Testing forest biodiversity indicators by assessing anthropogenic impacts along disturbance gradients
Authors: Newton, A.C., Echeverría, C., González-Espinosa, M., Williams-Linera, G., Ramírez-Marcial, N., Thiers, O., Armesto, J.J., Aravena, J.C. and Lara, A.
Pages: 276-290
ISBN: 9781845932619
Abstract:Current efforts at sustainable forest management depend on the development of appropriate and effective indicators of forest biodiversity. While many such indicators have been proposed, few have been rigorously tested. To address this, forest structure, composition and soil characteristics were assessed along anthropogenic disturbance gradients in four study areas, namely Highland Chiapas and Central Veracruz (Mexico), and San Pablo de Tregua and Chiloé Island (Chile). Indicators selected for analysis included soil pH, organic matter content and bulk dens ity; species richness; and the species composition of forest stands. Results indicated highly contrasting responses to disturbance in the four study areas. For example, in the Highlands of Chiapas, highly significant (P < 0.001) correlations were obtained between basal area and both soil organic matter content and bulk density. A highly significant relationship between basal area and bulk density was also recorded in San Pablo de Tregua (P = 0.001), but in this case the relationship was negative. No significant correlations between basal area and soil characteristics were recorded in the other study areas. With respect to species richness, the only significant correlation was recorded in Chiloé, which was positive and highly significant (P < 0.001). With respect to tree composition, in the Highlands of Chiapas basal area was found to be positively correlated with the relative abundance of shade-tolerant mature trees (P = 0.037), and the density of both mature and juvenile shade-tolerant trees (P = 0.015 and 0.021, respectively). Similar results were obtained in Chiloé, but in San Pablo de Tregua no significant correlations were recorded. The lack of consistent responses suggests that none of the indicators appears to be applicable over a broad geographical area. In many cases, the indicators failed to be sensitive to variation in disturbance, and therefore appear to have low value for monitoring forest condition. This implies that individual indicator sets may need to be developed for each individual forest area of interest, and the goal of a set of easily measured, generally applicable indicators may be difficult to achieve. © CAB International 2007.
Source: Scopus
Testing Forest Biodiversity Indicators by Assessing Anthropogenic Impacts Along Disturbance Gradients
Authors: Newton, A., Echeverria, C., Gonzalez-Espinosa, M., Williams-Linera, G., Ramirez-Marcial, N., Thiers, O., Armesto, J.J., Aravena, J.C. and Lara, A.
Publisher: CABI Publishing
Place of Publication: Wallingford, England
Source: Manual
Preferred by: Adrian Newton