The long-term red list species dynamics in strictly protected forest: research from Białowieża Primeval Forest
Janusz Czerepko Jacek Hilszczański
Forest Research Institute (IBL)
Photo: J. Czerepko Poland
Workshop: Sustainable forestry in a green transition process – focus on forest biodiversity, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Scope 1. General information about Białowieża forest. 2. Climate change and anthropogenic impacts on forests. 3. Changes of Białowieża forest vegetation. 4. Red list species dynamics in strictly protected forests. 5. Dead wood as a criteria of favourable conservation status of natural habitats. 6. Conclusions.
Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Białowieża forest
- 1500 km² , of which 600 km² (42%) are in Poland - Białowieża National Park - 105 km² - Strict Reserve of BNP - 57 km² - Nature reserves – 120 km² - 37% is protected
Białowieża National Park
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Short story about Białowieża Primeval Forest
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Białowieża forest
Stand age
25,9 36,4 >70 years <70 years Forest communities (%) <30 years 36,9
oak-lime hronbeam 13,9 forests
49,3 Coniferous
36,8 swamp and riparian forests Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Same statistics of stands
Stands with Average age Nature Volume Annual use age >100 Year of stands reserves [m3/ha] [m3] years [lat] [ha] %
1991 73 262 172 063 25 3 460
2010 85 333 119 361* 25 12 040
*According decision of Ministry of Environment annual use of forest until 2012 is 48 000 m3 – only in stands < 100 years
Evaluated by Ksepko M. & Porowski J. , Forest Inventory Office, Białystok
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Białowieża Strict Reserve biodiversity
• unique fragment of lowland natural forest in this part of Europe – 100 km2. • 20 forest associations, four communities of water plants, • two shrub communities and 13 communities of peat bogs and meadows. • within the strict preservation area there are 809 species of vascular plants, constituting about 33% of the flora of Poland., Geastrum quadrifidum • 280 lichen species and 200 bryophytes, • more than 3,000 fungi, Epipogium aphyllum • 8 000 invertebrates, • 54 species of mammal including European bison Bison bonasus (EN), grey wolf Canis lupus (NT) and Lynx lynx (NT), Felis lynx (NT), otter Lutra lutra, beaver Castor fiber (LR) (re-introduced in 1955), northern birch mouse Sicista betulina (LR) and masked shrew Sorex caecutiens (the only known population in Poland), as well as elk Alces alces (uncommon)
Anomodon viticulosus Canis lupus Cucujus cinnaberinus Lobaria pulmonaria Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Precipitation 1950 - 2012
Period IV Period I Period II Period III
950
850
Mean precipitation
[ mm] [ 750
650
precipitation
Annual 550
450
350
Annual mean: 636 mm Mean in periods: I. 1950-1966: 528 mm (Evaluated by Boczoń A., Wróbel M. from II. 1967-1980: 738 mm III. 1981- 2008: 608 mm IBL - unpubl.) IV. 2009 -2012: 750 mm
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Air temperature 1950 - 2012
16 y = 0,0129x -11,712
14
12
10 y = 0,0192x - 31,217 8
6
C] o 4 y = 0,0243x - 48,257 2
0
air temperature[ air -2
-4
I-XII XI-IV V-X Annual temperature increase 1.2oC (Evaluated by Boczoń A., Wróbel M. Summer period increase 0.8 from IBL - unpubl.) Winter period increase 1.5oC Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014
Water table level 1985-2004 (14 study samples in bog and alder carrs sites)
Photo: J. Czerepko
Czerepko J. Boczoń A., Pierzgalski E., Sokołowski A.W., Wróbel M. 2007. Habitat Deacrese ground water table level – 15 cm diversity and spontaneous succession of forest wetlands in the Białowieża primeval forest. In: Okruszko T. et al. (Eds.), Wetlands: Monitoring, Modelling and Management. Taylor & Francis/Balkema, Leiden: 37-43. Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Fire – important disturbance
