River distance, stand basal area, and climatic conditions are the main drivers influencing lying deadwood in riparian forests

• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120415
• Publication Date: 2022-07-16T02:01:43Z
• Authors: Janine Oettel; Martin Braun; Markus Sallmannsh...; Maarten de Groot; Silvio Schueler; Charlotte Virgillito; Marjana Westergren; Gregor Božič; Laszlo Nagy; Srdjan Stojnić; Katharina Lapin
• Keywords: Riparian forest; Basal area

Riparian forests are among the most diverse terrestrial ecosystems, yet their biodiversity is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, climate change, river regulation and invasive species. We investigated deadwood, widely recognized as an indicator for forest biodiversity, in riparian of Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The Reserve a conservation area that spans five countries three rivers located south-eastern Europe. In detail, we analyzed drivers lying deadwood volume, occurrence decay related to floodplain type, silvicultural management, climatic conditions using regression models. Lying volume significantly decreased distance from edge increased, indicating dynamics likely play role accumulation forests. Deadwood was also positively influenced stand basal area, parameter can be directly addressed management. affected temperature negatively precipitation, highlighting importance on progression. However, order draw more accurate conclusions about forests, further monitoring efforts consider flooding flow regime, transport saproxylic organism activity addition management site conditions, needed.