scholarly journals The Resistance of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) From the Eastern Natural Limit of Species to Climate Change

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius BUDEANU ◽  
Any Mary PETRITAN ◽  
Flaviu POPESCU ◽  
Diana VASILE ◽  
Nicu Constantin TUDOSE
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Growth Indices ◽  
Lower Altitude

In this study, different approaches were used to investigate the vulnerability of beech forests, located at the eastern limit of their natural range, to climate change. To accomplish this, six 2500 m2 plots were sampled in four European beech forest genetic resources, located in Romania at different altitudinal levels, varying from 230 to 580 m in the Bacău hills and between 650 and 1300 m in the Curvature Carpathian (Braşov region). The analysis of trees phenotypic traits, their radial growth, and the regeneration, did not indicate a vulnerability of the sampled stands to the fluctuations of the environmental factors from the 1950-2014 period. The growth indices of all three populations of Bacău hills are negatively correlated with both June air temperature of current year and September of the previous year. The precipitation amount of September previous year positively influenced the growth indices. The radial growth of plots in Braşov region is slightly linked to the climate. The temperature during the growing season represents a limiting factor for stands that are located outside of the optimal altitudinal species distribution (600-1200 m, in Romania), especially at low altitudes. Our results indicated that a rise of the temperature accompanied by a possible reduction of the precipitations (as is predicted for the coming years) could increase the sensibility of beech forests at lower altitude.

scholarly journals Current and simulated structure, growth parameters and regeneration of beech forests with different game management in the Lány Game Enclosure / Struktura, růstové parametry, obnova a modelový vývoj bukových porostů s odlišným způsobem mysliveckého hospodaření v podmínkách Lánské obory

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Ambrož ◽  
Stanislav Vacek ◽  
Zdeněk Vacek ◽  
Jan Král ◽  
Igor Štefančík
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Cervus Nippon ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Deer Species

AbstractThe paper presents the results of the study of the current and simulated structure of beech forests in the Lány game preserve, which is situated in the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area in the Czech Republic. The research was conducted at two permanent research plots (PRP) of 0.25 ha in size in a mature beech forest using the FieldMap technology. Typological, soil and phytocoenological stand characteristics and the history of management of both PRP are comparable; however, they differ in the protection against wildlife. The results demonstrated that deer species including red deer (Cervus elaphus L. - 300 head), sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon Temm. - 300 head), mouflon (Ovis musimon Pallas - 250 head) and fallow deer (Dama dama L. - 300 head) is a limiting factor for successful development of natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Natural regeneration on PRP 1 with wild boar herd (Sus scrofa L. - 150 head) is sufficient in relation to site and stand conditions. On the contrary, there is no regeneration on PRP 2 with the occurrence of deer species. The results of biometric measurements and subsequent predictions by the SIBYLA forest biodynamics simulator indicate that the stands are insignificantly structured, mature, productive beech stands with the absence of individuals in the lower tree layer.

scholarly journals Impact of European Beech Forest Diversification on Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stocks–A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Rehschuh ◽  
Mathieu Jonard ◽  
Martin Wiesmeier ◽  
Heinz Rennenberg ◽  
Michael Dannenmann
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Soc Stocks

Drought-sensitive European beech forests are increasingly challenged by climate change. Admixing other, preferably more deep-rooting, tree species has been proposed to increase the resilience of beech forests to drought. This diversification of beech forests might also affect soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks that are relevant for a wide range of soil functions and ecosystem services, such as water and nutrient retention, filter functions and erosion control. Since information of these effects is scattered, our aim was to synthesize results from studies that compared SOC/TN stocks of beech monocultures with those of beech stands mixed with other tree species as well as monocultures of other tree species. We conducted a meta-analysis including 38 studies with 203, 220, and 160 observations for forest floor (i.e., the organic surface layer), mineral soil (0.5 m depth) and the total soil profile, respectively. Monoculture conifer stands had higher SOC stocks compared to monoculture beech in general, especially in the forest floor (up to 200% in larch forests). In contrast, other broadleaved tree species (oak, ash, lime, maple, hornbeam) showed lower SOC stocks in the forest floor compared to beech, with little impact on total SOC stocks. Comparing mixed beech-conifer stands (average mixing ratio with regard to number of trees 50:50) with beech monocultures revealed significantly higher total SOC stocks of around 9% and a smaller increase in TN stocks of around 4%. This equaled a SOC accrual of 0.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1. In contrast, mixed beech-broadleaved stands did not show significant differences in total SOC stocks. Conifer admixture effects on beech forest SOC were of additive nature. Admixing other tree species to beech monoculture stands was most effective to increase SOC stocks on low carbon soils with a sandy texture and nitrogen limitation (i.e., a high C/N ratio and low nitrogen deposition). We conclude that, with targeted admixture measures of coniferous species, an increase in SOC stocks in beech forests can be achieved as part of the necessary adaptation of beech forests to climate change.

