In contrast, large trees contributed to over 1.5% of the whole stand in forest interior plots (2.9 ± 2.8%).
Contrary to our expectations, interior plots did not have higher carbon stock, basal area or tree stem density than edges, but only taller trees.
The biomass of Evernia and Usnea was significantly lower at the edge of the clear-cut (0 m) compared to interior plots (30 m).
The most effective seed-collecting ant, Aphaenogaster rudis, was less common in forest edge plots relative to interior plots, and predation pressure by small mammals was almost twice as great in plots near forest edges.
Finally, an indicator species analysis yielded an ecological group of 12 large tree species that were significantly associated with forest interior plots, but were completely missing from edge-affected habitats.
Likewise, edge plots had sharply elevated spatial variability in overall tree-community change (F18,20 = 17.76, P<0.0001), floristic trajectories 1 and 2 (both F18,20>9.08, P<0.0001), the abundance of pioneer and invasive trees (F32,32 = 11.59, P<0.00001), and tree-species turnover (F18,20 = 15.25, P<0.0001), relative to forest interiors (all F-tests comparing variances in edge vs. interior plots).
We compared the frequencies and the functional diversity of tree reproductive traits in 10 of the forest fragments (range = 3.4 295.7 ha) and 10 'forest interior plots' [sensu 41] located in the region's largest remnant (Coimbra forest; here adopted as the control site) using floristic data from previously conducted botanical surveys.
For the assessment of functional group abundance, the relative area covered by lichens and the number of thalli were recorded on target trees in edge and interior plots.
Temperature and RH at the forest edge and interior plots were measured 1 m above ground level at 1-min intervals using two-channel loggers with internal sensors (HOBO pro series; Onset Computer Corporation, NH, USA).
The interior class plot (right) shows the same two main groups with smoother curves in comparison to perforated class plot.
