Effect of riparian vegetation clear-cutting on avian community in the Northern Negev

Domer, Adi; Sitkov, Or; Ovadia, Ofer; Shochat, Eyal

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2019.06.005

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In other studies from Mediterranean regions, the recovery of bird assemblages after a disturbance relied largely on vegetation succession (Herrando and Brotons, 2002;Chalmandrier et al, 2013). Species composition tend to shift from tree-dwelling species to ground-dwelling species in cleared areas (Domer et al, 2019). We found that some generalist bird species such as the insectivores (Cape Wagtail, African Reed-warbler and Levaillant's Cisticolla) granivores (Yellow Canary, Cape Sparrow, Streaky-headed Seedeater, the pin-tailed Whydah, Common Quail and Yellow bishop) and the carnivore (Maccoa duck), which are absent in invaded sites, were present even in recently cleared sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The absence of keystone indigenous trees inhibits bird recovery up to a decade after invasive tree removal from riparian habitats

Mangachena

Geerts

2019

Acta Oecologica

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When invasive alien trees are removed, ecosystems are usually left to "self-repair". Little is known about the extent of recovery or whether plant and animal taxa respond in a similar way. In most cases, the absence of a historical condition makes it difficult to measure restoration success and a flexible approach is usually followed using practical target communities. We explored these issues by sampling bird and plant assemblages after the removal of invasive trees, using a chronosequence (space-for-time substitution) approach. We used the Berg River, one of the most invaded riparian systems in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, as a case study. Study sitescleared of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2014were sampled in 2014 and compared to invaded and near-pristine areas. In total, 27 native plant species (four trees, six shrubs, seven forbs, four graminoids, four geophytes and two vines) and 26 alien plant species (four trees, three shrubs, twelve forbs and seven graminoids) from 50 genera and 31 families were recorded across all sites and years. Cleared sites had significantly more native plant species than invaded sites, but this was similar to near-pristine sites. Cleared sites had the highest plant species richness, driven by significantly more alien species, but canopy cover was significantly lower than in invaded or near-pristine sites. In total, 2049 birds from 52 species were recorded across all sites and years. A decade after clearing, bird species richness, abundance and community composition are different to near-pristine sites. This is due to the lower abundance and diversity of trees in cleared sites, which could be important as habitat or a food source for birds in an agricultural landscape. From a bird perspective, we support the approach of selectively clearing invasive trees over time to allow native trees to recover through succession. We highlight the importance of monitoring fauna to evaluate recovery after invasive alien plant clearing and to guide further management interventions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The absence of keystone indigenous trees inhibits bird recovery up to a decade after invasive tree removal from riparian habitats

Mangachena

Geerts

2019

Acta Oecologica

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“…It alters abiotic components that are essential for the functionality of rivers and it causes a reduction of terrestrial and aquatic habitats (Bladon et al, 2018; Tolkkinen et al, 2020). Moreover, it produces long‐lasting changes in the riparian and aquatic biota (Domer et al, 2019; Richardson & Béraud, 2014; Studinski & Hartman, 2015). Concerning plant species richness, there is contrasting evidence about its changes after cutting events, that is, increases (Boch et al, 2013), decreases (Moola & Vasseur, 2004), or no changes (MacDonald et al, 2014; Zenner et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detecting the imprints of past clear‐cutting on riparian forest plant communities along a Mediterranean river

Angiolini

Simone

Fiaschi

et al. 2023

River Research & Apps

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In riparian forests, clear‐cutting causes long‐lasting changes in both riparian and aquatic biota. In this work, we examined if past clear‐cutting events occurred at different times have imprints on riparian forests in a Mediterranean river in central Italy. We carried out a randomized, plot‐based vegetation survey of riparian forests in systematically sampled 500 m‐long sectors along the whole river, dividing the riparian zone into two internal and two external strips. From historical aerial photos, past clear‐cutting events within plots were detected and classified in age classes: (i) cut in the past 8 years (recent); (ii) cut between 8 and 19 years ago (intermediate); (iii) no signs of clear‐cutting in the last 19 years (distant). We analyzed the responses of vegetation to clear‐cutting and strip position. Alien species richness was higher and woody species richness was lower in recently clear‐cut areas compared to those with a distant clear‐cutting event. Moreover, recently cut woods had more alien and synanthropic species. Intermediate clear‐cut areas had higher levels of invasion by alien species compared to areas with distant cut. Riparian forests of internal strips are impacted by clear‐cutting, but seem to recover in 8–19 years thanks to their natural resilience. Conversely, recent or intermediate clear‐cutting events did not affect any of the investigated vegetation attributes in the external strips since such forests were already invaded by alien and synanthropic species after human disturbance. Our results confirm that clear‐cutting events can have long‐lasting effects on Mediterranean riparian forests, confirming the vulnerability of river ecosystems to clear‐cutting and suggesting the need for more caution in management practices to improve the conservation status of riparian forests.

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“…They are usually localized and influence a rapid response from the river (Fryirs and Brierley, 2012). Examples include the construction of dams/reservoirs (Nelson et al, 2013;Piqué et al, 2016;Topping et al, 2018;Williams and Wolman, 1984;Xia et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2019;Zhou et al, 2018;Ziegler et al, 2014b), sand/gravel mining (Martín-Vide et al, 2010;Petit et al, 1996;Picco et al, 2017;Rinaldi et al, 2005;Sanchis-Ibor et al, 2017), water extraction or diversion (Petts and Gurnell, 2013;Wang and Xu, 2016), removal of riparian vegetation (Domer et al, 2019;Macfarlane et al, 2017), channelization, artificial cutoffs and channel straightening (Baena-Escudero et al, 2019;Li and Gao, 2019;Roberge, 2002;Smith and Winkley, 1996;Tiron Dutu et al, 2019), construction of bank stabilization structures including revetment and groynes , in-channel infrastructure such as bridge piers (Roberge, 2002;Trueheart et al, 2020;, and construction of embankments (Earchi et al, 1995;Lehotský et al, 2010;Provansal et al, 2014;Vázquez-Tarrío and Menéndez-Duarte, 2014).…”

Section: Direct and Indirect Types Of Human Interventions On River Symentioning

confidence: 99%

Channel processes of a large alluvial river under human impacts

Amissah¹

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Effect of riparian vegetation clear-cutting on avian community in the Northern Negev

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

The absence of keystone indigenous trees inhibits bird recovery up to a decade after invasive tree removal from riparian habitats

The absence of keystone indigenous trees inhibits bird recovery up to a decade after invasive tree removal from riparian habitats

Detecting the imprints of past clear‐cutting on riparian forest plant communities along a Mediterranean river

Channel processes of a large alluvial river under human impacts

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