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opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Data from: Defining a spectrum of integrative trait-based vegetation canopy structural types

Vegetation canopy structure is a fundamental characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems that defines vegetation types and drives ecosystem functioning. We use the multivariate structural trait composition of vegetation canopies to classify ecosystems within a global canopy structure spectrum. Across the temperate forest subset of this spectrum we assess gradients in canopy structural traits, characterize canopy structural types (CST), and evaluate drivers and functional consequences of canopy structural variation. We derive CSTs from multivariate canopy structure data, illustrating variation along three primary structural axes and resolution into six largely distinct and functionally relevant CSTs. Our results illustrate that within-ecosystem successional processes and disturbance legacies can produce variation in canopy structure similar to that associated with sub-continental variation in forest types and ecoclimatic zones. The potential to classify ecosystems into CSTs based on suites of structural traits represents an important advance in understanding and modeling structure-function relationships in vegetated ecosystems.

opencc-zeroJan 2021View details →

Patch size and vegetation structure drive changes to mixed-species flock diversity and composition across a gradient of fragment sizes in the Western Andes of Colombia

This data set represents a series of 502 mixed-species bird flock compositions, and derived taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity indices, that were gathered along a gradient of forest fragment sizes (range = 10-173 ha) in the Colombian Western Andes. We sampled mixed-species flocks using transect surveys along 14 transects in 8 fragments and a continuous forest reference site in the same landscape and at the same elevation (~1900-2200 m.a.s.l.). We also used buffer analysis to quantify the proportion of forest cover and forest edge within 1 km of each transect, and calculated local vegetation density and complexity, as well as distance from edge, for each 100-meter transect segment (n = 70 segments). Flock composition data observed on a transect were used to calculate overall species richness and flock size as well as two indices of functional and phylogenetic diversity; we calculated the stadardized effect size (SES) of each measure to account for the correlation between these measures and species richness. We also provide the raw counts of each species for each flock composition. These data were used for the analyses in Jones and Robinson (2020).

opencc-by-nc-4.0Aug 2017View details →

Butterflies show different functional and species diversity in relation to vegetation structure and land-use

Using these data we investigated the relation between vegetation structure, land use and the diversity of species and traits in butterflies for the Netherlands. The research paper, now accepted for publication but not yet online, in the journal "Global Ecology and Biogeography", has the title "Butterflies show different functional and species diversity in relation to vegetation structure and land-use". Please see the methods used to create the dataset in the above mentioned manuscript. A description of the raster layers used in the above mentioned manuscript and available here has been uploaded together with the raster layers.

opencc-by-4.0Jul 2024View details →

Data from: Birds influence vegetation coverage and structure on sandy biogeomorphic islands in the Dutch Wadden Sea.

Small uninhabited islands form important roosting and breeding habitats for many coastal birds.  Here, we assess the role of external nutrient input by coastal birds on the vegetation structure and coverage on sandy biogeomorphic islands in the Dutch Wadden Sea, where island-forming processes depend on vegetation-sedimentation feedbacks.  We Used a combination of bird observations and plant stable isotope (δ15N) analyses, to demonstrate that (i) breeding birds transport large quantities of nutrients via their faecal outputs to these islands annually and that (ii) this external nitrogen source influences vegetation development on these sandy, nutrient-limited, islands. We further discuss how this avian nutrient pump could impact island development and habitat suitability for coastal birds and discuss future directions for research. For the conservation of both threatened coastal birds and sandy back-barrier islands and the design of appropriate management strategies, we argue that three-way interactions between birds, vegetation and sandy island morphodynamics need to be further elucidated.    Methods Data stored in this repository are bird counts from all three islands [Breeding_total.csv] and the relation between total faecal excretion rates (estimated using bird counts) and average vegetation coverage (estimated using satellite imagery) [Vegetation_bird.csv]. Additionally, we gathered data in the field including vegetation charactersitics [field.data.xls], isotopic data of the vegetation [new_isotopes.csv] and soil charactersitics [Soil_prop.csv]. Detailed description of these methods and the results can found in the accompanying publication (Reijers et al. STOTEN).

opencc-by-4.0Oct 2024View details →

The golden threat: Solidago invasion alters native plant-pollinator interactions through vegetative structures

This folder includes all files that were used for the article entitled "The golden threat: Solidago invasion alters native plant-pollinator interactions through vegetative structures". It includes: a README file, the input data for the two research question (Q1 and Q2), the RData of the respective fitted models, the PDF of the main text and sup. mat. figues, and the Rscript to reproduce them.

Figure 3 in Distribution of gall-inducing arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil): effects of anthropization, vegetation structure and seasonality

Figure 3. Morphological characterization of the galls induced by arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil: (A, B, C) Fabaceae – Dalbergia sp.; (D) undetermined; (E, F, G) Loganiaceae – Sthrychnos sp.; (H) Opiliaceae – Agonandra brasiliensis; (I) Sapindaceae – Serjania sp.; (J) Vitaceae – Cissus sp.; (K) Undetermined family 1; and (L) Undetermined family 2.

