Identifying stemflow pathways and infiltration areas for sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) by passive dye application

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate Michalzik ◽  
Alexander Tischer ◽  
Robert Lotze
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Soil Infiltration ◽  
Forested Ecosystems

<p>Throughfall and stemflow are critical components of the hydrological and biogeochemical cycles of forested ecosystems, as they are the two hydrological processes responsible for the transfer of precipitation and solutes from vegetative canopies to the soil. Despite stemflow rarely accounts for >10% of the rainfall, its concentration over small areas at the base of trunks seems to affect the magnitude and timing of water inputs to the soil and biogeochemical cycling excessively.</p><p>Though substantial amount of literature on throughfall and stemflow research is available, recent reviews on eco-hydrology of forested ecosystems identified several key points of uncertainty where current knowledge is weak. These points especially address the role of canopy structure among tree species (i.e., interspecific variation) as well as within a single tree species (i.e., intraspecific variation as caused e.g. by morphology and age) for explaining the large variations in precipitation partitioning into throughfall and stemflow, the spatial variability of throughfall volume and chemistry as well as the temporal and spatial patterning of stemflow inputs to the ground. The latter two points are particular sources of uncertainty, since most sampling approaches fail to adequately identify the infiltration area of stemflow inputs at the trunk base resulting in incomplete or biased evaluations of tree species effects on rainfall partitioning.</p><p>Based on these deliberations we conducted a color tracer experiment with Brilliant Blue to identify flow patterns of stemflow water along the stem surface of two broad-leafed tree species (Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus) and to estimate the infiltration area at the trunk base and down to 12 cm soil depth. The trunk area was dye-stained up to 1.5 m height in advance and stemflow patterns along the trunk surface and soil infiltration zone were visually quantified following two natural rainfall events. Furthermore, we tested the relationship between color-stained zones of "high through-flow” and ecological soil characteristics such as fine root distribution and soil pH. This approach differs from common color tracer experiments, where stems are actively and homogeneously sprinkled with large amounts of color tracer solution.</p><p>We found distinct spatially restricted stemflow pathways on the tree trunks, which appeared specific for the tree individual exhibiting larger washed-off areas for beech (4441 cm²) compared to maple (1816 cm²). The infiltration area of stemflow at the trunk base was smaller than the basal area (BA) amounting to 17% (226.2 cm²) of the BA for beech and to 30% (414.4 cm²) for maple. For beech, colored areas were restricted to a maximum extension of 13 cm distance from the stem and of 30 cm for maple.</p><p>Our investigation exhibited that stemflow infiltration was spatially more concentrated at the trunk base than commonly assumed. The outcome of this study might contribute to our understanding on hydrological and biogeochemical interlinkages between the surface and subsurface of the Critical Zone.</p>

scholarly journals Non-uniform but highly preferential stemflow routing along bark surfaces and actual smaller infiltration areas than previously assumed: A case study on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate Michalzik ◽  
Alexander Tischer ◽  
Karin Potthast ◽  
Robert Lotze
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Critical Zone ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Soil Infiltration ◽  
Forested Ecosystems

