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Tälle M, Öckinger E, Löfroth T, Pettersson LB, Smith HG, Stjernman M, Ranius T. Land sharing complements land sparing in the conservation of disturbance-dependent species. AMBIO 2023; 52:571-584. [PMID: 36565407 PMCID: PMC9849535 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01820-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Alteration of natural disturbances in human-modified landscapes has resulted in many disturbance-dependent species becoming rare. Conservation of such species requires efforts to maintain or recreate disturbance regimes. We compared benefits of confining efforts to habitats in protected areas (a form of land sparing) versus integrating them with general management of production land (a form of land sharing), using two examples: fire in forests and grazing in semi-natural grasslands. We reviewed empirical studies from the temperate northern hemisphere assessing effects of disturbances in protected and non-protected areas, and compiled information from organisations governing and implementing disturbances in Sweden. We found advantages with protection of areas related to temporal continuity and quality of disturbances, but the spatial extent of disturbances is higher on production land. This suggests that an approach where land sparing is complemented with land sharing will be most effective for preservation of disturbance-dependent species in forests and semi-natural grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Tälle
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Öckinger
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Therese Löfroth
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars B. Pettersson
- Department of Biology, Biodiversity Unit, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Henrik G. Smith
- Department of Biology, Biodiversity Unit, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Stjernman
- Department of Biology, Biodiversity Unit, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Ranius
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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Cultural Landscape as Both a Threat and an Opportunity to Preserve a High Conservation Value of Vascular Flora: A Case Study. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to show the influence of cultural landscape structure on species richnessand the conservation value of vascular flora.The analyses are based on 3201 original floristic lists (relevés) and 83,875 floristic data collected since 1994 within Gopło Millennium Park (Nadgoplański Park Tysiąclecia) in a rural area in central Poland. Descriptions of landscape composition in grid cells (0.5 km × 0.5 km) include land use structure, mean deviation of uneven proportions of various land use types, and Shannon index of diversity (H’). Vascular plant diversity was described using total species richness and contributions of groups of native and alien species. Assessment of floristic conservation value was based on qualitative and quantitative floristic index (Wfj and Wfi), mean coefficient of conservatism (C), and floristic quality index (FQI). Floristic analyses were conducted in relation to the whole study area and within grid cells, basing on numbers of species and number of floristic data. The results suggest that species richness in grid cells depends more strongly on diversity and evenness of contributions of land use types, irrespective of which land use types were present. Species richness is strongly dependent on land use structure. Larger contributions of arable fields and built-up areas are linked with a decrease in species richness of nonsynanthropic native plants and species of floristic conservation value. Regularity in this respect is very well illustrated by indices excluding the influence of species richness on floristic value (quantitative floristic index Wfi and mean coefficient of conservatism C). According to the algorithm of FQI, the most valuable floras are characterized by a large number of species with a high contribution of conservative ones. In the study area, this condition was met by floras of surface waters and wetlands.
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Powerline Corridors Can Add Ecological Value to Suburban Landscapes When Not Maintained as Lawn. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Electric powerline corridors are informal green spaces that encompass large areas of land and have the potential to support biodiversity in urban and suburban landscapes. However, the extent to which these corridors provide novel habitats compared to the surrounding landscape is unclear. Biodiversity in corridors is often compared to that of “natural” habitats despite the fact that the corridors are subject to frequent vegetation management. In urban and suburban landscapes, residential yards may provide a more appropriate comparison because they are a dominant type of green space and are also characterized by frequent vegetation management. We conducted a study of the biodiversity in suburban powerline corridors in northern Illinois, USA, and compared it to the biodiversity found in nearby residential yards. Our goal was to determine whether powerline corridors added ecological value to these suburban landscapes. We included three different management styles of powerline corridors: (1) frequently mowed and kept as lawn, (2) brush mowed on a five-year cycle (“old-field”), and (3) restored and/or maintained as native prairie. We measured the species richness and composition of plants, birds, and insect pollinators in corridors and yards. The corridor management types and comparison yards differed significantly in the richness of all three taxa, with old-field and/or prairie sites having greater species richness than mown corridors and/or comparison yards. Community composition also differed by management category. While the species richness of old-field sites tended to be high, prairie sites generally had more species of conservation interest. Our study shows that both old-field- and prairie-managed powerline corridors add habitat value to Midwestern U.S. suburban landscapes by providing alternative habitat types that support many species. Nonetheless, we suggest that managers looking to specifically support native and/or grassland specialist species in this region should manage sites as prairies when possible.
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Santos S, Grilo C, Shilling F, Bhardwaj M, Papp CR. Ecological Solutions for Linear Infrastructure Networks: The key to green infrastructure development. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.47.81795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Anderle M, Paniccia C, Brambilla M, Hilpold A, Volani S, Tasser E, Seeber J, Tappeiner U. The contribution of landscape features, climate and topography in shaping taxonomical and functional diversity of avian communities in a heterogeneous Alpine region. Oecologia 2022; 199:499-512. [PMID: 35192064 PMCID: PMC9309150 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05134-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of landscape composition and configuration, climate, and topography on bird diversity is necessary to identify distribution drivers, potential impacts of land use changes, and future conservation strategies. We surveyed bird communities in a study area located in the Central Alps (Autonomous Province of South Tyrol, northeast Italy), by means of point counts and investigated taxonomic and functional diversity at two spatial scales along gradients of land use/land cover (LULC) intensity and elevation. We also explored how environmental variables influence bird traits and red-list categories. Models combining drivers of different types were highly supported, pointing towards synergetic effects of different types of environmental variables on bird communities. The model containing only LULC compositional variables was the most supported one among the single-group models: LULC composition plays a crucial role in shaping local biodiversity and hence bird communities, even across broad landscape gradients. Particularly relevant were wetlands, open habitats, agricultural mosaics made up of small habitat patches and settlements, ecotonal and structural elements in agricultural settings, and continuous forests. To conserve bird diversity in the Alps, planning and management practices promoting and maintaining small fields, structural elements, and a mosaic of different LULC types should be supported, while preserving continuous forests at the same time. Additionally, pastures, extensively used meadows, and wetlands are key to conservation. These strategies might mitigate the impacts of global change on bird diversity in the Alps and in other European mountain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Anderle
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy. .,Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15/Technikerstrasse 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Chiara Paniccia
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy
| | - Mattia Brambilla
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Politiche Ambientali, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Andreas Hilpold
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy
| | - Stefania Volani
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy
| | - Erich Tasser
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy
| | - Julia Seeber
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.,Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15/Technikerstrasse 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.,Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15/Technikerstrasse 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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