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Kirsty J. Park - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Regional land-use and local management create scale-dependent ‘landscapes of fear’ for a common woodland bird
Landscape Ecology, 2020Co-Authors: Robin C. Whytock, Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Kevin Watts, Nicholas A. Macgregor, Eilidh Call, Jennifer A. Mann, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:Context Land-use change and habitat fragmentation are well known drivers of biodiversity declines. In forest birds, it has been proposed that landscape change can cause increased predation pressure that leads to population declines or community change. Predation can also have non-lethal effects on prey, such as creating ‘landscapes of fear’. However, few studies have simultaneously investigated the relative contribution of regional land-use and local management to creating ‘landscapes of fear’. Objectives To quantify the relative contribution of regional land-use and local management to the ‘landscape of fear’ in agricultural landscapes. Methods Bioacoustic recorders were used to quantify Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes alarm call rates in 32 naturally replicated broadleaf Woodlands located in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. Results Alarm call rates (the probability of an alarm per 10 min of audio) were positively correlated with the amount of agricultural land (arable or pasture) within 500 m of a woodland (effect size of 1) and were higher when livestock were present inside a woodland (effect size of 0.78). The amount of woodland and urban land cover in the landscape also had positive but weak effects on alarm call rates. Woodlands with gamebird management had fewer alarm calls (effect size of − 0.79). Conclusions We found that measures of both regional land-use and local management contributed to the ‘landscape of fear’ in agricultural landscapes. To reduce the impact of anthropogenic activities on ‘fear’ levels (an otherwise natural ecological process), land-managers should consider limiting livestock presence in Woodlands and creating traditional ‘buffer strips’ (small areas of non-farmed land) at the interface between woodland edges and agricultural fields.
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Are woodland creation schemes providing suitable resources for biodiversity? Woodland moths as a case study
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2015Co-Authors: Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Victor M. Peredo-alvarez, Kevin Watts, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:Woodland, like many habitats throughout the world, has been severely affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. Woodland restoration programmes aimed at reversing habitat loss have been in place in many countries over the last 100 years. In particular, agri-environment schemes (AES) to increase the amount and quality of woodland on agricultural land have operated in Europe and Australia for decades (nearly 30 years in the United Kingdom). However, to date there has been very little assessment of their value to biodiversity. We assessed the potential benefits to biodiversity of Woodlands planted during 1988–1991 under a woodland grant scheme (WGS in Scotland), according to local and landscape-level habitat characteristics. Specifically, we (1) performed a linear discriminant analysis to compare the characteristics of 24 WGS sites to those of more mature semi-natural Woodlands (34 sites >60 years old), and (2) used existing information on the influence of woodland characteristics on a biologically diverse group (i.e. moths) to quantify the benefits of WGS sites to biodiversity. The creation of new WGS patches increased woodland extent and connectivity in the landscape; however, planting that took place adjacent to previously existing woodland did not usually increase connectivity. WGS sites were mainly composed by broadleaved native tree species, but non-native species were also present. In general, WGS sites had lower tree species richness, proportion of native trees, tree basal area and amount of understory, and higher tree densities and canopy cover than more mature semi-natural Woodlands. Overall, WGS sites were predicted to have lower moth abundance and species richness than older semi-natural Woodlands. However, the magnitude of these differences depended on the habitat specificity and dispersal abilities of different moth groups, suggesting that WGS sites are better at providing suitable resources for generalist species and for species less limited by dispersal. Our findings have important implications for the way in which current woodland creation and management schemes operate in many countries and suggest that: (1) the creation of new Woodlands should focus on planting native species, (2) woodland creation schemes are likely to be more beneficial for biodiversity if certain management practices (e.g. thinning to enhance structural diversity and accelerate the transition to later successional stages) accompany the provision of these grants, and (3) spatially-targeted woodland creation would further increase the contribution of AES Woodlands to enhance biodiversity.
