Size-dependence of tree growth response to drought for Norway spruce and European beech individuals in monospecific and mixed-species stands

Mixed-species forests may deliver more forest functions and services than monocultures, as being considered more resistant to disturbances than pure stands. However, information on wood quality in mixed-species vs. corresponding pure forests is poor. In this study, nine plots grouped into three triplets of pure and mixed-species stands of European beech and Calabrian pine (three dominated by European beech, three dominated by Calabrian pine, and three mixed-species plots) were analysed. We evaluated tree growth and wood quality through dendrochronological approaches and non-destructive technologies (acoustic detection), respectively, hypothesizing that the mixture might improve the fitness of each species and its wood quality. A linear mixed model was applied to test the effects of exogenous influences on the basal area index (BAI) and the dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEd). The recruitment period (Rp) was studied to verify whether wood quality was independent from stem radial growth patterns. Results showed that the mixture effect influenced both wood quality and BAI. In the mixed-species plots, for each species, MOEd values were significantly higher than in the corresponding pure stands. The mixture effect aligned MOEd values, making wood quality uniform across the different diameter classes. In the mixed-species plots, a significant positive relationship between MOEd and Rp, but also significantly higher BAI values than in the pure plots, were found for European beech, but not for Calabrian pine. The results suggest the promotion of mixing of European beech and Calabrian pine in this harsh environment to potentially improve both tree growth and wood quality.

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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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The influence of drought on tree growth in Germany – from models to general statements

Forestry Engineering Journal ◽

10.12737/14155 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 76-83

Author(s):

Бек ◽

Volfgang Bek ◽

Нахтин ◽

Marko Nakhtin ◽

Мюллер ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Tree Ring ◽

Tree Growth ◽

Climate Scenario ◽

European Beech ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Analysis Tool ◽

Relative Increment ◽

Statistical Analysis Tool

The scientific perspective on the climate-growth relationship is usually multivariate and too complex for decision makers, who need simpler statements. We analyse the relationships between the climate and tree growth with the help of 89 tree ring chronologies for Norway spruce, Scots pine and European beech in Germany. The statistical analysis tool CLIMTREG is used to discover climate-growth relationships and to model relative increment deviations caused by the force of climate scenario data.

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Growth and mortality of Norway spruce and European beech in monospecific and mixed-species stands under natural episodic and experimentally extended drought. Results of the KROOF throughfall exclusion experiment

Trees ◽

10.1007/s00468-020-01973-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 957-970 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

H. Pretzsch ◽

T. Grams ◽

K. H. Häberle ◽

K. Pritsch ◽

T. Bauerle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

European Beech ◽

Mixed Species ◽

Exclusion Experiment ◽

Throughfall Exclusion

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Intra-annual growth response of adult Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] KARST.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to an experimentally enhanced, free-air ozone regime

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-008-0255-1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 128 (2) ◽

pp. 135-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Philip Wipfler ◽

Thomas Seifert ◽

Peter Biber ◽

Hans Pretzsch

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Growth Response ◽

European Beech ◽

Annual Growth ◽

Free Air ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

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Comparing individual-tree growth models using principles of stand growth for Norway spruce, Scots pine, and European beech

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2014-0394 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 1006-1018 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sonja Vospernik ◽

Robert A. Monserud ◽

Hubert Sterba

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Tree Growth ◽

Growth Models ◽

Basal Area ◽

European Beech ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Individual Tree ◽

Individual Tree Growth ◽

Volume Increment

We examined the relationship between thinning intensity and volume increment predicted by four commonly used individual-tree growth models in Central Europe (i.e., BWIN, Moses, Prognaus, and Silva). We replicated conditions of older growth and yield experiments by selecting 34 young, dense plots of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). At these plots, we simulated growth, with mortality only, to obtain the maximum basal area. Maximum basal area was then decreased by 5% or 10% steps using thinning from below. Maximum density varied considerably between simulators; it was mostly in a reasonable range but partly exceeded the maximum basal area observed by the Austrian National Forest Inventory or the self-thinning line. In almost all cases, simulated volume increment was highest at maximum basal area and then decreased with decreasing basal area. Critical basal area, at which 95% of maximum volume increment can be achieved, ranged from 0.46 to 0.96. For all simulators, critical basal area was lower for the more shade-tolerant species. It increased with age, except for Norway spruce, when simulated with the BWIN model. Age, where mean annual increment culminated, compared well with yield tables.

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