Photo: J. Czerepko fire-scarred living Pinus tree in BPF - fire intervals of 18 years - fire influence vegetation development and forest openness - under natural conditions and in the absence of large disturbances, P. sylvestris is a weak competitor, especially on mesic and rich soils where both P. abies and temperate broad-leaved species easily outcompete it. M. Niklasson et al. 2010. A 350-year tree-ring fire record from Białowieza Primeval Forest, Poland: implications for Central European lowland fire history. J. Ecol. 98: 1319–13 Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014
Open and grazed
Example of pasture in woodland, UK
Example of pasture in woodland, UK
Photo: Internet
Photo: J. Czerepko312
Pasture glade regenerated in Strict Reserve, Białowieza Falinski, J.B. (1986) Vegetation Dynamics in Temperate Lowland Primeval Forest. Ecological Studies in Białowieza Forest. Dr W. Junk Publishers,Dordrecht. Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014
Long term changes in forest wetlands
Photo: J. Czerepko
Photo: A. Sokołowski Photo: J. Czerepko
Photo: J. Czerepko
Photo: A. Sokołowski
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Long term changes of species richness in fresh forest sites during 40 years (142 study plots ) Changes in mean layer cover
Study Tree layer Second tree Herbs Mosses Shrubs (%) periods (%) layer (%) (%) (%) 1964-1978 79.5 ±1.3 20.0 ±2.0 5.3 ±0.6 24.8 ±1.5 17.3 ±2.2 n=142 2011-2012 68.0 ±1.7 41.3 ±2.3 10.6 ±0.9 36.3 ±1.8 14.5 ±1.8 new-old -11.5* 21.3* 5.3* 11.5* -2.8* * Signifficant diffrence with p<0,05 according to Wilcoxon
Czerepko J. et al. unpubl. Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Long term changes of species richness in forest wetlands during 40 years (107 study plots )
Old New Diffrence Species group 1960-1970 2003-2005 New-Old
Trees and shrubs 35 33 -2
herbs 208 190 -18
bryophytes 83 63 -20
Total 326 286 -40
Czerepko J. 2008. A long-term study of successional dynamics in the forest wetlands. For. Ecol. Manage. 255: 630-642. Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Long term changes of species richness in fresh forest sites during 40 years (142 study plots )
Old New Diffrence Group of species 1964-1978 2011-2012 new - old
Trees and shrubs 2 25 27
Herbs -16 166 150
Bryophytes 3 59 62
Total -11 250 239
Czerepko J. et al. unpubl. Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Long term changes of species group frequency and abundance in fresh forest sites during 40 years (142 study plots) in BNP
(1964-1978) (2011-2012) Diffrence new-old Syntaxonomic units cover cover cover According Braun-Blanquet (1960) frequency frequency frequency coef. coef. coef.
QUERCO-FAGETEA 83 1027 61 1422 -22 395 FAGETALIA SYLVATICAE 79 325 87 363 8 38 QUERCETALIA PUBESCENTI-PETRAEAE 30 18 3 2 -27 -16 CARPINION BETULI 66 3832 87 7606 21 3774 ALNO-ULMION 4 2 16 41 12 38 VACCINIO-PICETEA 87 731 23 14 -64 -718
Czerepko J. et al. unpubl. Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Changes of forest vegetation during 40 study years on the basis of DCA method (Strict Reserve of BNP - 249 samples)
The greatest changes in floristic composition have taken place in the boreal spruce- forest associations and on oligotrophic sites. Czerepko J. 2008 and Czerepko J. unpubl.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Changes in the structure of tree stands on boreal spruce forest bog habitats in the Białowieża forest
Photo: A. Sokołowski
Year 1974
Czerepko J. 2010. Changes in the structure of tree stands on bog habitats in the Białowieża forest. Fol. For. Pol., Ser. A Pol. 52.1: 33-43.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Changes in the structure of tree stands on boreal spruce forest in the Białowieża
The boreal spruce forest association changed their tree stand composition by increasing numbers of broadleaved species typical for mesotrophic broadleaved forest such as: Quercus robur, Carpinus betulus and Acer platanoides. The increasing share of Corylus avellana was observed in the shrub layer.
