scholarly journals Expected Impacts of Mixing European Beech with Silver Fir on Regional Air Quality and Radiation Balance

Climate ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Boris Bonn ◽  
Jürgen Kreuzwieser ◽  
Ruth-Kristina Magh ◽  
Heinz Rennenberg ◽  
Dirk Schindler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Radiation Balance ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Radiative Balance ◽  
Air Chemistry

The anticipated climate change during the next decades is posing crucial challenges to ecosystems. In order to decrease the vulnerability of forests, introducing tree species’ mixtures are a viable strategy, with deep-rooting native Silver fir (Abies alba) being a primary candidate for admixture into current pure stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) especially in mountainous areas. Such a change in forest structure also has effects on the regional scale, which, however, have been seldomly quantified. Therefore, we measured and modeled radiative balance and air chemistry impacts of admixing Silver fir to European beech stands, including changes in biogenic volatile organic compound emissions. An increased fraction of Silver fir caused a smaller albedo and a (simulated) larger evapotranspiration, leading to a dryer and warmer forest. While isoprene emission was negligible for both species, sesquiterpene and monoterpene emissions were larger for fir than for beech. From these differences, we derived that ozone concentration as well as secondary organic aerosols and cloud condensation nuclei would increase regionally. Overall, we demonstrated that even a relatively mild scenario of tree species change will alter the energy balance and air quality in a way that could potentially influence the climate on a landscape scale.

scholarly journals Qualitative and value production of tree species in mixed spruce-fir-beech stands under the conditions of the Western Carpathians

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-165
Author(s):  
Igor Štefančík ◽  
Rudolf Petráš ◽  
Julián Mecko ◽  
Jiří Novák
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Self Development ◽  
Management Method ◽  
Value Production

Abstract Value production is one of the most important information for comparing different tree species composition and management strategies in forestry. Although the value production of forest stands is affected by various factors thinning can be considered as one of the most important one. This paper aims at the evaluation of qualitative and value production in mixed Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands, which were managed by crown thinning for a period of 44 to 50 years and/or left to self-development. More than 1,500 individual trees aged from 61 to 132 years from 15 subplots established in western part of the Low Tatras Mts. and the Great Fatra Mts. in Slovakia were assessed. The proportion of stems in the highest quality A (stem quality classes) reached a low percentage, i.e. 12% in beech, 28% in spruce and 13% in fir out of the number of evaluated trees. The percentage of the highest quality log classes (assortments I + II) of beech ranged from 0 to 23% and of coniferous ones from 2 to 12%. Regarding the management method used, this percentage accounted for 0.1 to 23% for plot with self-development, whereas in plots with tending it was from 1 to 23%. Value production of coniferous tree species was always higher compared to beech, regardless of the management method. Regarding individual tree species, we found the highest value production in fir (81.4 € m−3) and the lowest in beech (46.5 € m−3).

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
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.

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

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.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 689-703 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Muster und treibende Kräfte der Samenproduktion bei Waldbäumen

2016 ◽  
Vol 167 (6) ◽  
pp. 316-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Wohlgemuth ◽  
Anita Nussbaumer ◽  
Anton Burkart ◽  
Martin Moritzi ◽  
Ulrich Wasem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Mast Seeding ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Forest Tree Species

Patterns and driving forces for seed production in forest tree species Why is the annual fruit production in forest tree species not constant, and which factors cause massive fruit production (seed mast year)? These and other related questions were already posed more than 100 years ago when tree breeding was economically beneficial. The questions have not been fully answered, yet. Rather, the same questions are studied again today as the climate is changing and the uncertainty about the continuation of forests at their current locations is growing. A 25 year long observation series on the variation of fruit production in Switzerland revealed a mean frequency of three years for mast seeding (full and medium mast) at low elevation on the Central Plateau in European beech (Fagus sylvatica), oak (Quercus petraea, Q. robur) and silver fir (Abies alba). In contrast, mast seed years of Norway spruce (Picea abies) occurred, on average, every sixth year. In 1992 and 2011, all four species synchronously showed mast seeding. The results are discussed in the light of different theories and new research findings. From the state of the current know ledge, we derive the need for long-term and fine-scale baseline data and present the new reporting and information webpage «mast web.ch». Here, volunteers can report observations on the fruit production of main tree species following a few simple criteria (citizen science approach). With this data, distribution maps on mass fructification levels will be made available and will serve for spatio-temporal fine-scale studies on mast seeding phenomena.

