Abandoning grassland management negatively influences plant but not bird or insect biodiversity in Europe

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(10)

Published: Aug. 16, 2023

Abstract Grasslands are globally distributed and naturally occurring; however, in Europe, most grasslands anthropogenically created or altered by livestock grazing mowing. Low‐intensity use management have led to species‐rich communities European grasslands. The intensification of crop production farming with stabling throughout the year has an abandonment that no longer economically profitable. In this study, we looked at influence grassland on biodiversity. We hypothesized decreases overall biodiversity, but different effects depending focal taxonomic group (i.e., vascular plants, insects, birds). also type before abandonment, grassland, time after would conducted a Web Science search, pre‐defined terms, find articles compared biodiversity managed abandoned Europe. screened included 39 studies subsequent meta‐analysis. found was reduced abandonment; reduction differed among groups. Plant species diversity significantly lower (plant summary effect size: −0.25 [−0.34; −0.16]), whereas insects birds showed significant trend, visual trend toward increase. None other environmental variables (type management, abandonment) had conclude maintaining is crucial support conservation

Language: Английский

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Higher abundance of disturbance‐favoured trees and shrubs in European temperate woodlands prior to the late‐quaternary extinction of megafauna

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Abstract Large herbivorous mammals strongly influence vegetation structure by creating and maintaining open areas causing disturbance within closed woody habitats. The herbivores alive today in Europe are only a small remnant of the large species that existed high diversity abundance before modern humans. extinction so many during last 50,000 years, loss megaherbivores (body weight ≥1000 kg) from most continent Pleistocene–Holocene transition, is likely to have had cascading effects on composition. To evaluate these European temperate forest biome, we examine change three important taxa (deciduous oaks, Quercus spp.; hazel, Corylus [mainly C. avellana ]; yew, Taxus baccata ) after late‐Quaternary downgrading region's herbivore fauna. These disturbance‐favoured, depend canopy openings for regeneration, tend decline dense forests. may thrive systems affected megafauna herbivory or fire, whilst fire‐sensitive but can grazed systems. Using pollen‐based reconstructions (REVEALS), investigated proportional cover focal Last Interglacial (129,000–116,000 present [BP]) early–mid‐Holocene (8700–5700 BP). We found woodlands exhibited higher relative Holocene, with former reaching very percentage cover; meanwhile, consistent, moderately both periods. Furthermore, appeared be influenced more unmeasured, non‐climatic factors than . Synthesis : suggests limited role fire; observed levels , align potential herbivory; however, direct quantitative link remains established. Our results suggest was structurally compositionally differences regimes between early–mid‐Holocene, diverse contributing divergence Holocene long‐term ecological baselines.

Language: Английский

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Classification and Characterization of Anthropogenic Plant Communities in the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Questions Can we reconcile regional and European classifications of anthropogenic plant communities at the biogeographical scale? How are these characterized by species origins, traits ecological preferences? Location Atlantic territories in NW Iberian Peninsula (a.k.a. Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion); south‐western Europe. Methods We classified 2508 plots with aim being consistent phytosociological expertise, while matching that expertise current EuroVegChecklist alliances. used modified TWINSPAN to revise original classification, followed semi‐supervised re‐classification whole dataset. determined proportion natives, archaeophytes, neophytes. also described alliances terms (lifeforms, height, flowering phenology) requirements (temperature, moisture, light, nutrients, soil reaction, disturbance frequency, severity). Results assigned 2086 vegetation 25 representing nine classes ( Cymbalario‐Parietarietea diffusae , Polygono‐Poetea annuae Papaveretea rhoeadis Digitario sanguinalis‐Eragrostietea minoris Chenopodietea Sisymbrietea Bidentetea Artemisietea vulgaris Epilobietea angustifolii ). The included 1149 species: 78% 15% archaeophytes 7% Vegetation groups were organized along a principal axis abiotic stress (dry‐sunny moist‐shady habitats) secondary disturbance. Conclusions In territories, habitats host one third pool fifth flora. Mesic perennial ruderal is especially rich native can be biodiversity asset urban landscapes. Our biogeographical‐level synthesis improve management contribute towards European‐level human‐made vegetation.

Language: Английский

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Nineteenth-century land use shapes the current occurrence of some plant species, but weakly affects the richness and total composition of Central European grasslands

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 40(1)

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Language: Английский

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Road‐River Intersections (Bridges) Negatively Affect Plant Species Diversity and Ecological Attributes

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Question Linear habitats are terrestrial and aquatic corridors that can be natural or anthropogenic. Here we asked: how does the intersection of two types linear (roads rivers) affect plant species diversity, composition ecological attributes? Location Southern France. Methods We studied road‐river intersections (bridges) to test composition, alpha beta preferences in both roadside riverside communities responded influence bridges. also used spatial predictors (spatial eigenvector maps) assess whether bridges influenced directional processes (upstream‐downstream river axis) structuring community composition. Results showed vegetation around differed from away terms preferences, reduced diversities. found a convergence species' rivers roads at The turnover component diversity was lower bridges, presumably due different disturbance regimes, leading biotic homogenization. However, our results show impact on affecting negligible. Conclusion strong effect as selecting forces for suggests should not overlooked. Our findings will help development more effective management conservation they host associated functions ecosystem services provide.

