The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

David Baines - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Differential responses of heather and red grouse to long-term spatio-temporal variation in sheep grazing
    Biodiversity and Conservation, 2020
    Co-Authors: Sonja C Ludwig, Staffan Roos, Michael Richardson, Des B A Thompson, Nicholas J. Aebischer, Jeremy D. Wilson, David Baines
    Abstract:

    During the last century, afforestation and intensification of sheep grazing in the British uplands have led to widespread declines in globally rare heather Moorland. We quantified changes in heather cover over 70 years in relation to changes in sheep grazing on Langholm Moor, and examined the impact on red grouse, a gamebird inhabiting heather Moorland. Between 1948 and 2009, when grazed heavily by sheep, heather-dominated vegetation declined from 53 to 14% cover. Large-scale sheep reductions from 2011 then allowed increase of heather-dominated vegetation cover to 18% by 2015. However, changes in heather cover were associated with changes in grouse abundance only where heather-dominated cover was reduced below thresholds of 27% (95% CL 18–36%; pre-breeding) and 17% (95% CL 13–20%; post-breeding). The number of grouse shot between 1951 and 1992 remained high where 37–65% of dominant heather cover was retained, but then declined between 1992 and 1996 following increased predation by raptors, leading to the cessation of shooting. Subsequently, grouse densities fluctuated in relation to periodic management by gamekeepers (1992–1999 and 2008–2016), but heather loss continued possibly until 2011, and predation in this context prevented sustained increases sufficient for ‘driven’ shooting. Grouse shooting provides an economic incentive to maintain and restore heather Moorland. On Langholm Moor, however, afforestation in the surrounding landscape and isolation from other heather moors may have led to a grouse population less well buffered against growing predation pressure, especially outside keepered periods. As grouse shooting could not be restored, the future management of the moor remains uncertain.

  • numerical and functional responses of common buzzards buteo buteo to prey abundance on a scottish grouse moor
    Ibis, 2017
    Co-Authors: Richard M Francksen, Sonja C Ludwig, Staffan Roos, Mark J Whittingham, David Baines
    Abstract:

    Predators will often respond to reductions in preferred prey by switching to alternative prey resources. However, this may not apply to all alternative prey groups in patchy landscapes. We investigated the demographic and aggregative numerical and functional responses of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo in relation to variations in prey abundance on a moor managed for Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica in south-west Scotland over three consecutive breeding and non-breeding seasons. We predicted that predation of Red Grouse by Buzzards would increase when abundance of their preferred Field Vole Microtus agrestis prey declined. As vole abundance fluctuated, Buzzards responded functionally by eating voles in relation to their abundance, but they did not respond demographically in terms of either breeding success or density. During a vole crash year, Buzzards selected a wider range of prey typical of enclosed farmland habitats found on the Moorland edge but fewer Grouse from the heather Moorland. During a vole peak year, prey remains suggested a linear relationship between Grouse density and the number of Grouse eaten (a Type 1 functional response), which was not evident in either intermediate or vole crash years. Buzzard foraging intensity varied between years as vole abundance fluctuated, and foraging intensity declined with increasing heather cover. Our findings did not support the prediction that predation of Red Grouse would increase when vole abundance was low. Instead, they suggest that Buzzards predated Grouse incidentally while hunting for voles, which may increase when vole abundances are high through promoting foraging in heather Moorland habitats where Grouse are more numerous. Our results suggest that declines in their main prey may not result in increased predation of all alternative prey groups when predators inhabit patchy landscapes. We suggest that when investigating predator diet and impacts on prey, knowledge of all resources and habitats that are available to predators is important.

  • forest expansion in scotland and its potential effects on black grouse tetrao tetrix conservation
    Forest Ecology and Management, 2013
    Co-Authors: Patrick J C White, Philip Warren, David Baines
    Abstract:

