scholarly journals Climate Response of Douglas Fir Reveals Recently Increased Sensitivity to Drought Stress in Central Europe

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Vejpustková ◽  
Tomáš Čihák
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Climate Response ◽  
Mixed Stands

Research Highlights: In Central Europe, Douglas fir became more responsive to summer drought in recent years. Background and Objectives: Until now, Douglas fir has been considered a tree species resistant to drought. However, how Douglas fir will be able to cope with the increasing frequency and intensity of summer heat waves remains a question. The long-term variability in the climate response of Douglas fir in Central European conditions has not been fully explored. The aim of the study was to identify climatic factors controlling the stem radial growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce, and to examine the temporal changes in tree responses to key climatic variables related to drought stress. Materials and Methods: We analysed the pattern of the climate–growth relationship of Douglas fir and Norway spruce, growing in mixed stands distributed between 260 and 600 m above sea level, which corresponds with the altitudinal zone of intensive spruce dieback in the Czech Republic. Nine-site tree-ring-width chronologies were developed for each tree species. Pointer year analysis and correlation analysis in combination with principal component analysis were used to identify climatic factors limiting their growth. Moving correlation function was computed to assess temporal changes of the climate–growth relationship. Results: In the entire 1961–2015 period, growth of both species was positively related to summer precipitation. The response to temperature differed between species. While spruce was negatively affected by the temperatures in summer months, the increments of Douglas fir were positively correlated with the temperatures in February and March. However, moving correlation analysis revealed recently increasing sensitivity to summer temperatures also for Douglas fir. Higher responsiveness of Douglas fir to drought was also revealed by the increasing frequency of negative pointer years in the 2003–2015 period. Conclusions: The recommendations of Douglas fir as a suitable alternative tree species for declining spruce stands at lower altitudes must be regarded with caution.

scholarly journals Over- and Underyielding in Time and Space in Experiments with Mixed Stands of Scots Pine and Norway Spruce

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Drössler ◽  
Eric Agestam ◽  
Kamil Bielak ◽  
Małgorzata Dudzinska ◽  
Julia Koricheva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Mixing Effect ◽  
Individual Site ◽  
Study Sites

Pine-spruce forests are one of the commonest mixed forest types in Europe and both tree species are very important for wood supply. This study summarized nine European studies with Scots pine and Norway spruce where a mixed-species stand and both monocultures were located in an experimental set-up. Overyielding (where growth of a mixed stand was greater than the average of both monocultures) was relatively common and often ranged between 0% and 30%, but could also be negative at individual study sites. Each individual site demonstrated consistent patterns of the mixing effect over different measurement periods. Transgressive overyielding (where the mixed-species stand was more productive than either of the monocultures) was found at three study sites, while a monoculture was more productive on the other sites. Large variation between study sites indicated that the existing experiments do not fully represent the extensive region where this mixed pine-spruce forest can occur. Pooled increment data displayed a negative influence of latitude and stand age on the mixing effect of those tree species in forests younger than 70 years.

Douglas-fir – spruce for the 22nd century? Review of the recent Czech literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Подразски ◽  
Vilem Podrazski ◽  
Матвеев ◽  
Sergey Matveev
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Vegetation Diversity ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Middle Europe ◽  
The Stability

Presented paper summarizes the knowledge concerning the cultivation of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii /Mirb./ Franco), its production as well as its non-production forest functions in the conditions of the Czech Republic/Middle Europe. It analyzes the research outcomes from the point of view of volume and value production in comparison with domestic tree species, from the point of view of the soil effects and effects on the ground vegetation diversity, and from point of view of stability and cultivation in the last period. Main aim is represented by the comparison with the Norway spruce, which can be with advantages replaced by this species, with favourable impact on amount and value of the timber production, on the soil and biodiversity status of the ground vegetation. The Norway spruce is heavily affected and endangered by the coming or supposed climatic changes. Also the stability of forest stands can be supported considerably replacing Norway spruce by Douglas-fir. This species can represent suitable alternative to the Norway spruce in lower and middle altitudes and it can contribute highly to the competitiveness not only of the Czech, but European forestry too, increasing stability and production, decreasing the negative effects of the tree species changes in the past.

