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We assessed the impact of forest fires on macrofauna taxonomic richness, abundance and total biomass in 20 forests burnt five years ago and 20 respective control plots along a 3000-km-long north-south transect in European Russia that covered five major forest types (Mediterranean and broadleaved forests, southern, middle, and northern taiga). In parallel we assessed basic soil abiotic parameters in these stands. Within forest type, the spatial variance of macrofauna total biomass was 1.8 times higher in the burnt forests than in the controls. Due to this increase of variance in the burnt forests, the main effect of forest type on soil macrofauna parameters was generally weaker. Among different soil abiotic parameters, higher level of uniformity of macrofaunal community parameters between different forest types was explained by the labile P and N content in the soil, water-holding capacity and soil moisture. Presence of open areas within the burnt forests seems to be the leading driver of the increased similarity of soil macrofauna communities across different forest types. Forest fires thus act as a powerful force that raises within-forest-type soil macroinvertebrate beta-diversity and associated biomass fluctuations. At the same time burning reduces soil macrofauna gamma-diversity due to increased faunistic similarity between different forest types. This has potentially important implications for the functioning of soil macroinvertebate communities in the pyrogenic forests and its dependency on macroclimatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fires change physical, chemical and biotic conditions of forest ecosystems. They also strongly affect soil macrofauna including key soil ecosystem engineers and regulators of soil-related processes in forest soils. However, due to a wide range of traits attributable to macroinvertebrates, the effect of forest burning on the macrofauna can be quite contrasting and still has not been quantified. We assessed the impact of forest fires on macrofauna taxonomic richness, abundance, total biomass and biomass of animals belonging to different functional traits in 20 forests burnt five years ago and 20 respective controls plots along a 3000-km-long north-south transect in European Russia which covered five major forest biomes (Mediterranean and broadleaved forests, southern, middle, and northern taiga). Actual abundance, biomass and taxonomic diversity of the soil macrofauna showed remarkable stability after burning and were specific to forest biome. However, soil macrofauna trait composition was consistently affected by fire. Relatively immobile taxa inhabiting top of the forest floor and sharing saprophagy suffer most from the consequences of fire five years after burning. We have concluded that resident groups of soil macrofauna sharing saprophagy seem to avoid top soil as one of the most damaged “frontiers” of the burnt soil ecosystem possibly due to both unfavorable hydroclimatic conditions in the burnt patches and lack of suitable resources. At the same time damaged soil surface creates a barrier in the way of the resident soil macroinvertebrate taxa distribution due to their inability to quickly transit patches with harsh conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Odonata from the Refúgio Estadual da Vida Silvestre do Rio Pandeiros (RVSP), located in the Cerrado domain, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were rapidly surveyed. Sampling efforts were undertaken along the Rio Pandeiros margins during four sampling periods between the rainy (spring–summer) and dry seasons (autumn–winter) from July 2014 to April 2015. We sampled 97 adult specimens of 48 species from seven families, and there were 21 species of damselflies (Zygoptera), and 27 species of true dragonflies (Anisoptera). The dry season yielded a greater species richness and abundance, with Libellulidae dominant along the overall sampling period. A comparison with other biotas in Minas Gerais bringing together a total list of 204 species is provided. RVSP represents an ecotone between the Cerrado and Caatinga domains at the São Francisco river basin and its assemblage exhibited higher similarity index with other Cerrado areas in that state. Our sampling included rare species, many hitherto known only from their type series, and seven new state records were detected forHetaerina proxima(Selys),Enallagma novaehispaniaeCalvert,Oxyagrion fernandoiCosta,Telebasis griffinii(Martin),Telebasis obsoleta(Selys), andErythrodiplax leticiaMachado. In addition, the first known male ofArchaeogomphus vanbrinkiMachado (Anisoptera: Gomphidae) is described and taxonomic notes presented. The nomenclature status of the specific name “vanbrinki” is revised, and as a consequence all subsequent spellings other than the original are considered unjustified emendations in light of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:59CE58BF-CCA3-4304-8CAE-A3ABD79F7235 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Apis cerana japonicaRadoszkowski, endemic to Japan, is known to be one of themost important pollinators for wild plants and crops, such as buckwheat, in cool to warm temperate Japan. To determine the degree of dependence of A. cerana japonica on forest resources, we analyzed pollen brought back to nests in a typical "Satoyama" landscape with relatively high deciduous forest coverage in northern Japan. We divided the landscape elements of the study area into three types: deciduous forest, conifer plantation and open land according to landcover digital data, and each pollen taxon was assigned to one of these three types of landscape elements. We collected total pollen loads of 15.75 g (total of coloniesA and B) in May (spring), 1.57g (total of coloniesA and C) in June (early summer), 19.03 g (total of colonies A, B and C) in July (mid-summer) and 45.61g (total of colonies A, B and D) in September (autumn). Deciduous forests are the most important foraging habitats for A. cerana japonica in the "Satoyama" landscape especially from spring to mid-summer when mass flowering of tall trees and shrubs species provides rich floral resources for developing bee colonies. On the other hand, the bees frequently foraged from herbaceous plant species in autumn when flowering of tree species reduces and herbaceous plant species have flowering peaks. In turn, the bees provide pollination services to a number of wild flowers blooming in various forest layers ranging from the canopy to the understory layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stemflow (SF) has been recognized as an important process delivering water to spatially localized areas of the forest floor. Based on almost six years of daily SF data from nine teak trees in a Thai plantation, together with detailed above-canopy meteorological data and daily leaf area index (LAI) data, this study sought to better understand how specific biotic and abiotic factors affect both individual and stand-scale SF production from teak trees. Specifically, the factors affecting stemflow funneling ratio (SFFR) at individual and stand scales were analyzed and compared by means of boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis. The largest variation of SFFR among individual teak trees was observed in the leafed state. For trees taller than average, the BRT analysis revealed that vapor pressure deficit during rain was the most influential factor affecting SFFR. Vapor pressure deficit had a negative influence on SFFR, implying significant control of evaporative demand during rain. In contrast, for trees shorter than the average, rain duration ( R D ) was the most influential variable, having a positive correlation with SFFR. The stand-scale BRT analysis for all nine teak trees demonstrated that R D was the most influential factor affecting SFFR (exerting positive influence) but that an array of other factors (both abiotic and biotic) played intricate and complex roles in governing SFFR. The effect of LAI on SFFR was complicated and varied greatly among individual teak trees. It is possible that spatially heterogeneous flowpaths of intercepted water inside the teak canopy, which could be a product of the large-sized mature leaves of teak, may account for the tree-to-tree variation in the responses of SFFR to changing LAI. Although our study focused on teak trees, the demonstrated physically-based mechanistic explanations of stemflow production could apply to other even-aged deciduous forests and monospecific plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apis cerana japonicaRadoszkowski, endemic to Japan, is known to be one of themost important pollinators for