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

Abstract

Despite the anthropogenically-induced changes to forest tree demographics, few studies have examined the differences in arthropod species
composition between the crowns of trees of different ages.We tested for differences in the taxonomic composition of the canopy arthropod faunas
of 100 y.o. and old-growth trees, using eight pairs of trees in an Eucalyptus obliqua tall open-forest with a rainforest understorey in theWarra Long
Term Ecological Research Site in southern Tasmania and compared these differences to those related to geographic distances. Sticky traps, hanging
flight-intercept traps and bark funnel traps were used to sample the canopy arthropods in different placement situations. There were no significant
differences between 100 y.o. and old-growth trees at the tree level, but several at the trap and placement levels. Ordination analyses and correlation
analyses indicated that high inter-pair variability related to the geographic distance between trees was partially masking tree age effects. The age of
E. obliqua does influence canopy arthropod species composition, but this effect was weaker than the geographic effect that was evident in a
relatively uniform forest with a maximum distance between trees of only 324 m. This implied high beta diversity in the forest type has implications
for the planning of conservation reserves. Further work is needed to see if age effects are stronger in forests of the ages created by silvicultural
treatment.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Bar-Ness, YD and Kirkpatrick, JB and McQuillan, PB
Keywords:	Canopy arthropods; Eucalyptus obliqua; Forest entomology; Geographic distance; Tree age; Tasmania; Invertebrate trapping
Journal or Publication Title:	Forest Ecology and Management
ISSN:	0378-1127
DOI / ID Number:	10.1016/j.foreco.2006.01.041
Additional Information:	The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page