Epiphytes of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) plantations in Ireland and the effects of open spaces

The epiphytes of the trunks and branches of mature Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees were studied in twelve plantations containing open spaces (glades, rides and roads) in the east and southwest of Ireland. A pair of trees was studied at each site: one tree at the south-facing edge of an open sp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biodiversity and conservation 2008-05, Vol.17 (5), p.953-968
Main Authors: Coote, Linda, Smith, George F, Kelly, Daniel L, O'Donoghue, Saoirse, Dowding, Paul, Iremonger, Susan, Mitchell, Fraser J. G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic plants
Biodiversity
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Bryopsida
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Conservation Biology/Ecology
Ecology
epiphytes
Forest biodiversity
Forest management
Glade
Lichens
Life Sciences
Open spaces
Picea sitchensis
Plantations
Rare species
Review Paper
Trees
Vertical distribution
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Summary:The epiphytes of the trunks and branches of mature Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees were studied in twelve plantations containing open spaces (glades, rides and roads) in the east and southwest of Ireland. A pair of trees was studied at each site: one tree at the south-facing edge of an open space and one in the forest interior. Spruce trees were found to support a moderately diverse range of bryophytes and lichens, including two relatively rare bryophyte species. Clear patterns in vertical distribution were identified, with bryophyte richness and cover decreasing and lichen richness and cover increasing from the tree base to the upper trunk. The open spaces themselves did not appear to affect overall epiphyte diversity, with no significant differences in any of the diversity measures between edge and interior trees. The main effect of open spaces was on the epiphyte cover of the edge trees. This was related to increased light levels combined with the presence of live branches from close to ground level on the south sides of the edge trees, which produced optimum conditions for bryophytes at the tree base and lichens in the upper plots. However, this dense side-canopy negatively affected epiphyte diversity on the north sides of the edge trees. Further research is required to assess the effects of open spaces within forestry plantations on epiphyte diversity.
ISSN:0960-3115
1572-9710
DOI:10.1007/s10531-007-9302-3