Context

Species occurrence in transformed areas (or matrix) can be enhanced by reducing the contrast in vegetation structure between the matrix and remnant natural patches. Contrast depends on both structural features of remnants and that of the matrix, which can be dynamic and determined by harvesting practices.

Objectives

We assess whether structurally equivalent vegetation, as determined by structural features of the matrix relative to that of remnants in the landscape, promotes species diversity and abundance in the matrix. Furthermore, we assess the relative importance of structurally equivalent vegetation compared to features of the immediate adjacent remnant patch.

Methods

Arthropods were sampled from 34 sites situated in alien forestry plantation blocks of different ages, dissected by corridors of natural grassland and/or closed canopy woody habitats. We analysed how arthropod assemblages within plantations were influenced by structural features of remnant vegetation in the landscape, and that of remnant patches directly adjacent.

Results

The amount of structurally equivalent vegetation at the landscape level promoted arthropod abundance and diversity within plantations and was more important than either the structural contrast or biotope type of the immediate adjacent patch for promoting diversity in the forestry blocks.

Conclusions

Landscapes composed of a mosaic of structurally distinct vegetation best contribute to promoting diversity within dynamic production areas. Harvesting practices that radically change the structural features of the entire plantation should be avoided. We recommend use of rotational harvesting, so creating a variety of plantation tree ages for improved arthropod spillover from both natural grassland and woody habitats.

中文翻译：

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在景观中保持较高的植被结构多样性可促进动态生产区的节肢动物多样性

语境

可以通过减少基质与残余自然斑块之间植被结构的对比度来增强物种在转化区域（或基质）中的发生。对比度取决于残留物和基质的结构特征，它们可以是动态的，并由收割方法决定。

目标

我们评估了由矩阵的结构特征（相对于景观中的残余物）决定的结构上等效的植被是否促进了矩阵中的物种多样性和丰度。此外，我们评估了结构上等效的植被与直接相邻的残留斑块的特征相比的相对重要性。

方法

节肢动物是从位于不同年龄的外来林业种植区的34个地点取样的，这些地点被天然草原的走廊和/或封闭的冠层木本生境解剖。我们分析了人工林内节肢动物的组装如何受到景观中残留的植被和与之直接相邻的残留斑块的结构特征的影响。

结果

在景观层面上结构上等价的植被数量促进了人工林内节肢动物的丰度和多样性，并且比直接相邻斑块的结构对比或生物群落类型更重要，以促进林业区块的多样性。

结论

由结构上不同的植被镶嵌而成的景观最有助于促进动态生产区域内的多样性。应避免从根本上改变整个人工林结构特征的采伐方式。我们建议使用轮作采伐，以便创建各种种植树龄，以改善节肢动物从天然草地和木质生境中的溢出。