Wyniki wyszukiwania

1

Occurrence and activity of American martens Martes americana in relation to roads and other routes

100%

Robitaille J. F., Aubry K.

Acta Theriologica

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2000

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tom 45

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nr 1

In order to clarify the relationship between American martens Martes americana (Turton, 1806), and roads in boreal forests, we tested the effect of distance from road on marten habitat use by comparing the frequency of occurrence, and the number of, marten snow tracks in 27 pairs of 300 and 400 m transect segments perpendicular to access roads, and corresponding segments 800 or 1000 m away from the road, for a total of four spatial analyses. The number of black spruce Picea mariana, stems was generally lower near roads (—94.0 < Ts < —63.0, p < 0.05), but otherwise forest composition generally did not differ significantly between road and forest segments. Depending on the spatial scale, 11-14 road and 15 - 18 forest (out of 27) segments had marten tracks, but the difference was not statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, p > 0.05). In all analyses, marten tracks were significantly fewer near roads (Wilcoxon test: -74.0 < Ts < -62.0, p < 0.01) than away from roads. In segments with tracks, track density was significantly lower near roads than away from roads in three of four spatial analyses (-3.3 < Ts < -2.9, p < 0.01). The findings suggest that snow track samples near roads can detect marten occurrence, but do not reflect the clumping pattern observed away from roads. Habitat selection studies using tracks should consider the possible effect of roads on marten movement patterns.

2

Forest fragment size affects edge effect in nest predation - experiment with artificial nests

100%

Mazgajski T. D., Rejt L.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2005

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tom 53

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nr 2

Many species react negatively to forest fragmentation. If this process also decreases the abundance of forest predators we expect that birds’ broods in small forest patches would be preyed upon only by predators that penetrate from the matrix while broods in larger patches would be also attacked by predators specifically associated with forests. We tested the hypothesis that an increase in forest patch size leads to an increase in predator pressure on nests. Studies were conducted in Central Poland, in an agriculturally dominant area with 6% forest cover and highly fragmented woodlots. Artificial nests were placed along transects from the forest edge to the center of the woodlot. Three patch sizes were chosen for the experiment: small (< 20 ha), medium (30–50 ha) and large (> 120 ha). One quail egg was placed in each nest. All transects were checked after 13– 14 days. The highest predation level was found in medium-sized patches, the lowest – in the largest patches. We found a reverse edge effect on nest predation in the largest patches, i.e. a decreased predation risk closer to the forest/matrix border. When comparing our results with other studies, it seems that the manner of classifying forest size significantly affects the results obtained. This may explain the differences in the results of many authors studying this phenomenon.

3

Sinuosity and edge effect - important factors of landscape pattern and diversity

84%

Stejskalova D., Karasek P., Tlapakova L., Podhrazska J.

Polish Journal of Environmental Studies

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2013

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tom 22

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nr 4

The paper is focused on two crucial landscape-forming aspects: linear elements (watercourses, linear tree plantings, road network) and neighbouring edges of landscape segments, or ecotones. Linear elements accentuate the character of landscape, its division, pattern, and contribute significantly to landscape passability and its diversity. The edges of neighbouring landscape segments not only create the spatial arrangement of landscape, but they also are important habitats for plants and animals. So they are irreplaceable for the maintenance of ecological stability of landscape and they are an important element of its biodiversity. The analysis of trends of changes in the length of linear elements and ecotone edges was performed in three time horizons: in the first half of the 19th century, in the 1960s, and at the present time. The evaluation was done in four model territories. Ous paper evaluates the sinuosity of linear elements (roads and railways, watercourses, dirt roads, linear tree plantings) and the lengths of common borders of segments of arable land – permanent grasslands and arable land – forests.

