Summer drought and spring frost, but not their interaction, constrain European beech and Silver fir growth in their southern distribution limits

AbstractLegacies of past climate conditions and historical management govern forest productivity and tree growth. Understanding how these processes interact and the timescales over which they influence tree growth is critical to assess forest vulnerability to climate change. Yet, few studies address this issue, likely because integrated long-term records of both growth and forest management are uncommon. We applied the stochastic antecedent modelling (SAM) framework to annual tree-ring widths from mixed forests to recover the ecological memory of tree growth. We quantified the effects of antecedent temperature and precipitation up to 4 years preceding the year of ring formation and integrated management effects with records of harvesting intensity from historical forest management archives. The SAM approach uncovered important time periods most influential to growth, typically the warmer and drier months or seasons, but variation among species and sites emerged. Silver fir responded primarily to past climate conditions (25–50 months prior to the year of ring formation), while European beech and Scots pine responded mostly to climate conditions during the year of ring formation and the previous year, although these responses varied among sites. Past management and climate interacted in such a way that harvesting promoted growth in young silver fir under wet and warm conditions and in old European beech under drier and cooler conditions. Our study shows that the ecological memory associated with climate legacies and historical forest management is species-specific and context-dependent, suggesting that both aspects are needed to properly evaluate forest functioning under climate change.

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Biotic and Abiotic Determinants of Soil Organic Matter Stock and Fine Root Biomass in Mountain Area Temperate Forests—Examples from Cambisols under European Beech, Norway Spruce and Silver Fir (Carpathians, Central Europe)

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12070823 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 823

Author(s):

Anna Zielonka ◽

Marek Drewnik ◽

Łukasz Musielok ◽

Marcin K. Dyderski ◽

Dariusz Struzik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Fine Root ◽

Stand Density ◽

European Beech ◽

Fine Root Biomass ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Beech Forests

Forest ecosystems significantly contribute to the global organic carbon (OC) pool, exhibiting high spatial heterogeneity in this respect. Some of the components of the OC pool in a forest (woody aboveground biomass (wAGB), coarse root biomass (CRB)) can be relatively easily estimated using readily available data from land observation and forest inventories, while some of the components of the OC pool are very difficult to determine (fine root biomass (FRB) and soil organic matter (SOM) stock). The main objectives of our study were to: (1) estimate the SOM stock; (2) estimate FRB; and (3) assess the relationship between both biotic (wAGB, forest age, foliage, stand density) and abiotic factors (climatic conditions, relief, soil properties) and SOM stocks and FRB in temperate forests in the Western Carpathians consisting of European beech, Norway spruce, and silver fir (32 forest inventory plots in total). We uncovered the highest wAGB in beech forests and highest SOM stocks under beech forest. FRB was the highest under fir forest. We noted a considerable impact of stand density on SOM stocks, particularly in beech and spruce forests. FRB content was mostly impacted by stand density only in beech forests without any discernible effects on other forest characteristics. We discovered significant impacts of relief-dependent factors and SOM stocks at all the studied sites. Our biomass and carbon models informed by more detailed environmental data led to reduce the uncertainty in over- and underestimation in Cambisols under beech, spruce, and fir forests for mountain temperate forest carbon pools.

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Factors controlling the buildup of humus and particulate organic matter in European beech and Scots pine stands at their southernmost distribution limits (Moncayo Massif, Spain)

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115211 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 401 ◽

pp. 115211

Author(s):

J.L. Mora ◽

M. Molina–Clerencia ◽

A. Girona–García ◽

C. Martí–Dalmau ◽

D. Badía–Villas

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Particulate Organic Matter ◽

European Beech ◽

Distribution Limits ◽

Pine Stands ◽

Scots Pine Stands

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Modeliranje višinske in debelinske rasti dominantnih dreves ter ocenjevanje indeksov produkcijske sposobnosti gozdnih rastišč

Acta Silvae et Ligni ◽

10.20315/asetl.125.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 125 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Andrej Bončina ◽

Vasilije Trifković ◽

Živa Bončina

Keyword(s):

Growth Models ◽

Tree Height ◽

European Beech ◽

Productivity Index ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Forest Types ◽