    Increasing forest cover has been the policy of various countries in recent decades. The Scottish government aims to increase national forest cover from 18% to 25% by 2050. Mid-altitude upland areas above farmland and below the natural tree line will be targeted for planting, which could impact black grouse Tetrao tetrix, a species of conservation concern which is most abundant in this zone. We used lek counts, counts of black grouse shot on sporting estates and habitat data in the Tay region to investigate distributions of black grouse in relation to forest and non-forest habitat composition. Moorland was generally selected relative to forest habitats. Planting of new forests was linked to establishment of leks and maturing of forests was linked to lek extinctions. Between 1945 and 2010, including a previous period of incentivised forest expansion, shooting densities (birds shot per km2) were significantly correlated with the area of pre-thicket (<14 years) forestry in the Tay study area, increasing as it was planted but decreasing as it matured to a closed-canopy structure. Across three Scottish regions (Argyll, Inverness and Galloway) habitat composition within 1 km of leks was similar at 45–60% Moorland and 10–15% young forest suggesting this habitat composition may provide a template for designing mosaics that can sustain viable populations in the face of forest expansion. Protection of Moorland patches and provision of young forest over a smaller but more consistent area may benefit the species’ conservation.

  • the direct and indirect effects of predation by hen harriers circus cyaneus on trends in breeding birds on a scottish grouse moor
    Ibis, 2008
    Co-Authors: David Baines, Michael Richardson, Stephen M Redpath, Simon J Thirgood
    Abstract:

    Two phases of an experimental reduction in management at Langholm Moor in southwest Scotland provided an insight into factors that determined trends in the abundance of Moorland birds. In 1992 the historical control of breeding Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus stopped and in 2000 grouse moor management was discontinued. Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Curlew Numenius arquata and Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus declined, whilst Carrion Crow Corvus corone and Snipe Gallinago gallinago increased. Hen Harriers increased from two to 20 breeding females, then declined back to two. Lapwing abundance was positively associated with that of Hen Harriers, and Moorland passerines (Skylark Alauda arvensis, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis and Stonechat Saxicola torquata) were negatively associated. Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Red Grouse, Skylark and Hen Harrier were more abundant when the moor was managed for grouse, whilst Carrion Crow, a common predator of clutches of ground-nesting birds, increased during the second half when management ceased. Increased Crow numbers, together with an increase in Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes, probably contributed to the observed bird declines.

  • the effect of management for red grouse shooting on the population density of breeding birds on heather dominated Moorland
    Journal of Applied Ecology, 2001
    Co-Authors: A.p. Tharme, David Baines, Rhys E. Green, I.p. Bainbridge, Mark Obrien
    Abstract:

    Summary 1 Breeding birds, vegetation and Moorland management were surveyed in 320 1-km squares on 122 estates in upland areas of eastern Scotland and northern England where red grouse shooting is a widespread land use. We assessed whether population densities of 11 species of breeding birds differed between heather-dominated Moorland managed for red grouse shooting and other Moorland with similar vegetation. 2 We classified estates that had a full-time equivalent Moorland gamekeeper as grouse moors. The mean density of red grouse shot per year was four times higher and the mean density of gamekeepers was three times higher on grouse moors than on other moors. Rotational burning of ground vegetation covered a 34% larger area on grouse moors than on other moors. 3 Selection of heather-dominated squares resulted in similar composition of vegetation on grouse moors and other moors (about 76% heath, 12% grass, 8% bog, 2% flush and < 1% bracken on both types). However, grouse moors tended to have less tall vegetation than other moors and differed significantly in some other characteristics of the vegetation, topography and soil type. 4 Densities of breeding golden plover and lapwing were five times higher and those of red grouse and curlew twice as high on grouse moors as on other moors, while meadow pipit, skylark, whinchat and carrion/hooded crow were 1·5, 2·3, 3·9 and 3·1 times less abundant, respectively, on grouse moors. The differences in density between Moorland types remained significant (P < 0·001) for golden plover and crow and approached significance (P < 0·10) for lapwing and meadow pipit after allowing for variation among regions. 5 We used Poisson regression models to relate bird density to vegetation cover, topography, climate and soil type. After adjusting for significant effects of these habitat variables, significant differences in bird density between the two Moorland types remained for six species, although their magnitude was reduced. 6 Correlations of adjusted bird density with measures of different aspects of grouse moor management provided evidence of a possible positive influence of predator control (assessed using crow density) on red grouse, golden plover and lapwing. The control of crows by gamekeepers is the most probable cause of the low densities of crows on grouse moors. There was evidence of a positive effect of heather burning on the density of red grouse and golden plover and a negative effect on meadow pipit. Multiple Poisson regression indicated that predator control and heather burning had significant separate effects on red grouse density. Significant relationships between adjusted breeding bird densities and the abundance of raptors and ravens were few and predominantly positive. 7 The results provide correlative evidence that Moorland management benefits some breeding bird species and disbenefits others in ways that cannot readily be explained as effects of differences in vegetation type or topography. However, experimental manipulations of numbers of some predators and heather burning are required to test these findings.