Language: Английский

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A novel high-resolution eco-functional vegetation mapping of coastal dunes

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 171, P. 113157 - 113157

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Language: Английский

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From Grasslands to Forblands: Year‐round grazing as a driver of plant diversity

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 7, 2025

Abstract Grazing by domestic herbivores is applied across Europe to combat the loss of light‐dependent, species‐rich communities due encroachment competitive woody and herbaceous plants. However, billions euros spent annually EU on grazing subsidies have failed halt species in open habitats. We hypothesized that typical agri‐environmental, seasonal fails simulate ecological effects now‐extirpated, large, wild herbivores, which coevolved with these communities. conducted a survey 30 semi‐natural sites, where was either absent, seasonal, or year‐round, spectrum abiotic conditions. recorded plant diversity cover used traits assess taxonomic functional responses. Year‐round supported higher richness forb compared no grazing. Specifically, dormant‐season (winter) pressure increased cover, superseding additional growing‐season (summer) pressure. Functional similar management types, likely trait similarity year‐round grazed sites. Our results support plays key role weakening interspecific competition among plants enabling diverse replace species‐poor grass dominance. Synthesis applications . indicate typical, may be counterproductive terms promoting diversity. found most effective strategy for conserving urge greater focus evolutionary mechanisms behind relationship between large plants, not least balance grasses forbs. advocate shift conservation strategies towards natural grazing, continued depend semi‐open, forb‐rich habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, woodlands.

Language: Английский

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Along the river: Longitudinal patterns of functional and taxonomic diversity of plants in riparian forests

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Questions The River Continuum Concept (RCC) predicts a gradual shift of functional adaptations organisms along the longitudinal (upstream–downstream) gradient, as well maximization biotic diversity in mid‐reaches. Although this theoretical framework was originally developed for stream macroinvertebrates, we tested whether such pattern can also be observed riparian plant communities. Location study conducted upper catchments San and Wisłoka Rivers southeastern Poland. In both catchments, very preserved forests occur continuously rivers. Methods We studied cover species across two river networks. analyzed taxonomic indices, community‐weighted means traits relation to plots' positions catchments. Results richness divergence displayed unimodal patterns increasing values were similar, but some plots lowest reaches more diverse than expected, forming an additional increase diversity. largely line with predictions RCC. discovered significant decrease specific leaf area height herbaceous plants communities gradient. There dispersal syndromes, toward higher importance zoochory lower reaches. Conclusions shows that natural show continuous turnover gradient that, abiotic factors, creates are known from predictions.

Language: Английский

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Mapping and assessment of ecological vulnerability to wildfires in Europe

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Abstract Background Wildfires play a significant and complex role in ecosystems, influencing various aspects of their functioning structure. These natural disturbances can positively negatively impact shaping landscapes, nutrient cycles, biodiversity, ecological processes. This study focuses on assessing integrating the different factors that affect vulnerability to wildfires at European scale. Our methodology follows three steps. Firstly, values based biological distinctiveness conservation status were estimated understand pre-fire conditions better. Secondly, we obtain vegetation’s coping capacity (or resistance) impacts fire, considering functional traits plants fire characteristics through extreme scenario. Finally, post-fire recovery time was calculated by species-specific time, starting growth rate, environmental constraints affecting optimal vegetation response. variables combined using dynamic model assumed change value due integrated throughout time. Results results indicate tundra biome emerges as most ecologically vulnerable primarily its high long which outweigh moderate capacity. Following closely, temperate conifer forests also exhibit driven despite values. The boreal rank next, with Mediterranean region, although having shows notable influenced lower broadleaf mixed demonstrate relatively owing balanced values, substantial Lastly, grasslands, savannas, shrublands are least vulnerable, benefiting from fastest alongside capacity, collectively reduce overall vulnerability. Furthermore, found is factor wildfires. Conclusions identifies key zones for or national policies prevention post-wildfire regeneration. It offers insights into effective forest management policies, applicable current conditions. Additionally, methods predict future climatic socio-economic trends.

Language: Английский

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Three decades of understorey vegetation change in Quercus‐dominated forests as a result of increasing canopy mortality and global change symptoms

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(6)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abstract Questions The long‐term response of understorey vegetation to increasing tree mortality has rarely been addressed in resurvey studies. For two Quercus ‐dominated forest types, we asked: (a) How did overstorey alterations, induced by canopy mortality, affect diversity and composition? (b) Is there a signal global change effects on communities? (c) Are these assemblages experiencing homogenization process? Location Five sites robur (QR) four Q. petraea (QP) forests, Slovenia. Methods We studied changes vascular plants the layer from 1992/1993 2023 across 45 permanent 20 m × plots QR QP respectively. Vegetation surveys were carried out following standard Braun‐Blanquet method. compared original with recent resurveys using multivariate analysis, ecological indicator values (EIV), plant traits methods that quantify individual species. Results Since early 1990s, cover decreased 95% an average 55% QR, whereas it remained relatively high (77%) plots. This resulted denser significant increase plot‐level species richness but slight decrease forests. extensive loss disturbance forests caused composition. Species turnover was driven colonization new disturbance‐tolerant taxa characterized ruderal traits, compositional shift greater extent due losses. detected process thermophilization (increase EIV‐temperature), suggesting effect rapid climatic warming. Understorey communities are now more similar each other than 30 years ago, indicating beta‐diversity (floristic homogenization). Conclusions Despite some common trends, responses type‐specific. Our study presents evidence triggered increased (a strong local driver particularly plots) also points symptoms (thermophilization, homogenization), which acted rather independently observed decline cover.

Language: Английский

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