Importance of conserving large and old trees to continuity of tree‐related microhabitats

Kozák, Daniel; Svitokk, Marek; Zemlerová, Veronika; Mikoláš, Martin; Lachat, Thibault; Larrieu, Laurent; Paillet, Yoan; Buechling, Arne; Bače, Radek; Keeton, William S.; Vítková, Lucie; Begovič, Krešimir; Čada, Vojtěch; Dušátko, Martin; Ferenčík, Matej; Frankovič, Michal; Gloor, Rhiannon; Hofmeister, Jeňýk; Janda, Pavel; Kameniar, Ondrej; ... (2023). Importance of conserving large and old trees to continuity of tree‐related microhabitats Conservation Biology, 37(3), pp. 1-12. Wiley Online Library 10.1111/cobi.14066

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Protecting structural features, such as tree-related microhabitats (TreMs), is a cost-effective tool crucial for biodiversity conservation applicable to large forested landscapes. Although the development of TreMs is influenced by tree diameter, species, and vitality, the relationships between tree age and TreM profile remain poorly understood. Using a tree-ring-based approach and a large data set of 8038 trees, we modeled the effects of tree age, diameter, and site characteristics on TreM richness and occurrence across some of the most intact primary temperate forests in Europe, including mixed beech and spruce forests. We observed an overall increase in TreM richness on old and large trees in both forest types. The occurrence of specific TreM groups was variably related to tree age and diameter, but some TreM groups (e.g., epiphytes) had a stronger positive relationship with tree species and elevation. Although many TreM groups were positively associated with tree age and diameter, only two TreM groups in spruce stands reacted exclusively to tree age (insect galleries and exposed sapwood) without responding to diameter. Thus, the retention of trees for conservation purposes based on tree diameter appears to be a generally feasible approach with a rather low risk of underrepresentation of TreMs. Because greater tree age and diameter positively affected TreM development, placing a greater emphasis on conserving large trees and allowing them to reach older ages, for example, through the establishment of conservation reserves, would better maintain the continuity of TreM resource and associated biodiversity. However, this approach may be difficult due to the widespread intensification of forest management and global climate change.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Multifunctional Forest Management > Forest Ecosystem and Management
Name:	Kozák, Daniel; Svitokk, Marek; Zemlerová, Veronika; Mikoláš, Martin; Lachat, Thibault0000-0003-3952-7443; Larrieu, Laurent; Paillet, Yoan; Buechling, Arne; Bače, Radek; Keeton, William S.; Vítková, Lucie; Begovič, Krešimir; Čada, Vojtěch; Dušátko, Martin; Ferenčík, Matej; Frankovič, Michal; Gloor, Rhiannon; Hofmeister, Jeňýk; Janda, Pavel; Kameniar, Ondrej; Kníř, Tomáš; Majdanová, Linda; Mejstřík, Marek; Pavlin, Jakob; Ralhan, Dheeraj; Rodrigo, Ruffy; Roibu, Catalin‐Constantin; Synek, Michal; Vostarek, Ondřej and Svoboda, Miroslav
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
ISSN:	0888-8892
Publisher:	Wiley Online Library
Language:	English
Submitter:	Thibault Lachat
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2024 10:23
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2024 10:23
Publisher DOI:	10.1111/cobi.14066
Related URLs:	Publication
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biodiversity indicators Carpathian Mountains Dendrochronology Forest management Forest structure Habitat Tree Primary forests
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.21247
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/21247