wild plants and crops, such as buckwheat, in cool to warm temperate Japan. To determine the degree of dependence of A. cerana japonica on forest resources, we analyzed pollen brought back to nests in a typical "Satoyama" landscape with relatively high deciduous forest coverage in northern Japan. We divided the landscape elements of the study area into three types: deciduous forest, conifer plantation and open land according to landcover digital data, and each pollen taxon was assigned to one of these three types of landscape elements. We collected total pollen loads of 15.75 g (total of coloniesA and B) in May (spring), 1.57g (total of coloniesA and C) in June (early summer), 19.03 g (total of colonies A, B and C) in July (mid-summer) and 45.61g (total of colonies A, B and D) in September (autumn). Deciduous forests are the most important foraging habitats for A. cerana japonica in the "Satoyama" landscape especially from spring to mid-summer when mass flowering of tall trees and shrubs species provides rich floral resources for developing bee colonies. On the other hand, the bees frequently foraged from herbaceous plant species in autumn when flowering of tree species reduces and herbaceous plant species have flowering peaks. In turn, the bees provide pollination services to a number of wild flowers blooming in various forest layers ranging from the canopy to the understory layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impatiens parviflora (Balsaminaceae) is one of the most widespread invasive plant species in Central Europe. Nevertheless, both mechanisms and consequences of its invasion are still poorly understood. In this study we attempt to understand the impact of this species on native vegetation. The impact of I. parviflora on native vegetation was studied using removal experiment on permanent plots in oak-hornbeam forests in central Bohemia, Czech Republic. Nine pairs of plots were established in invaded vegetation, one plot in each pair stayed invaded and the other served as removal plot and all I. parviflora individuals were repeatedly removed from the plot. Species composition in 4 subsequent years was recorded in the plots. Species response to I. parviflora removal was correlated to plant traits to reveal trait characteristics of species suppressed by the invasion. Significant increase in both numbers and cover of native species was observed in removal plots in comparison with invaded plots during the experiment, with the greatest change in first two years after invader removal. Species composition also significantly differed between invaded and removal plots. Species with high affinity to removal plots, i.e. species that are most restricted by I. parviflora invasion, were mostly species with small releasing height and early start of flowering. Our results indicate that I. parviflora has negative impact on native vegetation but that the vegetation can recover within few years after the invader removal. Due to its extensive distribution and high turnover, removal of the species from larger plots is, however, not realistic in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exotic species can cause changes to their invaded ecosystems, which can be large and long lasting. Despite most landscapes being invaded by multiple exotic plant species, >90 % of impact studies only characterize the impacts of single species. Therefore, our knowledge of invasive plant impacts does not reflect the co-invaded nature of most landscapes, potentially ignoring complex interactions among exotic species. Our objective was to characterize potential invader synergies (positive interactions) on biotic and abiotic ecological parameters among the important forest invaders Japanese stiltgrass ( Microstegium vimineum) and wavyleaf basketgrass ( Oplismenus undulatifolius), which co-invade eastern US deciduous forests. To characterize synergies, we used a factorial selective removal study, as well as an observational study to further explore invader cover-impact relationships. Although both invaders can reduce native plant richness by 70 % individually or in combination, there were no impact synergies. Total cover of any combination of the two invaders had a negative quadratic effect on total, exotic, and native plant richness; i.e., all community metrics were greatest at intermediate levels of total invader cover and lowest at maximum invader cover. Native richness was more greatly affected than exotic richness by the co-invasion. Soil metrics had no clear trend in either study. Japanese stiltgrass and wavyleaf basketgrass appear to have overlapping impact niches-the number, magnitude, and direction of biotic and abiotic changes to the invaded ecosystem-that only vary in impact magnitude, not breadth. As a result of their overlapping impact niches and non-synergies in this co-invaded system, the addition of the recent invader wavyleaf basketgrass has not resulted in additional changes to the invaded forests. Future impact studies should focus on multiple species and identifying synergies, especially as they relate to invader cover, which informs ecological interactions and management prioritization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this resurvey study is to check if herbaceous vegetation on the forest floor exhibits overall stability at the stand-scale in spite of intensive dynamics at the scale of individual plots and stand dynamic events (driven by natural fine scale canopy gap dynamics). In 1996, we sampled a 1.5 ha patch using 0.25 m2 plots placed along a 5 m x 5 m grid in the best remnant of central European montane beech woods in Hungary. All species in the herbaceous layer and their cover estimates were recorded. Five patches representing different stand developmental situations (SDS) were selected for resurvey. In 2013, 306 plots were resurveyed by using blocks of four 0.25 m2 plots to test the effects of imperfect relocation. We found very intensive fine-scale dynamics in the herbaceous layer with high species turnover and sharp changes in ground layer cover at the local-scale (< 1 m2). A decrease in species richness and herbaceous layer cover, as well as high species turnover, characterized the closing gaps. Colonization events and increasing species richness and herbaceous layer cover prevailed in the two newly created gaps. A pronounced decrease in the total cover, but low species turnover and survival of the majority of the closed forest specialists was detected by the resurvey at the stand-scale. The test aiming at assessing the effect of relocation showed a higher time effect than the effect of imprecise relocation. The very intensive fine-scale dynamics of the studied beech forest are profoundly determined by natural stand dynamics. Extinction and colonisation episodes even out at the stand-scale, implying an overall compositional stability of the herbaceous vegetation at the given spatial and temporal scale. We argue that fine-scale gap dynamics, driven by natural processes or applied as a management method, can warrant the survival of many closed forest specialist species in the long-run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant phenology is changing because of recent global warming, and this change may precipitate changes in animal distribution (e.g., pests), alter the synchronization between species, and have feedback effects on the climate system through the alteration of biogeochemical and physical processes of vegetated land surface. Here, ground observations (leaf unfolding/first leaf separation of six deciduous tree species) and satellite-derived start-of-growing season (SOS) are used to assess how the timing of leafing/SOS in Western European deciduous forest responded to climate variability between 2001 and 2011 and evaluate the reliability of satellite SOS estimates in tracking the response of forest leafing to climate variability in this area. Satellite SOS estimates are derived from the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Temporal trends in the SOS are quantified using linear regression, expressing SOS as a function of time. We demonstrated that the growing season was starting earlier between 2001 and 2011 for the majority of temperate deciduous forests in Western Europe, possibly influenced by regional spring warming effects experienced during the same period. A significant shift of up to 3 weeks to early leafing was found in both ground observations and satellite SOS estimates. We also show that the magnitude and trajectory of shifts in satellite SOS estimates are well comparable to that of in situ observations, hence highlighting the importance of satellite imagery in monitoring leaf phenology under a changing climate.