Site Productivity ◽

Beech Forests ◽

Sessile Oak ◽

Diameter Increment

Modeling the height and diameter growth of trees is an important part of forest management. Growth models provide the basis for determining the thinning regime, target tree dimensions and optimal proportions of developmental phases of forest stands. We developed individual height growth models for dominant Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in two forest types (sessile oak-European beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests). Based on the models, the site productivity index (SPI), defined as the dominant tree height at a diameter of 45 cm, was determined for spruce and beech in both forest types. Based on the diameter increment of the dominant trees, the age of trees in regard to their diameter was calculated, which was the basis for Height-Age modeling. The site productivity index (SPI) of spruce in sessile oak-beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests is higher than that of beech: 31.3 and 29.7 vs 28.7 and 27.9, respectively. Estimated site indices (SI; dominant tree height at the age of 100 years) in sessile oak- European beech forests and pre-Alpine silver fir-European beech forests were 33.4 and 32.0 for spruce, and 29.0 and 27.0 for beech, respectively. Using the described procedure, it is possible to determine indices of site productivity of spruce and beech (SI and SPI) in the selected forest habitat types. Testing the procedure in other forest types and for other tree species is suggested.

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The influence of stand canopy openness on the growth of common yew (Taxus baccata L.)

Forest Research Papers ◽

10.1515/frp-2015-0004 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 42-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marzena Niemczyk ◽

Anna Żółciak ◽

Wrzesiński Piotr

Keyword(s):

Light Transmission ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Extended Period ◽

European Beech ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Canopy Openness ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Taxus Baccata ◽

Height Increment ◽

Transmission Index

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of common yew, Taxus baccata L., with respect to canopy openness. The plants were growing in ex-situ conservation plantations (established in 2008) in the understory of different tree species. Eleven forest plantations belonging to the following five forest districts were inventoried: Rokita, Baligród, Kołaczyce, Międzylesie and Henryków. In each plantation, the height and height increment of 200 yews were measured and gap light transmission indices were determined. The canopy species affecting yew growth most significantly were oak (Quercus sp.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), followed by Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.), silver fir (Abies alba L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The most favorable development of yew occurred at 30% canopy openness. An increasing light transmission index correlated with a decrease in the proportion of treelike yews. An insufficient amount of light resulted in a low height increment of yews growing under the canopy and an extended period of direct competition of yews with herbaceous species.

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The Dinaric Mountains versus the Western Carpathians: Is structural heterogeneity similar in close-to-primeval Abies–Picea–Fagus forests?

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-020-01325-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

J. Paluch ◽

S. Keren ◽

Z. Govedar

Keyword(s):

Spatial Scale ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Basal Area ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

European Beech ◽

Structural Heterogeneity ◽

Western Carpathians ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Canopy Trees

Abstract In this study, we analysed patterns of spatial variation in the basal area of live and dead trees and structural complexity in close-to-primeval forests in the Dinaric Mts. The results were compared with an analogous study conducted in the Western Carpathians. The research was carried out in the Janj, Lom and Perucića forest reserves (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in mixed-species stands of silver fir Abies alba Mill., European beech Fagus sylvatica L. and Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. In the core zones of the reserves, concentric sample plots (154 and 708 m2) were set in a regular 20 × 20 m grid covering approximately 10 ha. The analyses revealed varying distribution patterns of live canopy trees, suggesting that these characteristics may fluctuate to some extent at the regional level. At the spatial scale of 708 m2, attractive associations between dead canopy trees were found, but this tendency disappeared with increasing area. Although stands in the Dinaric Mts. are characterized by an almost twofold greater biomass accumulation compared to those from the Western Carpathians, the study revealed analogous bell-shaped distributions of stand basal areas of live trees and a very similar trend of decreasing variation in stand basal area and structural heterogeneity with increasing spatial scale. Nonetheless, the higher growing stocks, lower ratios of dead to live tree basal area and lower proportion of homogeneous structure types found in the Dinaric Mts. may suggest a less severe disturbance history over recent decades in this region compared to the Western Carpathians.

