The Eurasian beaver(Castor fiber Linnaeus,1758)can be considered a hydrological ecosystem engineer as it shapes environmental characteristics through its building activities and feeding behaviour.Even if several studi...The Eurasian beaver(Castor fiber Linnaeus,1758)can be considered a hydrological ecosystem engineer as it shapes environmental characteristics through its building activities and feeding behaviour.Even if several studies have so far reported beaver impact on multi-taxon biodiversity and forest regeneration,there is a lack of research on forest stand structure evolution following beaver direct activity on trees.This represents a pivotal topic for predicting restoration outcomes and reccommending sound silvicultural and management practices to maintain specific forest conditions.Specifically,the study aims at investigating forest stand structure and tree species diversity changes considering river variability,distance from the riverbank and beaver's gnawing activity intensity.The Eurasian beaver is only recently recolonising the three analysed Mediterranean rivers,but stand structure seems to be already significantly impacted by the species.The number of trees was reduced,increasing mean diameter at breast height at stand level,as most of the youngest and/or smaller trees are entirely cut down.Strongest structural variations can be detected in intensively impacted stands and in the forest portions closer to the riverbank.The absence of a significant effect on most of the diversity indices is likely due to the initially homogeneous composition of the tree layer in each stand and to the limited variety of beaver's diet within the sites.Future resprouting of secondary tree shoots,as well as beaver gnawing activity changes in intensity over time and space,can further produce variations in structural parameters and woody species diversity in the medium-and long-term period.Therefore,it will be crucial to further monitor the long-term effects,as structural shifts can produce significant effects on riparian ecosystem functions.展开更多
Biologically meaningful and cost-effective indicators are needed for assessing and monitoring the impacts of tropospheric ozone(0_(3)) on vegetation and are required in Europe by the National Emission Ceilings Directi...Biologically meaningful and cost-effective indicators are needed for assessing and monitoring the impacts of tropospheric ozone(0_(3)) on vegetation and are required in Europe by the National Emission Ceilings Directive(2016).However,a clear understanding on the best suited indicators is missing.The MOTTLES(MOnitoring ozone injury for seTTing new critical LEvelS) project set up a new generation network for 0_(3) monitoring in forest plots in order to:1) estimate the stomatal 0_(3) fluxes(Phytotoxic Ozone Dose above a threshold Y of uptake,PODY);and 2) collect visible foliar 0_(3) injury,both within the forest plot(ITP) and along the Light Exposed Sampling Site(LESS) along the forest edge.Nine forest sites at high 0_(3) risk were selected across Italy over 2017-2019 and significant correlations(p <0.05) were found between the percentage of symptomatic plant species within the LESS,and POD1(PODY,with Y=1 nmol 0_(3) m^(-2) s^(-1)) calculated for mixed forest species(r=0.53)and with the occurrence and severity of visible foliar 0_(3) injury on the dominant species in the plots(r=0.65).A generic flux-based critical level for mixed forest species was derived within the LESS and it was recommended using11 mmol m^(-2) POD1 as the critical level for forest protection against 0_(3) injury,similar to the critical level obtained in the ITP(12 mmol m^(-2) POD1).It was concluded that the frequency of symptomatic plant species within a LESS is a suitable and effective plant-response indicator of phytotoxic 0_(3) levels in forest monitoring.LESS is a non-destructive,less complex and less time-consuming approach compared to the ITP for monitoring foliar 0_(3) injury in the long term.Assessing visible foliar 0_(3) injury in the ITP might only underestimate the 0_(3) risk assessment at individual sites.These results are biologically meaningful and useful to monitoring experts and environmental policy makers.展开更多
The European MOTTLES project set-up a newgeneration network for ozone(O 3)monitoring in 17 plots in France,Italy and Romania.These monitoring stations allowed:(1)estimating the accumulated exposure AOT40 and stomatal ...The European MOTTLES project set-up a newgeneration network for ozone(O 3)monitoring in 17 plots in France,Italy and Romania.These monitoring stations allowed:(1)estimating the accumulated exposure AOT40 and stomatal O 3 fl uxes(PODY)with an hourly threshold of uptake(Y)to represent the detoxifi cation capacity of trees(POD1,with Y=1 nmol O 3 m^−2 s^−1 per leaf area);and(2)collecting data of forest-response indicators,i.e.crown defoliation and visible foliar O 3-like injury over the time period 2017–2019.The soil water content was the most important parameter aff ecting crown defoliation and was a key factor aff ecting the