Open habitats in closed forests are formed by various biotic and abiotic factors. These new habitats differ from their former parent stands in light conditions and vegetation structure facilitating their colonisation by heliophilous insects. We studied interseasonal differences (2010 and 2011) in the Orthoptera assemblages on eight clearcuts in beech forests. Using a sweeping method, altogether 20 species were recorded on the clearcuts in the first year, 26 in the second. In the second year, species number and abundance were higher in all orthopterans and also in the suborder of grasshoppers (Caelifera). In the crickets (Ensifera), interseasonal differences in the species number and abundance were not significant. The species composition differed among the plots also within individual years. In the second year, the frequency increased in 22 species (84.6%) while it decreased in four. We suggest that the ground-dwelling Caelifera species are better bioindicators of the deforested plot colonisation than the arbusticolous Ensifera.

Fog deposition onto the cool-temperate deciduous forest around Lake Mashu in northern Japan was estimated by the inferential method using the parameterizations of deposition velocity and liquid water content of fog (LWC). Two parameterizations of fog deposition velocity derived from field experiments in Europe and numerical simulations using a detailed multi-layer atmosphere-vegetation-soil model were tested. The empirical function between horizontal visibility (VIS) and LWC was applied to produce hourly LWC as an input data for the inferential method. Weekly mean LWC computed from VIS had a good correlation with LWC sampled by an active string-fog collector. By considering the enhancement of fog deposition due to the edge effect, fog deposition calculated by the inferential method using two parameterizations of deposition velocity agreed with that computed from throughfall data. The results indicated that the inferential method using the current parameterizations of deposition velocity and LWC can provide a rough estimation of water input due to fog deposition onto cool-temperature deciduous forests. Limitations of current parameterizations of deposition velocity related to wind speed, evaporation loss of rain and fog droplets intercepted by tree canopies, and leaf area index were discussed.

Este estudo teve como objetivo o levantamento florístico e fitossociológico de uma área de 178.000 m², situada nas coordenadas 29º10'38"S e 51º27'16"W, na localidade de Linha Palmeiro, Distrito de São Pedro, no Município de Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brasil, onde se encontra o Jardim Botânico de Bento Gonçalves, o qual se situa numa zona de transição de três formações vegetais distintas: Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Floresta Estacional Decidual e resquícios de Mata Atlântica. O local é uma área de conservação in situ no Jardim Botânico de Bento Gonçalves. O método de amostragem utilizado foi o de parcelas distribuídas ao acaso. Avaliaram-se 10 parcelas medindo 50 x 50 m cada. Dentro de cada parcela, foram amostrados indivíduos com circunferência à altura do peito (CAP) superior ou igual a 30 cm. Foram amostrados 1.947 indivíduos vivos dentro de 35 famílias botânicas, além de 109 indivíduos mortos ainda em pé. As famílias mais expressivas em número de indivíduos e em espécies foram Sapindaceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae e Lauraceae. As espécies com maiores valores de importância foram Matayba elaeagnoides Radlk., Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze, Lithraea brasiliensis Marchand, Ligustrum licidum W. T. Aiton e Sebastiania serrata (Klotzsch) Müll. Arg. O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi de 3,18 nats/indivíduos, enquanto a equabilidade de Pielou (J'), 0,71, valores esses considerados altos se comparados a de outros levantamentos. O número de espécies identificadas evidenciou nível alto de diversidade florística, que se caracterizou pela associação de diferentes contingentes florestais, com predomínio daquelas de ampla distribuição na área.The objective of this study was to survey the flora in an area of 178,000 square meters at 29&º10'38''S and 51&º27'16''W, in Linha Palmeiro, in São Pedro, a district of Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil where the Botanical Garden of Bento Gonçalves is situated, an area with a transition zone that encompasses three distinct vegetation types: Mixed Ombrofilus Forest, Deciduous Forest and remnants of the Atlantic rainforest. The site is an in situ conservation area in the Botanical Garden of Bento Gonçalves. The sampling method used was a randomly distributed plot. Ten 50 x 50 m plots were evaluated. Samples of individuals with CBH (circumference at breast height) greater than or equal to 30 cm were taken from each plot. It was sampled 1,947 individuals living in 35 families, and 109 dead trees still standing. The most represented families in terms of number of individuals and species were Sapindaceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae and Lauraceae. The species with the highest values of importance were Matayba elaeagnoides Radlk., Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze, Lithraea brasiliensis Marchand, W. Ligustrum licidum T. Aiton and Sebastiania serrata (Klotzsch) Müll.Arg. The Shannon's diversity index was 3.18 nats/individuals and the Pielou equability (J') was 0.71 nats/indididual, high values when compared with other studies. The number of identified species showed an intermediate level of plant diversity, which was characterized by the association of different forest contingents with the predominance of those widely distributed in the area.