scholarly journals Dynamics of mixed lowland forests in Central Bohemia over a 20-year period

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Anna Prokůpková
Keyword(s):  
Radial Growth ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Ecological Stability ◽  
Diameter Increment ◽  
Lower Productivity ◽  
Lowland Forests

The paper deals with the effect of environmental factors and management on various mixed lowland forests in the Medník National Natural Monument, Czech Republic, over a 20-year period. The objectives were to evaluate the structure, production, dynamics and radial growth in relation to climatic conditions in the mixed hornbeam-oak, herb-rich beech and spruce forest stands. The tree density decreased by 8.5% (to 120–1,364 trees·ha<sup>–1</sup>), while stand volume increased by 28.0% (to 244–767 m<sup>3</sup>·ha<sup>–1</sup>) from 1998 to 2018. Large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./ Karst.) showed high variability and sensitivity to climatic factors in radial growth compared to stability and resistance in sessile oak (Quercus petraea /Matt./ Liebl.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). April, June and July were determined as the most significant months in relation to diameter increment. The synergism of precipitation deficit and high air temperature was a limiting factor of growth in the studied lowland area. The frequency of negative pointer years with extremely low radial growth has been increasing recently. Generally, hornbeam-oak stands are characterized by rich structure, high density and lower productivity, herb-rich beech stands represent rich structured productive forests and spruce forests are very productive stands but with low ecological stability.

scholarly journals Genomic basis for drought resistance in European beech forests threatened by climate change

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Pfenninger ◽  
Friederike Reuss ◽  
Angelika KIebler ◽  
Philipp Schönnenbeck ◽  
Cosima Caliendo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Amino Acid Exchange ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Extreme Phenotypes ◽  
Genomic Basis ◽  
Acid Exchange

In the course of global climate change, central Europe is experiencing more frequent and prolonged periods of drought. The drought years 2018 and 2019 affected European beeches (Fagus sylvatica L.) differently: even in the same stand, drought damaged trees neighboured healthy trees, suggesting that the genotype rather than the environment was responsible for this conspicuous pattern. We used this natural experiment to study the genomic basis of drought resistance with Pool-GWAS. Contrasting the extreme phenotypes identified 106 significantly associated SNPs throughout the genome. Most annotated genes with associated SNPs (>70%) were previously implicated in the drought reaction of plants. Non-synonymous substitutions led either to a functional amino acid exchange or premature termination. A SNP-assay with 70 loci allowed predicting drought phenotype in 98.6% of a validation sample of 92 trees. Drought resistance in European beech is a moderately polygenic trait that should respond well to natural selection, selective management, and breeding.

scholarly journals Microclimatic Tipping Points at the Beech–Oak Ecotone in the Western Romanian Carpathians

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Hohnwald ◽  
Adrian Indreica ◽  
Helge Walentowski ◽  
Christoph Leuschner
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Structure ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Tipping Points ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Relative Air Humidity ◽  
Elevation Difference ◽  
Romanian Carpathians