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Moth species richness, abundance and diversity in fragmented urban Woodlands: implications for conservation and management strategies
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Paul R. Lintott, Nils Bunnefeld, Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Jeroen Minderman, Lorna M. Blackmore, Dave Goulson, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:Urban expansion threatens global biodiversity through the destruction of natural and semi-natural habitats and increased levels of disturbance. Whilst Woodlands in urban areas may reduce the impact of urbanisation on biodiversity, they are often subject to under or over-management and consist of small, fragmented patches which may be isolated. Effective management strategies for urban woodland require an understanding of the ecology and habitat requirements of all relevant taxa. Yet, little is known of how invertebrate, and in particular moth, assemblages utilise urban woodland despite being commonly found within the urban landscape. Here we show that the abundance, species richness, and species diversity of moth assemblages found within urban Woodlands are determined by woodland vegetation character, patch configuration and the surrounding landscape. In general, mature broadleaved Woodlands supported the highest abundance and diversity of moths. Large compact Woodlands with proportionally less edge exposed to the surrounding matrix were associated with higher moth abundance than small complex Woodlands. Woodland vegetation characteristics were more important than the surrounding landscape, suggesting that management at a local scale to ensure provision of good quality habitat may be relatively more important for moth populations than improving habitat connectivity across the urban matrix. Our results show that the planting of broadleaved Woodlands, retaining mature trees and minimising woodland fragmentation will be beneficial for moth assemblages.
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Factors influencing moth assemblages in woodland fragments on farmland: implications for woodland management and creation schemes
Biological Conservation, 2012Co-Authors: Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Dave Goulson, Liam Cavin, Jenny M. Wallace, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:As a consequence of long-term deforestation, woodland cover has been drastically reduced in the United Kingdom. The remaining woodland consists mainly of small, highly fragmented woodland patches within farmland. A number of agri-environment schemes aim to increase the amount and quality of woodland on agricultural land, but there is limited information on associations between moths and woodland characteristics which can be used to produce practical recommendations for woodland creation and management. We studied micro- and macromoth communities in woodland patches within farmland to assess the effects of woodland vegetation character and patch configuration. In addition, we measured the influence of the surrounding landscape to assess the potential importance of a landscape-scale management approach for moth conservation. In general, high tree species diversity and a high proportion of native tree species were related to higher moth abundance and species richness; there was a negative impact of grazing. Moth abundance and richness were higher in large woodland patches located close to other Woodlands. Woodlands of compact shapes (with proportionally less edge exposed to the surrounding matrix) had higher numbers of ‘woodland species’, which were associated with woodland core habitat. Small woodland patches can potentially maintain relatively high moth abundance and richness, depending on their shape and proximity to other Woodlands. Woodland extent was the most important landscape parameter influencing moths, mostly at relatively small spatial scales (6500 m); macromoth ‘woodland species’ were influenced by woodland extent at larger spatial scales (61500 m) and are more likely to benefit from a landscape-scale management approach. Our results have important implications for the design and management of woodland patches of high conservation value within agricultural land. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Lise Larrieu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Combined effects of area, connectivity, history and structural heterogeneity of Woodlands on the species richness of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Landscape Ecology, 2016Co-Authors: P.-a. Herrault, Annie Ouin, Thibault Lachat, Lise Larrieu, Urs Gimmi, Sylvaine Cordier, Jean-pierre Sarthou, David SheerenAbstract:ContextHoverflies are often used as bio-indicators for ecosystem conservation, but only few studies have actually investigated the key factors explaining their richness in Woodlands. ObjectivesIn a fragmented landscape in southwest France, we investigated the joint effects of woodland area, structural heterogeneity, connectivity and history on the species richness of forest-specialist hoverflies, and whether there was a time lag in the response of hoverflies to habitat changes, and tested the effect of spatiotemporal changes.MethodsCurrent species richness was sampled in 48 Woodlands using 99 Malaise traps. Structural variables were derived from a rapid habitat assessment protocol. Old maps and aerial photographs were used to extract past and present spatial patterns of the Woodlands since 1850. Relationships between species richness and explanatory variables were explored using generalized linear models.ResultsWe show that current habitat area, connectivity, historical continuity and the average density of tree-microhabitats explained 35 % of variation in species richness. Species richness was affected differently by changes in patch area between 1979 and 2010, depending on woodland connectivity. In isolated Woodlands, extinction debt and colonization credit were revealed, showing that even several decades are not sufficient for hoverflies to adapt to landscape-scale habitat conditions.ConclusionsThese findings emphasise the importance of maintaining connectedness between Woodlands, which facilitates the dispersion in a changing landscape. Our results also highlight the benefits of using a change-oriented approach to explain the current distribution patterns of species, especially when several spatial processes act jointly.