Year 2004
Czerepko J. 2010. Changes in the structure of tree stands on bog habitats in the Białowieża forest. Fol. For. Pol., Ser. A Pol. 52.1: 33-43. Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Compositional dynamics of natural forests in the Bialowieza National Park
Zmiany drzewostanu w zespole Sphagno girgensohniiThe- total sample area is 14.9 ha. Piceetum, (Rezerwat Wysokie Bagno, Puszcza Study period 1936-1992 Białowieska) Pinus sylvestris, Betula pendula Powierzchnia: 0,75 ha and B. pubescens, Salix caprea and Populus tremula, Alnus glutinosae decreased
The major change was a quantitative increase of the late- successional species: Tilia cordata and Carpinus betulus.
„It was probably caused by a lack of major disturbances during the study period.”
Bernadzki E, Bolibok L, Brzeziecki B, Zajaczkowski J, Zybura H., 1998. Compositional dynamics of natural forests in the Bialowieza National Park, northeastern ... J. Veg. Sci. 9.2: 229–238 Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 The extinct species in Białowieża National Park
Zmiany drzewostanu w zespole Sphagno girgensohnii- Piceetum, (Rezerwat Wysokie Bagno, Puszcza Białowieska) Powierzchnia: 0,75 ha
soligenic coniferous termophillus peatlands water mesotro- alluviums mires forest forest bodies phic forets
The most of extinct plant species from red lists vanished in peatlands , thermophillus forest communities and coniferous stands communities.
Wołkowycki D., Wokowycki M. 2010. Protection plan of flora in Białowieża National Park. Manuscript.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 The map of distribution of endangered species in Białowieża National Park
Zmiany drzewostanu w zespole Sphagno girgensohnii- Piceetum, (Rezerwat Wysokie Bagno, Puszcza Białowieska) Powierzchnia: 0,75 ha 32 species of 107 (30%) endangered, that occurred mainly 50-60 years ago ware not confirmed today
70-80% sites of endangered plants decreased, mainlyy in coniferous stands and mixed stands or peatlands
Wołkowycki D., Wokowycki M. 2010. Protection plan of flora in Białowieża National Park. Manuscript.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Red list plant species – extinct in Białowieża
Adenophora liliifolia
Cypripedium calceolus
Saxifraga hirculus
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Red list plant species
Pulsatilla patens (L.)
Only one sites surveyed
Wołkowycki D., Wokowycki M. 2010. Protection plan of flora in Białowieża National Park. Manuscript.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Red list plant species
Agrimonia pilosa
12 sites, 7 confirmed
Wołkowycki D., Wokowycki M. 2010. Protection plan of flora in Białowieża National Park. Manuscript.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Margalef index (d) of saproxylic beetles related to dead wood volume in different oak stands of Poland S 1 d = where: log N S – number of species, N – number of specimens. Margalef index (d) of saproxylic beetles in the light of dead wood volume Dead wood Number of volume Locality Number of species Margalef index [d] specimens (1 ha)
Krotoszyn 194 4842 52,37 3,3503 Puławy 191 2311 56,48 3,6728 Pińczów 129 1263 41,27 1,6643 Łochów 137 1666 42,21 7,2852 Białowieża 158 1479 49,53 34,0440
Plewa R. - unpubl.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Species exitinction Białowieża forest as the example of area of sun demanding species extinction in spite of high and growing amount of dead wood Stag beetle – Lucanus cervus - EX
Great capricorn beetle – Cerambyx cerdo – EX
Violet click beetle – Limoniscus violaceus - EX
The Goldstreifiger – Buprestis splendens - CR
Hermit beetle – Osmoderma barnabita - EN
Fot. N. Rahme Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Species preferring old growth dense forest:
Species preferring old growth dense forest:
• Pytho kolwensis Typical habitats are virgin spruce-mire forests with a stand continuity of at least 170-300 years, and a high volume of dead wood (70-110 m3/ha).
• Wrinkled Bark Beetle - Rhysodes sulcatus Habitat is old growth forest with high amount of dead wood.
