scholarly journals Tree diversity and the temporal stability of mountain forest productivity: testing the effect of species composition, through asynchrony and overyielding

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Jourdan ◽  
Christian Piedallu ◽  
Jonas Baudry ◽  
Xavier Morin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Stress Gradient ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Tree Ring Data ◽  
Diversity Effect ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTClimate change modifies ecosystem processes directly through its effect on environmental conditions, but also indirectly by changing community composition. Theoretical studies and grassland experiments suggest that diversity may increase and stabilize communities’ productivity over time. Few recent studies on forest ecosystems suggested the same pattern but with a larger variability between the results. In this paper, we aimed to test stabilizing diversity effect for two kinds of mixtures (Fagus sylvatica - Quercus pubescens and Fagus sylvatica - Abies alba), and to assess how climate may affect the patterns. We used tree ring data from forest plots distributed along a latitudinal gradient across French Alps. We found that diversity effect on stability in productivity varies with stand composition. Most beech–fir stands showed a greater stability in productivity over time than monocultures, while beech–oak stands showed a less stable productivity. Considering non-additive effects, no significant trends were found, regardless the type of mixed stands considered. We further highlighted that these patterns could be partially explained by asynchrony between species responses to annual climatic conditions (notably to variation in temperature or precipitation), overyielding, and climatic conditions. We also showed that the intensity of the diversity effect on stability varies along the ecological gradient, consistently with the stress gradient hypothesis for beech-oak forests, but not for beech-fir forests. This study showed the importance of the species identity on the relationships between diversity, climate and stability of forest productivity. Better depicting diversity and composition effects on forest ecosystem functioning appears to be crucial for forest managers to promote forest adaptation and maintain timber resource in the context of on-going climate change.

scholarly journals Projected effects of climate change on the carbon stocks of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in Zala County, Hungary

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoltán Somogyi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Recent studies suggest that climate change will lead to the local extinction of many tree species from large areas during this century, affecting the functioning and ecosystem services of many forests. This study reports on projected carbon losses due to the assumed local climate change-driven extinction of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) from Zala County, South-Western Hungary, where the species grows at the xeric limit of its distribution. The losses were calculated as a difference between carbon stocks in climate change scenarios assuming an exponentially increasing forest decline over time, and those in a baseline scenario assuming no climate change. In the climate change scenarios, three different sets of forest management adaptation measures were studied: (1) only harvesting damaged stands, (2) additionally salvaging dead trees that died due to climate change, and (3) replacing, at an increasing rate over time, beech with sessile oak (Quercus petraea Matt. Lieb.) after final harvest. Projections were made using the open access carbon accounting model CASMOFOR based on modeling or assuming effects of climate change on mortality, tree growth, root-to-shoot ratio and decomposition rates. Results demonstrate that, if beech disappears from the region as projected by the end of the century, over 80% of above-ground biomass carbon, and over 60% of the carbon stocks of all pools (excluding soils) of the forests will be lost by 2100. Such emission rates on large areas may have a discernible positive feedback on climate change, and can only partially be offset by the forest management adaptation measures.

Regional and ecological patterns in interior Douglas-fir climate–growth relationships in British Columbia, Canada

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardy P. Griesbauer ◽  
D. Scott Green
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Tree Ring Data ◽  
Dry Climates

How climate change will affect tree growth across species’ geographic and climatic ranges remains a critical knowledge gap. Tree-ring data were analyzed from 33 interior Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) stands spanning wide geographic and climatic conditions in the interior of British Columbia to gain insights into how within-species growth responses to climate can vary based on local environmental conditions over a broad climatic and geographic range, including populations growing at the species’ range and climatic margins. Populations growing in relatively warm and dry climates had growth patterns correlated mostly with annual precipitation, whereas populations growing in high-elevation wet and cold climates had growth patterns correlated with snowfall, winter and annual temperatures, and ocean–atmosphere climate systems. Populations growing at climatic extremes (e.g., coldest, driest, warmest) in each study region had the strongest responses to climate. Projected climate change may negatively influence Douglas-fir productivity across most of its range, and populations growing near the species’ climatic limits may provide early and strong indications of future responses.

