Breeding Birds in Riparian and Upland Dry Forests of the Cascade Range

ABSTRACT We quantified breeding bird abundance, diversity, and indicator species in riparian and upland dry forests along 6 third- to fourth-order streams on the east slope of the Cascade Range, Washington, USA. Upland dry forest on southerly aspects was dominated by open ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and dry Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) plant associations. Upland mesic forest on northerly aspects was dominated by closed-canopy Douglas-fir or dry grand fir (Abies grandis) plant associations. Riparian overstory vegetation was dominated by black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) plant associations with a prominent hardwood tree and shrub component. We quantified bird assemblages, diversity, and abundance from parallel point transects on riparian and adjacent dry and mesic upslope forests. We detected 80 bird species from >12,000 point-transect observations during 1998–1999. Eighteen species accounted for 75% of all detections. Species richness and evenness were similar in all 3 forest types, with approximately 35 species and high evenness (0.85) in each forest type. Bird species assemblages differed among dry, mesic, and riparian forest types, with the greatest differences between riparian and both dry and mesic upland forests. Riparian forest had the greatest number (9) of strong characteristic, or indictor, species among the 3 forest types. Upland mesic forest was characterized by 7 indicator species. Upland dry forest had 4 indicator species. Our results indicate that current standards and guidelines for riparian buffers zones would allow for avian refuge and corridor functions along these streams. Forest managers could use our indicator species to predict and monitor shifts in upland forest species composition from thinning and prescribed burning practices that are used to reduce fuels in uplands and to reduce continuity of fire effects between riparian and upland zones.     

Among cradles and museums: seasonally dry forest promotes lineage exchanges between rain forest and savanna

ABSTRACT

Background: Cerrado comprises heterogeneous vegetation types. The flora of the vegetation types has distinct biogeographic origins and thus can be hypothesised to have distinct evolutionary imprints.

Aims: We hypothesised that the flora of riparian forest was phylogenetically overdispersed, whereas those of more open habitats were phylogenetically clustered.

Methods: We built a species-level phylogeny for 1,663 species of trees, shrubs and palms and analysed the pattern of lineage distribution, alpha and beta phylogenetic diversity among Cerrado vegetation types (riparian forest, rocky savana, savana and seasonally dry forest - SDTF).

Results: We found a gradient of high phylogenetic diversity and overdispersion from riparian forests towards phylogenetic clustering in vegetation in more open and drier habitats. Habitat shifts were common along the evolutionary history of all families analysed and most families showed a high frequency of shifts from SDTF to riparian forest and savanna.

Conclusions: SDTF seems to be a transitional habitat in evolutionary terms, promoting lineage exchanges between stands of riparian forest and savanna. While riparian forest can be seen as a ‘museum’, that harbours ancient lineages, savanna and rocky savanna are a ‘cradle’ of derived lineages. Habitat shifts are an important underlying drive of high present-day Cerrado flora diversity.     

Species richness and composition of Curculionidae (Coleoptera) in a conifer plantation, secondary forest, and old-growth forest in the central mountainous region of Japan

Weevil (Curculionidae, Coleoptera) species richness and composition were investigated and compared among larch [Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriére] plantations, secondary forests, and old-growth forests in the central mountainous region of Japan. In addition, to assess the effects of forest-management practices, namely thinning and long-rotation logging schedules (long rotation), the weevil assemblages of recently thinned middle-aged and long-rotated larch plantations were compared with those of middle-aged larch plantations. Malaise traps were set in 44 stands of these forest types, and weevils were separated and identified. Several environmental factors other than forest type were also examined. Weevil species richness and diversity indices [Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and Simpsons index of diversity (D)] were higher in the secondary forest than in the larch plantation. Because of its wide distribution and higher weevil species richness, the secondary forest contributed to maintaining weevil diversity in this region. Old-growth forest had higher diversity indices (H and D) than did the larch plantation. The secondary forest had the highest number of species in total. Though the number of individuals was the highest in larch plantation, species richness, H and D of the plantation were generally low. Weevil community structure and species composition differed among the three forest types, but the difference in weevil composition between the larch plantation and the other two forest types was the largest. Forest type is probably the most important factor for determining the differences in weevil assemblage, and further, both dominant tree type (coniferous trees versus broad-leaved trees) and the number of mature tree species seem to be important factors for weevil species composition. Among forest management practices, long rotation caused diversity indices (H and D) to increase while thinning appeared to cause only minor changes in the weevil assemblages. Because species richness and species composition of Curculionidae well reflected the differences in forest types and some other environmental factors investigated, this family seems suitable for diversity research in forests. Further research on biodiversity with the use of this family should, therefore, be expected.     

