Microclimate variability and long-term persistence of fragmented woodland

Davies, Althea; Smith, Melanie A.; Froyd, Cynthia A.; McCulloch, Robert

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2017.06.006

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…This is strongly evident at Migdale, near the fjordic coastal fringe of far NE Scotland, where Scots pine and oak woods are valued for their ancient woodland indicator species assemblages (Fig. 12) (Davies et al 2017). Palynological evidence, though, shows that the pinewood there has existed for barely a millennium.…”

Section: Biodiversity and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12) (Davies et al . 2017). Palynological evidence, though, shows that the pinewood there has existed for barely a millennium.…”

Section: Biodiversity and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…

Figure 12Holocene pollen diagram from Migdale, SE Sutherland, showing the longevity of woodland cover and variability of canopy composition (after Davies et al . 2017). …”

Section: Biodiversity and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Palaeoecological perspectives on Holocene environmental change in Scotland

Edwards

Bennett

Davies

2018

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Socie

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Palaeoecology has been prominent in studies of environmental change during the Holocene epoch in Scotland. These studies have been dominated by palynology (pollen, spore and related bio-and litho-stratigraphic analyses) as a key approach to multi- and inter-disciplinary investigations of topics such as vegetation, climate and landscape change. This paper highlights some key dimensions of the pollen- and vegetation-based archive, with a focus upon woodland dynamics, blanket peat, human impacts, biodiversity and conservation. Following a brief discussion of chronological, climatic, faunal and landscape contexts, the migration, survival and nature of the woodland cover through time is assessed, emphasising its time-transgressiveness and altitudinal variation. While agriculture led to the demise of woodland in lowland areas of the south and east, the spread of blanket peat was especially a phenomenon of the north and west, including the Western and Northern Isles. Almost a quarter of Scotland is covered by blanket peat and the cause(s) of its spread continue(s) to evoke recourse to climatic, topographic, pedogenic, hydrological, biotic or anthropogenic influences, while we remain insufficiently knowledgeable about the timing of the formation processes. Humans have been implicated in vegetational change throughout the Holocene, with prehistoric woodland removal, woodland management, agricultural impacts arising from arable and pastoral activities, potential heathland development and afforestation. The viability of many current vegetation communities remains a concern, in that Scottish data show reductions in plant diversity over the last 400 years, which recent conservation efforts have yet to reverse. Palaeoecological evidence can be used to test whether conservation baselines and restoration targets are appropriate to longer-term ecosystem variability and can help identify when modern conditions have no past analogues.

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Section: Biodiversity and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12) (Davies et al . 2017). Palynological evidence, though, shows that the pinewood there has existed for barely a millennium.…”

Section: Biodiversity and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Palaeoecological perspectives on Holocene environmental change in Scotland

Edwards

Bennett

Davies

2018

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Socie

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“…1.5). Davies et al (2017) show the response of vegetation over long-time series to microclimatic variations between upland and lowland sites, with local site conditions variously influencing the degree and trajectory of vegetation response to climate shifts. Analysis of the palynological record shows that where high functional diversity and redundancy are evident, the forest has greater capacity to change composition, maintenance of continuous canopy cover, and thus resilience.…”

Section: Referencing True Long-term Ecological Data For Csfmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Introduction to Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions

Tognetti

Smith

Panzacchi

2021

Managing Forest Ecosystems

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The goal to limit the increase in global temperature below 2 °C requires reaching a balance between anthropogenic emissions and reductions (sinks) in the second half of this century. As carbon sinks, forests can potentially play an important role in carbon capture. The Paris Agreement (2015) requires signatory countries to reduce deforestation, while conserving and enhancing carbon sinks. Innovative approaches may help foresters take up climate-smart management methods and identify measures for scaling purposes. The EU’s funding instrument COST has supported the Action CLIMO (Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions – CA15226), with the aim of reorienting forestry in mountain areas to challenge the adverse impacts of climate change.Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020, CLIMO has brought together scientists and experts in continental and regional focus assessments through a cross-sectoral approach, facilitating the implementation of climate objectives. CLIMO has provided scientific analysis on issues including criteria and indicators, growth dynamics, management prescriptions, long-term perspectives, monitoring technologies, economic impacts, and governance tools. This book addresses different combinations of CLIMO’s driving/primary objectives and discusses smarter ways to develop forestry and monitor forests under current environmental changes, affecting forest ecosystems.

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