scholarly journals Litterfall production and leaf area index in a virgin European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) – Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) forest

Dendrobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ion Catalin Petritan ◽  
Victor-Vasile Mihăilă ◽  
Cosmin Ion Bragă ◽  
Marlène Boura ◽  
Diana Vasile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Litterfall Production ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

scholarly journals Tree Species Classification in a Temperate Mixed Mountain Forest Landscape Using Random Forest and Multiple Datasets

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 4657
Author(s):  
Rafael Hologa ◽  
Konstantin Scheffczyk ◽  
Christoph Dreiser ◽  
Stefanie Gärtner
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Forest Landscape ◽  
Species Classification ◽  
Tree Species Composition

For monitoring protected forest landscapes over time it is essential to follow changes in tree species composition and forest dynamics. Data driven remote sensing methods provide valuable options if terrestrial approaches for forest inventories and monitoring activities cannot be applied efficiently due to restrictions or the size of the study area. We demonstrate how species can be detected at a single tree level utilizing a Random Forest (RF) model using the Black Forest National Park as an example of a Central European forest landscape with complex relief. The classes were European silver fir (Abies alba, AA), Norway spruce (Picea abies, PA), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, PS), European larch (Larix decidua including Larix kampferii, LD), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, PM), deciduous broadleaved species (DB) and standing dead trees (snags, WD). Based on a multi-temporal (leaf-on and leaf-off phenophase) and multi-spectral mosaic (R-G-B-NIR) with 10 cm spatial resolution, digital elevation models (DTM, DSM, CHM) with 40 cm spatial resolution and a LiDAR dataset with 25 pulses per m2, 126 variables were derived and used to train the RF algorithm with 1130 individual trees. The main objective was to determine a subset of meaningful variables for the RF model classification on four heterogeneous test sites. Using feature selection techniques, mainly passive optical variables from the leaf-off phenophase were considered due to their ability to differentiate between conifers and the two broader classes. An examination of the two phenological phases (using the difference of the respective NDVIs) is important to clearly distinguish deciduous trees from other classes including snags (WD). We also found that the variables of the first derivation of NIR and the tree metrics play a crucial role in discriminating PA und PS. With this unique set of variables some classes can be differentiated more reliably, especially LD and DB but also AA, PA and WD, whereas difficulties exist in identifying PM and PS. Overall, the non-parametric object-based approach has proved to be highly suitable for accurately detecting (OA: 89.5%) of the analyzed classes. Finally, the successful classification of complex 265 km2 study area substantiates our findings.

scholarly journals Growth response of mixed beech forests to climate change, various management and game pressure in Central Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 331-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Vacek ◽  
Anna Prokůpková ◽  
Zdeněk Vacek ◽  
Daniel Bulušek ◽  
Václav Šimůnek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Timber Production ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Great Density ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Browsing Damage

The growth, structure and production of mixed beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests were analysed  in the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area, Czech Republic. The objective of the paper was to evaluate stand structure, timber production and dynamics of forests with historically different silvicultural practices in relation to climate conditions, management and game damage. The results indicate that scree forests (coppices and coppices with standards) were stands with high-rich species diversity and structure compared to herb-rich beech forests (high forests) with higher timber production. The Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was the most sensitive tree species compared to low growth variability in European beech. The climate factors had the highest effect on radial growth from June to August. Natural regeneration showed great density potential (13,880–186,462 recruits·ha<sup>–1</sup>), especially in expansion of maples and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.). However, recruits were seriously limiting by damage caused by hoofed game, especially in silver fir (Abies alba Mill.; 53% browsing damage), wych elm (Ulmus glabra Hudson; 51%) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.; 50%).

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