R H Marrs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the role of fire in uk peatland and Moorland management the need for informed unbiased debate
    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2016
    Co-Authors: Matt G Davies, Katherine A Allen, R H Marrs, Nicholas Kettridge, Cathelijne R Stoof, Alan Gray, Davide Ascoli, Paulo M Fernandes, Stefan H Doerr, Gareth D Clay
    Abstract:

    Fire has been used for centuries to generate and manage some of the UK9s cultural landscapes. Despite its complex role in the ecology of UK peatlands and Moorlands, there has been a trend of simplifying the narrative around burning to present it as an only ecologically damaging practice. That fire modifies peatland characteristics at a range of scales is clearly understood. Whether these changes are perceived as positive or negative depends upon how trade-offs are made between ecosystem services and the spatial and temporal scales of concern. Here we explore the complex interactions and trade-offs in peatland fire management, evaluating the benefits and costs of managed fire as they are currently understood. We highlight the need for (i) distinguishing between the impacts of fires occurring with differing severity and frequency, and (ii) improved characterization of ecosystem health that incorporates the response and recovery of peatlands to fire. We also explore how recent research has been contextualized within both scientific publications and the wider media and how this can influence non-specialist perceptions. We emphasize the need for an informed, unbiased debate on fire as an ecological management tool that is separated from other aspects of Moorland management and from political and economic opinions. This article is part of the themed issue ‘The interaction of fire and mankind’.

  • prescribed Moorland burning meets good practice guidelines a monitoring case study using aerial photography in the peak district uk
    Ecological Indicators, 2016
    Co-Authors: Katherine A Allen, Pierre Denelle, Francisco Sanchez M Ruiz, Victor M Santana, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Abstract Upland moors in the UK have been managed for centuries using rotational prescribed-burning, but in recent years there has been contentious debate over its continuing use due to varying effects on Moorland ecosystem services. Prescribed-burning should only be carried out using good-practice codes, which include restrictions on the size, location and frequency of burns. Good burning practice is an indicator of management standards and habitat condition in Moorland landscapes. However, there has been little attempt to assess management performance with respect to these restrictions. We investigated prescribed-burning on a case-study estate (Howden Moor) in the Peak District National Park from 1988 to 2009 using management maps and aerial photography. The annual area burned (0.9%) was far below recommendations (10%) and patches were in keeping with the target sizes specified (mean ± se: 2370 ± 70 m 2 ). The risk of a large or escaped fire was very low, with less than 1% of fires greater than 15,000 m 2 . However, only 28.9% of the total burnable area was burned, leaving the rest unmanaged and accumulating fuel. Future guidelines might recommend the application of prescribed-burning across the range of Calluna vulgaris growth phases, to reduce fuel load and promote biodiversity at the landscape scale. We show that vegetation mapping and aerial photography are an effective method for monitoring prescribed-burning practice on Moorlands. The information derived from such monitoring studies should lead to greater confidence in the standard of prescribed-burning and adherence to good-practice guidelines and requirements imposed by statutory authorities.

  • changes in peat chemical properties during post fire succession on blanket bog Moorland
    Geoderma, 2013
    Co-Authors: Katherine A Allen, Mike P K Harris, Angus Rosenburgh, Josu G Alday, Leslie Connor, Sabena Blackbird, Geoff Eyre, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Abstract This study assessed the impact of prescribed burning on the peat properties of Moorlands during the post-fire succession in a multi-site study within a major Moorland region of Great Britain. Three replicate Moorland sites were sampled; all were ombrotrophic bogs and had peat soils overlying similar geology and similar vegetation. A chronosequence approach was used to sample soils from a post-fire succession (3–52 years since burning) on each site and a number of chemical properties measured. The data on soil chemical properties were analysed using both linear-mixed-effects modelling and multivariate analysis. There were clear differences in some soil properties between Moorland sites, but for most soil variables measured there was no change through the post-fire succession. Four variables (available P and Ca; total P and K) showed a significant interaction, i.e. different responses on each Moorland site through time. These results suggest that there are complex interactions between nutrient inputs (rainfall and dry deposition which is affected by elevation), storage and cycling within the soil-peat system and losses that differ on the three Moorland sites. The most interesting result was the additive response of the C:N ratio which differed between Moorland sites; all sites showed the same negative slope with respect to elapsed time since burning, indicating an increased N saturation. This result suggests that the oldest stands sampled here may have either (i) responded to the large N inputs added from the atmosphere in the latter part of the twentieth century, or (ii) the younger ones have had some of this N removed during prescribed burning. This suggestion needs further investigation. Nevertheless, the impacts of prescribed burning on the peat properties during the post-fire succession were relatively small.