scholarly journals The Effect of Climate on Tree-Ring Chronologies of Native and Nonnative Tree Species Growing Under Homogenous Site Conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (-1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Feliksik ◽  
Sławomir Wilczyński
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Diameter Increment

The Effect of Climate on Tree-Ring Chronologies of Native and Nonnative Tree Species Growing Under Homogenous Site ConditionsDendroclimatic studies were carried out in the experimental stands composed of many tree species situated in the Polish part of the Baltic sea-coast. Increment cores were taken from a 100-years old trees of 2 native species: Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) and 3 nonnative species: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.) Franco), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis(Bong.) Carr.) and Silver fir (Abies albaMill.). Thirty trees of each species were cored. The relationships between the diameter increment and the thermal and pluvial conditions during the period from 1925 to 2005 were analyzed on the basis of standardized tree-ring chronologies and climatic data. It was found that precipitation and temperature of the growing season and months preceding that season affected the annual diameter increment of all investigated tree species. The current year winter and early spring temperatures as well as February and August precipitation had a similar effect on the variation of diameter increment of trees. On the other hand thermal and pluvial conditions of the current year June differentiated the increment rhythm of individual species. A very strong negative effect on diameter growth of trees was observed in the case of winter and early spring frosts. Norway spruce turned out to be a species most resistant to low temperatures. The investigated tree species, especially Norway spruce, was susceptible to water deficiency in the soil during spring and summer. In the case of Scots pine a high precipitation in June stimulated its growth. The diameter increments of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Scots pine, and Silver fir were more strongly connected with air temperature than with precipitation. So called all-species chronology of tree-ring width, constructed during this study, permitted to verify the factors having a similar effect on growth response of the investigated tree species. It reflected the mutual characteristics of diameter increments of trees of various species.

scholarly journals Drought Stress Reaction of Growth and Δ13C in Tree Rings of European Beech and Norway Spruce in Monospecific Versus Mixed Stands Along a Precipitation Gradient

Forests ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Schäfer ◽  
Thorsten Grams ◽  
Thomas Rötzer ◽  
Aline Feldermann ◽  
Hans Pretzsch
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Stress Reaction ◽  
Precipitation Gradient ◽  
Mixed Stands

scholarly journals Landscape-Scale Mixtures of Tree Species are More Effective than Stand-Scale Mixtures for Biodiversity of Vascular Plants, Bryophytes and Lichens

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffi Heinrichs ◽  
Christian Ammer ◽  
Martina Mund ◽  
Steffen Boch ◽  
Sabine Budde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Gamma Diversity ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Scale Mixtures ◽  
Species Mixtures

Tree species diversity can positively affect the multifunctionality of forests. This is why conifer monocultures of Scots pine and Norway spruce, widely promoted in Central Europe since the 18th and 19th century, are currently converted into mixed stands with naturally dominant European beech. Biodiversity is expected to benefit from these mixtures compared to pure conifer stands due to increased abiotic and biotic resource heterogeneity. Evidence for this assumption is, however, largely lacking. Here, we investigated the diversity of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens at the plot (alpha diversity) and at the landscape (gamma diversity) level in pure and mixed stands of European beech and conifer species (Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir) in four regions in Germany. We aimed to identify compositions of pure and mixed stands in a hypothetical forest landscape that can optimize gamma diversity of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens within regions. Results show that gamma diversity of the investigated groups is highest when a landscape comprises different pure stands rather than tree species mixtures at the stand scale. Species mainly associated with conifers rely on light regimes that are only provided in pure conifer forests, whereas mixtures of beech and conifers are more similar to beech stands. Combining pure beech and pure conifer stands at the landscape scale can increase landscape level biodiversity and conserve species assemblages of both stand types, while landscapes solely composed of stand scale tree species mixtures could lead to a biodiversity reduction of a combination of investigated groups of 7 up to 20%.