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Evidence of elevation-specific growth changes of spruce, fir, and beech in European mixed mountain forests during the last three centuries

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2019-0368 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (7) ◽

pp. 689-703 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hans Pretzsch ◽

Torben Hilmers ◽

Peter Biber ◽

Admir Avdagić ◽

Franz Binder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abies Alba ◽

European Beech ◽

Spatiotemporal Pattern ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Mountain Forests ◽

Growth Trend ◽

Dependent Change ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L ◽

Growth Changes

In Europe, mixed mountain forests, primarily comprised of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), cover about 10 × 106 ha at elevations between ∼600 and 1600 m a.s.l. These forests provide invaluable ecosystem services. However, the growth of these forests and the competition among their main species are expected to be strongly affected by climate warming. In this study, we analyzed the growth development of spruce, fir, and beech in moist mixed mountain forests in Europe over the last 300 years. Based on tree-ring analyses on long-term observational plots, we found for all three species (i) a nondecelerating, linear diameter growth trend spanning more than 300 years; (ii) increased growth levels and trends, the latter being particularly pronounced for fir and beech; and (iii) an elevation-dependent change of fir and beech growth. Whereas in the past, the growth was highest at lower elevations, today’s growth is superior at higher elevations. This spatiotemporal pattern indicates significant changes in the growth and interspecific competition at the expense of spruce in mixed mountain forests. We discuss possible causes, consequences, and silvicultural implications of these distinct growth changes in mixed mountain forests.

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Selection effects of air pollution on gene pools of Norway spruce, European silver fir and European beech

Environmental Pollution ◽

10.1016/s0269-7491(01)00230-5 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 115 (3) ◽

pp. 405-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Roman Longauer ◽

Dušan Gömöry ◽

Ladislav Paule ◽

David F Karnosky ◽

Blanka Maňkovská ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

European Beech ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Gene Pools ◽

Selection Effects

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European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) rotation in the Carpathians—A developmental cycle or a linear trend induced by man?

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2009.03.007 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 258 (4) ◽

pp. 347-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Tomáš Vrška ◽

Dušan Adam ◽

Libor Hort ◽

Tomáš Kolář ◽

David Janík

Keyword(s):

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Linear Trend ◽

Abies Alba ◽

European Beech ◽

Developmental Cycle ◽

Silver Fir ◽

The Carpathians ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

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Efficacy of Trans-geographic Observational Network Design for Revelation of Growth Pattern in Mountain Forests Across Europe

10.1007/978-3-030-80767-2_5 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 141-187

Author(s):

H. Pretzsch ◽

T. Hilmers ◽

E. Uhl ◽

M. del Río ◽

A. Avdagić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Large Scale ◽

Statistical Evaluation ◽

European Beech ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Mountain Forests ◽

Mixed Species ◽

Yield Data

AbstractUnderstanding tree and stand growth dynamics in the frame of climate change calls for large-scale analyses. For analysing growth patterns in mountain forests across Europe, the CLIMO consortium compiled a network of observational plots across European mountain regions. Here, we describe the design and efficacy of this network of plots in monospecific European beech and mixed-species stands of Norway spruce, European beech, and silver fir.First, we sketch the state of the art of existing monitoring and observational approaches for assessing the growth of mountain forests. Second, we introduce the design, measurement protocols, as well as site and stand characteristics, and we stress the innovation of the newly compiled network. Third, we give an overview of the growth and yield data at stand and tree level, sketch the growth characteristics along elevation gradients, and introduce the methods of statistical evaluation. Fourth, we report additional measurements of soil, genetic resources, and climate smartness indicators and criteria, which were available for statistical evaluation and testing hypotheses. Fifth, we present the ESFONET (European Smart Forest Network) approach of data and knowledge dissemination. The discussion is focussed on the novelty and relevance of the database, its potential for monitoring, understanding and management of mountain forests toward climate smartness, and the requirements for future assessments and inventories.In this chapter, we describe the design and efficacy of this network of plots in monospecific European beech and mixed-species stands of Norway spruce, European beech, and silver fir. We present how to acquire and evaluate data from individual trees and the whole stand to quantify and understand the growth of mountain forests in Europe under climate change. It will provide concepts, models, and practical hints for analogous trans-geographic projects that may be based on the existing and newly recorded data on forests.

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