A phytosociological analysis of woody species in forest communities of a part of Kumaun Himalaya

This paper reports on a detailed phytosociological analysis of forests in the NW catchment of the Gola River in Kumaun Himalaya, 29°19–29°27N and 79°32–79°42E. Fourteen sites and 56 stands at elevations ranging from 1200 to 2523 m and covering the following five forest types were investigated: Pinus roxburghii, mixed, Quercus leucotrichophora, Q. lanuginosa, and Q. floribunda. The basal cover of the forests differed according to slope position and aspect. The three oak forests had more basal cover than the other two, and Q. lanuginosa had the most. The performance of individual tree and shrub species and the number of saplings and seedlings differed according to slope position and aspect. The mixed forest had the greatest tree diversity, and among the others diversity increased with increasing basal cover. The diversity of trees, saplings, and herb layer was greatest on aspects with intermediate temperature and moisture conditions; whereas that of shrubs and seedlings increased towards the cooler (and wetter) and warmer (and drier) exposures. There was a positive relation between the diversity of shrubs plus seedlings and trees plus saplings in P. roxburghii and mixed forests; whereas this relationship was inverse in the three oak forests. In general, the dominance-diversity curves for the tree layer followed a geometric series conforming to the niche pre-emption situation in communities of low diversity. Among the forests, the regeneration was best in Q. lanuginosa and worst in Q. leucotrichophora.Nomenclature follows: Osmaston (1926).Finacial support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi and the Indian Space Research Organisation, Banglore is gratefully acknowledged.     

Potential contribution of the seed bank in coniferous plantations to the restoration of native deciduous forest vegetation

In this study, we compared the soil seed bank and current vegetation under coniferous plantations and adjacent native deciduous forests. The objective was to assess how much of the initial plant diversity is retained in such plantations, and the potential to restore this initial plant community from seed bank in case of reversion to broadleave stands. Four stands growing side by side and with different dominant species were selected at two locations (site of Haye: Quercus petraea, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies; site of La Petite-Pierre: Quercus petraea, Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies). In each stand, ground vegetation was surveyed and soil seed bank was sampled. Composition of ground flora and seed bank of stands were quite different: only 11 to 30 % of the species were in both the ground flora and the seed bank. Composition of the seed bank was mainly influenced by site location and sylvicultural practices such as the type of afforestation or the tree cover. Species richness of seed banks and vegetation were higher in the site of Haye than in the site of La Petite-Pierre. Seedling density strongly decreased with stand age. Whereas between 65 and 86 % of species found in the ground vegetation of native deciduous stand were also present in the understory or the seed bank of mature coniferous stands, this was only about 50 % in young coniferous stands. Species of deciduous stands which were absent from coniferous stands were typical of old forests. In contrast, species mainly found in the coniferous stands were often ruderal. In the studied areas, it would be possible to restore up to 86 % of the native deciduous forest vegetation, but some plant species typical of ancient forests may have disappeared during the coniferous stage.     

Roles of riparian and secondary forests in maintaining the near-threatened butterfly, Sasakia charonda (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), populations in Japan

To clarify the habitat requirements of the near-threatened butterfly, Sasakia charonda (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), we studied the distribution pattern of its host trees, Celtis sinensis and Celtis jessoensis, and the utilization patterns of various vegetation types by this butterfly in the Oofukasawa River basin in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan. Two species of host trees, C. sinensis and C. jessoensis (height = 2 m or more) were found in riparian forests on sandbanks (hereinafter, riparian forest), in forest regenerated after landslides on valley walls (landslide tracks), in secondary deciduous forests consisting mainly of Quercus acutissima or Quercus serrata and in forests established at abandoned paddy fields and their periphery, where weeds and shrubs used to be mown frequently to avoid shade on the paddies before their abandonment. This suggests that they are pioneer species, and their distribution and regeneration depend on natural and/or human disturbances. Host trees above 2 m were preferred by larvae, and there were very few such trees in secondary forests. More overwintering larvae occurred in riparian forests than at other sites. The number of S. charonda adults was highest at the edge of riparian forests, and we observed a variety of behaviors such as puddling, chasing and mating there. Although the number of adult butterflies was smaller inside and at the edge of secondary forests than in riparian forests, puddling by males and roosting on the trunk of Q. acutissima or Q. serrata by females were observed more frequently there than in riparian forests. Thus, we conclude that landscapes including both riparian forests with natural disturbance and secondary forests with Quercus trees are necessary to maintain host Celtis trees and S. charonda populations.     