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a drought-sensitive species that likely will retreat from its xeric distribution edges in the course of climate warming. Physiological measurements indicate that the species may not only be sensitive to soil water deficits, but also to high temperatures and elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficits (vpd). Through microclimatological measurements in the stand interior across near-natural beech forest–oak forest ecotones, we searched for microclimatic tipping points in the contact zone with the aim to define the thermic and hydrometeorological limits of beech more precisely. In three transects in the foothills of the Romanian western Carpathians, we measured in mid-summer 2019 air temperature, relative air humidity, and vpd at 2 m height in the stand interior across the ecotone from pure oak to pure beech forests, and compared the readings to the microclimate in forest gaps. Mean daytime temperature (T) and vpd were by 2 K and 2 hPa, respectively, higher in the oak forests than the beech forests; the extremes differed even more. Especially in the second half of the day, the oak forests heated up and were more xeric than the beech forests. Part of the differences is explained by the elevation difference between oak and beech forests (200–300 m), but species differences in canopy structure, leaf area, and canopy transmissivity enhance the microclimatic contrast. Our T and vpd data point to thresholds at about 30 °C and 25 hPa as maxima tolerated by beech in the lowermost shade canopy for extended periods. In conclusion, the rather sharp stand microclimatic gradient demonstrated here for the xeric distribution limit of beech may well be the decisive factor that hinders the spread of beech into the warmer oak forests.

scholarly journals Climate Change Impairs Nitrogen Cycling in European Beech Forests

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e0158823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Dannenmann ◽  
Carolin Bimüller ◽  
Silvia Gschwendtner ◽  
Martin Leberecht ◽  
Javier Tejedor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Nitrogen Cycling ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forests

scholarly journals Beech-mast crop evaluation in Kněhyně forest complex (Beskydy Mts. Czech Republic) as a food supply for granivorous rodents

Beskydy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
M. Heroldová ◽  
J. Suchomel ◽  
L. Purchart ◽  
L. Čepelka
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Forest Rodents

Good beech-mast crop is important not only for beech forest regeneration but it stimulates population abundances of granivorous animals. Abundant beech-mast crop was observed in autumn 2011 in Beskydy Mts. Mean mass of healthy beech-mast on Kněhyně Mts complex was 92 g.m−2 which represents 390 pieces (pc)/m2. That was why diet supply for granivorous forest rodents, in means of current biomass of beech-mast, was ascertained in 5 beech stands. At each locality, beech stands were chosen to represent Kněhyně Mt. beech forests and differ in age structure and the elevation. Biomass of beech-mast crop collected from the lowest elevation (5th vegetation tier) was higher (as to number of beechnuts/m2) and heavier (g/m2) compared to the highest elevation one (8th vegetation tier). The beech forests from the lower altitude may have a better condition for the beech seeds production. As the granivorous species are peeling the beechnuts, so the peeled diet supply of beech-mast was also stated. This should be considered if calculating diet consumption of particular rodent species.

scholarly journals Climate Change Induces Shifts in Abundance and Activity Pattern of Bacteria and Archaea Catalyzing Major Transformation Steps in Nitrogen Turnover in a Soil from a Mid-European Beech Forest

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e114278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Gschwendtner ◽  
Javier Tejedor ◽  
Carolin Bimueller ◽  
Michael Dannenmann ◽  
Ingrid Kögel Knabner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Activity Pattern ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Nitrogen Turnover ◽  
Major Transformation

scholarly journals Timescale Effects of Radial Growth Responses of Two Dominant Coniferous Trees on Climate Change in the Eastern Qilian Mountains

Forests ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Changliang Qi ◽  
Liang Jiao ◽  
Ruhong Xue ◽  
Xuan Wu ◽  
Dashi Du
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Qilian Mountains ◽  
Pinus Tabulaeformis ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Climate Change Responses

To explore the difference in the response of the radial growth of Pinus tabulaeformis and Picea crassifolia on different timescales to climate factors in the eastern part of Qilian Mountains, we used dendrochronology to select four different timescales (day, pentad (5 days), dekad (10 days), and month) for exploration. The primary conclusions were as follows: (1) According to an investigation of the dynamic correlations between radial growth and climate conditions, drought during the growing season has been the dominant limiting factor for radial growth across both species in recent decades; (2) climate data at the dekad scale are best for examining the correlations between radial growth and climate variables; and (3) based on basal area increment, P. tabuliformis in the study area showed a trend of first an increase and then a decrease, while P. crassifolia showed a trend of continuous increase (BAI). As the climate continues to warm in the future, forest ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas will be more susceptible to severe drought, which will lead to a decline in tree growth, death, and community deterioration. As a result, it is critical to implement appropriate management approaches for various species based on the peculiarities of their climate change responses.

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