  • matrix modelling of prescribed burning in calluna vulgaris dominated Moorland short burning rotations minimize carbon loss at increased wildfire frequencies
    Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Katherine A Allen, Mike P K Harris, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Summary Moorlands store large amounts of carbon providing a valuable ecosystem service. In the UK, prescribed burning is often used to manage Moorlands, which can produce both positive (biodiversity enhancement and wildfire prevention) and negative impacts (carbon release and reduction in some ecosystem services provision). This issue is pertinent, as wildfire incidence may increase under climate warming, increasing damage to both conservation value and ecosystem services. To better manage these fire-prone ecosystems, an understanding of the effects of prescribed-burning regimes and wildfire on Moorland fuel loads is required. As a first approximation of the relative impacts of prescribed burning and wildfire, we have modelled above-ground fuel-load accumulation and carbon release under varying wildfire return intervals at a study site in the Peak District, UK. Above-ground fuel-load accumulation following prescribed burning was assessed using a chronosequence study and combined with carbon loss measurements from prescribed-burning experiments. The stable age structure of vegetation under varying prescribed-burning rotations was then predicted using an age-structured matrix model and Moorland above-ground fuel load calculated using a boot-strapping approach. Finally, long-term carbon losses were predicted under varying wildfire return intervals. Delayed vegetation regeneration was also modelled. The model does not consider below-ground carbon or the effect of prescribed fire on wildfire probability. There was a clear interaction between prescribed-burning rotation interval and wildfire return interval. At 50- and 100-year wildfire return intervals, carbon losses were minimized by short prescribed-burning rotations. However, under a 200-year wildfire return interval, carbon loss was minimized by long rotation intervals where delayed regeneration was modelled. Under a 50-year wildfire return interval, 8-year prescribed-burning rotation intervals could reduce carbon loss by 22% or 34% compared with 25- and 50-year rotations, respectively. Synthesis and applications. The modelling approach outlined here provides a first approximation to the above-ground carbon balance between prescribed burning and wildfire frequency at a single site. This may be useful in other dwarf-shrub-dominated ecosystems if prescribed burning is to be used to mitigate the effects of wildfire. At our study site, long prescribed-burning rotations may minimize carbon loss at low wildfire return intervals. However, if wildfire incidence increases, more frequent prescribed burning is likely to minimize overall carbon loss. Well-informed prescribed burning on a short rotation may produce smaller carbon losses than longer rotations under future climate conditions.

  • developing an integrated land management strategy for the restoration of Moorland vegetation on molinia caerulea dominated vegetation for conservation purposes in upland britain
    Biological Conservation, 2004
    Co-Authors: A L Milligan, P D Putwain, E S Cox, J Ghorbani, M Le G Duc, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Molinia encroachment is considered a major threat to Moorland and heathland conservation in Europe, and there is a need to develop management strategies to control Molinia and restore Calluna Moorland. Here we combined weed control and restoration treatments into an integrated land management strategy (ILMS) to provide a more sympathetic approach than previous prescriptions. We applied the following treatments in factorial combination to a Molinia-dominated Moorland in the Yorkshire Dales: grazing (ESA prescription level versus no grazing), cutting (0, 1, 2 and 3 cuts), ±application of a graminicide and ±Calluna brash addition. The response of the vegetation was assessed for four years. These data were analyzed using a combination of univariate and multivariate analysis of variance based on constrained ordinations but combined with bivariate standard deviational ellipses. This combined approach was extremely useful in identifying trends in this complex dataset. The only treatment that had consistent effects in the univariate analysis of variance was cutting, where there was increased bare ground, reduced vegetation height, increased species diversity and reduced Molinia cover. Cutting three times had the greatest effect, maintaining a reduced Molinia cover over four years. The multivariate analysis showed that there were important community level interactions. Grazing generally produced vegetation which had a greater Moorland species complement. Where grazing was restricted the vegetation had a greater component of Molinia and other acid grassland species. The most effective treatment was the grazed plots, cut thrice, which maintained a low Molinia cover for longest and had less variation in Moorland species in the fourth year. Graminicide and brash application had marginal effects on species composition, but the best plots were those given herbicide alone, or in combination with brash addition. These results contrast with other studies, where non-selective herbicide treatment and Calluna addition were required to obtain Molinia control and Calluna regeneration. However, great variation has been found between sites, and managers should be prepared to tailor ILMS for their own site. This is likely to require a knowledge of the initial floristic composition, seed banks and experimentation.

