Biology subjects

Przepiora, F.

Publications and source records attributed to Przepiora, F..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Deadwood-related microhabitats in old-growth forests in Poland

Deadwood is a fundamental component of forest ecosystem, supporting biodiversity and driving multiple ecological processes. However, structures that may develop on downed coarse woody debris (CWD) create additional microhabitats that are used by numerous organisms and contribute to small-scale habitat heterogeneity. To date, quality of CWD is commonly characterized by its volume, diameter, tree species or stage of decomposition, while fine-scale structures occurring there remain not surveyed and their role in ecosystem is rarely quantified. Here, we introduce the novel concept of microhabitats on CWD. i.e. Deadwood-related Microhabitats (DreMs), defined as distinct features occurring on CWD that may provide shelter, breeding or foraging sites for forest-dwelling organisms. Using an original catalogue comprising 14 groups and 30 types, we inventoried DreMs on 6,003 CWD across 423 study plots located in best-preserved old-growth forests in Poland. We quantified the frequency and richness of DreMs and assessed the link between CWD characteristics and DreM richness in spruce, beech, willow-poplar, fir-beech and oak-lime- hornbeam forests. All inventoried DreMs occurred on both deciduous and coniferous taxa. The most frequent DreM included bryophyte mats, loose bark patches, insect galleries, fungal fruiting bodies and polypores. DreM richness increased with CWD diameter, more complex architecture and the presence of multiple decay classes within single debris. DreM richness peaked at intermediate decay classes and was higher on deciduous than on coniferous taxa. Our study is the first large-scale qualitative and quantitative assessment of DreMs in temperate forests. By focusing on forests characterized by ecological continuity and minimal human-related disturbance, the results provide a reference for downed deadwood-associated structures. By complementing inventory of tree-related microhabitats, DreMs extend potential monitoring schemes of habitat quality and contribute to biodiversity-oriented forest management. Highlights* Downed coarse woody debris (CWD) hosts Deadwood-related microhabitats (DreMs) * Higher DreM richness is associated with CWD diameter * DreM richness peak at intermediate stages of wood decay * CWD of deciduous taxa support more DreMs than coniferous * Diversified CWD and DreMs increase habitat heterogeneity for forest-dwelling taxa

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Habitat preferences of specialist bat are forest-type specific: western barbastelle in natural temperate woodlands

O_LIUnderstanding the species-habitat relationships of forest specialists is an essential challenge in their effective conservation. However, studies on habitat selection often neglect potential context dependence, even though species performance may differ between natural and managed stands or between forests composed of different tree species. The western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus, a specialized moth predator and an old-growth forest indicator, is known to rely on fine-scale habitat structures and forest complexity, yet the relative importance of habitat traits across different forest types remains poorly understood. C_LIO_LIWe surveyed the species on 150 plots distributed across five the best-preserved temperate forest types in Poland: spruce, beech, beech-fir, oak-lime-hornbeam and willow-poplar forests. Bat presence was quantified using passive acoustic monitoring, and habitat characteristics were derived from LiDAR, stand inventories and surveys of tree-related microhabitats. C_LIO_LIWe identified canopy gaps, tree height complexity, living tree density and density of trees with insect galleries or cankers, as the best predictors of the species presence, although the strength of these relationships varied among forest types. In single-species stands, the occurrence of the western barbastelle was associated with abundance of canopy gap and complexity of tree heights, whereas in forests with more diverse tree species composition, the relationships with the stand structure were less evident and were replaced by stronger association with fine-scale habitat components such as tree-related microhabitats. C_LIO_LISynthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates that the effective conservation of forest specialists requires habitat-specific strategies, because no single habitat variable predicts species occurrence across contrasting forest conditions. For the western barbastelle, conservation actions should involve maintaining small canopy gaps and reduced tree height complexity in single-species stands, while preserving high heterogeneity, i.e. diverse age and size tree classes and high tree species richness in mixed forests. For a large group of forest specialist, strategies tailored to forest type, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, should be considered. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Bark beetles as ecosystem engineers: triggered tree mortality rearranges the assemblage of Tree-related Microhabitats in old-growth coniferous forest

