Local and landscape-scale biotic correlates of mistletoe distribution in Mediterranean pine forests

  • N. Roura-Pascual Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona.
  • L. Brotons Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona.
  • D. García Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo.
  • R. Zamora Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Ecología, Granada.
  • M. de Càceres Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona.

Abstract

The study of the spatial patterns of species allows the examination of hypotheses on the most plausible ecological processes and factors determining their distribution. To investigate the determinants of parasite species on Mediterranean forests at regional scales, occurrence data of the European Misletoe (Viscum album) in Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula) were extracted from forest inventory data and combined with different types of explanatory variables by means of generalized linear mixed models. The presence of mistletoes in stands of Pinus halepensis seems to be determined by multiple factors (climatic conditions, and characteristics of the host tree and landscape structure) operating at different spatial scales, with the availability of orchards of Olea europaea in the surroundings playing a relevant role. These results suggest that host quality and landscape structure are important mediators of plant-plant and plant-animal interactions and, therefore, management of mistletoe populations should be conducted at both local (i.e. clearing of infected host trees) and landscape scales (e.g. controlling the availability of nutrient-rich food sources that attract bird dispersers). Research and management at landscape-scales are necessary to anticipate the negative consequence of land-use changes in Mediterranean forests.

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Author Biographies

N. Roura-Pascual, Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona.
Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Ctra. St. Llorenç de Morunys km 2, 25280 Solsona, Catalonia

Àrea de Biologia Animal, Departament de Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi s/n, 17071 Girona, Catalonia
L. Brotons, Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona.
Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Ctra. St. Llorenç de Morunys km 2, 25280 Solsona, Catalonia
D. García, Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo.
Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, 33071 Oviedo, Asturias

Instituto Cantábrico de Biodiversidad (CSIC-UO-PA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33071 Oviedo, Asturias
R. Zamora, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Ecología, Granada.
Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Ecología, 18071 Granada
M. de Càceres, Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Solsona.
Àrea de Biodiversitat, Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Ctra. St. Llorenç de Morunys km 2, 25280 Solsona, Catalonia

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Published
2012-07-20
How to Cite
Roura-Pascual, N., Brotons, L., García, D., Zamora, R., & de Càceres, M. (2012). Local and landscape-scale biotic correlates of mistletoe distribution in Mediterranean pine forests. Forest Systems, 21(2), 179-188. https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2012212-02155
Section
Research Articles