Are all edges equal? Microclimatic conditions, geographical orientation and biological implications in a fragmented forest

Bernaschini, María Laura; Trumper, Eduardo V.; Valladares, Graciela; Salvo, Adriana

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2019.04.035

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…We used r > 0.7 as the threshold of correlation coefficients between predictor variables because it is an appropriate indicator when collinearity begins to disrupt model estimation (Dormann et al, 2013). In order to reduce the number of explanatory variables, we only included DTR, of the three measurements of temperature available, because it was significantly different between the three locations (Bernaschini et al, 2019). Additionally, we evaluated microclimatic effects on herbivory caused by changes in parasitism proportions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We used the data recorded with data-loggers to calculate daily temperature range (DTR), mean daily temperature (T m ), and maximum temperature (T max ). Details of microclimatic methodology and results are found in Bernaschini et al, 2019.…”

Section: Microclimatic Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the microclimate of edge habitats can vary with the geographical orientation, which determines the amount of solar radiation received (e.g. Murcia, 1995;Gehlhausen et al, 2000;Heithecker & Halpern, 2007;Bernaschini et al, 2019). Forest edges facing the equator experience in general, higher solar radiation and consequently, more variable microclimatic conditions than those facing the poles (Matlack, 1993;Chen et al, 1995;Murcia, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Chaco Serrano is a seasonally dry subtropical forest that has lost over 90% of its original cover due to the advance of agricultural practices and urbanization, now composed by fragments of different sizes (Zak et al, 2004). Previous studies in this area revealed microclimatic differences between the interior (I), and north (NE) and south-facing edges (SE) of these forest fragments, showing a gradient NE > SE > I, from more variable to more steady conditions (Bernaschini et al, 2019). These microclimatic variations affected the richness and composition of plants attacked by leafminers (Bernaschini et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microclimatic edge effects in a fragmented forest: disentangling the drivers of ecological processes in plant‐leafminer‐parasitoid food webs

Bernaschini

Rossetti

Valladares

et al. 2021

Ecological Entomology

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1. In forest fragments, microclimatic conditions differ between interior and forest edges and also vary with geographical orientation. These microclimatic variations could affect plant-insect food webs and the ecological processes in which they are involved.2. We evaluated the effects of microclimatic conditions, and the direct and indirect effects caused by changes in plant resources and leafminer abundance on leafminer herbivory and parasitism in the interior, and north and south-facing edges of Chaco Serrano forest fragments in central Argentina.3. In the interior, and north and south-facing edges of six forest fragments, we recorded: microclimatic variables, plant resource characteristics, leaf-mining larvae availability, and leafminer herbivory and parasitism at plant community level and in three species (Croton lachnostachyus, Cestrum parqui, and Solanum argentinum).4. Herbivory was higher in north-facing edges compared to south-facing edges, while parasitism was generally greater in edges than in the interior. Temperature fluctuations positively affected plant community herbivory (through changes in leafminer abundance) but negatively affected S. argentinum herbivory via changes in foliar area and leaf-mining larvae availability. Lower humidity levels directly favoured parasitism at plant community level, whereas higher thermal variations enhanced the parasitism of S. argentinum leafminers. Greater solar radiation favoured parasitism of C. lachnostachyus leafminers.5. Our results highlighted idiosyncrasy of each studied system (plant community and focal plant species), which responded differently to microclimate, and showed that mechanisms triggering herbivory and parasitism were different. The interior, and north and south-facing edges of these forest fragments may function as differential micro-refuges for herbivores and parasitoids under global warming context.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Microclimatic Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microclimatic edge effects in a fragmented forest: disentangling the drivers of ecological processes in plant‐leafminer‐parasitoid food webs

Bernaschini

Rossetti

Valladares

et al. 2021

Ecological Entomology

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“…On oaks, a small or positive effect of forest fragmentation on herbivory has been recorded e.g., [47,77]. Caterpillars living on solitary trees and those in small groups out of forest are influenced by distinct conditions present within the forest [133][134][135][136] as well as the different quality of leaves, as their food plays an important role when compared with these in the forest interior [137][138][139][140]. The above-mentioned conditions together with the preference of certain habitats varying among species [5,[141][142][143] determine the assemblages of herbivores.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infestation of Early- and Late-Flushing Trees by Spring Caterpillars: An Associational Effect of Neighbouring Trees

Sarvašová

Zach

Parák³

et al. 2021

Forests

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In temperate forests within Europe, early-flushing (EF) deciduous trees are often heavily infested by early spring leaf-eating Lepidoptera, while late-flushing (LF) trees are better protected in a phenological manner against such heavy infestations, as spring moth larvae begin to appear before their bud burst. The associational effects of EF trees on LF ones are only poorly known. We studied whether or not the infestation of LF trees by spring Lepidoptera can be affected by EF ones if they grow in the immediate vicinity. We compared spring assemblages of leaf-eating larvae of Lepidoptera on LF Quercus cerris L. with those on EF Q. pubescens Willd. in several microhabitats in Slovakia, Central Europe. Larvae were collected from mature and young trees. Mature trees sampled were growing: (1) in a closed-canopy forest; (2) in small groups; or (3) as a lone tree. Forest and tree groups are both constituted by oak species. Tree groups and lone trees were 20–50 m distant from forest edges. Young trees were growing (1) under mature Q. pubescens trees in a forest or (2) as a lone tree within forest gaps or near the edges. In the closed-canopy forest where LF trees (Q. cerris) were surrounded by EF ones (Q. pubescens), the caterpillars on mature LF trees were in abundance, almost as on mature EF ones. The species composition of larval assemblages on the two oak species was similar. In contrast, on small groups and on lone trees, the lepidopteran larvae were significantly less abundant on LF trees than EF ones. In the case of young trees, the abundance of larvae and their composition assemblages on both oaks were comparable in the forest. In the open habitat, LF trees were less infested by larvae than EF ones and the assemblages of moth larvae differed between the two. Our results reveal the effect (associational susceptibility) of EF trees on LF ones when growing in a close vicinity. It means that the phenological protection of LF trees may not be sufficient if they grow close to or are surrounded by EF ones.

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Habitat Loss and Fragmentation in Chaco Forests: A Review of the Responses of Insect Communities and Consequences for Ecosystem Processes

González,

Rossetti,

Moreno

et al. 2024

Insect Decline and Conservation in the Neotropics

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Are all edges equal? Microclimatic conditions, geographical orientation and biological implications in a fragmented forest

Cited by 14 publications

References 57 publications

Microclimatic edge effects in a fragmented forest: disentangling the drivers of ecological processes in plant‐leafminer‐parasitoid food webs

Microclimatic edge effects in a fragmented forest: disentangling the drivers of ecological processes in plant‐leafminer‐parasitoid food webs

Infestation of Early- and Late-Flushing Trees by Spring Caterpillars: An Associational Effect of Neighbouring Trees

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation in Chaco Forests: A Review of the Responses of Insect Communities and Consequences for Ecosystem Processes

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