Simon J Thirgood - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • distribution of mountain hares lepus timidus in scotland results from a questionnaire
    Mammal Review, 2010
    Co-Authors: Vikki Patton, Glenn R. Iason, Simon J Thirgood, Julie A Ewald, Adam Smith, Scott Newey, Rob Raynor
    Abstract:

    A questionnaire survey of land owners, managers and gamekeepers was conducted in order to assess the distribution of mountain hares in Scotland, assess their current management, collate numbers harvested in 2006–07 and estimate distribution change by comparing with similar data collected in 1995–96. The land area covered by returned questionnaires was 71098km 2 (90% of Scotland). Mountain hares were reported as present on 34359km 2 (48%) and absent from 36739km 2 (52%). Mountain hare presence was strongly associated with heather Moorland managed for red grouse shooting. Moorland managed for driven grouse shooting had the highest percentage area of mountain hare presence (median 64%) followed by Moorland managed for walked-up grouse shooting (median 9%) and Moorland with no grouse shooting (median 0%). Approximately 25000 mountain hares were harvested in 2006–07. Based on the estimated UK population in 1995 of 350000 (range 50%), this represents around 7% of the population (range 5–14%). Reasons given by respondents for harvesting hares were tick control (50%), sport (40%) and forestry or crop protection (10%). Comparison of the estates surveyed in both 2006–07 and 1995–96 (a total area of 20462km 2 ) indicated no net gain or loss in hare distribution. Furthermore, there was no evidence that levels of harvest had reduced the range of mountain hares in this area. It is not possible to comment on any distribution change

  • the direct and indirect effects of predation by hen harriers circus cyaneus on trends in breeding birds on a scottish grouse moor
    Ibis, 2008
    Co-Authors: David Baines, Michael Richardson, Stephen M Redpath, Simon J Thirgood
    Abstract:

    Two phases of an experimental reduction in management at Langholm Moor in southwest Scotland provided an insight into factors that determined trends in the abundance of Moorland birds. In 1992 the historical control of breeding Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus stopped and in 2000 grouse moor management was discontinued. Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Curlew Numenius arquata and Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus declined, whilst Carrion Crow Corvus corone and Snipe Gallinago gallinago increased. Hen Harriers increased from two to 20 breeding females, then declined back to two. Lapwing abundance was positively associated with that of Hen Harriers, and Moorland passerines (Skylark Alauda arvensis, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis and Stonechat Saxicola torquata) were negatively associated. Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Red Grouse, Skylark and Hen Harrier were more abundant when the moor was managed for grouse, whilst Carrion Crow, a common predator of clutches of ground-nesting birds, increased during the second half when management ceased. Increased Crow numbers, together with an increase in Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes, probably contributed to the observed bird declines.

Katherine A Allen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the role of fire in uk peatland and Moorland management the need for informed unbiased debate
    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2016
    Co-Authors: Matt G Davies, Katherine A Allen, R H Marrs, Nicholas Kettridge, Cathelijne R Stoof, Alan Gray, Davide Ascoli, Paulo M Fernandes, Stefan H Doerr, Gareth D Clay
    Abstract:

    Fire has been used for centuries to generate and manage some of the UK9s cultural landscapes. Despite its complex role in the ecology of UK peatlands and Moorlands, there has been a trend of simplifying the narrative around burning to present it as an only ecologically damaging practice. That fire modifies peatland characteristics at a range of scales is clearly understood. Whether these changes are perceived as positive or negative depends upon how trade-offs are made between ecosystem services and the spatial and temporal scales of concern. Here we explore the complex interactions and trade-offs in peatland fire management, evaluating the benefits and costs of managed fire as they are currently understood. We highlight the need for (i) distinguishing between the impacts of fires occurring with differing severity and frequency, and (ii) improved characterization of ecosystem health that incorporates the response and recovery of peatlands to fire. We also explore how recent research has been contextualized within both scientific publications and the wider media and how this can influence non-specialist perceptions. We emphasize the need for an informed, unbiased debate on fire as an ecological management tool that is separated from other aspects of Moorland management and from political and economic opinions. This article is part of the themed issue ‘The interaction of fire and mankind’.

