RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Changes in plant species composition and litter production in response to roads and trails in the laurel forest of Tenerife (Canary Islands)
T2 BIODIVERSITY IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
A1 Delgado, Juan Domingo
A1 Fernández-Palacios, José María
A1 Arévalo, José Ramón
K1 DCA
K1 disturbances
K1 edge effect
K1 species richness
K1 Laurel forests
AB Road density has increased in the Canary Islands’ forests during the last century, affecting an unknown amount of forested area. We studied road effects on vegetation in the relict laurel forest of Tenerife. We assessed edge effects on plant species richness, plant composition and litter production. Effects of anthropogenic corridors on vegetation differed between paved roads and unpaved trails. Opportunistic species (shade intolerant) dominated road edges, but composition differed among all sites. Multivariate analysis revealed convergence in species composition along the corridor-interior gradient. For trails, both species richness and litter production did not differ significantly between edge and interior. Road edge effects on vegetation were detectable only within the first 10 m towards the interior. This suggests that the main effects of roads and trails on species richness are limited to the immediate edge of the laurel forest. Litter fall along road edges was half that of the interior. However, no significant differences were detected due to the high variability of the data. A buffer of approximately 10 m would result in the reduction of the total area of the remaining undisturbed laurel forest. Based on these results, the building of new paved roads should not be considered. Low human population inflow into the Anaga Rural Park needs to be maintained on a sustainable basis. Forest managers should take these road/trail effects into account when planning new roadopenings in this ecosystem.
SN 1126-3504
YR 2008
FD 2008
LK http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/17665
UL http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/17665
LA en
DS Repositorio institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna
RD 17-abr-2024