Spatial microclimatic heterogeneity is associated with forest structure and biodiversity
12 affiliations
- 1Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- 2Spatial Structures and Digitization of Forests, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- 3Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
- 4Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
- 5German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- 6Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- 7Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Straße 2, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- 8Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princeton laan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, Netherlands
- 9Chair of Conservation Biology and Forest Ecology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Glashüttenstraße 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany
- 10Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt, Sachgebiet Intensives Umweltmonitoring, Grätzelstraße 2, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
- 11Chair of Forest Botany, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
- 12Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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
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BibTeX
@article{pierick2026spatial,
title = {{Spatial microclimatic heterogeneity is associated with forest structure and biodiversity}},
author = {Kerstin Pierick and Dominik Seidel and Pia M. Bradler and Simone Cesarz and Orsi Decker and Benjamin M. Delory and Sebastian Dittrich and Martin Ehbrecht and Nico Eisenhauer and Andreas Fichtner and Michael Junginger and Michael Köhler and Ludwig Lettenmaier and Roman M. Link and Soumen Mallick and Jörg Müller and Julia Rothacher and Lena Rugen and Guido F. Scholz and Jean-Léonard Stör and Kim K. Weißing and Clara Wild and Goddert von Oheimb and Christian Ammer and Bernhard Schuldt},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Spatial microclimatic heterogeneity is associated with forest structure and biodiversity
AU - Kerstin Pierick
AU - Dominik Seidel
AU - Pia M. Bradler
AU - Simone Cesarz
AU - Orsi Decker
AU - Benjamin M. Delory
AU - Sebastian Dittrich
AU - Martin Ehbrecht
AU - Nico Eisenhauer
AU - Andreas Fichtner
AU - Michael Junginger
AU - Michael Köhler
AU - Ludwig Lettenmaier
AU - Roman M. Link
AU - Soumen Mallick
AU - Jörg Müller
AU - Julia Rothacher
AU - Lena Rugen
AU - Guido F. Scholz
AU - Jean-Léonard Stör
AU - Kim K. Weißing
AU - Clara Wild
AU - Goddert von Oheimb
AU - Christian Ammer
AU - Bernhard Schuldt
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/21
JO - Ecological Indicators
DO - 10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.114874
AB - 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
SN - 1470-160X
SN - 1872-7034
ER -