  • prescribed Moorland burning meets good practice guidelines a monitoring case study using aerial photography in the peak district uk
    Ecological Indicators, 2016
    Co-Authors: Katherine A Allen, Pierre Denelle, Francisco Sanchez M Ruiz, Victor M Santana, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Abstract Upland moors in the UK have been managed for centuries using rotational prescribed-burning, but in recent years there has been contentious debate over its continuing use due to varying effects on Moorland ecosystem services. Prescribed-burning should only be carried out using good-practice codes, which include restrictions on the size, location and frequency of burns. Good burning practice is an indicator of management standards and habitat condition in Moorland landscapes. However, there has been little attempt to assess management performance with respect to these restrictions. We investigated prescribed-burning on a case-study estate (Howden Moor) in the Peak District National Park from 1988 to 2009 using management maps and aerial photography. The annual area burned (0.9%) was far below recommendations (10%) and patches were in keeping with the target sizes specified (mean ± se: 2370 ± 70 m 2 ). The risk of a large or escaped fire was very low, with less than 1% of fires greater than 15,000 m 2 . However, only 28.9% of the total burnable area was burned, leaving the rest unmanaged and accumulating fuel. Future guidelines might recommend the application of prescribed-burning across the range of Calluna vulgaris growth phases, to reduce fuel load and promote biodiversity at the landscape scale. We show that vegetation mapping and aerial photography are an effective method for monitoring prescribed-burning practice on Moorlands. The information derived from such monitoring studies should lead to greater confidence in the standard of prescribed-burning and adherence to good-practice guidelines and requirements imposed by statutory authorities.

  • changes in peat chemical properties during post fire succession on blanket bog Moorland
    Geoderma, 2013
    Co-Authors: Katherine A Allen, Mike P K Harris, Angus Rosenburgh, Josu G Alday, Leslie Connor, Sabena Blackbird, Geoff Eyre, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Abstract This study assessed the impact of prescribed burning on the peat properties of Moorlands during the post-fire succession in a multi-site study within a major Moorland region of Great Britain. Three replicate Moorland sites were sampled; all were ombrotrophic bogs and had peat soils overlying similar geology and similar vegetation. A chronosequence approach was used to sample soils from a post-fire succession (3–52 years since burning) on each site and a number of chemical properties measured. The data on soil chemical properties were analysed using both linear-mixed-effects modelling and multivariate analysis. There were clear differences in some soil properties between Moorland sites, but for most soil variables measured there was no change through the post-fire succession. Four variables (available P and Ca; total P and K) showed a significant interaction, i.e. different responses on each Moorland site through time. These results suggest that there are complex interactions between nutrient inputs (rainfall and dry deposition which is affected by elevation), storage and cycling within the soil-peat system and losses that differ on the three Moorland sites. The most interesting result was the additive response of the C:N ratio which differed between Moorland sites; all sites showed the same negative slope with respect to elapsed time since burning, indicating an increased N saturation. This result suggests that the oldest stands sampled here may have either (i) responded to the large N inputs added from the atmosphere in the latter part of the twentieth century, or (ii) the younger ones have had some of this N removed during prescribed burning. This suggestion needs further investigation. Nevertheless, the impacts of prescribed burning on the peat properties during the post-fire succession were relatively small.

