{
  "abstract": "Forest microclimates, their dependence on forest structure, and their impact on biodiversity are crucial for future forest management under climate change. However, standard approaches for measuring forest microclimates do not capture within-plot heterogeneity, which, according to the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis, is a key driver of local biodiversity. We quantified horizontal and vertical microclimatic heterogeneity within 30 broad-leaved forest plots in Central Europe using a three-dimensional design with high spatial resolution. Moreover, we examined whether microclimatic heterogeneity differs among silvicultural treatments and whether it can be predicted using forest structure indices derived from laser scanning. Additionally, we explored the relationship between microclimatic heterogeneity and biodiversity. In the understory of canopy gaps, warm and cold habitats co-existed in close proximity, leading to a high horizontal microclimatic heterogeneity. In closed stands with high structural complexity, we found steep gradients of increasing temperature and vapor pressure deficit from the ground to the canopy during mid-day. Canopy cover and forest structural complexity were strong indicators of microclimatic heterogeneity. We found positive relationships between herb layer temperature heterogeneity and the diversity of plants, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. Our results demonstrate that single-point measurements fail to capture the substantial microclimatic heterogeneity within plots, potentially misrepresenting the conditions experienced by forest species. However, laser scanning provides reliable indicators for within- plot microclimatic heterogeneity. With canopy gaps featuring high horizontal microclimatic heterogeneity and promoting the biodiversity of several taxonomic groups, we argue that managing forests for maximized temperature buffering should not be the only strategy to conserve forest biodiversity. Highlights High small-scale horizontal microclimatic heterogeneity in canopy gaps Steep vertical microclimatic gradients in closed-canopy forests Canopy cover and structural complexity: indicators for microclimatic heterogeneity Positive relationship between herb layer temperature heterogeneity and biodiversity",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany",
    "Spatial Structures and Digitization of Forests, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany",
    "Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany",
    "Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany",
    "German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany",
    "Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany",
    "Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Straße 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany",
    "Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princeton laan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, Netherlands",
    "Chair of Conservation Biology and Forest Ecology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany",
    "Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt, Sachgebiet Intensives Umweltmonitoring, Grätzelstraße 2, 37079 Göttingen, Germany",
    "Chair of Forest Botany, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany",
    "Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 25,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kerstin Pierick",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1313-4601"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Dominik Seidel",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-4131-9424"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Pia M. Bradler",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9641-0519"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Simone Cesarz",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2334-5119"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Orsi Decker",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-6280-697X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "Benjamin M. Delory",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1190-8060"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Sebastian Dittrich",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4043-508X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Martin Ehbrecht",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1543-3023"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5
      ],
      "name": "Nico Eisenhauer",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0371-6720"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Andreas Fichtner",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0499-4893"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Michael Junginger",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-6814-5433"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        9
      ],
      "name": "Michael Köhler",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7593-5471"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6,
        8
      ],
      "name": "Ludwig Lettenmaier",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-1935-2287"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        10
      ],
      "name": "Roman M. Link",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0588-3757"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Soumen Mallick",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0168-7919"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6,
        8
      ],
      "name": "Jörg Müller",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1409-1586"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Julia Rothacher",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0083-7893"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Lena Rugen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Guido F. Scholz"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        11
      ],
      "name": "Jean-Léonard Stör",
      "orcid": "0009-0009-4241-8425"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Kim K. Weißing",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-4929-4564"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Clara Wild",
      "orcid": "0009-0000-1132-1633"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Goddert von Oheimb",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7408-425X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Christian Ammer",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-4235-0135"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        10
      ],
      "name": "Bernhard Schuldt",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-4738-5289"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6w5qbrg48dfm4.bib",
  "cited_by": 14,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "6w5qbrg48dfm4",
  "issns": [
    "1470-160X",
    "1872-7034"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
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      "openalex",
      "2309|Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies"
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  "openalex": "W7161966705",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-05-21",
  "publisher": "Elsevier BV",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6w5qbrg48dfm4.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:26:58Z",
      "native_id": "W7161966705",
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      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2309|Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies",
      "subfield": "ecology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Spatial microclimatic heterogeneity is associated with forest structure and biodiversity",
  "title_text": "Spatial microclimatic heterogeneity is associated with forest structure and biodiversity",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T13:20:54Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6w5qbrg48dfm4",
  "venue": "Ecological Indicators",
  "versions": []
}