Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2024 | Viewed by 9550

Special Issue Editors

Department of Plant Pathology and Mycology, Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Nitra, Slovakia
Interests: fungal diseases of woody plants; pathogen biology; fungal taxonomy and diversity; plant protection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Interests: arthropod ecology and behavior; insect and mite pests and their natural enemies; predator–prey interactions; biological pest control; entomopathogenic fungi
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Woody plants are the hosts of many organisms. While herbivorous and pathogenic species are considered to be harmful organisms, there are also many beneficial organisms, e.g., natural enemies of pests, associated with woody plants. These beneficial organisms play an important role in the health of wild woody plants, production forests, as well as ornamental woody plant vegetation in green spaces, i.e., city parks, gardens and urban forests. Although interactions between woody plants and herbivores have been intensively studied, less known are interactions among woody plant-inhabiting organisms. For example, the study on mycoparasitic and endophytically grown entomopathogenic fungi can have implications for the control of woody plant fungal pathogens and pests, respectively. Some deciduous tree species are important reservoirs of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) which help us control phytophagous mites in orchards and vineyards in their vicinity. A positive effect of abandoned leaf mines on the density of phytoseiid mites is another example of a complex interaction. Moreover, climate changes are likely to affect the development, survival and spread of woody plant-inhabiting organisms, a topic which needs to be investigated in the future. Due to deteriorating ecological conditions (long-term periods of drought, an increase in average annual temperatures, changes in hydrological conditions, air pollution), the decreasing physiological activity of woody plants arise with the subsequent activation of insect pests and fungal pathogens. Forest tree decline caused by bark beetles and their fungal associates are still subject of extensive research worldwide due to the significant knowledge gaps existing in their biology, ecology, epidemiology and management, as well as due to the insufficient knowledge on the different types of bark beetle–fungus interactions.

This Special Issue aims to present the recent advances in the knowledge on the biodiversity and ecological aspects of beneficial and harmful organisms inhabiting or somehow associated with woody plants. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, the following: above and belowground communities, micro and macroorganisms, population density, seasonal changes, invasive pests and pathogens, pollinators, natural enemies, mutualistic interactions, competition, the effects of pollution and global warming, methods and modelling.

This Special Issue will focus on cutting-edge research in the field of woody plant–pathogen and woody plant—arthropod interactions and their combinations.

This Special Issue will accept studies from broad research topics related to all organisms associated with woody plants growing in different types of ecosystems. Studies conducted in the field are preferred but laboratory studies, including theoretical approaches (simulation modelling studies and literature reviews) are also of interest. Short communications on methods or presenting preliminary but significant results will also be considered.

Dr. Katarína Pastirčáková
Dr. Rostislav Zemek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodiversity
  • arthropod pests and diseases
  • microorganisms
  • forest and ornamental trees
  • invasive species
  • population dynamics
  • multitrophic interactions
  • climate change
  • abiotic factors

