Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on the taxonomic and functional diversity of forest plants in a mediterranean-type biodiversity hotspot ...

Aim Diversity-rich mediterranean-type sclerophyllous forests are home to 20% of described species on Earth. In the Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) forest of southwest of Western Australia diversity is being reduced by extensive human use and the introduction of the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. This study investigated the influence of P. cinnamomi infestation on the structure, taxonomic and functional diversity, and species composition of the forest. Location: Jarrah forest of southwestern Australia Methods Species abundance, understorey cover and canopy cover were assessed along 22, 30-m long transects which crossed infested and non-infested zones in five reserves in the jarrah forest. A trait database was assembled for 137 plants using 13 traits related to nutrient- and carbon acquisition, disturbance tolerance and reproduction. The responses of canopy cover, understorey cover, species richness, Shannon diversity, evenness, abundance, and functional diversity for trait groups, and all groups ... : This dataset was collected between October and November in 22 transects set up in five reserves (Alps Street, Black Cockatoo, Falls Road, Quail Street and Super Block) of the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest using the line transect method. These reserves were impacted by the plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi and transects were set up at the right angles across the dieback front. A 45-m transect was marked from the active disease edge in both infested and non-infested zones and the first 15 m of the transect in both directions was excluded as it was considered a transitional area. The data was collected along the 30-m transect from both infested and non-infested zones. Each 30-m transect was further divided into 4 equal sections (7.5 m) to improve the statistical power of the data analyses. The abundance and cover (as cm long) of each species ≤ 2 m height occurring in the understorey and percentage canopy cover averaged from four readings using a spherical densitometer oriented North, South, East, and ...