Effects of non-native spruce plantations on small mammal communities in subarctic birch forests

Pedersen, Åshild Ønvik; Yoccoz, Nigel G.; Ims, Rolf A.; Sigurdsen, Therese

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2010.04.020

Cited by 4 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…However, the distinction between coniferous, mixed and deciduous forest becomes arbitrary because foresters often cut down one type of forest and plant different one at the same site (e.g., Pedersen et al 2010). Instead, we run two models: (1) including only data points from coniferous stands and (2) including data points from coniferous, deciduous and mixed stands.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, because of the importance of unharvested refugia, sometimes it might be better to conduct small-scale clearcutting than large-scale lower-intensity disturbance such as thinning (Trout et al 2012). Forest harvest that results in changed species composition of stands, particularly when the endpoint are large-scale monocultures, is more likely to be detrimental to small mammals than harvest that does not result in tree species conversion (Pedersen et al 2010). Leaving more coarse woody debris in harvested stand is highly recommended and has been recognized as a crucial practice for maintaining populations of small mammals and other wildlife (Siitonen 2001).…”

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests of Europe: a meta-analysis and review

Bogdziewicz

Zwolak

2013

Eur J Forest Res

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We analyzed the responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests in Europe. We conducted a meta-analysis of published research on most often studied small mammal species (the striped field mouse, the yellow-necked mouse, the wood mouse, the field vole, the common vole, the bank vole, the Eurasian harvest mouse, the common shrew and the Eurasian pygmy shrew), comparing their abundance on clear-cuts and in unharvested stands. For four other species (the gray-sided vole, the Siberian flying squirrel, the Eurasian red squirrel and the hazel dormouse), we provide a qualitative review of their responses to forest harvest. Results of the metaanalysis suggest that common species of small mammals usually increase in abundance after clear-cutting or are unaffected by this disturbance. As an exception, the yellow-necked mouse declines after clear-cutting in boreal but not in temperate forest. The qualitative review suggests that the responses of more specialized (e.g., arboreal) species to forest harvest are more varied than the responses of generalist species included in the meta-analysis. For some species of small mammals (e.g., the Siberian flying squirrel), habitat loss resulting from forest harvest is a major threat.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests of Europe: a meta-analysis and review

Bogdziewicz

Zwolak

2013

Eur J Forest Res

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“…1). In a related article on small mammal community dynamics Pedersen et al (2010b) described vegetation composition (i.e. structural heterogeneity) at each of the 400 trap station (see Table 1; Pedersen et al 2010b).…”

Section: Landscape Blocks and Forest Typesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a related article on small mammal community dynamics Pedersen et al (2010b) described vegetation composition (i.e. structural heterogeneity) at each of the 400 trap station (see Table 1; Pedersen et al 2010b). Composition of the forest habitat was distinctly different between the spruce plantations (including the spruce section of the ecotone) and the birch dominated forest types (including mixed spruce-birch plantations).…”

Section: Landscape Blocks and Forest Typesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Are endoparasites of common shrews (Sorex araneus) sensitive to tree species conversion in sub-Arctic birch forests?

et al. 2011

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Shrews (Soricomorpha) are among the most numerous small forest dwelling mammals in boreal forests ecosystems. In Norway large areas of sub-Arctic birch (Betula pubescens) forests have gradually been replaced by non-native spruce (Picea abies) plantations during the last century. This conversion has led to changes in forest floor vegetation and soil conditions which negatively influence invertebrates serving as prey for shrews and intermediate hosts for shrew endoparasites (helminths). In this trapping study we assessed if abundance and individual condition of common shrews (Sorex araneus) and prevalence and species richness of associated helminths, responded to spruce plantations in a manner that could indicate community level changes. Shrews colonized plantations in autumn, but never attained abundances comparable to the birch forest types. Shrews in plantations had lower body mass compared to those trapped in the birch forests. We identified 15 helminth species, and detected large differences in prevalence. Only one common helminth had significantly higher prevalence in the birch forest. By analysing prevalence of all species jointly, the highest prevalence was in moist birch forests and lowest in spruce plantations. Species richness estimates were lower in plantations, however not statistically significant. Although prevalence and species richness of helminths in common shrews were affected by tree species conversion, we judge the responses to be too weak and uncertain and the sampling and analysis too laborious to make shrew endoparasites suitable for monitoring purposes. However, monitoring abundance of common shrews is likely an efficient way of detecting changes in the forest floor fauna resulting from modern forestry practices.

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Douglas fir and Norway spruce have similar effects on small mammal density, but not survival, in Central European managed forests

Appleby,

Balkenhol

2023

Mamm Biol

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In an effort to ameliorate the impacts of climate change, forest managers in Central Europe increasingly turn to conifer species that produce higher yields and are better adapted to projected future climatic conditions. Though small mammals are an important component of the forest ecosystem, the impacts of enriching native broadleaf forests with conifers on small mammal communities are not well understood. We conducted mark–recapture surveys of small mammals to ascertain differences in their community structure among stands of two conifers (native Norway spruce Picea abies and non-native Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii) and the dominant broadleaf in the region, European beech (Fagus sylvatica). After estimating the density of two common species, the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis and bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, we found that the population density of each is positively related to the proportion of beech and negatively to the proportion of conifers in each stand, though these effects of stand composition are smaller than the positive effect of herb cover. Increasing Norway spruce proportion reduced monthly survival of small mammals, while Douglas fir proportion had a positive effect on survival. We conclude that the two conifer species have similar impacts on small mammal density, though overall small mammal survival was significantly lower on plots with Norway spruce. This suggests that increasing the proportion of Douglas fir at the expense of Norway spruce may be possible without significantly changing local patterns of small mammal population density, but further research is necessary to elucidate the exact impacts of these two conifer species on small mammal demography and behavior.

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Effects of non-native spruce plantations on small mammal communities in subarctic birch forests

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests of Europe: a meta-analysis and review

Responses of small mammals to clear-cutting in temperate and boreal forests of Europe: a meta-analysis and review

Are endoparasites of common shrews (Sorex araneus) sensitive to tree species conversion in sub-Arctic birch forests?

Douglas fir and Norway spruce have similar effects on small mammal density, but not survival, in Central European managed forests

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