severity of visible foliar O 3-like injury on the dominant tree species in a plot.The soil water content is thus an essential parameter in the PODY estimation,particularly for water-limited environments.An assessment based on stomatal fl ux-based standard and on real plant symptoms is more appropriated than the exposure-based method for protecting vegetation.From fl ux-eff ect relationships,we derived fl ux-based critical levels(CLef)for forest protection against visible foliar O 3-like injury.We recommend CLef of 5 and 12 mmol m^−2 POD1 for broadleaved species and conifers,respectively.Before using PODY as legislative standard in Europe,we recommend using the CLec for≥25%of crown defoliation in a plot:17,000 and 19,000 nmol mol^−1 h AOT40 for conifers and broadleaved species,respectively.展开更多
While bird populations are declining,the factors associated with this decline are unclear.Based on laboratory experiments,air pollution has long been recognized as a factor causing oxidative stress and adversely aff e...While bird populations are declining,the factors associated with this decline are unclear.Based on laboratory experiments,air pollution has long been recognized as a factor causing oxidative stress and adversely aff ecting bird health.Recently,studies employing an epidemiological approach have reported signifi cant declines in avian populations in Central Europe and the United States due to air pollution,and ozone in particular.We advocate that urgent actions are needed to mitigate these eff ects,which threaten biodiversity and environmental health,and propose a series of measures which can enlighten the path toward mitigating air pollution eff ects on avian populations.展开更多
In Europe,tropospheric ozone pollution appears as a major air quality issue,and ozone concentrations remain potentially harmful to vegetation.In this study we compared the trends of two ozone metrics widely used for f...In Europe,tropospheric ozone pollution appears as a major air quality issue,and ozone concentrations remain potentially harmful to vegetation.In this study we compared the trends of two ozone metrics widely used for forests protection in Europe,the AOT40(Accumulated Ozone over Threshold of 40 ppb)which only depends on surface air ozone concentrations,and the Phytotoxic Ozone Dose which is the accumulated ozone uptake through stomata over the growing season,and above a threshold Y of uptake(PODY).By using a chemistry transport model,we found that European-averaged ground-level ozone concentrations(−2%)and AOT40 metric(−26.5%)significantly declined from 2000 to 2014,due to successful control strategies to reduce the emission of ozone precursors in Europe since the early 1990s.In contrast,the stomatal ozone uptake by forests increased from 17.5 to 26.6 mmol O3 m^(−2)despite the reduction in ozone concentrations,leading to an increase of potential ozone damage on plants in Europe.In a climate change context,a biologically-sound stomatal flux-based standard(PODY)as new European legislative standard is needed.展开更多
Correction to:J.For.Res.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-020-01191-x In the Original publication of the article,the authors found an error in the text“We recommend CLef of 5 and 12 mmol m−2 POD1 for broadleaved species...Correction to:J.For.Res.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-020-01191-x In the Original publication of the article,the authors found an error in the text“We recommend CLef of 5 and 12 mmol m−2 POD1 for broadleaved species and conifers,respectively”under the section abstract and conclusion.展开更多
Forest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms,often inconsistently.This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on ...Forest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms,often inconsistently.This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on biodiversity highly context-dependent.Recent attempts to standardize forestry and stand description terminology mostly used a top-down approach that did not account for the perspectives and approaches of forest biodiversity experts.This work aims to establish common standards for silvicultural and vegetation definitions,creating a shared conceptual framework for a consistent study on the effects of forest management on biodiversity.We have identified both strengths and weaknesses of the silvicultural and vegetation information provided in forest biodiversity studies.While quantitative data on forest biomass and dominant tree species are frequently included,information on silvicultural activities and vegetation composition is often lacking,shallow,or based on broad and heterogeneous classifications.We discuss the existing classifications and their use in European forest biodiversity studies through a novel bottom-up and top-driven review process,and ultimately propose a common framework.This will enhance the comparability of forest biodiversity studies in Europe,and puts the basis for effective implementation and monitoring of sustainable forest management policies.The standards here proposed are potentially adaptable and applicable to other geographical areas and could be extended to other forest interventions.展开更多
