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Saproxylic species from different taxonomic groups often occur only on certain types of deadwood with specific qualitative characteristics. The various types of deadwood are very dynamic elements of forest ecosystems, associated with many site and stand features, as well as with the type of forest management. Using a pool of 29,098 sample plots spread across Poland, we analyzed 30 different deadwood types defined on the basis of three characteristics: position (standing, lying), degree of decomposition, and size. Statistical hurdle models were used to assess changes in the volume of individual deadwood types based on a broad range of independent variables. Depending on the type of management, terrain, site fertility, stand volume, tree density, and stand age, the models revealed substantial differences in the volume of different deadwood types, ranging from 0 to approx. 4 m3 ha−1. It was found that the volume of most deadwood types (except for a few, mostly with diameters under 15 cm) increases with stand age or stand volume. In managed forests at all stages of stand development there is a deficiency of thick deadwood. Both standing and lying deadwood at different decay stages is available continuously, irrespective of the values of individual independent variables, but considerable differences exist. While most lying deadwood exhibits higher levels of decomposition, in standing deadwood the proportions of different decay stages are strongly associated with tree diameter at breast height. The developed models make it possible to predict the volume of individual deadwood types for a broad range of independent variables. The current work presents several examples, with the results showing extremely complex relationships between deadwood diversity and site and stand features at every stage of forest development, with continuous changes in the volume and proportions of different deadwood types. In general, at the landscape level Polish forests contain both standing and lying deadwood at all decay stages in more or less equal proportions. However, in forest management one should pay special attention to the dimensions of retained deadwood. The absence of thick deadwood is particularly conspicuous in lowland managed forests. • The total deadwood volume consists of many deadwood types with very different characteristics. • Statistical models based on stand features describe the diversity of dead wood with high accuracy. • The diversity of the deadwood changes with the age of the stand, the method of management and habitat conditions. • Some types of deadwood are not found in all forests, especially thick deadwood is completely removed. • Management of deadwood resources should be largely based on its diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed how environmental drivers influence the occurrences of wood-inhabiting macrofungi in European beech forests, using an extensive dataset of fruit body records collected in 53 reserves across twelve European countries. We found that the 105 species included in this study varied greatly in their responses to covariates related to resource quality, climate and forest connectivity, both in the strength and direction of the observed effects. Climate was the most important driver for some species, while others responded more to connectivity, or simply to the presence of high quality substrates within the reserves. Species occurrences varied also across geographical regions, especially between the UK and the rest of Europe. Our results show that wood-inhabiting fungi in European beech forests respond individualistically to habitat filters and differ in their biogeographical distribution patterns, and they thus provide a detailed perspective of how wood-inhabiting fungal communities are structured across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Most taxa preferred more open and light conditions of the woodland environment. [•] Landscape structures explained more than 10% of the independent variance. [•] Openness in the management of oak woodlands is one solution against biodiversity loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dead black spruce boles were placed in forest stands along a latitudinal gradient. • The boles were colonized by at least 74 springtail species. • Springtail latitudinal diversity gradient was mostly driven by climate. • Dead wood retention in managed forests likely contributes to springtail diversity. Understanding the importance of dead wood-associated biodiversity and related ecological functions has become increasingly important in forest ecosystem management. Yet, studies on dead wood diversity frequently focus on conspicuous organisms such as birds or saproxylic beetles, and are rarely deployed across significant climatic gradients. Here, we investigated the potential role of deadwood as a habitat for springtails, an understudied group of invertebrates generally associated with soils, and tested how these communities were influenced by climate. Black spruce logs were placed in 13 natural forest sites which were distributed among 3 latitudinal zones (southern, central and northern Quebec, Canada). We compared the springtail communities that colonized the logs through different metrics: abundance, richness and species composition. Our results indicated that dead wood was used as a habitat by 74 springtail species. A clear latitudinal diversity gradient was observed, with southern communities being on average two times richer and over 13 times more abundant than the northern ones per log. Moreover, distinct community compositions were observed in the three zones. Overall, our results suggest that (1) dead wood retention could be beneficial for small invertebrates such as springtails and (2) such biodiversity conservation measures would be more efficient if done systematically along large geographic gradients encompassing different biomes, particularly in the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Coarse woody debris (CWD) was surveyed in urban green spaces. • Dead tree branches were the most prevalent form of CWD. • CWD was the most prevalent in forest remnants, followed by private gardens and parks. • The occurrence of CWD was negatively correlated with property prices. • Sustainable management of CWD should be included in urban planning. Dead wood provides important ecosystem services and has a positive effect on biodiversity. However, urban environments have limited resources of coarse woody debris (CWD). The presence of CWD depends on both progressive tree mortality and the frequency and intensity of CWD removal for safety or aesthetic reasons, which can lead to variations in CWD occurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in the quantity and quality of CWD in urban green spaces and to assess the relationship between CWD resources and management policy, ownership, economic parameters and factors accelerating tree mortality. Fallen logs, dead standing trees and dead tree branches (DTB) were surveyed on 488 sample plots selected at random in the city of Kraków (Poland). Distance to the river, coverage of impervious surfaces, environmental pollution, property prices and types of green space were used to explain the variation in CWD resources. CWD occurred on 46% of the sample plots. DTB were the most frequent form of CWD (44% of plots), while dead standing trees were rare (4%) and fallen logs absent. The prevalence of CWD was the highest in forest remnants, followed by private gardens, urban parks, fallow land and small green patches. DTB were the most abundant in the forest remnants. In both forest remnants and private gardens, the probability of CWD occurrence decreased with increasing property prices. Management policy and economy rather than factors accelerating tree mortality are suggested as shaping CWD resources in urban green spaces. The article highlights the importance of DTB as the most widespread form of CWD and forest remnants as the type of green space having the most abundant resources of CWD. Sustainable management of CWD resources within urban green spaces and environmental education are needed to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]