• Lucanid beetle - Ceruchus chrysomelinus Inhabits forests with a high density of moist red-rotten logs of both coniferous and deciduous trees.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Natural disturbance influence on many species
Disturbances creates habitats for many species. For example mass dieback of ash caused by fungal pathogen Chalara fraxinaea creates optimal habitats for endangered beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus, ie. high amount of dead standing trees on wet, sun exposed sites.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Restitution of bison
700 bisons end 19-th century 1919 – last bison died 1929 – reintroduction Today 500 bisons, where 450 live in wild
Year 1929, firs 2 bisons reintroduced in Białowieża photo: J. Karpiński
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Lynx lynx population is very dengered
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) population during 15 years decreased 30-40%. Today in Polish part of Białowieża forest life 14 inds. Connected with roe deer and European hare decreasing and luck of migration network around the BPF.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Number index vs. management intensity – study with white-backed woodpecker
Number of Dendrocopos leucotos
Number index of Dendrocopos leucotos vs. DW volume
Diffrent objects
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Changes of Dendrocopos leucotos and Picoides tridactylus population between 1991- 2010 in diffrent protected areas Different intense of forest use and their influence on number of woodpeckers
BNP Nat. Reserves Managed forests three-toed woodpecker
white-backed woodpecker
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Changes of white-backed woodpecker population in białowieża forest
1991 (Wesołowski) 1997 (Pugacewicz) 2010 (Walankiewicz …)
115-130 190-210 42 pairs pairs pairs
Evaluated by Ksepko M. & Porowski J. , Forest Inventory Office, Białystok
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Decreasing of birds biodiversity – red list species
Decreasing of birds number during 15 years (1985 - 1994 – 2000 – 2009)
black stork three-toed woodpecker lesser spotted eagle great spotted woodpecker spotted crake collared flycatcher white stork white-backed woodpecker spotted flycatchers corncrake
During 15 years extinct 3,4% of birds species. Decreasing of Ciconia nigra – 68%, Clanga pomarina – 51% and 10 others red list species drastically decreased.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood volume in diffrent sites and types of Białowieża managed forest
60 51,54 50 41,53 40 34,54 30,23
30 24,97 m3/ha 20 12,75 13,45 13,19 10
0 KO i KDO II III IV V VI VII VIII i st. Age classes
Evaluated by Ksepko M. & Porowski J. , Forest Inventory Office, Białystok Phot. J. Czerepko
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood volume in diffrent sites and types of Białowieża managed forest
Nature habitat Area [ha] [%]
9170 Oak-hornbeam forests 26419,85 53,59
91D0 Bog woodland 946,61 1,92
Alluvial forests with 91E0 Alnus glutinosa and 4608,08 9,35 Fraxinus excelsior Riparian mixed 91F0 13,69 0,03 forests
Thermophile oak 91I0 3,99 0,01 woods
Evaluated by Ksepko M. & Porowski J. , Forest Inventory Office, Białystok
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood volume in diffrent sites and types of forest
70 Natura 2000 sites Dead wood m3/ha 60 58,62 140 50 150
40,20 40 100
m3/ha 30,52 30 50 27,7 16,6 23,28
20 14,98 0
10
0 pozostałe 9170 91D0 91E0
Mean dedwood volume in Poland – 5.6 m3/ha With stumps 9.6 m3/ha
Evaluated by Ksepko M. & Porowski J. , Forest Inventory Office, Białystok
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood volume in diffrent sites and types of Białowieża managed forest
9170 Grąd subkontynentalny - 77 % in manage forets”
m3/ha
Phot. J. Czerepko Evaluated by Ksepko M. & Porowski J. , Forest Inventory Office, Białystok Fot. J. Czerepko Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood volume and type in Poland (438 sample plots 16x16km)
m3/ha standing dead Average volume tree of DW = 9,6 m3/ha 2,08 2,58 lying dead tree 0,2 Range: snag 0 – 298 m3/ha 0,77 3,98 coarse woody debris stump
Czerepko J. (eds.) 2008. Biodiversity condition of Polish forests on the basis of monitoring plots. IBL, Sękocin Stary (in Polish, with English summary) Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Decay of deadwood in Poland (438 sample plots 16x16km)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0% Standing dead tree Lying dead tree Snag CWD Stump Types of DW