基金support of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) to the University of Padova,the Research Centre for Plant ProtectionCertification (CREA),and the National Research Council (CNR),funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)+2 种基金Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4-Call for tender No.3138 of 16 December 2021,rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union–NextGenerationEUProject code CN_00000033,Concession Decree No.1034 of 17 June 2022adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research,CUP:C93C22002810006,CUP:B83D21014060006,CUP:B83C22002930006,Project title“National Biodiversity Future CenterNBFC”support by Beaver Trust,grant number:1185451
文摘The Eurasian beaver(Castor fiber Linnaeus,1758)can be considered a hydrological ecosystem engineer as it shapes environmental characteristics through its building activities and feeding behaviour.Even if several studies have so far reported beaver impact on multi-taxon biodiversity and forest regeneration,there is a lack of research on forest stand structure evolution following beaver direct activity on trees.This represents a pivotal topic for predicting restoration outcomes and reccommending sound silvicultural and management practices to maintain specific forest conditions.Specifically,the study aims at investigating forest stand structure and tree species diversity changes considering river variability,distance from the riverbank and beaver's gnawing activity intensity.The Eurasian beaver is only recently recolonising the three analysed Mediterranean rivers,but stand structure seems to be already significantly impacted by the species.The number of trees was reduced,increasing mean diameter at breast height at stand level,as most of the youngest and/or smaller trees are entirely cut down.Strongest structural variations can be detected in intensively impacted stands and in the forest portions closer to the riverbank.The absence of a significant effect on most of the diversity indices is likely due to the initially homogeneous composition of the tree layer in each stand and to the limited variety of beaver's diet within the sites.Future resprouting of secondary tree shoots,as well as beaver gnawing activity changes in intensity over time and space,can further produce variations in structural parameters and woody species diversity in the medium-and long-term period.Therefore,it will be crucial to further monitor the long-term effects,as structural shifts can produce significant effects on riparian ecosystem functions.
基金carried out with the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union in the framework of the MOTTLES project "Monitoring ozone injury for setting new critical levels" (LIFE15 ENV/IT/000183)。
文摘Biologically meaningful and cost-effective indicators are needed for assessing and monitoring the impacts of tropospheric ozone(0_(3)) on vegetation and are required in Europe by the National Emission Ceilings Directive(2016).However,a clear understanding on the best suited indicators is missing.The MOTTLES(MOnitoring ozone injury for seTTing new critical LEvelS) project set up a new generation network for 0_(3) monitoring in forest plots in order to:1) estimate the stomatal 0_(3) fluxes(Phytotoxic Ozone Dose above a threshold Y of uptake,PODY);and 2) collect visible foliar 0_(3) injury,both within the forest plot(ITP) and along the Light Exposed Sampling Site(LESS) along the forest edge.Nine forest sites at high 0_(3) risk were selected across Italy over 2017-2019 and significant correlations(p <0.05) were found between the percentage of symptomatic plant species within the LESS,and POD1(PODY,with Y=1 nmol 0_(3) m^(-2) s^(-1)) calculated for mixed forest species(r=0.53)and with the occurrence and severity of visible foliar 0_(3) injury on the dominant species in the plots(r=0.65).A generic flux-based critical level for mixed forest species was derived within the LESS and it was recommended using11 mmol m^(-2) POD1 as the critical level for forest protection against 0_(3) injury,similar to the critical level obtained in the ITP(12 mmol m^(-2) POD1).It was concluded that the frequency of symptomatic plant species within a LESS is a suitable and effective plant-response indicator of phytotoxic 0_(3) levels in forest monitoring.LESS is a non-destructive,less complex and less time-consuming approach compared to the ITP for monitoring foliar 0_(3) injury in the long term.Assessing visible foliar 0_(3) injury in the ITP might only underestimate the 0_(3) risk assessment at individual sites.These results are biologically meaningful and useful to monitoring experts and environmental policy makers.
基金This work was supported by the LIFE fi nancial instrument of the European Union in the framework of the MOTTLES project“Monitoring ozone injury for setting new critical levels”(LIFE15 ENV/IT/000183).