4

Edge effects on tree growth and species diversity in forests of different types and ages

84%

Li J., Zhao C., Peng Y., Hu Y., Yuan X.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2018

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tom 66

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nr 3

Edge to interior gradients in forest ecosystems can influence the species composition and community structure as a result of variations in micro-environment. In this study, the edge effects on stand productivity and plant species diversity were investigated in two adjacent types of forests in central-southern China: Chinese fir adjacent with pine forests and Chinese fir adjacent with broad-leaved forests. A total of 48 sample plots for overstory and 240 sample quadrates for understory in different stand ages were set up. The tree growth parameters were measured in the overstory while the plant species diversity was measured in both overstory and understory of the examined forests. The results showed that DBH (tree diameter at the breast height), tree height and stand volume in overstory increased from the central areas (CA) of forests to the edge areas (EA), and the plant species richness and diversity in understory were greater in EA than in CA. The edge effect was greater in Chinese fir paired with broad-leaved forests than in Chinese fir paired with pine forests. The edge effect decreased in an order as young aged stands > middle aged stands > mature aged stands in the studied forests. The changes in tree growth and species diversity in the edge area compared to the interior were mainly attributed to the alteration of micro-environmental factors such as light density, temperature and moisture. Our results suggest increasing forest productivity and plant species diversity could be achieved by making more edges in the forests.

5

Impacts of moving, grazing and edge effect on Orthoptera of submontane grasslands: perspectives for biodiversity protection

84%

Rada S., Mazalova M., Sipos J., Kuras T.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2014

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tom 62

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nr 1

Semi-natural grasslands managed by mowing and grazing are an important part of European landscape. Orthopterans are considered to be an appropriate indicator to assess the impact of agricultural management on grassland ecosystems. We studied effects of mowing, grazing and two kinds of edges on Orthoptera of submontane hay meadows and pastures in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. (Czech Republic). Using sweep netting and pan trapping, we sampled orthopteran assemblages associated with the farmland managed for at least five years under Czech agri-environmental schemes. In total we collected 2253 individuals of orthopterans representing 14 species. The short-term impacts of mowing and grazing were tested by multivariate ordination analyses. The results indicate that mowing significantly decreased Orthoptera species abundance. Conversely, the response of orthopterans to grazing was not statistically significant and appeared to be species-specific. The abundance of acridid Gomphocerippus rufus increased substantially with grazing, which is in contrast with its negative response to mowing. The negative influence of mowing on grassland inhabitants can be mitigated by lower mowing frequency and by providing temporary uncut refuges. The results of generalized linear models showed significant increase of both species richness and total abundance of Orthoptera towards the baulks. Therefore, the refuges should be established primarily along grass baulks or similar types of permanent grassy edges. As a general rule an effort should be made when managing grasslands to ensure the highest habitat heterogeneity.

6

Edge effects and patterns of winter abundance of wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus in Spanish fragmented forests

84%

Garcia F. J., Diaz M., De Alba J. M., Alonso C. L., Carbonell R., De Carrion M. L., Monedero C., Santos T.

Acta Theriologica

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1998

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tom 43

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nr 3

This paper analyzes the winter pattern of abundance of wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) as related to the distance from forest edges in two Spanish fragmented forests. Mouse abundance was measured by means of pitfall traps located at a range of distances from forest edges in large forests, in small woodiots, and in the agricultural matrix surrounding both woodiots and forests (both close to forest edges and far from them). Mouse abundances were larger in forests than in croplands, and tended to become larger in woodiots and forest edges as compared to forest interior, and close to woodland as compared to far from it in the croplands surrounding forests. Overall, wood mouse distribution appeared as clearly affected by edge effects, the species behaving as a typical ecotonic, soft-edge species, as expected by its generalist habitat selection behaviour. The implications of this pattern of winter distribution are discussed in relation to the well-documented increased abundances of wood mice in fragmented forests, as well as to the potential negative effects of wood mouse populations on forest species through predation and exploitative competition.

7

Movement distances and density estimation of small mammals using the spool-and-line technique

84%

Mendel S. M., Vieira M. V.

Acta Theriologica

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2003

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tom 48

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nr 3

Edge effect is an inherent problem when using trapping grids to estimate density of small mammals, resulting in a sampling area larger than the area of the grid. Distances between captures of individuals are used to estimate A(W), the effective sampling area of a trapping grid, but grid size sets a limit for the largest detectable distance. The spool-and-line technique is proposed here as a new method to estimate A(W). Movement distances based on the spool-and-line technique were compared to similar movement distances based on capture-recapture of three species of marsupials of the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Distances based on the two methods were uncorrelated, and only ln-transformed distances based on the spool-and-line were normally distributed. The maximum distance moved (MaxD) estimated by the spool-and-line was chosen as the more accurate and practical distance to estimate edge effect. Estimates of the effective sampling area and densities for the common opossum Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826), were compared using MaxD based on spool-and-line (MaxDspool), capture-recapture (MaxDcap), and also the distance between traps (DT). MaxDspool reflected more accurately density variation between seasons. Movement distances of small mammals based on the spool-and-line technique permit more accurate estimates of density and its dynamics.

