PDF Baker_et_al_09_...pdf | Request a copy Full text restricted Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

Reservation of forest in riparian buffers is common practice in commercial
forestry areas worldwide, potentially providing valuable habitat for biodiversity dependent
on mature forest. However, the habitat value of narrow reserve corridors can be compromised
by edge effects. We investigated the habitat value of streamside buffers in wet
eucalypt forest for ground-dwelling beetles in Tasmania, Australia. Beetles were collected
with pitfall traps in five replicates of four habitats: unlogged corridors of mature forest in
streamside reserves (buffers) with clearfelling-derived logging regeneration either side;
continuous mature upslope forest; continuous mature riparian forest; and \20-year-old
upslope clearfelling-derived logging regeneration. Streamside reserve widths on each side
of the stream were on average 40 ± 6 m (±95% CI) from reserve edge to stream. Beetle
assemblages in logging regeneration differed substantially from those in the unlogged
habitats, including the streamside reserves. Streamside reserve assemblages nevertheless
differed from those of the continuous unlogged areas. Assemblage composition in
streamside reserves was most similar to that in continuous mature riparian forest, although
beetle diversity was higher in the reserves. Our results suggest that although streamside
reserves provide habitat for the majority of commonly collected beetle species occurring in
continuous mature forest, wider reserve corridors in the wet eucalypt forests of Tasmania
may be required to provide habitat that is not edge-affected.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Baker, SC and Barmuta, LA and Grove, SJ and Richardson, AMM
Journal or Publication Title:	Biodiversity and Conservation
DOI / ID Number:	10.1007/s10531-009-9655-x
Additional Information:	The final publication is available at http://www.springerlink.com
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page