Competition for nitrogen between European beech and sycamore maple shifts in favour of beech with decreasing light availability

Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is considered one of the most invasive tree species in central Europe and causes problems for both nature conservation and silviculture. Besides mechanical control treatments, a suggested control method to prevent its ongoing spread is to underplant shade-tolerant native tree species. Therefore, we combined two mechanical treatments, with underplanting of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) on fenced and unfenced plots. After the first growing season, survival rates were evaluated, and selected seedlings were destructively harvested to analyze their growth performance and leaf morphology in association with the different light regimes resulting from mechanical treatments Survival rates for both seedlings were very high (>95%). Survival rates were higher on fenced plots than on unfenced plots, most likely as result of browsing. The mortality of F. sylvatica decreased with increasing light availability on fenced plots. The mortality of T. cordata did not change along the light gradient. After one vegetation period no differences with respect to biomass allocation could be detected along the light gradient. However, the specific leaf areas of both species responded similarly, decreasing with increasing light availability. In summary, both species were able to establish and survive in the dense P. serotina understory and might have the potential to outcompete the invasive alien species in the long run.

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Leaf area index estimated by direct, semi-direct, and indirect methods in European beech and sycamore maple stands

Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1007/s11676-018-0809-0 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 827-836 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jakub Černý ◽

Pavel Haninec ◽

Radek Pokorný

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area Index ◽

Leaf Area ◽

European Beech ◽

Indirect Methods ◽

Area Index ◽

Sycamore Maple ◽

Direct And Indirect Methods

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Changes of the mixed mountain virgin forest after 70 years on a permanent plot in the Ukrainian Carpathians 567

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/41/2009-jfs ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 567-577 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Veska ◽

J. Šebesta ◽

T. Kolář

Keyword(s):

Abies Alba ◽

European Beech ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽

Timber Volume ◽

Tree Species Composition ◽

Virgin Forest ◽

Tree Layer ◽

Sycamore Maple ◽

Associated Species

During 2004–2006, another permanent research plot (No. 12) on Pop Ivan Marmarosh Mt. in the Zakarpattya province of Ukraine was renewed, i.e. re-measured and re-analyzed. The plot was originally established in the 30’s of the 20th century. The tree layer is dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), with Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) as often associated species, and with sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) growing occasionally in small groups. After 70 years, the tree species composition partly changed. Total live timber volume increased from 529.6 to 636.3 m3/ha. Considerable growth was recorded in beech, while the live timber volume of fir, spruce and sycamore maple did not almost change. Total number of trees (> 3 cm in dbh) increased from 737 trees/ha to 760 trees/ha. Number of beech trees increased markedly. On the contrary, fir and spruce showed a significant decrease in tree number. Interesting results emerged from the renewal of the permanent square plot (20 × 20 m), proving that beech is able to persist in the shade for more than 70 years with only minimal increment of both height and diameter.

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Analyzing Spatial Distribution Patterns of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Regeneration in Dependence of Canopy Openings

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10080637 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 637 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Melissa Stiers ◽

Katharina Willim ◽

Dominik Seidel ◽

Christian Ammer ◽

Myroslav Kabal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Light Availability ◽

