Impact of Secondary Woodland on Rare Lichens in Oak Pastures
Author Information
Author(s): Heidi Paltto, Anna Nordberg, Björn Nordén, Tord Snäll
Primary Institution: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hypothesis
Does the development of secondary woodland in oak wood pastures affect the richness and abundance of red-listed epiphytic lichens?
Conclusion
The development of secondary woodland significantly reduces the richness and abundance of red-listed epiphytic lichens on ancient oaks.
Supporting Evidence
- The richness of red-listed lichens was found to be half on oaks in secondary woodland compared to those in open conditions.
- Two species showed significantly lower occurrences in secondary woodland.
- Canopy cover was found to negatively affect lichen richness and abundance.
Takeaway
When trees grow in thick woods instead of open fields, some special lichens that live on them can disappear. This study shows that we need to keep some areas open for these lichens to thrive.
Methodology
The study involved surveying 52 ancient oaks for lichen species richness and abundance, comparing those in secondary woodland to those in open conditions.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the selection of study sites and the specific environmental conditions of the region.
Limitations
The study was limited to a specific region in Sweden, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.001
Confidence Interval
Lower 95% CI: 0.23, Upper 95% CI: 0.95
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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