Coverage and frequency of remotely sensed forest structural information would benefit from single orbital platforms designed to collect sufficient data. We evaluated forest structural information content using single-date Hyperion hyperspectral imagery collected over full-canopy oak-hickory forests in the Ozark National Forest, Arkansas, USA. Hyperion spectral derivatives were used to develop machine learning regression tree rule sets for predicting forest neighborhood percentile heights generated from near-coincident Leica Geosystems ALS50 small footprint light detection and ranging (LIDAR). The most successful spectral predictors of LIDAR-derived forest structure were also tested with basal area measured in situ. Based on the machine learning regression trees developed, Hyperion spectral derivatives were utilized to predict LIDAR forest neighborhood percentile heights with accuracies between 2.1 and 3.7 m RMSE. Understory predictions consistently resulted in the highest accuracy of 2.1 m RMSE. In contrast, hyperspectral prediction of basal area measured in situ was only found to be 6.5 m2/ha RMSE when the average basal area across the study area was ~12 m2/ha. The results suggest, at a spatial resolution of 30 × 30 m, that orbital hyperspectral imagery alone can provide useful structural information related to vegetation height. Rapidly calibrated biophysical remote sensing techniques will facilitate timely assessment of regional forest conditions.

Se conjuntó la información disponible para obtener una lista exhaustiva de los ropalóceros del estado de Morelos: 331 taxones de nivel específico pertenecientes a 154 géneros; 18 subfamilias y 5 familias, a partir de 29 981 ejemplares provenientes de las colecciones mexicanas y extranjeras de lepidópteros en la megabase MARIPOSA, la hemerobibliografía especializada y los inventarios faunísticos previos. Con base en estos datos se trazó un esbozo histórico de las recolecciones y recolectores, destacando lo realizado en Morelos desde el siglo XVI. Se compara su riqueza con la de estados contiguos y se advierte mayor similitud con la de Guerrero, con más del 90%. Se encontró que Cuernavaca es la localidad más diversa del estado, puesto que contiene más de la mitad de las especies; en 21 localidades está representado el 95% de los papilionoideos, que han sido satisfactoriamente recolectadas. Los municipios mejor estudiados son Tepoztlán, Tlaquiltenango y Huitzilac. Destaca el estado de Morelos por el alto porcentaje de taxones endémicos de México que presenta, esto es, un tercio del total para el país.We set the information available for a comprehensive list of the state of Morelos Rhopalocera: 331 taxa specific level, contained in 154 genera, 18 subfamilies and 5 families from 29 981 lepidopterists specimens from Mexican and foreign collections contained in the megabase MARIPOSA, it is specialized in wildlife inventories. Based on this, we performed a historical sketch of collecting and collectors, highlighting the work in the state since the sixteenth century. We compared the richness with contiguous states, we found a greater similarity with the state of Guerrero, with more than 90%. We found that Cuernavaca is the town with more diversity, as it contains more than half of the species in the state, 21 sites have been successfully collected, they represented in 95% of the Papilionoidea. Municipalities best studied were Tepoztlan, Tlaquiltenango and Huitzilac. Morelos is highlighted by the percentage of taxa endemic to Mexico it represents one third of the total species endemic for the country.

The bat fauna of Letea Forest area was surveyed by using ultrasound detectors and nets during March until September 2007. The objective was to map the distribution of all species in the area, to identify important foraging areas and habitat use and to get rough estimates of the abundance of the species. Bat species that predominantly forage in different vertical strata (above or below the canopy), inside and outside the forest, differed in the activity at the various habitat types. Both total numbers of bat passes and feeding buzzes were highest over water bodies. Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Myotis daubentonii were most frequently recorded.

A análise do padrão de deposição de serapilheira foi empregada como bioindicador para comparar diferentes estádios de regeneração de floresta secundária, capoeira e pasto e um modelo de plantio adensado de revegetação. Coletores de serapilheira cônicos de 0,25 m² foram utilizados, obtendo-se uma produção total de biomassa de 10,17 Mg ha-1 ano-1 para a floresta secundária similar ao terço médio da área revegetada (8,98 Mg ha-1 ano-1). Para os terços inferior (5,85 Mg ha-1 ano-1) e superior (5,81 Mg ha-1 ano-1) e capoeira (5,63 Mg ha-1 ano-1), os dados foram similares aos obtidos em florestas alteradas. Apesar da necessidade de formulação de mais variáveis comparativas, a deposição de serapilheira pode ser usada como bioindicador de recuperação ambiental.Litter deposition pattern was applied as bioindicator to compare sites at different successional stages with a dense restoration plantation. Litter traps (0.25 m²) were used and a production of 10.17 Mg ha-1 year-1 was obtained for secondary forest similar to a medium sector in the restoration area (8.98 Mg ha-1 year -1). Lower (5.85 Mg ha-1 year-1), upper (5.81 Mg ha-1 year-1), and bush (5.63 Mg ha-1 year-1) land production were similar to litter deposition values obtained from disturbed forests. Despite the need of more comparative parameters, litter deposition can be applied as restoration bioindicator.