European Beech ◽

Canopy Gaps ◽

Canopy Gap ◽

Direct Radiation ◽

Northern Edge ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

The use of natural regeneration techniques is one of the key elements of modern (close-to-nature) forestry. In natural forests, changes in canopy cover, such as the emergence and successive re-closure of canopy gaps are particularly important, as they influence the light availability on the forest floor. Creating canopy gaps of different size is a promising silvicultural tool allowing the regulation of the light availability in managed forests in order to control regeneration composition and development. In this study, we used terrestrial laser scanning data to investigate the relationship between canopy-gap dimensions and emerging natural regeneration along a gradient of management in forests dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica, L.). We analyzed the spatial distribution and height of regeneration patches in dependence of gap characteristics. Mean regeneration height decreases progressively from the gap polygon over a transition zone towards the area under the canopy, while the tallest regeneration plants were placed in positions midway between center and gap edge, and not directly in the gap center as we initially assumed. The centers of regeneration patches were not displaced when compared to the associated canopy gap centers, as has been reported in other studies conducted on the northern hemisphere for various tree species. The observed patterns did not depend on management strategies, indicating that regeneration responded equally to naturally created gaps and gaps that were caused by logging. We conclude that establishment and development of shade-tolerant European beech regeneration in forest stands is driven by gap openings, but not necessarily direct radiation. If at all, pronounced direct radiation mainly occurs at the northern edge of large gaps. Neither regeneration patch center, nor regeneration tree height pointed in that direction. Our study suggests that in the investigated beech-dominated forests the effect of increased light availability at the northern edge of a gap is overruled by other factors increasing towards the gap edge, such as increased belowground competition of the overstory trees.

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Growth, mortality, and morphological response of European beech and downy oak along a light gradient in sub-Mediterranean forest

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x05-097 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 1657-1668 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Georges Kunstler ◽

Thomas Curt ◽

Monique Bouchaud ◽

Jacques Lepart

Keyword(s):

Growth Models ◽

Niche Partitioning ◽

Light Availability ◽

European Beech ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

Low Light ◽

Morphological Response ◽

Growth And Survival ◽

Probability Of Survival ◽

Light Gradient

We examined light as a niche partitioning factor between the late-successional European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and the mid-successional downy oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.), two dominant species in the sub-Mediterranean area of southern France. For these species we estimated sapling growth models (in radius and in height) as a function of light availability. Beech had a higher growth in low light and a higher asymptotic growth rate than oak. We estimated species-specific growthmortality functions. Beech showed a higher tolerance to slow growth than oak. By linking lightgrowth functions and growthmortality functions, we found that beech had a lower mortality at low light than oak. Beech saplings had a higher probability of survival than oak at low and at high light levels. Beech exhibited the highest plasticity of morphological traits (i.e., biomass allocation, leaf morphology, and architectural traits) as a function of light. Since beech has higher growth and survival than oak at variable light regimes, we conclude that niche partitioning for light cannot explain the coexistence of these two species. We propose that disturbance and water stress should be explicitly taken into account to understand niche partitioning and succession in the sub-Mediterranean area.

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Seedling Growth and Biomass Production under Different Light Availability Levels and Competition Types

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12101376 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1376

Author(s):

Ieva Bebre ◽

Hannes Riebl ◽

Peter Annighöfer

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Light Availability ◽

Limited Resource ◽

European Beech ◽

Rooting Depth ◽

Similar Species ◽

Effect Analysis ◽

Growth Allocation ◽

Species Specific

Light availability is a crucial resource determining seedling survival, establishment, and growth. Competition for light is asymmetric, giving the taller individuals a competitive advantage for obtaining light resources. Species-specific traits, e.g., shade tolerance, rooting depth, and leaf morphology, determine their strategical growth response under limited resource availability and different competitive interactions. We established a controlled pot experiment using European beech, Norway spruce, and Douglas fir seedlings and applying three different light availability levels—10%, 20%, and 50%. The experiment’s main aim was to better understand the effects of light availability and competition type on the growth, growth allocation, and biomass production of recently planted seedlings. We planted four seedlings per pot in either monocultures or mixtures of two species. Relative height and diameter growth and aboveground woody biomass of seedlings increased with increasing light availability. All seedlings allocated more growth to height than diameter with decreasing light availability. Seedlings that reached on average greater height in the previous year allocated less growth to height in the following year. Additionally, there were general differences in growth allocation to the height between gymnosperms and angiosperms, but we did not find an effect of the competitor’s identity. Our mixture effect analysis trends suggested that mixtures of functionally dissimilar species are more likely to produce higher biomass than mixtures of more similar species such as the two studied conifers. This finding points towards increased productivity through complementarity.

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