No evidence of decay Solid wood. Less than 10 % Slightly decayed. 10-25% Decomposed wood 26-75% Very decomposed wood. 76% - 100 %
Czerepko J. (eds.) 2008. Biodiversity condition of Polish forests on the basis of Phot. J. Czerepko monitoring plots. IBL, Sękocin Stary (in Polish, with English summary) Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood at EFTC units in Poland (438 sample plots 16x16km)
45 40 35 Max 30 Mountainous
25 beech forest – /ha 3 42 m3/ha
m 20 15 Min 10 Hemiboreal 5 and nemoral 0 Scots pine 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 forest EFTC units – 5 m3/ha
2 - Hemiboreal and nemoral Scots pine forest, 3 -Alpine coniferous forest, 4 - Atlantic and nemoral oakwoods, Atlantic ashwoods and dune forest, 5 - Oak-hornbeam forest, 6 - Beech forest, 7 - Montaneous beech forest, 8 - Thermophilous deciduos forest, 11 - Swamp forest, 12 -Floodplain forest
Czerepko J. (eds.) 2008. Biodiversity condition of Polish forests on the basis of monitoring plots. IBL, Sękocin Stary (in Polish, with English summary) Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood distribution map in Poland (438 sample plots 16x16km)
Czerepko J. (eds.) 2008. Biodiversity condition of Polish forests on the basis of monitoring plots. IBL, Sękocin Stary (in Polish, with English summary) Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Valuable species distribution (438 sample plots 16x16km)
Valuable species= endangered + protected + old forest species
1/3 list of valuable species were confirmed on BioSoil plots
Phot. J. Czerepko Czerepko J. (eds.) 2008. Biodiversity condition of Polish forests on the basis of monitoring plots. IBL, Sękocin Stary (in Polish, with English summary) Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Deadwood in natural habitats
Average volume = 15,2 m3/ha
Conservation status of natural habitats only by deadwood criteria 16% - FV 5% - U1 79% - U2
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Conservation status of forest natural habitats
Conservation status Conservation status of of natural habitat nature habitat FV Old method Old method U1 till 2012 205 sample plots U2 10 natural habitat types until 2013 1,5 1,5 41 18 57,6 81,5
Deadwood criteria for favourable National report conservation status eg. 9170 (d>50 2007-2012 cm, L> 3m) range in different protection status of oak –hornbeam 18 forest: 53 FV: > 5 pcs/ha - was 10% of volume 29 U1: 3-5 pcs/ha – was 3-10% U2:< 3 pcs/ha – was less than 3% EEA 2010 Czerepko et al. 2013. Frame roles of Natura 2000 sites management in forests. Grant State Forest Holding BLP-356.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Conclusions
Strict protection of old growth forest safeguard continuity and high amount of dead wood, what creates habitats for many saproxylic species.
The increase of shadowing caused by trees and shrubs development due to succession changes is the main danger for the species occurred in more open forests conditioned by pasture and fire disturbances.
However there are as many species which cannot be successfully protected in strict reserves. Those species except of continuity of dead wood, demand also specific conditions for example related to high requirements concerning sun exposure. To safeguard those species active conservation measures are required.
The spontaneous regeneration and raising of habitat fertility conditioned by both historical factors (changes in forest use) and those ongoing today (the influx of biogenic compounds from the atmosphere and climatic change) is merely increasing the degree of non- concordance between the species and the habitat in which they occur.
The strict protection implemented on the considerable area of the BNP ensures maintaining of natural processes of plant communities regeneration. The implementing of such protection pattern in areas, where plant communities were formed as a result of centuries of extensive agricultural use and fire, leads to vanishing of same species.
Workshop, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014 Thank you for your attention!
Photo: J. Czerepko Photo: J. Czerepko
Workshop: Sustainable forestry in a green transition process – focus on forest biodiversity, Copenhagen, 5/05/2014