In seasonally dry ecosystems, loss of vegetation cover leads to warmer microclimates that can increase lizards' body temperatures to the point of threatening their performance. Preserving vegetation by establishing protected areas may mitigate these effects. We used remote sensing to test these ideas in the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve (REBIOSH) and surrounding areas. First, we determined whether vegetation cover was higher in the REBIOSH compared to adjacent unprotected areas to the north (NAA) and south (SAA). Then, we used a mechanistic niche model to test whether simulated Sceloporus horridus lizards in the REBIOSH experienced a cooler microclimate, higher thermal safety margin, longer foraging duration, and lower basal metabolic rate compared to adjacent unprotected areas. We compared these variables between 1999, when the reserve was declared, and 2020. We found that vegetation cover increased from 1999 to 2020 in all three areas; it was higher in the REBIOSH than in the more anthropized NAA, and was intermediate in the less anthropized SAA in both years. The microclimate temperature decreased from 1999 to 2020 and was lower in the REBIOSH and SAA than in the NAA. Thermal safety margin increased from 1999 to 2020; it was higher in the REBIOSH than in the NAA and intermediate in the SAA. Foraging duration increased from 1999 to 2020 and was similar among the three polygons. Basal metabolic rate decreased from 1999 to 2020 and was higher in the NAA than in the REBIOSH and SAA. Our results suggest that the REBIOSH provides cooler microclimates that increase the thermal safety margin and lower the metabolic rate of this generalist lizard compared to the NAA, and that the REBIOSH could contribute to increased vegetation cover in its surroundings. Besides, protecting original vegetation cover is an important part of climate change mitigation strategies more generally. • We simulated a tropical lizard's thermal safety margin in a dry forest protected area (PA). • We compared the PA to two adjacent areas at the PA's declaration and 20 years later. • The PA had higher vegetation cover and was cooler than the more anthropized area. • The PA was thermally safer for lizards than the more anthropized adjacent area. • Vegetation increased and conditions cooled from 1999 to 2020 in all three areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to ongoing and projected climate change as well as increasing anthropogenic disturbances, the tropical deciduous forest has been experiencing a decline in its biomass and productivity. To mitigate this adverse effect, many tropical countries have adopted forest co-management engaging local communities. However, the effects of co-management on the resistance and resilience of forest ecosystems to extreme climatic events have rarely been tested. The present study investigates the effects of co-management on resistance and resilience to extreme climatic events in two major tropical deciduous forest protected areas of Bangladesh, namely Madhupur National Park (MNP) and Bhawal National Park (BNP), through remotely sensed satellite data. We used the Google Earth Engine platform to access the Landsat images from 1990 to 2020 for a comprehensive assessment of the forest cover condition under two major management regimes (i.e., traditional and co-management). We find that co-management slows down the rate of forest destruction, where the rate of forest destruction was 108 ha year−1 in MNP and 121 ha year−1 in BNP during the year 1990–2008 under traditional forest management system. Under the co-management regime, forest cover increased by 19 ha year−1 and 41 ha year−1 from 2009 to 2020 respectively in MNP and BNP. Our study finds a highly significant correlation between rainfall (p < 0.001) and forest health, although co-management had poor impacts on forest resistance and resilience in case of extreme climatic events, such as drought and heavy rainfall. We find, no significant impacts of co-management on resistance and resilience to drought in MNP, and on resistance and resilience to heavy rainfall in MNP and BNP. In BNP, the impacts of co-management on resistance (p < 0.05) and resilience (p < 0.01) of forest to drought were highly significant. Forest co-management although have the potentials to reduce the deforestation rate by mitigating anthropogenic disturbances, its capacity to tackle the adverse impact of climate change was limited in our study. An adaptive co-management model, therefore, is crucial for mainstreaming the adverse effect of climate change on the tropical deciduous forest to harness the maximum potential of community participation in forest resources management. • The effect of the co-management on forest resistance and resilience to extreme climatic events in two protected areas of Bangladesh were investigated. • Forest cover increased by 19 ha year−1 in MNP and 41 ha year−1 in BNP from 2009 to 2020 under the co-management. • We find a highly significant (p < 0.001) correlation between rainfall and forest health, although co-management had limited impacts on forest resistance and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected total suspended particulate (TSP) samples from January 2010 to December 2010 at Sapporo deciduous forest to understand the oxidation processes of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). The gas chromatography-mass spectrometric technique was applied to determine biogenic secondary organic aerosols (BSOAs) in the TSP samples. We found the predominance of the isoprene SOA (iSOA) tracers (20.6 ng m−3) followed by α/β -pinene SOA (pSOA) tracers (8.25 ng m−3) and β -caryophyllene SOA (cSOA) tracer (1.53 ng m−3) in the forest aerosols. The results showed large isoprene fluxes and relatively high levels of oxidants in the forest atmosphere. The iSOA and pSOA tracers showed a clear seasonal trend with summer and autumn maxima and winter and spring minima. Their seasonal trends were mainly controlled by BVOCs emission from the local broadleaf deciduous forest. Additionally, the regional level of isoprene emissions from the oceanic sources may also be contributed during summertime aerosols. cSOA tracer showed high concentrations in the winter and spring, possibly due to an additional contribution of biomass burning (BB) aerosols from the local or regional BB activities. The biogenic secondary organic carbon (BSOC) was contributed mainly by the oxidation products of isoprene (136 ngC m−3) followed by β -caryophyllene (63.0 ngC m−3) and α/β -pinene (35.9 ngC m−3). The mass concentration ratio (0.92) of pinonic acid + pinic acid and 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid ((PNA + PA)/3-MBTCA) indicates the photochemical transformation of first-generation oxidation products to the higher generation oxidation products. The average ratios of isoprene to α/β -pinene (1.64) and β -caryophyllene (18.6) oxidation products suggested a large difference in the emissions of isoprene and α/β -pinene compared to β -caryophyllene. The cSOA tracers in the forest aerosols are also contributed by BB during the winter and spring. Positive matrix factorization analyses of the BSOA tracers confirmed that organic aerosols of deciduous forests are mostly related to isoprene emissions. This study suggests that isoprene is a more significant precursor for the BSOA than α/β -pinene and β -caryophyllene in a broadleaf deciduous forest. [Display omitted] •Isoprene SOA tracers are significant sources for BSOAs, followed by α/β-pinene SOA tracers and β-caryophyllene SOA tracer in Sapporo forest aerosols. • Locally emitted isoprene is oxidized to form low-NOx BSOA tracers (2-MTLs and C5-alkene triols). • β-caryophyllene SOA tracer is significantly contributed from the forest vegetation to the Sapporo aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trees associate with one of two types of mycorrhiza fungi (AM or ECM). • Adding lime to soils increases soil pH and increases nitrogen availability. • The density of AM associated seedings increased by 42% in the lime treatment. • The density of ECM associated seedlings decreased by 49% in the lime treatment. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has led to an increase in N cycling and N availability. This increase in inorganic N is likely to impact forest ecosystems, although the responses remain uncertain. Most tree species are associated with one of two mycorrhiza types – arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) or ectomycorrhiza (ECM). Due to functional differences in their ability to access soil nutrients, we might expect that increased N cycling and availability of inorganic N would benefit AM associated species, with negative or neutral impact for ECM associated species. This study addresses how the abundance of the regeneration layer responds to those shifting soil conditions, based on their mycorrhizal association. We used a long-term experiment located in a temperate deciduous forest, where the native acidic soils are low in nutrients. Soil treatments began in 2009, by adding lime and/or phosphate to raise pH and increase the availability of N and P. All trees ≥ 6.0 cm in 2010 were tagged and have been monitored with annual censuses. To quantity the density of the regeneration layer, seedlings and saplings were recorded in the control and limed plots in 2019. Trees that had recruited into the canopy (DBH ≥ 6.0 cm) were measured in 2020 in all treatment plots. Seedlings older than one year responded to the treatments as predicted, as AM seedlings increased by 42 % in the lime treatment (1.53 ± 0.38 individuals per m2 in control, to 2.17 ± 0.56 in lime) and ECM seedlings decreased by 49 % in response to liming (0.61 ± 0.14 individuals per m2 in control, to 0.31 ± 0.04 in lime). AM saplings also responded positively to liming, increasing 254 % from control to lime (from 0.013 ± 0.003 to 0.046 ± 0.018 individuals per m2), while ECM sapling abundance was neutral (0.063 ± 0.015 individuals per m2 in control, and 0.054 ± 0.009 in lime). The highest number of ECM recruits was found in the control plots (34.4 %), followed by phosphate (25.8 %), lime + phosphate (21.5 %), then lime (18.3 %). For AM associated tree species, the number of trees recruiting into the canopy was substantially higher in the phosphate treatment (39.4 %), with lower numbers in the other three treatments (26.8 % in control, 19.7 % in lime, and 14.1 % in lime + phosphate). Overall, we found a positive regeneration response in AM associated species to increasing nutrient availability which has important consequences for species composition in forests experiencing chronic N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se estudió la diversidad de los ácaros (Prostigmata, Mesostigmata y Astigmata) habitantes del estrato suelo-hojarasca de un Matorral y un Bosque Deciduo del Parque Universitario de la UCLA (Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado), Estado Lara, Venezuela, desde diciembre 2000 a noviembre 2001. El muestreo se realizó usando trampas de caída colocadas a lo largo de una transecta de 1.800 m en ambas localidades. Todos los morfotipos fueron montados en láminas microscópicas usando líquido de Hoyer. Se registró un total de 51 morfotipos de ácaros con predominancia del número de individuos pertenecientes a Prostigmata (2528) respecto a Mesostigmata (926) y Astigmata (12). En ambas localidades, Eupodidae (Prostigmata) y Macrochelidae (Mesotigmata) fueron las familias más abundantes. Se determinó mayor riqueza (S= 43), diversidad (H'= 2,67) y uniformidad (E= 0,69) de morfotipos en el Bosque Deciduo al ser comparado con los valores obtenidos en el Matorral (S= 36, H'= 2,12 y E= 0,52). Ambas zonas mostraron un índice de similitud (J') de 0,59. La pendiente de la curva de diversidad-dominancia permitió inferir que el Matorral constituye un hábitat más disturbado que el Bosque Deciduo a pesar de albergar mayor número de individuos. Se requiere realizar estudios más detallados que sirvan de base para determinar el rol de la acarofauna en el equilibrio de la red trófica de suelo de las regiones tropicales.Soil mite diversity (Prostigmata, Mesostigmata, Astigmata) inhabiting in litter-soil layer from a Shrubland and a Deciduous Forest was estimated from December 2000 to November 2001 in the University Park of UCLA (Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado), state of Lara, Venezuela. Samplings were made by using pitfall traps along an 1,800 m-transect in both areas. All morfotypes were mounted in microscope slides using Hoyer's medium. A total of 51 mite morfotypes were collected with higher abundance in Prostigmata (2,528) as compared to Mesostigmata (926) and Astigmata (12). Eupodidae (Prostigmata) and Macrochelidae (Mesotigmata) showed higher abundance in both locations. Higher morfotype richness (S= 43), diversity (H'= 2.67) and evenness (E= 0.69) were found in Deciduous Forest compared to values from Shrubland (S= 36, H'= 2.12 and E= 0.52). Both areas showed a similarity index (J') of 0.59. Although more individuals were found in Shrubland, the diversity-dominance curves indicated that this is a more disturbed habitat than Deciduous Forest. Further detailed studies are required to determine acarofauna role in trophic web maintenance in soils from tropical areas.

Realizou-se o levantamento da comunidade arbórea de dois fragmentos de florestas ripárias estacionais deciduais submontanas localizados na região do médio rio Grande e na margem esquerda deste rio, nos municípios de Alpin��polis e Passos, MG (20º41'S; 46º22'W; 20º40'S; 46º27'W; altitudes 680 a 750 m), com o propósito de contribuir para o conhecimento da florística e fitossociologia das florestas que margeiam os cursos d'água em Minas Gerais e de avaliar as correlações entre variações estruturais e variáveis ambientais. Foram analisados aspectos da estrutura (densidade e área basal), composição, distribuição e diversidade de espécies. Foram alocadas 25 parcelas de 20×20 m para amostragem dos indivíduos arbóreos com diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) > 5 cm, onde também foram coletados dados topográficos e amostras de solo superficial para análises químicas e texturais. Foram registrados 811 indivíduos, 65 espécies, 55 gêneros e 28 famílias, bem como três subgrupos de solos e duas classes de drenagem. Anadenanthera colubrina e Myracrodruon urundeuva foram marcantemente as espécies mais importantes. Uma análise de correspondência canônica (CCA) detectou um gradiente curto, com poucas substituições de espécies e predominância da variação nas abundâncias das espécies arbóreas, ligado principalmente à drenagem e ao desnível.The tree layer was surveyed in two fragments of submontane deciduous riparian forest on the left bank of the mid-course Rio Grande, in Alpinópolis and Passos municipalities, MG (20º41'S; 46º22'W; 20º40'S; 46º27'W; altitude 680 to 750 m). The aim was to study the flora and phytosociology of riparian forests in Minas Gerais and to assess the correlation between forest structure variation and environmental variables. Structure (density and basal area), species composition, distribution and diversity were analyzed. All trees with dbh > 5 cm were sampled in 25 plots (20×20 m); topographic data and soil samples for chemical and textural analyses were collected in these plots. A total of 811 trees, 65 species, 55 genera and 28 families were recorded, as well as three soil groups and two drainage classes. Anadenanthera colubrina and Myracrodruon urundeuva were clearly the most important species. Canonical correspondence analysis detected a short gradient with low species substitution and species abundances varying mainly in relation to drainage and slope variables.

This study investigates whether the assumed increase of winter and spring temperatures is depicted by phenological models in correspondingly earlier bud burst (BB) dates. Some studies assume that rising temperatures lead to an earlier BB, but even later BB has been detected. The phenological model PIM (promoter-inhibitor-model) fitted to the extensive phenological database of the German Weather Service was driven by several climate scenarios. This model accounts for the complicated mechanistic interactions between chilling requirements, temperature and photo-period. It predicts BB with a r between 0.41 and 0.62 and a RMSE of around 1 week, depending on species. Parameter sensitivities depict species dependent interactions between growth and chilling requirements as well as photo-period. A mean trend to earlier BB was revealed for the period 2002- 2100, varying between −0.05 and −0.11 days per year, depending on species. These trends are lower than for the period 1951- 2009. Within climate scenario period, trends are decreasing for beech and chestnut, stagnating for birch and increasing for oak. Results suggest that not fulfilled chilling requirements accompanied by an increasing dependency on photo-period potentially limit future BB advancement. The combination of a powerful phenological model, a large scale phenological database and several climate scenarios, offers new insights into the mechanistic comprehension of spring phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of mites on bats in the Mexican state Oaxaca are scarce. Our objective was therefore to evaluate the richness, infestation, and specificity of spinturnicid mites on bats in southern Oaxaca, Mexico. Bats were monthly captured from April 2010 to February 2011, in four sites using four mist-nets; also, we visited natural (crevices) and artificial roosts (tunnel). Of each bat we account the number of spinturnicid mites, considering the area of the body where they were collected. Mites were preserved in 70 % ethanol and later they were mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer's medium. We captured bats of 15 species, of which eight species were infested. We recorded seven spinturnicid mites: five of the genus Periglischrus, one of the genus Cameronieta, and one of the genus Mesoperiglischrus. Periglischrus caligus, P. iheringi, and Periglischrus sp. are new records on Artibeus lituratus, Glossophaga soricina, and G. commissarisi, respectively. More infested bat species were Artibeus jamaicensis (93.8 %), A. lituratus (88.9 %), G. commissarisi and Sturnira parvidens (both 66.7 %). Prevalence of A. jamaicensis and A. lituratus was significantly higher than most other bat species. Although prevalence percentage was high, mean and median intensity were low. Spinturnicid mites were recorded in particular areas of a bat's body; therefore, they could be an additional tool for the taxonomic identification of bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variability of forest understory herbs is not well understood and there are almost no data about seasonal changes of individual plant biomass and specific leaf area (SLA) of this functional group, even though they are a crucial element of forest ecosystem plant biodiversity. The aim of the study was to characterize the seasonal variation of individual aboveground standing biomass, total leaf area and SLA of understory herbaceous species during a growing season. The study was conducted in the Czmoń Forest (W Poland; 52°15′N, 17°05′E) and covered 12 plant species, i.e. Aegopodium podagraria , Alliaria petiolata , Anemone nemorosa , Anemone ranunculoides , Asarum europaeum , Corydalis cava , Ficaria verna , Galium aparine , Galeobdolon luteum , Hepatica nobilis , Maianthemum bifolium and Paris quadrifolia . Plants were harvested 14 dates, between the 109th and 287th day of year. In all species there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in SLA and total leaf area among harvest dates and in individual plant biomass for all except two species ( A. ranunculoides and G. aparine ). Changes in SLA and total leaf area were related to changes in light conditions during the growing season. However, responses of the species studied to seasonal changes of light availability were different: those species which persisted through the whole sampling period differed from spring ephemerals, which resulted in different patterns of biomass production and SLA seasonal variation. In most cases, flowering individuals had lower SLA than vegetative plants, which may indicate that light availability is more important than light use efficiency for their generative propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrying capacity is 1 driver of wildlife population dynamics. Although in previous studies carrying capacity was considered to be a fixed entity, it may differ among locations due to environmental variation. The factors underlying variability in carrying capacity, however, have rarely been examined. Here, we investigated spatial heterogeneity in the carrying capacity of Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon) from 2005 to 2014 in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan (mesh with grid cells of 5.5 × 4.6 km) by state-space modeling. Both carrying capacity and density dependence differed greatly among cells. Estimated carrying capacities ranged from 1.34 to 98.4 deer/km2. According to estimated population dynamics, grid cells with larger proportions of artificial grassland and deciduous forest were subject to lower density dependence and higher carrying capacity. We conclude that population dynamics of ungulates may vary spatially through spatial variation in carrying capacity and that the density level for controlling ungulate abundance should be based on the current density level relative to the carrying capacity for each area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study aimed to evaluate the imports and exports of dissolved nitrogen from mull-type organic layers to identify control techniques of nitrogen (N) leaching among beech forests in Central Europe. The study is conducted through the continuous measurement of dissolved N fluxes with throughfall and through mull-type organic layers. The results of the study indicate that dissolved N exports from organic layers contain significan amount of throughfall-derived N.