Influence of urbanization on riparian forest diversity and structure in the Georgia Piedmont, US

Riparian forests are increasingly threatened by urban expansion and land use change worldwide. This study examined the relationships between landscape characteristics and woody plant diversity, structure, and composition of small order riparian corridors along an urban-rural land use gradient in the Georgia Piedmont, US. Riparian plant diversity, structure, and composition were related to landscape metrics and land use. Species richness was negatively associated with impervious surfaces and landscape diversity, and positively associated with forest cover and largest forest patch index. Shannon species diversity was strongly related to the biomass of non-native species, especially for the regeneration layer. Urban sites were characterized by high richness of non-native and pioneer species. Developing sites were dominated by the non-native shrub, Ligustrum sinense Lour., and several native overstory trees, mainly Acer negundo L. While agricultural and managed forest sites were composed of ubiquitous species, unmanaged forest sites had a structurally distinct midstory indicative of reduced disturbance. Urban and agricultural land uses showed decreased native stem densities and signs of overstory tree regeneration failure. Results from this study highlight the impact of the surrounding landscape matrix upon riparian forest plant diversity and structure.     

The impact of forest disturbance on the genetic diversity and population structure of a late-successional moss

Abstract

Human-induced disturbances threaten the genetic variation of wild plant populations. The genetic diversity and spatial population structure of the moss Isothecium myosuroides, a late-successional forest species, was investigated in subtropical cloud forests (La Gomera, Canary Islands) using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Inter- and intrapopulation genetic variability was assessed in two ancient and four disturbed forest stands, which were classified according to their vegetation, forest age and type of disturbance. ISSR analysis of 144 epiphyte colonies with eight primers resulted in 211 reliably amplified bands. Our findings show that in disturbed forest stands, the population structure is increased, and the genetic diversity decreased compared with the levels observed in ancient forests. Although ancient and disturbed stands were located relatively close to each other, the (re-) established epiphyte populations did not reach their original genetic condition, 40 years following disturbance. Strong differentiation among populations of I. myosuroides at several spatial scales and differences in genetic diversity are mainly related to the local environmental conditions and the availability of suitable microhabitats in anthropogenically disturbed forest stands.     

Contribution of cocoa plantations to the conservation of native ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a special emphasis on the Atlantic Forest fauna of southern Bahia,Brazil

By maintaining a forest-like structure, shaded cocoa plantations contribute to the conservation of ants that usually live in the soil, leaf litter or canopy of tropical forests. Here we synthesize the available information on the diversity and community structure of ants in shaded cocoa plantations in the Atlantic forest region of Brazil, compare ant assemblages in cocoa agroforests with forests and other forms of agriculture, and discuss how these shaded plantations contribute to the conservation of the ants in the Atlantic Forest region. We also discuss ants of economical importance and of special interest, including Camponotus, Dolichoderus, Gnamptogenys, Pachycondyla, Pseudomyrmex and other litter dwelling genera. We discuss the situation of the tramp ant Wasmannia auropunctata in the Bahian cocoa-producing region where it is considered as native, and that of the two cryptobiotic genera Thaumatomyrmex and Typhlomyrmex, as well as that of proven and possible endangered army ant and Ponerini species. A total of 192 ant species from four strata were found in extensive sampling of a cocoa plantation with a relatively simple shade canopy (comprised primarily of Erythrina). Species richness in the cocoa plantations corresponded roughly to that of low diversity native forests, and species composition of cocoa plantations was most similar to native habitats (forest and mangroves) while ant composition in other agricultural habitats was most similar to that of urban areas. Although occurrences of Wasmannia auropunctata were similar in cocoa plantations and forests, abundance of Thaumatomyrmex and Typhlomyrmex, generally thought to be rare ants, was relatively high in cocoa plantations. These results, from cocoa plantations with relatively simple shade, demonstrate the importance of cocoa for ant conservation in the Atlantic forest region of Brazil. It is likely that cocoa plantations with a greater number of vegetation strata and higher tree species richness (such as traditional cabruca plantations) provide even more important habitat for ants generally and for ant species of conservation concern.     

