Some characteristics of animal biodiversity of Slovene forest
2000
Kos, I. (Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia). Biotechnical Fac., Biology Dept.)
More than a half of the area of Slovenia is covered by forest, which is its most important natural heritage. Due to near-to-nature forest management, the forest is well-preserved, with developed plant and animal communities. Most Slovenian animal species live in the forest and their survival depends on the forest conditions. Species composition is not well known and only few animal groups are investigated in detail; for example mammals (Mammalia), birds (Aves), butterflies (Lepidoptera), spiders (Aranea), centipedes (Chilopoda), oribatid mites (Oribatida), earthworms (Lumbricidae) and some others. The results of these studies show high alpha and beta diversity, which are explained by preservation of forest ecosystems, by present and past climate events, by orographic and relief agitated landscape, heterogeneity of geological ground rock and soil types. Great species diversity of invertebrates and many endemic species of certain small areas are a consequence of the vicinity of refuges during certain climate periods. The fragmentation of populations in the past was followed by polyhotomous speciation. Biodiversity of forest landscape is endangered because of global changes and local management. The change of climate is the most important global change primarily affecting the vegetation. Humanity negatively affects forest biodiversity by fragmentation, which especially affects specialised forest species. Selective cutting and rejuvenation changes primary species composition, distribution and portion of the different development phases. It has also a great influence on the amount of dead biomass.
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