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3412 KiB  
Article
Deadwood-Dwelling Beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) in a Beech Reserve: A Case Study from the Czech Republic
by Václav Zumr, Oto Nakládal and Jiří Remeš
Forests 2024, 15(3), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030469 - 02 Mar 2024
Viewed by 583
Abstract
The saproxylic beetles (deadwood-dependent) belong to frequently studied groups of forest insects. Eucnemidae is a rare and poorly studied saproxylic family with a hidden life strictly related to deadwood. We studied the family Eucnemidae in a beech reserve, using 59 window traps placed [...] Read more.
The saproxylic beetles (deadwood-dependent) belong to frequently studied groups of forest insects. Eucnemidae is a rare and poorly studied saproxylic family with a hidden life strictly related to deadwood. We studied the family Eucnemidae in a beech reserve, using 59 window traps placed on standing deadwood (snags) and lying logs. A total of 348 specimens in eight species were recorded in two seasons. The identified species included one critically endangered species (CR): Hylis cariniceps; five endangered species (EN): H. olexai, H. foveicollis, Isorhipis melasoides, Eucnemis capucina, and Microrhagus lepidus; one new species found in Bohemia (a region of the Czech Republic): Clypeorhagus clypeatus; and one common species: Melasis buprestoides. Most species preferred lying logs, but E. capucina and M. buprestoides preferred snags. Species richness (q = 0) was higher on lying logs than on snags, and similarly, Shannon diversity (q = 1) was significantly higher on lying logs compared to snags. The species C. clypeorghagus, H. foveicollis, H. cariniceps, and M. lepides preferred moist lying logs, while M. buprestoides and E. capucina preferred drier snags with cavities. The results suggest that in beech forests, lying logs serve as a fundamental habitat for the existence of Eucnemids. This could be due to the more stable microclimatic conditions inside the lying deadwood. From this perspective, our study may help better understand the biology of hidden and understudied rare saproxylic Eucnemids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants)
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13 pages, 2466 KiB  
Article
Species Composition and Seasonal Abundance of Predatory Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Inhabiting Aesculus hippocastanum (Sapindaceae)
by Michal Kopačka and Rostislav Zemek
Forests 2023, 14(5), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14050942 - 03 May 2023
Viewed by 1526
Abstract
Species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) inhabit a wide range of herbs, shrubs, and trees. Horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, is an important ornamental tree in Europe and, in addition to its importance for pollinators, it can serve as a host plant [...] Read more.
Species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) inhabit a wide range of herbs, shrubs, and trees. Horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, is an important ornamental tree in Europe and, in addition to its importance for pollinators, it can serve as a host plant of these predatory mites. Little is, however, known about the factors affecting spatiotemporal variability in the density of phytoseiids on A. hippocastanum in an urban environment. We therefore assessed the species composition and the spatial and seasonal variability in the abundance of Phytoseiidae species in the city of České Budějovice, South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Compound-leaf samples were randomly collected from horse chestnut tree branches at eight sites, five times during the vegetation season in 2013. The mites were collected by washing technique and mounted on slides for identification. In total, 13,903 specimens of phytoseiid mites were found, and eight species were identified: Amblyseius andersoni, Euseius finlandicus, Kampimodromus aberrans, Neoseiulella tiliarum, Phytoseius macropilis, Paraseiulus talbii, Paraseiulus triporus, and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri. The predominant species was E. finlandicus (96.25%). The mean number of mites per compound leaf was 2.53, 10.40, 23.54, 11.59, and 9.27 on the sampling dates in each month between May and September, respectively. The results further revealed that the mite abundance varied significantly among sampling sites and that it was negatively related to percentage of greenery area, intensity of greenery care, distance to water body, and density and age of horse chestnut trees, while it was positively related to air pollution index. The importance of leaf micromorphology for the attractiveness of A. hippocastanum to Phytoseiidae is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants)
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10 pages, 3247 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Prolonged Diapause of the Rowan Seed Predators Argyresthia conjugella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Megastigmus brevicaudis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) and their Parasitoids in Norway
by Nina Trandem, Karin Westrum, Trond Hofsvang and Sverre Kobro
Forests 2023, 14(4), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040847 - 20 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1104
Abstract
The seed predator Argyresthia conjugella Zeller has rowan as its preferred host plant. In years of poor fruiting in rowan, it oviposits on apples. To improve the knowledge of this apple pest, rowanberries were collected from localities all over Norway from 1971 to [...] Read more.
The seed predator Argyresthia conjugella Zeller has rowan as its preferred host plant. In years of poor fruiting in rowan, it oviposits on apples. To improve the knowledge of this apple pest, rowanberries were collected from localities all over Norway from 1971 to 1985, and seed predators and their parasitoids were allowed to emerge for up to five years. Two species of seed predators, A. conjugella and Megastimus brevicaudis Ratzeburg, and seven species of parasitic Hymenoptera were common. The distribution of these species is shown on EIS (European Invertebrate Survey) maps of Norway. The biology of the parasitoids is summarized based on the published literature and their behavior during emergence. The tendency for delayed emergence, which is an indication of prolonged diapause, was more pronounced in M. brevicaudis than in A. conjugella, the former appearing in all five years. Five of the parasitoids also delayed their emergence, and three of them to a high degree, up to five years. Prolonged diapause must be taken into account in studies of rowanberry insect guilds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants)
