ABSTRACT

The microclimate of streamside habitats are protected from the effects of logging with buffer strips of retained trees. However, these buffer strips are often narrow due to their financial loss. Wider, selectively logged buffers might protect the microclimate while providing the same economic return. This study investigates the effects of logging on the microclimate and the growth of the bryophyte Hylocomium splendens on two streamside buffers: a standard unlogged narrow buffer (∼15 m) and a wider buffer (∼30 m) selectively logged with decreasing intensity towards the stream. The study was conducted in Central Finland on eight sites where the two buffers were logged next to each other. The near-stream change in air temperature and relative humidity was measured from pre-logging to post-logging. Additionally, post-logging microclimate gradients and the growth of H. splendens was measured on a 30 m transect away from the stream. The results showed no significant differences in the ability of the two kinds of buffers in maintaining streamside microclimate, and neither buffer seems to protect the microclimate from the negative effects of logging. The growth of H. splendens also decreased in both buffers. We conclude that wider, unlogged buffer strips are required to protect riparian forest microclimate.

摘要

利用保留的树木的缓冲带，可以保护河边栖息地的小气候免受伐木的影响。然而，由于其经济损失，这些缓冲带通常很窄。选择性记录的较宽缓冲区可以保护小气候，同时提供相同的经济回报。这项研究调查了伐木对苔藓植物Hylocomium splendens的小气候和生长的影响。在两个流侧缓冲区上：一个标准的未记录的窄缓冲区（约15 m）和一个较宽的缓冲区（约30 m），有选择地以对流强度递减的方式记录。这项研究是在芬兰中部的八个地点进行的，两个缓冲区彼此相邻记录。从测井前到测井后测量了气温和相对湿度的近流变化。另外，在距水流30 m的横断面上测量了测井后的微气候梯度和。草的生长。结果表明，两种缓冲液在维持河边微气候的能力上没有显着差异，并且两种缓冲液似乎都不能保护微气候免受伐木的负面影响。绣球菌的生长在两个缓冲区中也减少了。我们得出结论，保护河岸森林小气候需要更宽阔，未记录的缓冲带。