Anthropogenic disturbances and plant biodiversity in forests of Uttaranchal,central Himalaya

Eight forest types varying in disturbance frequencies were identified along an elevational gradient in Uttaranchal, central Himalaya. Low elevation forests were close to human habitation and had high disturbance frequency, while high elevation forests were situated far from the human habitation and had low disturbance. The dominant tree species at low elevation were Pinus roxburghii and Quercus leucotrichophora, while Q. floribunda and Q. semecarpifolia dominated the high elevation forests. Pyracantha crenulata was the shrub present in all the forests except in Q. semecarpifolia forest and Anaphalis contorta, a herb species, was present in all the forests. Disturbance decreased the dominance of single species and increased the plant biodiversity by mixing species of different successional status. Species richness and diversity for all the vegetation layers were higher in low elevation–high disturbance forests. Mean tree density decreased from high to moderate and increased in low disturbance. The shrub density decreased from high to low disturbance while the reverse occured for herbs. High proportion of early successional species in disturbed forests indicated that disturbance induces succession. The mean number of young individuals increasing from high to low disturbance indicates that disturbance adversely affects regeneration. But, however, the high number of young individuals of Coriaria nepalensis, a small non-leguminous nitrogen fixing tree, in disturbed forests shows that the forest is regenerating. This species could be helpful in the re-establishment of original vegetation through triggering the regeneration of these forests. High elevation–low disturbed forests separated from low elevation–high disturbed forests. Forest type and elevation may have more influence on tree richness while shrub and herb richness may be more sensitive to disturbance and forest types.     

Bird diversity and abundance in forest fragments and Eucalyptus plantations around an Atlantic forest reserve, Brazil

Little of Brazil's remaining Atlantic forest is protected, so it is important to assess how well the region's wildlife can persist in areas/habitats outside reserves. We studied bird diversity and abundance during 546 point counts in the Sooretama/Linhares reserve, 200 point counts in 31 forest fragments (10–150 h), and 50 point counts in <30-year-old Eucalyptus plantations, within 7 km of the reserve. Only eight bird species were recorded in Eucalyptus, and this impoverishment, as compared to some Eucalyptus plantations elsewhere in Brazil may be a result of intensive clearance of understory vegetation. Species diversity in forest fragments was significantly lower than in the reserve. Twelve, mostly non-forest or edge species, were significantly commoner in the fragments, but nineteen species were frequent in the reserve but rare or absent in forest fragments. These included two Pyrrhura parakeets, a Brotogeris parakeet, a trogon Trogon, a jacamar Galbula, woodpeckers Piculus and Campephilus, Myrmotherula antwrens, and Hemithraupus and Tachyphonus tanagers. Bird species richness at points in forest fragments did not decline with fragment size, distance from the reserve, or forest quality. However, forest in fragments was more heavily degraded than forest within the reserve and poor forest quality may be the cause of declines in some species. Whilst protection of forest within reserves is a priority, management of forest fragments may aid conservation of some threatened species.     

Impacts of land-use history on the diversity of a riparian forest landscape in warm-temperate Kyushu,southern Japan

