OakEcol: A database of Oak-associated biodiversity within the UK

Abstract

Globally there is increasing concern about the decline in the health of oak Quercus trees. The impact of a decline in oak trees on associated biodiversity, species that utilize oak trees, is unknown. Here we collate a database of all known birds, bryophytes, fungi, invertebrates, lichens and mammals that use oak (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) in the UK. In total 2300 species are listed in the database. For each species we provide a level of association with oak, ranging from obligate (only found on oak) to cosmopolitan (found on a wide range of other tree species). Data on the ecology of each oak associated species was collated: part of tree used, use made of tree (feeding, roosting, breeding), age of tree, woodland type, tree form (coppice, pollarded, or natural growth form) and season when the tree was used. Data on use or otherwise by each of the 2300 species of 30 other tree species was also collated. A complete list of data sources is provided. For further insights into how this data can be used see Collapsing foundations: The ecology of the British oak, implications of its decline and mitigation options [1]. Data can be found at EIDC https://doi.org/10.5285/22b3d41e-7c35-4c51-9e55-0f47bb845202. Keywords: Biodiversity, Oak decline, Oak-associated species, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur