Coleoptera, Collembola) whereas Araneae had slightly more species in ferns. Multivariate ordination showed that overall species composition clearly differed between fern habitats and the forest-floor habitats. Although species richness in bird's nest ferns may not be as high as for the forest floor, our study supports the hypothesis that these epiphytes are important reservoirs of arthropod biodiversity.

14 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
03 Apr 2008-Ibis
TL;DR: A preference for bushy evergreen undergrowth determines both the local and the general distribution of Cossypha natalensis, and the development of vocal behaviour is described, with special attention given to the different functional forms of the song.
Abstract: Summary. A preference for bushy evergreen undergrowth determines both the local and the general distribution of Cossypha natalensis. The lack of such undergrowth makes equatorial rain-forests unsuitable. Tropical and subtropical evergreen forests provide excellent conditions from this point of view, and they are thus the main habitat type from which C. natalensis has secondarily extended into tropical and subtropical deciduous forests with evergreen undergrowth. Adult birds remain in or close to their territories throughout the year. First-year birds undertake longer movements during the winter. Breeding territories are relatively small, from 2,500 up to (exceptionally) 10,000 square yards (2,100-8,400 sq. m). Breeding begins in October. Both sexes build the nest, but only the female incubates. In southern Africa there is one brood a year, and the care of the offspring is protracted. The juvenile moult begins in the third and ends in the sixth month; adults have only one (post-breeding) moult a year. The begging behaviour of the young is somewhat different from that of most other turdine birds, and is considered to be more primitive. The ontogeny of the adult displays is described as observed in young birds kept in captivity. The development of vocal behaviour is described. Special attention is given to the different functional forms of the song, and to two of its special features, imitation and a tonal quality termed vox humana.

12 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that, although the spatial pattern of establishment of P. pumila is not repulsed by the distribution of canopy trees, the crown can spread horizontally toward the more sparsely populated areas of the canopy trees where they may have higher growth rates.
Abstract: We investigated the spatial distribution and growth of the Siberian dwarf pine (Pinus pumila) in a valley–foothill larch–birch (Larix cajanderi–Betula platyphylla as canopy trees) mixed forest of fire origin located in central Kamchatka with the aim of elucidating the ecological features of P. pumila when it is an undergrowth species in a forest. The spatial distribution of all individuals of all tree species was clumped, and the spatial distribution of the two canopy tree species did not repulsively affect that of P. pumila (i.e., its establishment site). These results suggest that the regeneration of P. pumila does not depend on canopy gaps. However, the analysis using a growth model indicated that the canopy trees negatively affected the growth of P. pumila and that the negative effect of L. cajanderi on P. pumila growth was stronger than that of B. platyphylla. The direction of the crown extension of P. pumila was weakly related to the open-space direction. Our results suggest that, although the spatial pattern of establishment of P. pumila is not repulsed by the distribution of canopy trees, the crown can spread horizontally toward the more sparsely populated areas of the canopy trees where they may have higher growth rates.

8 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: Thinning experiments showed that thinning benefited the growth of P.nanmu and the undergrowth vegetation because the plants grew well with better sunshine.
Abstract: Thinning experiments were taken in the mixed forest of Phoebe nanmu and Cunninghamia lanceolata according to complete randomized block design of two treatments and four replications.The results showed that thinning benefited the growth of P.nanmu and the undergrowth vegetation because the plants grew well with better sunshine.The average D B H,tree height and individual volume of thinning P.nanmus were 177.4%,120.8% and 361.5% of not-thinning forest respectively.And the stand volume of the former was 74.23 m3·hm-2,while the latter was 24.88 m3·hm-2.The undergrowth biomass of thinning was 9702.0 kg·hm-2,which was 301.8% of non-thinning that was 3221.5 kg·hm-2.The litter fall,which decreased after thinning,was 2463.8 kg·hm-2 of thinning and 3600.0 kg·hm-2 of non-thinning respectively.The former was 68.4% of the latter.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The effects of different plantation modes, planting densities and forestry managements on the undergrowth Simpson diversity index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou's evenness index of Eucalyptus plantation were not remarkable.
Abstract: In this paper,the effects of different cultivation measures(plantation mode,planting density,forestry management)on the undergrowth vegetation species diversity of Eucalyptus plantation were analyzedThe results were as follows:The effect of different of plantation modes on the undergrowth shrub layer and herb layer species abundance of Eucalyptus Plantation was not remarkable;The effect of different planting densities on the undergrowth shrub layer species abundance of Eucalyptus Plantation was remarkable,and on herb layer was not remarkableThe effect of different forestry managements on the undergrowth shrub layer species abundance of Eucalyptus Plantation was extreme remarkable,and on herb layer was not remarkableThe effects of different plantation modes,planting densities and forestry managements on the undergrowth Simpson diversity index,Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou's evenness index of Eucalyptus plantation were not remarkable

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative study for undergrowth vegetation biomass of eucalyptus plantation and natural forest in Pu'er City, the results showed that under the conditions of the same site, eucallyptus plantations under growth vegetation biomass was less than the natural forest vegetation biomass,but the herb layer of natural forest undergrowth than in the major herb layer biomass ratio,to lead this result of the main reason for euculyptus tree plantation forest decline in plant diversity.
Abstract: Through a comparative study for undergrowth vegetation biomass of eucalyptus plantation and natural forest in Pu'er City,the results showed that under the conditions of the same site,eucalyptus plantations undergrowth vegetation biomass was less than the natural forest vegetation biomass,but the herb layer of natural forest undergrowth than in the major herb layer biomass ratio,to lead this result of the main reason for eucalyptus plantation forest decline in plant diversity.So,when introduced the eucalyptus,we should take into account ecological problems brought about by that.The research of forest biomass for the balanced development of the ecological environment and economic forest of eucalyptus provided a theoretical basis.

01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: The difference suggests that the inhibition of conifer establishment on the ground by dense undergrowth of S. palmata affects the stand structure in the study site, and only P. jezoensis var.
Abstract: Stand structure and its change during recent 8-years were investigated in a subalpine coniferous forest composed of Tsuga diversifolia, Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis, Abies veitchii and Abies mariesii with dense undergrowth of Sasa palmata in a 50×50 m plot on the southeast side of Mt. Ontake, central Japan. Canopy layer contained abundant openings (32 % in relative area). Abies veitchii and A. mariesii showed the L-shaped DBH distribution, while T. diversifolia and P. jezoensis var. hondoensis showed bimodal distribution: two peaks of canopy trees and suppressed trees. Most of T. diversifolia and P. jezoensis var. hondoensis trees had stilt-rooted growth form, or were established on uprooted mounds and buttresses, and few of these species were established on the ground. Two Abies species were often found on the ground more than Tsuga and Picea: however, the relative frequency was only 15% for A. veitchii and 35% for A. mariesii. The majority of Abies trees was established on uprooted mounds, buttresses, and rocks, or they were stilt-rooted. The preference for substrata other than the ground for the establishment microsites of Abies species was more conspicuous as compared to those reported for other subalpine stands with undergrowth without Sasa. The difference suggests that the inhibition of conifer establishment on the ground by dense undergrowth of S. palmata affects the stand structure in the study site. The mortality and recruitment rate for the stand during an 8-year period (1998-2006) was 0.60 %/yr and 1.44 %/yr, respectively, indicating that recruitment was higher than mortality. The loss and gain in total basal area was 0.91 %/yr and 0.96 %/yr, respectively, indicating almost balanced. As for values according to species, only P. jezoensis var. hondoensis showed higher mortality rate and loss in basal area than recruitment rate and gain in basal area, while the other species demonstrated an opposite relationship between these values.