Although species with ecosystem engineering capabilities like woodpeckers, ungulates or saproxylic insects may initiate the formation of Tree-related Microhabitats (TreMs), their overall impact on TreM assemblages remains unexplored. Bark beetle activity can increase tree mortality, accelerating the emergence of canopy gaps with altered tree species composition, stand structure and deadwood resources, all of which can influence TreM profiles and cascade on biodiversity. We investigated the TreM assemblage in a strictly-protected old-growth Norway spruce Picea abies forest in the Tatra Mountains (Carpathians, S Poland), comparing bark beetle-induced canopy gaps with undisturbed closed-canopy reference sites. Although TreM richness, density and diversity did not differ between the canopy gaps and reference sites, the frequency and density of woodpecker cavities, splintered stems, cracks, bark pockets, bark shelters, fruiting bodies of polypore fungi and epiphytic ferns was higher in the canopy gap TreM assemblage. In contrast, the frequency and density of exposed sapwood, shaded dead branches, dead tree tops, coarse bark, root buttress cavities, cankers, resin runs and microsoil in the tree crown or bark were higher in the reference sites. TreM richness, density and diversity were correlated with the density of living or dead standing trees and tree species richness, all related to previous bark beetle activity. Bark beetle-induced canopy gaps did not increase the total TreM abundance or diversity, but by hosting more saproxylic TreMs, locally altered the TreM composition. Our study underlines the importance of ecosystem engineering by bark beetles as drivers of the heterogeneity of temperate coniferous montane forests. HighlightsO_LITreMs in coniferous forests are abundant but less diverse than in deciduous ones C_LIO_LICanopy gaps have a distinct TreM profile compared to intact old-growth forest C_LIO_LICanopy gaps are hot-spots of certain TreMs in coniferous forests C_LIO_LISaproxylic TreMs are 3-9 times more abundant in canopy gaps than in intact forests C_LIO_LITree mortality triggered by bark beetles increases habitat heterogeneity C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

Spatial distribution of Tree-related Microhabitats in a primeval mountain forest: from natural patterns to landscape planning and forest management recommendations

Tree-related Microhabitats (TreMs) are essential for sustaining forest biodiversity. Although TreMs represent ephemeral resources that are spread across the landscape, their spatial distribution within temperate forests remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study on 90 sample plots (0.05 ha each) located in a primeval mountain European beech Fagus sylvatica-dominated forest (Bieszczady Mountains, Carpathians). We explored the TreM profile with its link to habitat characteristics and described the spatial distribution of TreM indices. We identified 61 TreM types, with a mean richness of 19.7 {+/-}4.9 SD TreM types per plot, a mean density of 740.7 {+/-}292.5 SD TreM-bearing trees ha-1 and a mean TreM diversity of 1.2 {+/-}0.1 SD. The diameter and living status of trees (living vs dead standing tree) were correlated with TreM richness on an individual tree. The stand structure, i.e. density and/or basal area of living and/or dead standing trees, and topographic conditions, i.e. slope exposure, were correlated with the TreM richness, density and diversity recorded on a study plot. We found no relationship between TreM richness, density and diversity and the presence of canopy gaps, which indicates that the influence of small-scale disturbances on the TreM profile is limited. However, our analysis revealed a clustered spatial pattern of TreM indices, with TreM-rich habitat patches (hot-spots) covering [~]20% of the forest. A moderate TreM richness, density and diversity dominated [~]60% of the forest, while TreM-poor habitat patches (cold-spots) covered [~]20%. Based on our findings, we advise the transfer of knowledge on the spatial distribution of TreMs from primeval to managed forests and advocate the 2:6:2 triad rule: to allocate 20% of forests as strictly protected areas, to dedicate 60% to low-intensity forest management with the retention of large living trees and all dead standing trees, and to use the remaining 20% for intensive timber production. To ensure the continuance of the majority of TreM types, [≥] 55 living trees ha-1 > 60 cm in diameter should be retained. Such an approach will maintain a rich and diverse TreM assemblage across a broad spatial scale, which in turn will support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in secondary or managed forests. HighlightsO_LIPrimeval mountain beech forest hosts rich and abundant TreM assemblage C_LIO_LIStand structure, slope exposure, but not canopy gaps mould TreM profiles C_LIO_LIHabitat patches with high/low TreM indices are spatially clustered C_LIO_LIHot- and cold-spots each make up 20% of TreM richness, density and diversity C_LIO_LI2:6:2 - the protected: managed forest ratio for maintaining the TreM assemblage C_LI

ecology↗