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Comparison of tree microhabitat abundance and diversity in the edges and interior of small temperate Woodlands
Forest Ecology and Management, 2015Co-Authors: Annie Ouin, Alain Cabanettes, Emilie Andrieu, Marc Deconchat, Anthony Roume, Martin Vigan, Lise LarrieuAbstract:Forest edges are important features of wooded farmland. Their role for biodiversity was investigated using tree microhabitats (TMH) as an indirect indicator of forest biodiversity. Because they are managed more intensively, trees in the edges of fragmented temperate Woodlands are likely to host more TMH than trees in their interior. In this study, we tested this hypothesis in relation to tree density, diameter, species composition and the structure and management of woodland edges. We selected 28 Woodlands with edges differing by their structure and the adjacent fields. Eleven types of TMH were recorded in two transects set up in the edges and interior of the Woodlands. TMH density was significantly higher in the woodland edges (4.67 ± 0.78 per 100 m2 area) than in the interior (1.86 ± 0.23 per 100 m2 area). Some TMH - patches of bark loss, cracks, sap runs and epiphytes – were significantly more abundant in the edges than in the interior. These results were accounted for by the convergence of several factors: (i) significantly higher tree density in woodland edges, (ii) a significantly higher proportion of TMH host trees in woodland edges, (iii) a larger tree diameter on average in woodland edges and, even in the same given size class, a higher frequency of TMH host trees, and (iv) greater abundance in woodland edges of tree species more likely to host TMH, even with small diameters. The positive relationship found between the height of the bottom of the crown and TMH abundance may have resulted from abiotic factors (micro-climatic conditions) related to long management rotations, but we did not demonstrate any direct effect of management practices. Given the large number of forest taxa, but also farmland taxa, that depend on TMH, woodland edges should be reconsidered as zones of high potential interest for forest biodiversity conservation.
Elisa Fuentes-montemayor - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Regional land-use and local management create scale-dependent ‘landscapes of fear’ for a common woodland bird
Landscape Ecology, 2020Co-Authors: Robin C. Whytock, Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Kevin Watts, Nicholas A. Macgregor, Eilidh Call, Jennifer A. Mann, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:Context Land-use change and habitat fragmentation are well known drivers of biodiversity declines. In forest birds, it has been proposed that landscape change can cause increased predation pressure that leads to population declines or community change. Predation can also have non-lethal effects on prey, such as creating ‘landscapes of fear’. However, few studies have simultaneously investigated the relative contribution of regional land-use and local management to creating ‘landscapes of fear’. Objectives To quantify the relative contribution of regional land-use and local management to the ‘landscape of fear’ in agricultural landscapes. Methods Bioacoustic recorders were used to quantify Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes alarm call rates in 32 naturally replicated broadleaf Woodlands located in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. Results Alarm call rates (the probability of an alarm per 10 min of audio) were positively correlated with the amount of agricultural land (arable or pasture) within 500 m of a woodland (effect size of 1) and were higher when livestock were present inside a woodland (effect size of 0.78). The amount of woodland and urban land cover in the landscape also had positive but weak effects on alarm call rates. Woodlands with gamebird management had fewer alarm calls (effect size of − 0.79). Conclusions We found that measures of both regional land-use and local management contributed to the ‘landscape of fear’ in agricultural landscapes. To reduce the impact of anthropogenic activities on ‘fear’ levels (an otherwise natural ecological process), land-managers should consider limiting livestock presence in Woodlands and creating traditional ‘buffer strips’ (small areas of non-farmed land) at the interface between woodland edges and agricultural fields.
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Are woodland creation schemes providing suitable resources for biodiversity? Woodland moths as a case study
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2015Co-Authors: Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Victor M. Peredo-alvarez, Kevin Watts, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:Woodland, like many habitats throughout the world, has been severely affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. Woodland restoration programmes aimed at reversing habitat loss have been in place in many countries over the last 100 years. In particular, agri-environment schemes (AES) to increase the amount and quality of woodland on agricultural land have operated in Europe and Australia for decades (nearly 30 years in the United Kingdom). However, to date there has been very little assessment of their value to biodiversity. We assessed the potential benefits to biodiversity of Woodlands planted during 1988–1991 under a woodland grant scheme (WGS in Scotland), according to local and landscape-level habitat characteristics. Specifically, we (1) performed a linear discriminant analysis to compare the characteristics of 24 WGS sites to those of more mature semi-natural Woodlands (34 sites >60 years old), and (2) used existing information on the influence of woodland characteristics on a biologically diverse group (i.e. moths) to quantify the benefits of WGS sites to biodiversity. The creation of new WGS patches increased woodland extent and connectivity in the landscape; however, planting that took place adjacent to previously existing woodland did not usually increase connectivity. WGS sites were mainly composed by broadleaved native tree species, but non-native species were also present. In general, WGS sites had lower tree species richness, proportion of native trees, tree basal area and amount of understory, and higher tree densities and canopy cover than more mature semi-natural Woodlands. Overall, WGS sites were predicted to have lower moth abundance and species richness than older semi-natural Woodlands. However, the magnitude of these differences depended on the habitat specificity and dispersal abilities of different moth groups, suggesting that WGS sites are better at providing suitable resources for generalist species and for species less limited by dispersal. Our findings have important implications for the way in which current woodland creation and management schemes operate in many countries and suggest that: (1) the creation of new Woodlands should focus on planting native species, (2) woodland creation schemes are likely to be more beneficial for biodiversity if certain management practices (e.g. thinning to enhance structural diversity and accelerate the transition to later successional stages) accompany the provision of these grants, and (3) spatially-targeted woodland creation would further increase the contribution of AES Woodlands to enhance biodiversity.