Figure 2 in Distribution of gall-inducing arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil): effects of anthropization, vegetation structure and seasonality

Figure 2. Morphological characterization of the galls induced by arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil): (A) Anacardiaceae – Myracrodruon urundeuva; (B) Schinopsis brasiliensis; (C, D) Asteraceae – Vernonanthura brasiliana; (E) Bignoniaceae undetermined; (F, G) Cannabaceae – Celtis brasiliensis; (H) Combretaceae – Combretum leprosum; (I) Combretum duarteanum; (J) Terminalia phaeocarpa; (K) Cucurbitaceae undetermined; (L) Fabaceae – Anadenanthera colubrine; (M, N) Apuleia leiocarpa; (O) Bauhinia pulchela; and (P) Bauhinia rufa.

Figure 1 in Distribution of gall-inducing arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil): effects of anthropization, vegetation structure and seasonality

Figure 1. Location and characterization of the study area. (A) Location of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil), between the urban area of Montes Claros and Parque Estadual da Lapa Grande. Source: Google Earth.(B) Characterization of the vegetation in the rainy season.(C) Characterization of the vegetation in the dry season.

Figure 6 in Distribution of gall-inducing arthropods in areas of deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil): effects of anthropization, vegetation structure and seasonality

Figure 6. Comparison of the richness of gall morphotypes between different sampling seasons in the deciduous seasonal forest of Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, MG, Brazil). (A) Comparison of the richness of gall morphotypes between the rainy and dry seasons. (B) Richness of gall morphotypes in the preserved and anthropized plots during the rainy and dry seasons.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Data for: The influence of vegetation structure on secondary diaspore dispersal by wind

The role of vegetation structure in relation to wind speed and diaspore attributes on secondary diaspore dispersal by wind has not been empirically studied. Here, we investigated secondary dispersal by wind of diaspores placed in 12 different kinds of vegetation and bare land. The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel using a range of wind speeds and diaspores that differed in mass and kind of appendages. The explanations of wind speed, diaspore attributes, vegetation coverage, life-form, vertical pattern and horizontal pattern for diaspore dispersal capacity were 6.67~10.40%, 16.13~20.53%, 6.227~24.64%, 0.10%, 0.74%, and 0.10%, respectively. Compared with wind speed and diaspore attributes, vegetation coverage contributed the most to diaspore dispersal capacity when vegetation coverage was low (<10% in our study). However, but with a high (10-30%) coverage, vegetation coverage was the least influential factor in secondary diaspore dispersal by wind. Vegetation coverage significantly interacted with vegetation life-form, horizontal pattern and vertical pattern on affecting diaspore dispersal capacity. Thus, the most influential factor determining secondary diaspore dispersal by wind is vegetation coverage.

opencc-zeroMay 2023View details →

Effects of long-term fixed fire regimes on African savanna vegetation biomass, vertical structure and tree stem density

<ol> <li>Fire plays an integral role in shaping the vegetation structure of savanna ecosystems. However, effects of fire regime characteristics, such as frequency and season of burn, on savanna vegetation structure, biomass and tree abundance across landscape types are largely unknown. </li> <li>We used high-resolution airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to investigate the long-term effects of fire manipulation on savanna vegetation in Kruger National Park, South Africa. We analysed the effects of fire exclusion and experimental burns every 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 years and during different seasons on aboveground biomass (AGB), tree stem densities and vegetation vertical height profiles across a rainfall gradient and on contrasting geologies. </li> <li>Across savanna types, and especially in drier savannas, fire season was more influential for constraining AGB than was fire frequency. Plots experiencing fires during the late- and mid-dry season had 44.50% and 43.60%, respectively, lower AGB relative to unburnt plots than wet-season fires. However, in mesic savannas, fire frequency interacted with fire season to influence AGB: plots subjected to high frequency, dry season fires had 55.35% lower AGB than unburnt plots, whereas plots burnt in the wet season at lower frequencies had lower AGB (24.40% lower than unburnt plots) than plots subjected to high frequency, wet-season fires (13.74% lower AGB than unburnt plots). </li> <li>Fire regimes had variable effects on tree densities, and effects varied with savanna type. Woody vertical vegetation profiles showed the largest differences in response to dry season fires, with the greatest divergence in vegetation height classes < 5m. </li> <li>Synthesis and applications. Understanding the influence of fire regimes on vegetation structure has important implications for the management of savanna heterogeneity, and for predicting trajectories of change in savanna vegetation as fire regimes vary with climate change. We show that the magnitude of the effect of fire on woody vegetation structure varies with savanna context. Our results suggest that heterogeneous vegetation structure can be achieved by applying fires in the dry season in mesic savannas, whereas in dry savannas, variation in fire regimes is less consequential for constraining biomass accumulation and altering vegetation structure. </li> </ol>