8

Effect of the colony edge on the clutch size and fledging success in the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (L.)

67%

Uzun A., Kopij G.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2010

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tom 58

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nr 2

The term ‘edge effect’ can be defined as an abrupt and local change in the abundance, diversity, composition etc. at the edge of any distinct, spatial patches (structure(s). It usually refers to forest/field, meadow/shrub and other ecotone environments. This effect in relation to breeding densities and success in birds has been the focus of considerable debate (Manolis et al. 2002). The edge of bird colony is expected to affect similarly on avian population (Krebs 1974). Although such studies can be very useful for management and conservation strategies, they are scarce in the Mediterranean.

9

Soil properties and light availability determine species richness and vegetation diversity in an overgrown coppice oak stand

67%

Szymura T. H., Szymura M.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2011

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tom 59

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nr 3

Coppicing is uncommon in Poland; however, some remnants of a previously coppiced oak forest persist in the foothills of the Sudety Mountains (southern Poland). Some of these forests are considered as a kind of thermophilous oak forest, classified as habitat 91I0 in the European programme Natura 2000. As an example of previously coppiced sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) forest in Poland, the vegetation and environmental factors in the “Wąwoz Lipa” reserve (area 101 ha, altitude ca. 400 m a.s.l.) were surveyed. Canonical correspondence analysis showed a basic compositional gradient of vegetation related to the content of coarse fragments in the soil, light availability and soil pH. The number of species per plot was not correlated with any particular environmental variable; in general, the plant species number and cover decreased in the most exposed sites, where the heat load was highest. We hypothesize that the higher number of species in some plots was the results of an edge effect: this occurred in transitional zones between the most exposed sites, which work as refuges for light-demanding, drought-tolerant species, and less exposed sites, with vegetation typical of acidophilous oak forests. The land relief also allowed the spread of species typical of mesophilous forests, which found refuge in the shaded, wet gorges. Thus, the specific land relief, along with previous coppice management, allowed the coexistence, probably temporally, of species of plants considered typical of different habitats.

10

Absence of edge effects on nest predation in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis in the primeval forest of Bialowieza National Park, NE Poland

67%

Stanski T., Walankiewicz W., Czeszczewik D.

Acta Ornithologica

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2008

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tom 43

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nr 1

92-96

Nest predation is a major factor limiting breeding bird populations in primeval tree stands. Factors such as food limitation, availability of nesting sites or competition are not so important. Nest predation is usually more common along the edges of forests than in their interiors. The aim of this study was to determine how breeding losses in the secondary cavity-nester Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis that bred in natural holes varied with distance from the forest edge in primeval stands of the Białowieża National Park (NE Poland). A comparison of the breeding losses along the edges and in the interiors revealed no statistical differences. The main nest predators were the forest species Apodemus flavicollis, Martes martes, and Dendrocopos major. It is better to keep forest tracts unfragmented, with a belt of bushes and thickets or woodland in an early successional stage along the edge. This would protect forest birds from predators living in open habitats.

Ograniczanie wyników

Occurrence and activity of American martens Martes americana in relation to roads and other routes

Forest fragment size affects edge effect in nest predation - experiment with artificial nests

Sinuosity and edge effect - important factors of landscape pattern and diversity

Edge effects on tree growth and species diversity in forests of different types and ages

Impacts of moving, grazing and edge effect on Orthoptera of submontane grasslands: perspectives for biodiversity protection

Edge effects and patterns of winter abundance of wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus in Spanish fragmented forests

Movement distances and density estimation of small mammals using the spool-and-line technique

Effect of the colony edge on the clutch size and fledging success in the Little Egret Egretta garzetta (L.)

Soil properties and light availability determine species richness and vegetation diversity in an overgrown coppice oak stand

Absence of edge effects on nest predation in the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis in the primeval forest of Bialowieza National Park, NE Poland