We examined the impacts of land-use history on the species composition and diversity of a warm-temperate riparian forest landscape in Kyushu, southern Japan, focusing on the relationship between evergreen oaks and deciduous trees in natural and seminatural forests. The species composition of 59 plots was classified into four types (A to D). Type A, which showed a significant bias towards sites not subject to nonforest land use since 1947, had high species diversity consisting of (1) many lucidophyllous components of the region, including the rare indigenous oak Quercus hondae, and (2) summergreen tree species of varying dominance and number representing unique or locally rare elements of the riparian landscape in this warm-temperate region. Type B was dominated by a common species of oak, Q. glauca, and displayed less clear distribution bias with land-use history. In contrast to types A and B, types C and D, which were characterized by high dominance of deciduous trees, had negative bias away from sites that had been under forest land use in 1947. Presumably, intensive anthropogenic disturbances associated with nonforest land uses had expanded the habitats for deciduous trees. This phenomenon was represented by the establishment of forests (type D) dominated by Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (UDJ) after it had been released from the suppression of evergreen forest trees during a period of nonforest land use that prevents the successful recovery of evergreen trees. From these results we conclude that the impacts of land-use history on the diversity of warm-temperate riparian forest landscape are multiphased: a period of nonforest land use has a strong negative impact on lucidophyllous forest trees represented by the rare indigenous oak Q. hondae; release from the suppressive effects of the lucidophyllous species then encourages establishment of locally rare deciduous tree flora represented by UDJ, which continue to persist for decades after abandonment of nonforest land use.     

黄河三角洲刺槐臭椿混交林与纯林土壤细菌群落结构和多样性特征分析

为研究黄河三角洲地区混交人工林土壤细菌群落特征,应用高通量测序技术,比较分析了刺槐臭椿混交林以及臭椿和刺槐纯林土壤细菌结构及多样性,并结合土壤理化性质进行分析。试验结果表明：在细菌门分类水平上,臭椿纯林、刺槐纯林、刺槐臭椿混交林土壤中分别检测出27、25、31门细菌,3种不同林分土壤中酸杆菌门、变形菌门、放线菌门、硝化螺旋菌门、绿弯菌门、浮霉菌门、芽单胞菌门、疣微菌门8种细菌是土壤中的主要细菌群落,其中酸杆菌门、变形菌门和放线菌门为优势细菌群落。不同类型人工林土壤中各门细菌相对丰度差异显著。混交林土壤细菌物种数和Shannon指数值分别为1910和9.1高于两种纯林。通过对土壤主要细菌群落与土壤理化性质进行主成分分析发现,3种不同林分之间在土壤细菌群落结构上有较高程度的分离,差异显著（P < 0.05）,有效磷含量与混交林土壤细菌群落有较强的正相关关系。因此可以得出结论,不同林分类型、土壤理化性质和细菌群落结构三者相互影响,刺槐臭椿混交增加了土壤细菌群落多样性,土壤理化性质在一定程度上影响土壤细菌结构和多样性。     

Relationships between the age of northern Kantou plain (central Japan) coppice woods used for production of Japanese forest mushroom logs and butterfly assemblage structure

To discern mechanisms maintaining the diversity of grassland and forest butterflies in coppice woods managed for the production of Japanese forest mushroom logs, we investigated the butterfly fauna in cut-over land tracts shortly after felling and 5 year later, and in forest stands 10, 15, and 25 year after felling (here, we use the term “forests” when referring to the chronosequence of these treed stands). Butterfly species richness and diversity (H′) and the densities of individuals were highest in cut-over lands 5 year after clear-cutting, followed by 25-year-old forest stands. In forests, the richness and densities of forest butterfly species were higher than were those of grassland species. Among forest stands of different ages, forest butterfly species’ richness and the densities of individuals were highest in 25-year-old woods nearing felling time. Some forest butterfly species were observed only in forests. The species richness and densities of grassland butterflies were much higher in cut-over lands 0 and 5 year post felling than in forests; grassland species were rarely found in stands ≥10 year old. Thus, cut-over lands seem to function as temporary habitats for grassland species. Furthermore, the number of forest butterfly species was the same in cut-over lands 5 year after felling and in 25-year-old forest stands; the densities of forest butterfly species was higher in these cut-over lands than in the forest stands. Forest butterfly species living on cut-over land 5 year post felling sipped flower nectar, laid eggs on host plants, and practiced territorial behaviour involved in mate finding. Hence, these cut-over lands functioned as important habitats for various developmental stages of forest butterflies. In conclusion, traditional coppicing in woods for production of Japanese forest mushroom logs is very important for the maintenance of diversity in grassland and forest butterfly species.     

