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A log community consisting of many bryophyte and fern species. |
Image: Belinda Browning |
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Project summary:
Cryptogams are significant components of forest ecosystems worldwide, contributing to forest biodiversity, structure and ecosystem function. Cryptogam diversity and abundance is largely associated with abundance and variation of coarse woody debris (CWD). The aim of this study was to examine cryptogam communities on CWD in temperate wet eucalypt forest at the chronosequence plots in the Warra LTER site in southern Tasmania. A total of 88 bryophyte and fern species were identified on CWD within four ages of temperate wet eucalypt forest. Bryophyte and fern species presence, revealed significant species diversity changes with forest age. Old growth forest supported a greater diversity of cryptogam species on CWD than younger forests. Cryptogam diversity was largely influenced by the ageing vascular community structure and its effects on microhabitat variables at the cryptogam species substrate level. Cryptogam species distribution was analysed in relation to forest age, log size and position. Species richness was generally higher on the eastern sides of logs and lower on the top due to different microhabitat qualities between log positions. However, this varied between taxonomic groups and at the individual species level. Microhabitat variation on CWD determines species distribution relative to a number of factors including moisture and insolation. The present study provides valuable insight into the significance of CWD as substrate for cryptogamic diversity. Establishment of appropriate forest management for maintenance of CWD and conservation of this integral part of temperate wet eucalypt forest biodiversity is discussed.
Methodology: Cryptogam species on CWD were sampled to determine species diversity and abundance at 12 sites representing four age classes of forest: old growth, and regrowth from wildfire of the years 1989, 1934 and 1966. Bryophyte and fern species presence on a log was used to determine cryptogam community composition on CWD. Also forest age, quadrat position, log dimensions and position were noted.
Datasets: None available.
Publications: Browning, B.J. (2006). Cryptogamic diversity on coarse woody debris. Honours thesis, University of Tasmania, Hobart.
Grove, S.J. (2009). A decade of deadwoodology at Warra. The Tasmanian Naturalist 131: 25-35.
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