Postdrainage forest productivity of peatlands in Sweden

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 1443-1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Hånell
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Productivity Analysis ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Site Types

The objective of this investigation was to determine a method for grouping and classifying peatlands in Sweden on the basis of site quality after drainage. Initially, sites were grouped in six vegetation types, defined by the presence and abundance of certain species in the field layer. Then, pure and mixed stands of mainly Pinussylvestris, Piceaabies, and Betulapubescens, for which the original vegetation type was known, were investigated. Data from temporary sample plots on these previously drained areas were used to reconstruct stand development after drainage. The reconstruction was based on single-tree functions derived from regression analysis. A computer routine was used to calculate stand yield in the period between ditching and data collection. With the use of this productivity analysis, the initial classification into vegetation types was revised and expanded to eight site types. From the same analysis, stand functions for form height and basal area increment were derived. These functions were used to calculate forest productivity on peatlands by simulation of postdrainage stand development. For each site type, postdrainage productivity was calculated for different climatic conditions and expressed in cubic metres per hectare annually. The accuracy of the productivity figures is discussed. A key for determining site types is presented.

scholarly journals The productivity of mixed mountain forests comprised of Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, and Abies alba across Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 512-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torben Hilmers ◽  
Admir Avdagić ◽  
Leszek Bartkowicz ◽  
Kamil Bielak ◽  
Franz Binder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Picea Abies ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Mountain Forests ◽  
Mountain Areas

Abstract Mixed mountain forests of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst), and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) cover a total area of more than 10 million hectares in Europe. Due to altitudinal zoning, these forests are particularly vulnerable to climate change. However, as little is known about the long-term development of the productivity and the adaptation and mitigation potential of these forest systems in Europe, reliable information on productivity is required for sustainable forest management. Using generalized additive mixed models this study investigated 60 long-term experimental plots and provides information about the productivity of mixed mountain forests across a variety of European mountain areas in a standardized way for the first time. The average periodic annual volume increment (PAI) of these forests amounts to 9.3 m3ha−1y−1. Despite a significant increase in annual mean temperature the PAI has not changed significantly over the last 30 years. However, at the species level, we found significant changes in the growth dynamics. While beech had a PAI of 8.2 m3ha−1y−1 over the entire period (1980–2010), the PAI of spruce dropped significantly from 14.2 to 10.8 m3ha−1y−1, and the PAI of fir rose significantly from 7.2 to 11.3 m3ha−1y−1. Consequently, we observed stable stand volume increments in relation to climate change.

scholarly journals Gains or Losses in Forest Productivity under Climate Change? The Uncertainty of CO2 Fertilization and Climate Effects

Climate ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Dominik Sperlich ◽  
Daniel Nadal-Sala ◽  
Carlos Gracia ◽  
Jürgen Kreuzwieser ◽  
Marc Hanewinkel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Co2 Fertilization ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Forest Growth Model

Global warming poses great challenges for forest managers regarding adaptation strategies and species choices. More frequent drought events and heat spells are expected to reduce growth and increase mortality. Extended growing seasons, warming and elevated CO2 (eCO2) can also positively affect forest productivity. We studied the growth, productivity and mortality of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the Black Forest (Germany) under three climate change scenarios (representative concentration pathways (RCP): RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) using the detailed biogeochemical forest growth model GOTILWA+. Averaged over the entire simulation period, both species showed productivity losses in RCP2.6 (16–20%) and in RCP4.5 (6%), but productivity gains in RCP8.5 (11–17%). However, all three scenarios had a tipping point (between 2035–2060) when initial gains in net primary productivity (NPP) (6–29%) eventually turned into losses (1–26%). With eCO2 switched off, the losses in NPP were 26–51% in RCP2.6, 36–45% in RCP4.5 and 33–71% in RCP8.5. Improved water-use efficiency dampened drought effects on NPP between 4 and 5%. Tree mortality increased, but without notably affecting forest productivity. Concluding, cultivation of beech and fir may still be possible in the study region, although severe productivity losses can be expected in the coming decades, which will strongly depend on the dampening CO2 fertilization effect.

scholarly journals Keeping pace with climate change in global terrestrial protected areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (25) ◽  
pp. eaay0814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Elsen ◽  
William B. Monahan ◽  
Eric R. Dougherty ◽  
Adina M. Merenlender
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adaptation Policies ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Mitigation Policies ◽  
Reduced Emissions

Protected areas (PAs) are essential to biodiversity conservation, but their static boundaries may undermine their potential for protecting species under climate change. We assessed how the climatic conditions within global terrestrial PAs may change over time. By 2070, protection is expected to decline in cold and warm climates and increase in cool and hot climates over a wide range of precipitation. Most countries are expected to fail to protect >90% of their available climate at current levels. The evenness of climatic representation under protection—not the amount of area protected—positively influenced the retention of climatic conditions under protection. On average, protection retention would increase by ~118% if countries doubled their climatic representativeness under protection or by ~102% if countries collectively reduced emissions in accordance with global targets. Therefore, alongside adoption of mitigation policies, adaptation policies that improve the complementarity of climatic conditions within PAs will help countries safeguard biodiversity.