scholarly journals Impacts of landscape-scale windthrow and subsequent, variable reforestation on bird communities in Central Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Kamp ◽  
Johanna Trappe ◽  
Luca Dübbers ◽  
Stephanie Funke
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Forest Disturbance ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Long Distance

AbstractWith climate change, the area affected by and the intensity of forest disturbances such as windthrow, insect outbreaks and fire will be increasing. Post-disturbance forest management will be varied, and it is difficult to predict how much natural succession will be allowed in comparison to reforestation. Both, disturbance and reforestation will affect forest biodiversity globally, but potential shifts in species distribution, abundance and community composition are poorly understood.We studied the response of breeding bird communities to windthrow and different reforestation strategies in one of Central Europe’s largest contiguous windthrow areas created by storm Kyrill in 2007. A decade after the disturbance, we compared bird species diversity, population densities and community composition on plots in replanted beech, replanted conifers and secondary succession (all salvage-logged after the storm), with undisturbed old Norway spruce Picea abies as a control, in the setting of a natural experiment.Of the stands blown down, 95% were Norway Spruce. Reforestation strategies varied, with Spruce and non-native conifers planted on twice the area that was replanted with European Beech Fagus sylvestris. Large areas were still dominated by successional tree species a decade after the storm, especially birch, mirroring recommendations of sub-national forestry agencies to include secondary succession in future forest development. Birds responded strongly to windthrow, with a pronounced community turnover. Species associated with high conifer stands reached significantly lower densities on sample plots in disturbed areas. Replanted areas were characterized by mostly ubiquitous bird species. Areas dominated by secondary succession, especially birch Betula spp., were characterized by high densities of long-distance migrants (often species of conservation concern) and shrubland species, among them several indicator species.Our results suggest that an increase of forest disturbance across Central Europe will lead to a pronounced reorganisation of biodiversity. Strategies that allow more secondary succession, and avoid replanting allochthonous tree species are likely to benefit populations of depleted bird species, even at salvage-logged and cleared disturbance sites.

Soil acidity and exchangeable base cation stocks under pure and mixed stands of European beech, Douglas fir and Norway spruce

2017 ◽  
Vol 415 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 393-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Cremer ◽  
Jörg Prietzel
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Mixed Stands

scholarly journals Asymbiotic nitrogen fixation on woody roots of Norway spruce and silver birch

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raisa Mäkipää ◽  
Susanna Huhtiniemi ◽  
Janne Kaseva ◽  
Aino Smolander
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Silver Birch ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Total N ◽  
Asymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

High rates of asymbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation have been measured in woody roots in temperate forests, but this rate has not been quantified in boreal forests. We studied the asymbiotic N2fixation associated with living and decomposing woody roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) in three sites in Finland. In addition, tree species effect was studied in one site that included Norway spruce and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) monocultures and mixed stands. The rate of N2fixation measured as nitrogenase activity was affected by host tree species; spruce roots were the most active (0.67 C2H4·day–1·(g dry mass)–1in spruce monocultures). The activity was not statistically different in decayed and living root samples, and moisture content did not explain the observed high variability in nitrogenase activity. In a birch–spruce mixed stand, the average N2fixation in woody roots was 0.17 kg N·ha−1·year−1, whereas in Norway spruce dominated sites, the activity ranged from 0.06 to 0.15 kg N·ha−1·year−1. The N2fixation in decaying and living woody roots is an important contributor to the long-term total N balance of the forest. However, the estimated rate of N2fixation is low compared with atmospheric N deposition.

Temporal changes in the climate sensitivity of Norway spruce and European beech along an elevation gradient in Central Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 239 ◽  
pp. 24-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Kolář ◽  
Petr Čermák ◽  
Miroslav Trnka ◽  
Tomáš Žid ◽  
Michal Rybníček
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Climate Sensitivity ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Temporal Changes
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