Understanding the factors influencing the growth of Zelkova abelicea in browsing exclosures

Fazan, Laurence; Remoundou, Ilektra; Ghosn, Dany; Nikoli, Thomai; Pasta, Salvatore; Garfì, Giuseppe; Kozlowski, Gregor

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02031

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Due to the fact that the latitudinal amplitude of the study sites was very low compared to their longitudinal amplitude (0.25° vs 1.97°), latitude was excluded from further analyses. Gridded temperature and precipitation were also excluded from further analyses due to their high correlation with longitude ( P < 0.001, Spearman's rho = 0.88) and altitude ( P < 0.001, Spearman's rho = 0.97), respectively, and the potential unsuitability and/or unreliability of gridded data in representing localized climatic events in the Cretan mountains due to the absence of weather stations from which to interpolate (Goedecke & Bergmeier 2018; Fazan et al 2022).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing the diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes on the relict tree Zelkova abelicea (Lam.) Boiss. (Ulmaceae)

Fazan

Gwiazdowicz²,

Fragnière³

et al. 2022

The Lichenologist

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Trees have a crucial importance in the functioning of ecosystems on Earth. They are among the largest and longest-living taxa and provide habitat and shelter to numerous species belonging to diverse groups of organisms. Relict trees are of particular interest through their history of survival and adaptation, and because they potentially shelter rare or threatened organisms today. We investigated for the first time the diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes found on the Cretan (Greek) endemic and relict phorophyte Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae). Our results showed that Z. abelicea hosts a high number of epiphytes. The Levka Ori mountain range in western Crete seems to be a hot spot for epiphytic lichens on Z. abelicea. Bryophytes had the highest diversity on Mt Kedros in central Crete but were absent from several other sites. Moreover, 17% of the studied lichens were recorded for the first time for Crete and 5% have never been recorded for Greece. Geographical position and browsing intensity seem to be important factors influencing the epiphytic community encountered. Tree morphology (dwarfed or arborescent) was also significant in influencing community composition although it was not possible to dissociate this factor from the effect of topography. Dwarfed individuals were found to have as much epiphytic diversity as arborescent trees. Ecological indicator values showed that high epiphytic diversity was found in some sites despite signs of eutrophication and disturbance due to pastoral activities and suggest the co-occurrence of both disturbance tolerant and sensitive species. Our results show how little is known about the biodiversity of Cretan phorophytes and highlights the need for further research on the topic.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%