文摘The European MOTTLES project set-up a newgeneration network for ozone(O 3)monitoring in 17 plots in France,Italy and Romania.These monitoring stations allowed:(1)estimating the accumulated exposure AOT40 and stomatal O 3 fl uxes(PODY)with an hourly threshold of uptake(Y)to represent the detoxifi cation capacity of trees(POD1,with Y=1 nmol O 3 m^−2 s^−1 per leaf area);and(2)collecting data of forest-response indicators,i.e.crown defoliation and visible foliar O 3-like injury over the time period 2017–2019.The soil water content was the most important parameter aff ecting crown defoliation and was a key factor aff ecting the severity of visible foliar O 3-like injury on the dominant tree species in a plot.The soil water content is thus an essential parameter in the PODY estimation,particularly for water-limited environments.An assessment based on stomatal fl ux-based standard and on real plant symptoms is more appropriated than the exposure-based method for protecting vegetation.From fl ux-eff ect relationships,we derived fl ux-based critical levels(CLef)for forest protection against visible foliar O 3-like injury.We recommend CLef of 5 and 12 mmol m^−2 POD1 for broadleaved species and conifers,respectively.Before using PODY as legislative standard in Europe,we recommend using the CLec for≥25%of crown defoliation in a plot:17,000 and 19,000 nmol mol^−1 h AOT40 for conifers and broadleaved species,respectively.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.4210070867 and 42130714).
文摘While bird populations are declining,the factors associated with this decline are unclear.Based on laboratory experiments,air pollution has long been recognized as a factor causing oxidative stress and adversely aff ecting bird health.Recently,studies employing an epidemiological approach have reported signifi cant declines in avian populations in Central Europe and the United States due to air pollution,and ozone in particular.We advocate that urgent actions are needed to mitigate these eff ects,which threaten biodiversity and environmental health,and propose a series of measures which can enlighten the path toward mitigating air pollution eff ects on avian populations.
基金carried out with the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union in the framework of the MOTTLES project“Monitoring ozone injury for setting new critical levels”(LIFE15 ENV/IT/000183).
文摘In Europe,tropospheric ozone pollution appears as a major air quality issue,and ozone concentrations remain potentially harmful to vegetation.In this study we compared the trends of two ozone metrics widely used for forests protection in Europe,the AOT40(Accumulated Ozone over Threshold of 40 ppb)which only depends on surface air ozone concentrations,and the Phytotoxic Ozone Dose which is the accumulated ozone uptake through stomata over the growing season,and above a threshold Y of uptake(PODY).By using a chemistry transport model,we found that European-averaged ground-level ozone concentrations(−2%)and AOT40 metric(−26.5%)significantly declined from 2000 to 2014,due to successful control strategies to reduce the emission of ozone precursors in Europe since the early 1990s.In contrast,the stomatal ozone uptake by forests increased from 17.5 to 26.6 mmol O3 m^(−2)despite the reduction in ozone concentrations,leading to an increase of potential ozone damage on plants in Europe.In a climate change context,a biologically-sound stomatal flux-based standard(PODY)as new European legislative standard is needed.
文摘Correction to:J.For.Res.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-020-01191-x In the Original publication of the article,the authors found an error in the text“We recommend CLef of 5 and 12 mmol m−2 POD1 for broadleaved species and conifers,respectively”under the section abstract and conclusion.
基金This review was funded by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020 through the COST Association(www.cost.eu):COST Action CA18207:BOTTOMS-UP–Biodiversity of Temperate Forest Taxa Orienting Management Sustainability by Unifying Perspectives.TC and TS acknowledge the support of the NBFC to the University of Padova,funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research,PNRR,Missione 4 Componente 2,“Dalla ricerca all’impresa”,Investimento 1.4,Project CN00000033.
文摘Forest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms,often inconsistently.This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on biodiversity highly context-dependent.Recent attempts to standardize forestry and stand description terminology mostly used a top-down approach that did not account for the perspectives and approaches of forest biodiversity experts.This work aims to establish common standards for silvicultural and vegetation definitions,creating a shared conceptual framework for a consistent study on the effects of forest management on biodiversity.We have identified both strengths and weaknesses of the silvicultural and vegetation information provided in forest biodiversity studies.While quantitative data on forest biomass and dominant tree species are frequently included,information on silvicultural activities and vegetation composition is often lacking,shallow,or based on broad and heterogeneous classifications.We discuss the existing classifications and their use in European forest biodiversity studies through a novel bottom-up and top-driven review process,and ultimately propose a common framework.This will enhance the comparability of forest biodiversity studies in Europe,and puts the basis for effective implementation and monitoring of sustainable forest management policies.The standards here proposed are potentially adaptable and applicable to other geographical areas and could be extended to other forest interventions.
