Abstract

In Sweden, tree stumps are currently considered as a potential resource for bioenergy production. However, environmental effects of stump harvesting - in particular when applied on a larger scale - are regarded as a potential threat to biodiversity in forests but are only poorly investigated. This is especially true for the numerous non-coleopteran macroarthropod groups inhabiting stumps. The aim of the present study was to investigate if a reduction in available dead wood due to stump harvesting in boreal coniferous forests has a negative effect on Diplopoda (millipedes) and Chilopoda (centipedes). We compared abundance, species richness and community composition (dominance patterns and similarity) of these groups on 3-year-old stumps remaining on stump-harvested (SH) clearcuts and non-harvested 'control' (C) clearcuts at 2 locations in central Sweden. For each investigated stump, animals were extracted from the total bark area (including the space between bark and wood), enumerated and determined to species level. Stump harvesting significantly decreased diplopod abundance per stump by 52% and changed community composition compared to clearcuts. Stump harvesting predominantly affected the abundance of two species (Polyxenus lagurus and Proteroiulus fuscus) that strongly dominated the diplopod communities on stumps. Mean species richness of diplopods on individual stumps was low (1-2 species depending on clearcut type and region) and was not affected by stump harvesting. Overall, eight diplopod species were found on stumps at both SH and C clearcuts. Only two species of chilopods were found on the stumps, occurring in low abundances and revealing no response to stump harvesting. The significant loss of diplopod specimens per stump after stump harvesting may be linked to a corresponding loss in function, particularly the mechanical breakdown of woody substrates. The results indicate that a reduction of habitats for stump species with low dispersal ability can both reduce their abundance per unit substrate and potentially also change the stump decomposition rate compared to sites with higher stump densities. Our results therefore highlight a need for careful consideration of increased intensity of stump harvesting at the landscape level.

Keywords

Stump harvesting; Macroarthropods; Diplopoda; Chilopoda; Scandinavia; Forest biomass

Published in

Forest Ecology and Management
2016, Volume: 371, pages: 67–74
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Taylor, Astrid

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Victorsson, Jonas

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science
Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.03.039

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/76259