The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks
The common oak (<i>Quercus robur</i> L.), though ecologically important and long-lived, has declined in Northern Europe due to historical land use and conifer-dominated forestry. In Latvia, where its distribution is limited, oaks support a rich biodiversity through features like tree-rel...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Diversity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/7/484 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849303496846737408 |
|---|---|
| author | Diāna Jansone Agnese Anta Liepiņa Ilze Barone Didzis Elferts Zane Lībiete Roberts Matisons |
| author_facet | Diāna Jansone Agnese Anta Liepiņa Ilze Barone Didzis Elferts Zane Lībiete Roberts Matisons |
| author_sort | Diāna Jansone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The common oak (<i>Quercus robur</i> L.), though ecologically important and long-lived, has declined in Northern Europe due to historical land use and conifer-dominated forestry. In Latvia, where its distribution is limited, oaks support a rich biodiversity through features like tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) and diverse epiphytic communities. This study compared TreM and epiphyte diversity between planted mature oaks and relict champion oak trees across 16 forest stands. Epiphyte species were recorded using fixed-area frames on tree trunks, and TreMs were categorized following a hierarchical typology. Champion trees hosted significantly more TreMs and a greater variety, including 10 unique TreMs. While overall epiphyte diversity indices did not differ significantly, champion trees supported more specialist and woodland key habitat indicator species. The findings underscore the ecological value of legacy trees, which provide complex habitats essential for specialist taxa and indicators of forest continuity. Conserving such trees is vital for maintaining forest biodiversity and supporting ecosystem resilience in managed landscapes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7156a71d65eb46a0b02ec60decaf4a29 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj-art-7156a71d65eb46a0b02ec60decaf4a292025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182025-07-0117748410.3390/d17070484The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature OaksDiāna Jansone0Agnese Anta Liepiņa1Ilze Barone2Didzis Elferts3Zane Lībiete4Roberts Matisons5Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, Rigas Street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, LatviaThe common oak (<i>Quercus robur</i> L.), though ecologically important and long-lived, has declined in Northern Europe due to historical land use and conifer-dominated forestry. In Latvia, where its distribution is limited, oaks support a rich biodiversity through features like tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) and diverse epiphytic communities. This study compared TreM and epiphyte diversity between planted mature oaks and relict champion oak trees across 16 forest stands. Epiphyte species were recorded using fixed-area frames on tree trunks, and TreMs were categorized following a hierarchical typology. Champion trees hosted significantly more TreMs and a greater variety, including 10 unique TreMs. While overall epiphyte diversity indices did not differ significantly, champion trees supported more specialist and woodland key habitat indicator species. The findings underscore the ecological value of legacy trees, which provide complex habitats essential for specialist taxa and indicators of forest continuity. Conserving such trees is vital for maintaining forest biodiversity and supporting ecosystem resilience in managed landscapes.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/7/484biodiversityepiphytestree-related microhabitatsoakchampion tree |
| spellingShingle | Diāna Jansone Agnese Anta Liepiņa Ilze Barone Didzis Elferts Zane Lībiete Roberts Matisons The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks Diversity biodiversity epiphytes tree-related microhabitats oak champion tree |
| title | The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks |
| title_full | The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks |
| title_fullStr | The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks |
| title_short | The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks |
| title_sort | older the richer a comparative study of tree related microhabitats and epiphytes on champion and planted mature oaks |
| topic | biodiversity epiphytes tree-related microhabitats oak champion tree |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/7/484 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dianajansone theolderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT agneseantaliepina theolderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT ilzebarone theolderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT didziselferts theolderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT zanelibiete theolderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT robertsmatisons theolderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT dianajansone olderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT agneseantaliepina olderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT ilzebarone olderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT didziselferts olderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT zanelibiete olderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks AT robertsmatisons olderthericheracomparativestudyoftreerelatedmicrohabitatsandepiphytesonchampionandplantedmatureoaks |