  • matrix modelling of prescribed burning in calluna vulgaris dominated Moorland short burning rotations minimize carbon loss at increased wildfire frequencies
    Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Katherine A Allen, Mike P K Harris, R H Marrs
    Abstract:

    Summary Moorlands store large amounts of carbon providing a valuable ecosystem service. In the UK, prescribed burning is often used to manage Moorlands, which can produce both positive (biodiversity enhancement and wildfire prevention) and negative impacts (carbon release and reduction in some ecosystem services provision). This issue is pertinent, as wildfire incidence may increase under climate warming, increasing damage to both conservation value and ecosystem services. To better manage these fire-prone ecosystems, an understanding of the effects of prescribed-burning regimes and wildfire on Moorland fuel loads is required. As a first approximation of the relative impacts of prescribed burning and wildfire, we have modelled above-ground fuel-load accumulation and carbon release under varying wildfire return intervals at a study site in the Peak District, UK. Above-ground fuel-load accumulation following prescribed burning was assessed using a chronosequence study and combined with carbon loss measurements from prescribed-burning experiments. The stable age structure of vegetation under varying prescribed-burning rotations was then predicted using an age-structured matrix model and Moorland above-ground fuel load calculated using a boot-strapping approach. Finally, long-term carbon losses were predicted under varying wildfire return intervals. Delayed vegetation regeneration was also modelled. The model does not consider below-ground carbon or the effect of prescribed fire on wildfire probability. There was a clear interaction between prescribed-burning rotation interval and wildfire return interval. At 50- and 100-year wildfire return intervals, carbon losses were minimized by short prescribed-burning rotations. However, under a 200-year wildfire return interval, carbon loss was minimized by long rotation intervals where delayed regeneration was modelled. Under a 50-year wildfire return interval, 8-year prescribed-burning rotation intervals could reduce carbon loss by 22% or 34% compared with 25- and 50-year rotations, respectively. Synthesis and applications. The modelling approach outlined here provides a first approximation to the above-ground carbon balance between prescribed burning and wildfire frequency at a single site. This may be useful in other dwarf-shrub-dominated ecosystems if prescribed burning is to be used to mitigate the effects of wildfire. At our study site, long prescribed-burning rotations may minimize carbon loss at low wildfire return intervals. However, if wildfire incidence increases, more frequent prescribed burning is likely to minimize overall carbon loss. Well-informed prescribed burning on a short rotation may produce smaller carbon losses than longer rotations under future climate conditions.

James I Prosser - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • afforestation of Moorland leads to changes in crenarchaeal community structure
    FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Graeme W Nicol, Colin Campbell, S J Chapman, James I Prosser
    Abstract:

    Group 1 Crenarchaeota are an abundant component of soil microbial communities. A number of distinct lineages have been discovered, and the Group 1.1b lineage is present in most soil types. Others, such as the Group 1.1c lineage, may be restricted to specific soil types, such as acidic forest soils. To determine the effects of afforestation on the Archaea of Moorland soils, archaeal community structure was examined across three parallel 180 m transects, running from open heather Moorland into a Scots pine forest. Communities were characterized using a combination of cloning and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S rRNA reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction products. Although forest soils selected for a reproducibly distinct crenarchaeal community structure from Moorland soils, both habitats contained similar populations, indicated by comigrating DGGE bands. Archaeal communities in soils of both ecosystems were dominated by Group 1.1c crenarchaea, and reproducible differences in community structure within this lineage were observed between forest and Moorland soils. The findings indicate that the afforestation of Moorland soils can lead to changes in crenarchaeal community structure with a potential impact on ecosystem function.

  • diversity of fungi in organic soils under a Moorland scots pine pinus sylvestris l gradient
    Environmental Microbiology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Colin D. Campbell, Ian C Anderson, James I Prosser
    Abstract:

    Summary The conservation and regeneration of native Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) woodlands is being actively encouraged by conservation agencies in the UK because of their high biodiversity value. In the present study, the consequences of regeneration on terrestrial fungal communities was determined in three parallel transects running from open Moorland, through an intermediate zone showing seedling colonization, into a mature Scots pine forest at Abernethy Forest, Cairngorm, Scotland. Soil cores were taken at 18 m intervals along each 180 m transect, and the diversity of the soil fungal community was investigated by DGGE and sequence analysis of ITS fragments PCR-amplified from DNA extracted from soil. Analysis of DGGE profiles generated for two of the three transects indicates a clear shift in the community from the Moorland region of the transects to the forest region. Whereas a few bands were present at all sampling points across the transects, the majority of bands were unique to either the Moorland or forest samples. FASTA database searches of ITS sequence data generated from excised DGGE bands revealed the closest species match for each band. In some cases, the similarity of ITS sequences to database sequences was poor, but the remaining sequences were most closely related to ITS sequences of both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal fungi. The data are discussed in relation to the effect of native pine woodland expansion on the soil fungal community.