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Moth species richness, abundance and diversity in fragmented urban Woodlands: implications for conservation and management strategies
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Paul R. Lintott, Nils Bunnefeld, Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Jeroen Minderman, Lorna M. Blackmore, Dave Goulson, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:Urban expansion threatens global biodiversity through the destruction of natural and semi-natural habitats and increased levels of disturbance. Whilst Woodlands in urban areas may reduce the impact of urbanisation on biodiversity, they are often subject to under or over-management and consist of small, fragmented patches which may be isolated. Effective management strategies for urban woodland require an understanding of the ecology and habitat requirements of all relevant taxa. Yet, little is known of how invertebrate, and in particular moth, assemblages utilise urban woodland despite being commonly found within the urban landscape. Here we show that the abundance, species richness, and species diversity of moth assemblages found within urban Woodlands are determined by woodland vegetation character, patch configuration and the surrounding landscape. In general, mature broadleaved Woodlands supported the highest abundance and diversity of moths. Large compact Woodlands with proportionally less edge exposed to the surrounding matrix were associated with higher moth abundance than small complex Woodlands. Woodland vegetation characteristics were more important than the surrounding landscape, suggesting that management at a local scale to ensure provision of good quality habitat may be relatively more important for moth populations than improving habitat connectivity across the urban matrix. Our results show that the planting of broadleaved Woodlands, retaining mature trees and minimising woodland fragmentation will be beneficial for moth assemblages.
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Factors influencing moth assemblages in woodland fragments on farmland: implications for woodland management and creation schemes
Biological Conservation, 2012Co-Authors: Elisa Fuentes-montemayor, Dave Goulson, Liam Cavin, Jenny M. Wallace, Kirsty J. ParkAbstract:As a consequence of long-term deforestation, woodland cover has been drastically reduced in the United Kingdom. The remaining woodland consists mainly of small, highly fragmented woodland patches within farmland. A number of agri-environment schemes aim to increase the amount and quality of woodland on agricultural land, but there is limited information on associations between moths and woodland characteristics which can be used to produce practical recommendations for woodland creation and management. We studied micro- and macromoth communities in woodland patches within farmland to assess the effects of woodland vegetation character and patch configuration. In addition, we measured the influence of the surrounding landscape to assess the potential importance of a landscape-scale management approach for moth conservation. In general, high tree species diversity and a high proportion of native tree species were related to higher moth abundance and species richness; there was a negative impact of grazing. Moth abundance and richness were higher in large woodland patches located close to other Woodlands. Woodlands of compact shapes (with proportionally less edge exposed to the surrounding matrix) had higher numbers of ‘woodland species’, which were associated with woodland core habitat. Small woodland patches can potentially maintain relatively high moth abundance and richness, depending on their shape and proximity to other Woodlands. Woodland extent was the most important landscape parameter influencing moths, mostly at relatively small spatial scales (6500 m); macromoth ‘woodland species’ were influenced by woodland extent at larger spatial scales (61500 m) and are more likely to benefit from a landscape-scale management approach. Our results have important implications for the design and management of woodland patches of high conservation value within agricultural land. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Annie Ouin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Combined effects of area, connectivity, history and structural heterogeneity of Woodlands on the species richness of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Landscape Ecology, 2016Co-Authors: P.-a. Herrault, Annie Ouin, Thibault Lachat, Lise Larrieu, Urs Gimmi, Sylvaine Cordier, Jean-pierre Sarthou, David SheerenAbstract:ContextHoverflies are often used as bio-indicators for ecosystem conservation, but only few studies have actually investigated the key factors explaining their richness in Woodlands. ObjectivesIn a fragmented landscape in southwest France, we investigated the joint effects of woodland area, structural heterogeneity, connectivity and history on the species richness of forest-specialist hoverflies, and whether there was a time lag in the response of hoverflies to habitat changes, and tested the effect of spatiotemporal changes.MethodsCurrent species richness was sampled in 48 Woodlands using 99 Malaise traps. Structural variables were derived from a rapid habitat assessment protocol. Old maps and aerial photographs were used to extract past and present spatial patterns of the Woodlands since 1850. Relationships between species richness and explanatory variables were explored using generalized linear models.ResultsWe show that current habitat area, connectivity, historical continuity and the average density of tree-microhabitats explained 35 % of variation in species richness. Species richness was affected differently by changes in patch area between 1979 and 2010, depending on woodland connectivity. In isolated Woodlands, extinction debt and colonization credit were revealed, showing that even several decades are not sufficient for hoverflies to adapt to landscape-scale habitat conditions.ConclusionsThese findings emphasise the importance of maintaining connectedness between Woodlands, which facilitates the dispersion in a changing landscape. Our results also highlight the benefits of using a change-oriented approach to explain the current distribution patterns of species, especially when several spatial processes act jointly.