scholarly journals Managing mixed stands can mitigate severe climate change impacts on ecosystem functioning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jourdan ◽  
T. Cordonnier ◽  
P. Dreyfus ◽  
C. Riond ◽  
F. de Coligny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Drought Event ◽  
Gap Model ◽  
Wood Production ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Severe Climate Change

AbstractClimate change affects forest ecosystem processes and related services due to increasing temperature and increasing extreme drought event frequency. This effect can be direct through the alteration of the physiological responses of trees, but also indirect, by modifying interactions between trees and thus changing communities’ composition. Such changes might affect species richness with high impacts on ecosystem functioning, especially productivity.Regarding management issues, mixed stands are usually considered a good option to maintain forest cover and ecosystem services under climate change. However, the possibility to maintain these mixed stands with management actions with positive effects on forest functioning under climate change remains uncertain and deserves further investigations. Relying on a simulation-based study with a forest gap model, we thus addressed the following questions: (1) Are monospecific stands vulnerable to climate change? (2) Would mixed stands significantly mitigate climate change effects on forest productivity and wood production under climate change? (3) Would conversion to mixed stand management affect significantly forest productivity and wood production under climate change compare to monospecific management?With a 150 years simulation approach, we quantified potential climate change effect (using RCP 8.5) compared to present climate and managements effect in the French Alps, focusing on five tree species. The gap-model we used included a management module, which allowed testing six silvicultural scenarios on different stands, with various composition, structure or environmental conditions, under climate change.These simulations showed that monospecific stands currently growing in stressful conditions would be too vulnerable to climate change to be maintained. Managing mixed stands or conversion from pure to mixed stands would make it possible to maintain higher productivity in the long-term than monospecific stands, even under severe climate change. This pattern depends to species and sites considered. Our results will feed into discussion on forest management in the context of climate change.

Prognosis of beech stand dynamics in climate change conditions in Polish Bieszady and Ukrainian Beskydy

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-33
Author(s):  
I. I. Kozak ◽  
T. V. Parpan ◽  
G. G. Kozak ◽  
P. G. Kotsyuba
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Computer Model ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
Stand Dynamics ◽  
Beech Stand ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

The study concerned forecasts for the dynamics of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands in the Polish Bieszczady and Ukrainian Beskydy with the use of FORKOME model іn different scenarios of climate changes. Simulation conducted in FORKOME model confirms that beech will exist in the Polish Bieszczady and Ukrainian Beskydy regions on the east boundary of beech areal. The changes in the Polish Bieszczady and Ukrainian Beskydy can be estimate as a positive for forest productivity and biomass accumulations. They were confirmed by fieldwork and events documented in the literature, which shows the reliability of the forecasts used FORKOME computer model. Work and study of this kind are necessary for rational forest management and to take appropriate development strategies.

scholarly journals Exploring Nonlinear Intra-Annual Growth Dynamics in Fagus sylvatica L. Trees at the Italian ICP-Forests Level II Network

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 584
Author(s):  
Carlotta Ferrara ◽  
Maurizio Marchi ◽  
Gianfranco Fabbio ◽  
Silvano Fares ◽  
Giada Bertini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Icp Forests ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a widely distributed tree species across Europe, highly sensitive to climate change and global warming. This study illustrates results of a 5-year monitoring time period from eight sites of the ICP-Forests Level II (intensive monitoring network) along the Italian latitudinal gradient. The tree-level relationship between tree growth dynamics and environmental factors, including seasonal climate fluctuations were investigated by means of tree-level Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs). Model results revealed that climate was responsible for just a portion of the variability in beech growth dynamics. Even if climatic predictors were highly significant in almost all sites, the model explained nearly 30% of the total variance (with just a maximum value of 71.6%), leaving the remaining variance unexplained and likely connected with forest management trajectories applied to each site (e.g., aged coppice and fully grown high forest). Climate change scenarios were then applied to predict site-specific future responses. By applying climate change scenarios, it was predicted that central and northern Italy would face similar climatic conditions to those currently detected at southern latitudes. A special case study was represented by VEN1 plot (Veneto, Northern Italy) whose current and future climate regimes were grouped in a unique and separated cluster.

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