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10 pages, 2041 KiB  
Article
Mites Associated with the European Spruce Bark Beetle Ips typographus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe, with New Evidence for the Fauna of Serbia
by Marija Milosavljević, Mara Tabaković-Tošić, Milan Pernek, Ljubinko Rakonjac, Aleksandar Lučić, Saša Eremija and Michal Rindos
Forests 2022, 13(10), 1586; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101586 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1356
Abstract
Various biotic and abiotic factors are the cause of the decline of coniferous forests throughout Europe. Trees weakened by unfavorable weather conditions create an ideal environment for a possible outbreak of bark beetles. The damage caused by bark beetles costs billions of dollars [...] Read more.
Various biotic and abiotic factors are the cause of the decline of coniferous forests throughout Europe. Trees weakened by unfavorable weather conditions create an ideal environment for a possible outbreak of bark beetles. The damage caused by bark beetles costs billions of dollars worldwide every year. Extreme climate events are responsible for the enormous forest losses in Tara National Park in the last ten years, leading to a massive bark beetle infestation. The understanding of the diversity and role of mites as biological control agents is still insufficient. In this study, we summarize the current knowledge on the diversity of mites associated with Ips typographus L. in Europe and provide information on the diversity of these mites in Serbia. Paraleius leontonychus, Uroobovella ipidis, Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Histiostoma piceae, and Trichouropoda polytricha were detected for the first time in Serbia. Moreover, the occurrence of Paraleius leontonychus represents the southernmost occurrence of this species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants)
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23 pages, 3866 KiB  
Article
Culturable Endophytic Fungi in Fraxinus excelsior and Their Interactions with Hymenoscyphus fraxineus
by Marek Barta, Katarína Pastirčáková, Radovan Ostrovský, Marek Kobza and Miriam Kádasi Horáková
Forests 2022, 13(7), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13071098 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2253
Abstract
The species diversity of culturable endophytic fungi was studied in the leaves and twigs of symptomatic and asymptomatic Fraxinus excelsior trees. Endophytic mycobiota was dominated by Ascomycota species, with Pleosporales (44.17%) and Diaporthales (23.79%) endophytes being the most frequently observed in the tree [...] Read more.
The species diversity of culturable endophytic fungi was studied in the leaves and twigs of symptomatic and asymptomatic Fraxinus excelsior trees. Endophytic mycobiota was dominated by Ascomycota species, with Pleosporales (44.17%) and Diaporthales (23.79%) endophytes being the most frequently observed in the tree samples. The number of endophytic isolates and species richness varied depending on the sampling date (May and October) and tissue location. Of the 54 species identified based on ITS sequences, 14 were classified as dominant. The most frequently isolated species were Diaporthe eres, followed by Alternaria alternata, Dothiorella gregaria, and Fraxinicola fraxini. The inhibitory effect of 41 species (75 isolates) of endophytes on the radial growth of a Hymenoscyphus fraxineus isolate was studied under in vitro conditions (dual cultures). The radial growth of H. fraxineus was the most inhibited by four endophytic fungi from twigs (Fusarium lateritium, Didymella aliena, Didymella macrostoma, and Dothiorella gregaria). The inhibitory effect of the four isolates was also studied under in planta conditions. The isolates artificially inoculated into the trunks of ash trees reduced the length of necroses formed by H. fraxineus co-inoculated in the same trunks. This effect depended on the isolate, and the inhibition was most prominent only on trunks inoculated with F. lateritium and D. aliena. Although the total length of necrotic lesions formed by the H. fraxineus infection was shorter in the ash trunks co-inoculated with the endophytes, the difference was not significant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants)
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13 pages, 2917 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Parasitism Rate and Parasitoid Community Structure of the Horse Chestnut Leafminer, Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), in the Czech Republic
by Lubomír Volter, Eva Prenerová, František Weyda and Rostislav Zemek
Forests 2022, 13(6), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13060885 - 07 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1724
Abstract
The horse chestnut leafminer, Cameraria ohridella, Deschka and Dimić, is a moth that has invaded most of Europe since it was first recorded in Macedonia near Lake Ohrid in 1985. It attacks horse chestnut trees and causes aesthetic and vitality problems. The [...] Read more.
The horse chestnut leafminer, Cameraria ohridella, Deschka and Dimić, is a moth that has invaded most of Europe since it was first recorded in Macedonia near Lake Ohrid in 1985. It attacks horse chestnut trees and causes aesthetic and vitality problems. The parasitism rate, other mortality rates, and parasitoid structure were studied during a five-year survey at six sites in the Czech Republic. The results showed that the total parasitism rates varied from 1.9% to 20.5%, with an average of 7.2%, similar to other those published studies. The parasitism rate was significantly related to year, the developmental stage of C. ohridella, latitude, and greenery maintenance but not to C. ohridella population density, altitude, or area size. In contrast, the total other mortality rates varied from 13.7% to 59.5%, with an average of 31%, but overall temporal changes in the values indicated a declining trend. The parasitoid complex was predominantly polyphagous parasitoids of the family Eulophidae, similar to that found previously in south-eastern Europe. The results further revealed that the most abundant parasitoid species, Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees), was gradually replaced by Pediobius saulius (Walker). The increasing abundance of P. saulius is thus an interesting adaptation of an autochthonous parasitoid to a new host. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Ecology of Organisms Associated with Woody Plants)
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