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Comparison of tree microhabitat abundance and diversity in the edges and interior of small temperate Woodlands
Forest Ecology and Management, 2015Co-Authors: Annie Ouin, Alain Cabanettes, Emilie Andrieu, Marc Deconchat, Anthony Roume, Martin Vigan, Lise LarrieuAbstract:Forest edges are important features of wooded farmland. Their role for biodiversity was investigated using tree microhabitats (TMH) as an indirect indicator of forest biodiversity. Because they are managed more intensively, trees in the edges of fragmented temperate Woodlands are likely to host more TMH than trees in their interior. In this study, we tested this hypothesis in relation to tree density, diameter, species composition and the structure and management of woodland edges. We selected 28 Woodlands with edges differing by their structure and the adjacent fields. Eleven types of TMH were recorded in two transects set up in the edges and interior of the Woodlands. TMH density was significantly higher in the woodland edges (4.67 ± 0.78 per 100 m2 area) than in the interior (1.86 ± 0.23 per 100 m2 area). Some TMH - patches of bark loss, cracks, sap runs and epiphytes – were significantly more abundant in the edges than in the interior. These results were accounted for by the convergence of several factors: (i) significantly higher tree density in woodland edges, (ii) a significantly higher proportion of TMH host trees in woodland edges, (iii) a larger tree diameter on average in woodland edges and, even in the same given size class, a higher frequency of TMH host trees, and (iv) greater abundance in woodland edges of tree species more likely to host TMH, even with small diameters. The positive relationship found between the height of the bottom of the crown and TMH abundance may have resulted from abiotic factors (micro-climatic conditions) related to long management rotations, but we did not demonstrate any direct effect of management practices. Given the large number of forest taxa, but also farmland taxa, that depend on TMH, woodland edges should be reconsidered as zones of high potential interest for forest biodiversity conservation.
Kazuhiko Takeuchi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the combined effects of conservation policy and co management alter the understory vegetation of urban Woodlands a case study in the tama hills area japan
Landscape and Urban Planning, 2013Co-Authors: Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Toshiya Okuro, Kazuhiko TakeuchiAbstract:We examined the relative impacts of socioeconomic and biophysical variables on understory vegetation in urban Woodlands using the example of satoyama woodland in peri-urban areas of Tokyo, Japan to determine an appropriate institutional framework for enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban Woodlands. Satoyama woodland was historically managed, however, the recent abandonment endangers its biodiversity and ecosystem services. We addressed two main working questions: (1) Which variables (among conservation measures, management actors, and other environmental variables) are the main constraints on the current understory vegetation of urban woodland? (2) How does each management actor behave in the context of different conservation measures and how does this behavior affect the understory vegetation? We employed dwarf bamboo (Pleioblastus chino) as an indicator of the intensity of satoyama woodland management and combined ecological analysis with interviews of municipal officials. We found that the conditions of understory vegetation were mainly affected by differences in the behavior of management actors, as the height of dwarf bamboo was shortest at the woodland managed by community group, followed by municipality and private landowner. This suggests that it will be necessary to consider both biophysical variables and socioeconomic variables in urban ecosystem management. We also found that different management actors had different reasons to conduct or not conduct woodland management. To improve management by these multiple actors, we recommend: developing management plans for conserved areas, providing economic and non-economic support, and developing clear indicators for monitoring the effects of management, with their different behaviors in mind.
