Forest harvesting impacts on mortality of an endangered lichen at the landscape and stand scales

Abstract

Industrial forestry can negatively affect biodiversity, and rare or endangered species are particularly vulnerable. Boreal felt lichen (Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P.M.Jørg.) is a globally critically endangered species, and its population in Nova Scotia has been reduced through harvesting of its host tree balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.). We hypothesized that forest harvesting adjacent to and within the landscape of boreal felt lichen could increase the risk of mortality by negatively affecting microclimate of its habitat. Autologistic regression models were used to measure probability of mortality (death or disappearance) with harvesting history at the stand and landscape scales. Erioderma pedicellatum mortality and 17-year tree harvesting history derived from satellite data were used in the model. Modeling at the stand scale suggested that the probability of E. pedicellatum mortality increased as the area of tree harvesting increased. At the landscape scale, the model suggested that probability of E. pedicellatum mortality increased as the area of harvest within 500 m increased. Adjacent tree harvesting may increase solar radiation, wind, and temperature, which could have a negative effect on E. pedicellatum survival. We recommend maintaining uncut buffer zones around E. pedicellatum and limiting the size of harvest blocks and amount of harvesting in the landscape over a given time period to help conserve this endangered species.

Population decline of endangered lichen Erioderma pedicellatum in Nova Scotia, Canada

“…Projection matrix showing the transition rate (a) from one life stage (j,a,l) to the next and population vector (n t ) that shows population size within each life stage at time t. The projection matrix is multiplied by the population vector, which provides population of each life stage at time t = 1. (Cameron et al 2013a). Erioderma pedicellatum is found at the southern extent of its range in Nova Scotia (COSEWIC 2002;Cameron et al 2010), and recent warming trends as a result of climate change may be having an effect on its survival.…”

“…A 90% decline in the number of occurrences in the Atlantic population was recorded between 1980and 2000(COSEWIC 2002. Several possible causes of this decline have been identified or proposed (Cameron et al 2010(Cameron et al , 2013a(Cameron et al , 2013b, one reason being that little is known about the population ecology of this species. An understanding of the population structure, fecundity rates, and survival of different growth stages would help identify the main cause of the decline and assist in conservation efforts.…”

“…The Atlantic population E. pedicellatum has been carefully monitored since 2003 (Cameron et al 2013a), and frequent surveys for new thalli have also been conducted in predicted habitats (Cameron and Neily 2008). The aim of the present study was to analyze these data to determine survival of the known population, including at different growth stages, and to develop a population model to assess future population viability.…”

Is it common to be rare on the landscape? A test using a novel model system

“…It has been challenging to elucidate the factors determining its occurrence at the spatial extent of the 108,860 km 2 island of Newfoundland (where over 95% of the global distribution occurs) (Wiersma and Skinner 2011), likely in part due to variation in environments at these macro-scale extents. In Atlantic Canada, it is known to prefer humid, older balsam fir (Abies balsamea) stands near the coast (Cameron and Neily 2008;Wiersma and Skinner 2011) and be sensitive to air pollution (Cameron et al 2013) and disturbance from logging (Maass and Yetman 2002;Cameron et al 2013). However, many stands that appear suitable do not contain E. pedicellatum.…”

Environmental factors that drive the distribution and abundance of a threatened cyanolichen in Southern Europe: A multi‐scale approach

“…Based on this type of study, however, two lichen species were included as Critically Endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's World Red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org) because of their limited distribution and declining populations, i.e., the epiphyte cyanolichen Erioderma pedicellatum (Hue) P. M. Jørg and the terrestrial Cladonia perforata A. Evans (Scheidegger, 2003; Yahr, 2003). For example, the accurate population analysis, demographic monitoring, and identification of the causes of the decline of E. pedicellatum (commercial forestry and acid rain) (Cameron et al, 2013; Stehn et al, 2013) led to the implementation of conservation strategies to facilitate its recovery and maintenance in Canada, including the avoidance of forestry in occupied and potential suitable habitats (Environment Canada, 2007). Similarly, detailed knowledge of the environmental requirements of the endemic species C. perforata also led to the establishment of habitat protection measures and reintroductions (Yahr, 2003).…”