Forest management requires a profound understanding of how tree species affect C and N cycles in ecosystems. The large C and N stocks in forest soils complicate research on the effects of tree species on C and N pools. In-situ 13C and 15N labeling in undisturbed, natural forests enable not only tracing of C and N fluxes, but also reveal insight into the interactions at the plant-soil-atmosphere interface. In-situ dual 13C and 15N pulse labeling of 20 beeches ( Fagus sylvatica L.) and 20 ashes ( Fraxinus excelsior L.) allowed tracing the fate of assimilated C and N in trees and soils in an unmanaged forest system in the Hainich National Park (Germany). Leaf, stem, root, and soil samples as well as microbial biomass were analyzed to quantify the allocation of 13C and 15N for 60 d after labeling and along spatial gradients in the soil with increasing distance from the stem. For trees of similar heights (≈ 4 m), beech (20%) assimilated twice as much as ash (9%) of the applied 13CO2, but beech and ash incorporated similar 15N amounts (45%) into leaves. The photosynthates were transported belowground through the phloem more rapidly in beech than in ash. Ash preferentially accumulated 15N and 13C in the roots. In contrast, beech released more of this initially assimilated 13C (2.0% relative 13C allocation) and 15N (0.1% relative 15N allocation) via rhizodeposition into the soil than ash (0.2% relative 13C, 0.04% relative 15N allocation), which was also subsequently recovered in microbial biomass. These results on C and N partitioning contribute to an improved understanding of the effects of European beech and ash on the C and N cycles in deciduous broad-leaved forest. Differences in C and N allocation patterns between ash and beech are one mechanism of niche differentiation in forests containing both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the estimation of tree biomass by non destructive method in tropical dry deciduous forest (DDF) and tropical mixed deciduous forest (MDF) in 0.1 ha permanent plots, established at seven sites each in seven districts of state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Tree volume was calculated using site specific volume equation. The biomass of each species was estimated taking tree volume and species specific gravity. The relationship between basal area and above ground biomass showed positive correlation for all sites and forest types. In general DDF holds higher density, basal area and biomass than MDF irrespective of sites. Significantly higher basal area (m² ha-0.1) was recorded in DDF (6.45 ± 4.22) MDF (4.53 ± 3.56). Average above ground biomass of both DDF and MDF of all sites were 31.8 t ha-1and 20.7 t ha-1 respectively. Estimation of above ground tree biomass in the present study provides data for tropical deciduous forests covering a large part (24.66%) of state for further use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how invasive plants modify symbiotic interactions between ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi and native host trees is a central goal in invasion biology. We examined the effect of the annual invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera on the EM association and performance of Fagus sylvatica saplings in a controlled field experiment at three sites in a deciduous forest in Switzerland. A total of 1188 one-year-old F. sylvatica saplings were planted either in plots invaded by I. glandulifera , in plots from which the invasive plant had been manually removed or in plots which were not yet colonized by the invasive plant. The 54 (3 × 18) plots were equally distributed over three sites. Saplings, including their full root systems were harvested after 3, 6 and 15 months. Exudates of the invasive plant were extracted from resin bags buried in the soil during the seedling, flowering and senescent stage of I. glandulifera . EM colonization on F. sylvatica saplings growing in invaded plot was 33% lower after 3 months and 66% lower after 15 months than saplings growing in plots from which I. glandulifera had been removed and in uninvaded plots. Survival and biomass of saplings were reduced by 16% and 30% after 15 months in plots invaded by I. glandulifera. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of fungal rDNA (ITS) showed that the number of EM species was highly correlated with the number of EM morphotypes, indicating that the latter can be considered as a surrogate for EM species richness on roots of F. sylvatica saplings. EM morphotype richness on saplings was 32% lower after 15 months in invaded plots as compared to control plots. Chemical analysis revealed a high amount of naphthoquinones in plots with I. glandulifera suggesting that this putative allelochemical can be responsible for the reduction in both EM colonization and morphotype richness. Our findings demonstrate the negative impact of an annual invasive plant on the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and performance of native F. sylvatica saplings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With ozone concentrations simulated using a regional chemical transport model (ADMER-PRO) and high-spatial resolution meteorological data, we investigated the influence of ozone concentration on deciduous forests in the Kanto region of Japan in summer during 2003, 2004, and 2009: three years for which weather characteristics differed greatly. Ozone risk for plants was assessed by the accumulated phytotoxic ozone dose (POD), a flux-based index. The effects were analyzed by particularly addressing the relation between the stomatal ozone flux and meteorological elements. Results revealed high absorption areas not only where injury to forests had been visually detected in previous studies, but also where injury had not been observed to date. Regarding the relation between the stomatal ozone flux and meteorological elements, air temperature and vapor pressure deficit strongly affected POD in 2004, when high temperature and little rainfall were observed. Additionally, the ozone concentration and irradiance strongly affected POD in 2003 when low temperatures and heavy rainfall were observed. The meteorological elements affecting POD differed from year to year. Results demonstrate the importance of multi-year simulations and analyses in the field of ozone risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess how environmental factors are affecting the distribution and migration of radioiodine and plutonium that were emitted from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, we quantified iodine and 239,240 Pu concentration changes in soil samples with different land uses (urban, paddy, deciduous forest and coniferous forest), as well as iodine speciation in surface water and rainwater. Sampling locations were 53–63 km northwest of the FDNPP within a 75-km radius, in close proximity of each other. A ranking of the land uses by their surface soil (<4 cm) stable 127 I concentrations was coniferous forest > deciduous forest > urban > paddy, and 239,240 Pu concentrations ranked as deciduous forest > coniferous forest > paddy ≥ urban. Both were quite distinct from that of 134 Cs and 137 Cs: urban > coniferous forest > deciduous forest > paddy, indicating differences in their sources, deposition phases, and biogeochemical behavior in these soil systems. Although stable 127 I might not have fully equilibrated with Fukushima-derived 129 I, it likely still works as a proxy for the long-term fate of 129 I. Surficial soil 127 I content was well correlated to soil organic matter (SOM) content, regardless of land use type, suggesting that SOM might be an important factor affecting iodine biogeochemistry. Other soil chemical properties, such as Eh and pH, had strong correlations to soil 127 I content, but only within a given land use (e.g., within urban soils). Organic carbon (OC) concentrations and Eh were positively, and pH was negatively correlated to 127 I concentrations in surface water and rain samples. It is also noticeable that 127 I in the wet deposition was concentrated in both the deciduous and coniferous forest throughfall and stemfall water, respectively, comparing to the bulk rainwater. Further, both forest throughfall and stemflow water consisted exclusively of organo-iodine, suggesting all inorganic iodine in the original bulk deposition (∼28.6% of total iodine) have been completely converted to organo-iodine. Fukushima-derived 239,240 Pu was detectable at a distance ∼61 km away, NW of FDNPP. However, it is confined to the litter layer, even three years after the FDNPP accident-derived emissions. Plutonium-239,240 activities were significantly correlated with soil OC and nitrogen contents, indicating Pu may be associated with nitrogen-containing SOM, similar to what has been observed at other locations in the United States. Together, these finding suggest that natural organic matter (NOM) plays a key role in affecting the fate and transport of I and Pu and may warrant greater consideration for predicting long-term stewardship of contaminated areas and evaluating various remediation options in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]