秦岭南坡锐齿栎次生林空间结构特征分析

该研究采用坐标定位方法对秦岭南坡不同坡向锐齿栎次生林样地内胸径DBH≥5cm的乔木进行调查,记录树种名称、坐标、胸径、高度、冠幅、生长状况等因子,运用角尺度、大小比数和混交度3个指数分析不同坡向锐齿栎次生林的空间结构,探寻不同坡向锐齿栎林空间结构的形成和差异。结果显示:(1)调查样地内物种多样性丰富,锐齿栎重要值最大,长势良好,占据主要生态空间。(2)两种坡向中,角尺度取值为0.5的个体数均过半,表明随机分布是锐齿栎次生林的主要分布方式。(3)优势木、亚优势木、中庸木、劣态木和绝对劣态木所占比重均为20%左右,表明林木大小差异不明显,在空间结构单元中,林木较稳定,阳坡优势木个体数高于阴坡。(4)两种坡向中,混交度取值大于0.5林木个体分别为84%和73%,表明多数林木个体处于中度、强度和极强度混交状态。研究表明,秦岭南坡锐齿栎次生林聚集度不高、混交良好、分化程度较高,锐齿栎种群优势度明显,林分整体暂时处于相对稳定状态。     

Community structure of a species-rich temperate forest,Ogawa Forest Reserve,central Japan

Species assembly and niche differentiation were studied, and future species composition was predicted by simple Markov models, in an old-growth deciduous forest at the Ogawa Forest Reserve in central Japan. The dominant species in our 6ha study site are Quercus serrata, Fagus japonica, and F. crenata.An ordination by population parameters revealed four different combination 3 of life forms and regeneration niches. Cluster analysis based on interspecific spatial correlation revealed three groups of species. The species in cluster A, such as F. japonica, occurred at the bottom of the valley, while those in cluster B, such as Q. serrata, occurred along ridges. Species in cluster C, such as F. crenata, did not show any particular habitat preference. Clusters B and C were further divided into three smaller clusters (a-c). Both clusters Ba and Bb included shade intolerant species. Species in cluster Ba had large clump sizes (>1500 m²), reflecting regeneration following large-scale disturbances. Species in cluster Bb had smaller clump sizes (<400 m²) reflecting regeneration following local disturbances. Clusters Ca and Cb mainly included shade tolerant species and shade intolerant species, respectively. Markov models predicted that shade intolerant species, particularly those in cluster Ba, would be eliminated. Thus, species coexist by differentiation of both habitats and regeneration niche in this forest community. Some species such as Quercus serrata, however, regenerate following large-scale disturbances or human activity.     

Pine forest structure in a human-dominated landscape system in Korea

To elucidate the characteristics of spatial heterogeneity in a human-dominated landscape, vegetation and community structure of pine (Pinus densiflora andP. rigida) forests were studied at rural Teokseong-ri in Chollanam-do, in the southwestern part of Korea. Daily removal of undergrowth for firewood affects the stratification and species composition in the community. In general, stratification of the pine forest develops in proportion to its distance from the main habitat of farmers, involving the residential and cultivated land. In pine forests near the main habitat of farmers, sun-demanding herbaceous plants grow well, while in remote forests, Fagaceous plants such asQuercus serrata, Q. actissima andCastanea crenata grow well. This zonation results from the fact that removal of undergrowth is greater in the forest near the main habitat of farmers, than in the remote forest. Construction and maintenance of graveyards, however, prevents development of stratification of the forest even in remote stands.     

Non weaving spiders on native woodlands and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> plantations in Western Mexico: diversity and distribution patterns

Eucalyptus spp. are commonly planted, forming non-native plantations, including the tropics and their wildlife conservation value is relatively unknown. Recent studies have concluded that secondary forests and tree plantations are less diverse than well-developed tropical rain forests. However, introduced Eucalyptus stands harbored similar species richness to surrounding native woodland in temperate woodlands in North America though the identity of the species present may differ. Species composition, as well as dominance curves and differences in community structure add additional insight to understanding faunistic responses to replacement of native woodland by Eucalyptus plantations. Here, we compared species richness, diversity patterns, and the distribution of non-weaving spiders between native woodlands and Eucalyptus plantations in a temperate region of Mexico. We found more Lycosidae species in all plantation stands. Other community attributes were not consistently different between plantations and native woodlands. This is explained by similarities between, and differences within, the understory of the two main vegetation types. Multivariate analyses identified three spider groups and five spider species could be identified as indicators of these groups. A comparison of the number of species of the wandering spiders between the two vegetation types suggests a compensation pattern that is reported here for the first time.