Forests on thawing permafrost: fragmentation, edge effects, and net forest loss

Forests on thawing permafrost: fragmentation, edge effects, and net forest loss.

Much of the world's boreal forest occurs on permafrost (perennially cryotic ground). As such, changes in permafrost conditions have implications for forest function and, within the zone of discontinuous permafrost (30-80% permafrost in areal extent), distribution. Here, forested peat plateaus underlain by permafrost are elevated above the surrounding permafrost-free wetlands; as permafrost thaw...

Thermokarst rates intensify due to climate change and forest fragmentation in an Alaskan boreal forest lowland.

Lowland boreal forest ecosystems in Alaska are dominated by wetlands comprised of a complex mosaic of fens, collapse-scar bogs, low shrub/scrub, and forests growing on elevated ice-rich permafrost soils. Thermokarst has affected the lowlands of the Tanana Flats in central Alaska for centuries, as thawing permafrost collapses forests that transition to wetlands. Located within the discontinuous ...

Edge Effects on Forest Composition and Structure

Forest fragmentation arising from modern forestry practices has dramatically increased the amount of edge habitat relative to interior habitat. Edge habitats have unique microenvironments that have the potential to profoundly impact forest communities. In this study, we characterized the forest composition and structure of edge and interior plots within a second growth big leaf maple-Douglas fi...

Effects of Urban Expansion on Forest Loss and Fragmentation in Six Megaregions, China

Urban expansion has significant effects on forest loss and fragmentation. Previous studies mostly focused on how the amount of developed land affected forest loss and fragmentation, but neglected the impacts of its spatial pattern. This paper examines the effects of both the amount and spatial pattern of urban expansion on forest loss and fragmentation. We conducted a comparison study in the si...

The effects of habitat fragmentation on bird communities in Hyrcanian forests (Case study: Gorgan Township)