Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting these forest types.
The studies analysed for the systematic review show that the species richness of full-canopy forests increases as the forest gets older. Clearcut sites are also species-rich, but they are inhabited by a distinct set of species in comparison to full-canopy forests.
The studies had examined several species groups that cover a large part of the flora and fauna inhabiting forests, including birds, epiphytes (i.e., lichens and bryophytes growing on tree trunks), fungi and insects inhabiting deadwood, soil fungi, ground-dwelling invertebrates, other insects and understory vegetation.
Birds, epiphytes and fungi and insects in deadwood were more diverse in older forests. Understory vegetation and insects other than those inhabiting deadwood were more diverse in younger forests, especially clearcut sites. There were few studies on soil fungi.
Read more at University of Eastern Finland
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