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Factors influencing epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species richness at different spatial scales in managed temperate forests

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Abstract

The effect of management related factors on species richness of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens was studied in managed deciduous-coniferous mixed forests in Western-Hungary. At the stand level, the potential explanatory variables were tree species composition, stand structure, microclimate and light conditions, landscape and historical variables; while at tree level host tree species, tree size and light were studied. Species richness of the two epiphyte groups was positively correlated. Both for lichen and bryophyte plot level richness, the composition and diversity of tree species and the abundance of shrub layer were the most influential positive factors. Besides, for bryophytes the presence of large trees, while for lichens amount and heterogeneity of light were important. Tree level richness was mainly determined by host tree species for both groups. For bryophytes oaks, while for lichens oaks and hornbeam turned out the most favourable hosts. Tree size generally increased tree level species richness, except on pine for bryophytes and on hornbeam for lichens. The key variables for epiphytic diversity of the region were directly influenced by recent forest management; historical and landscape variables were not influential. Forest management oriented to the conservation of epiphytes should focus on: (i) the maintenance of tree species diversity in mixed stands; (ii) increment the proportion of deciduous trees (mainly oaks); (iii) conserving large trees within the stands; (iv) providing the presence of shrub and regeneration layer; (v) creating heterogeneous light conditions. For these purposes tree selection and selective cutting management seem more appropriate than shelterwood system.

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Abbreviations

DBH:

Diameter at breast height

SD:

Standard deviation

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Acknowledgments

We thank László Bodonczi, Francesco Bortignon, Marilena Dalle Vedove, Gergely Kutszegi, Zsuzsa Mag, Sára Márialigeti, István Mazál, Ákos Molnár, Balázs Németh, Gábor Lengyel and Ildikó Pados for their help in the field survey. The project was funded by Hungarian Science Foundation (OTKA 79158) and the Őrség National Park Directorate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Taxonomy, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Loránd Eötvös University, Pázmány P. stny. 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary

    Ildikó Király

  2. Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Giorgieri 10, 34100, Trieste, Italy

    Juri Nascimbene

  3. Köztársaság u. 1/B, Zirc, 8420, Hungary

    Flóra Tinya

  4. MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány u. 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163, Hungary

    Péter Ódor

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  1. Ildikó Király
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  4. Péter Ódor
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Correspondence to Péter Ódor.

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Király, I., Nascimbene, J., Tinya, F. et al. Factors influencing epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species richness at different spatial scales in managed temperate forests. Biodivers Conserv 22, 209–223 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-012-0415-y

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