<p>Throughfall and stemflow are critical components of the hydrological and biogeochemical cycles of forested ecosystems, as they are the two hydrological processes responsible for the transfer of precipitation and solutes from vegetative canopies to the soil. Despite stemflow rarely accounts for >10% of the rainfall, its concentration over small areas at the base of trunks seems to affect the magnitude and timing of water inputs to the soil and biogeochemical cycling excessively.</p><p>Though substantial amount of literature on throughfall and stemflow research is available, recent reviews on eco-hydrology of forested ecosystems identified several key points of uncertainty where current knowledge is weak. These points especially address the role of canopy structure among tree species (i.e., interspecific variation) as well as within a single tree species (i.e., intraspecific variation as caused e.g. by morphology and age) for explaining the large variations in precipitation partitioning into throughfall and stemflow, the spatial variability of throughfall volume and chemistry as well as the temporal and spatial patterning of stemflow inputs to the ground. The latter two points are particular sources of uncertainty, since most sampling approaches fail to adequately identify the infiltration area of stemflow inputs at the trunk base resulting in incomplete or biased evaluations of tree species effects on rainfall partitioning.</p><p>Based on these deliberations we conducted a color tracer experiment with Brilliant Blue to identify flow patterns of stemflow water along the stem surface of two broad-leafed tree species (Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus) of the Hainich Critical Zone Exploratory (CZE) and to estimate the infiltration area at the trunk base and down to 12 cm soil depth. The trunk area was dye-stained up to 1.5 m height in advance and stemflow patterns along the trunk surface and soil infiltration zone were visually quantified following two natural rainfall events. Furthermore, we tested the relationship between color-stained zones of "high through-flow” and ecological soil characteristics such as fine root distribution and soil pH. This approach differs from common color tracer experiments, where stems are actively and homogeneously sprinkled with large amounts of color tracer solution.</p><p>We found distinct spatially restricted stemflow pathways on the tree trunks, which appeared specific for the tree individual exhibiting larger washed-off areas for beech (4441 cm²) compared to maple (1816 cm²). The infiltration area of stemflow at the trunk base was smaller than the basal area (BA) amounting to 17% (226.2 cm²) of the BA for beech and to 30% (414.4 cm²) for maple. For beech, colored areas were restricted to a maximum extension of 13 cm distance from the stem and of 30 cm for maple.</p><p>Our investigation exhibited that stemflow infiltration was spatially more concentrated at the trunk base than commonly assumed. The outcome of this study will contribute to our understanding on hydrological and biogeochemical interlinkages between the surface and subsurface of the Critical Zone.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals How Does Radial Growth of Water-Stressed Populations of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Trees Vary under Multiple Drought Events?

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Tamalika Chakraborty ◽  
Albert Reif ◽  
Andreas Matzarakis ◽  
Somidh Saha
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Neighborhood Competition

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees are becoming vulnerable to drought, with a warming climate. Existing studies disagree on how radial growth varies in European beech in response to droughts. We aimed to find the impact of multiple droughts on beech trees’ annual radial growth at their ecological drought limit created by soil water availability in the forest. Besides, we quantified the influence of competition and canopy openness on the mean basal area growth of beech trees. We carried out this study in five near-natural temperate forests in three localities of Germany and Switzerland. We quantified available soil water storage capacity (AWC) in plots laid in the transition zone from oak to beech dominated forests. The plots were classified as ‘dry’ (AWC < 60 mL) and ‘less-dry’ (AWC > 60 mL). We performed dendroecological analyses starting from 1951 in continuous and discontinuous series to study the influence of climatic drought (i.e., precipitation-potential evapotranspiration) on the radial growth of beech trees in dry and less-dry plots. We used observed values for this analysis and did not use interpolated values from interpolated historical records in this study. We selected six drought events to study the resistance, recovery, and resilience of beech trees to drought at a discontinuous level. The radial growth was significantly higher in less-dry plots than dry plots. The increase in drought had reduced tree growth. Frequent climatic drought events resulted in more significant correlations, hence, increased the dependency of tree growth on AWC. We showed that the recovery and resilience to climatic drought were higher in trees in less-dry plots than dry plots, but it was the opposite for resistance. The resistance, recovery, and resilience of the trees were heterogeneous between the events of drought. Mean growth of beech trees (basal area increment) were negatively impacted by neighborhood competition and positively influenced by canopy openness. We emphasized that beech trees growing on soil with low AWC are at higher risk of growth decline. We concluded that changes in soil water conditions even at the microsite level could influence beech trees’ growth in their drought limit under the changing climate. Along with drought, neighborhood competition and lack of light can also reduce beech trees’ growth. This study will enrich the state of knowledge about the ongoing debate on the vulnerability of beech trees to drought in Europe.

scholarly journals Initial Survival and Development of Planted European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) Seedlings Competing with Black Cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.)

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 677
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Hasstedt ◽  
Peter Annighöfer
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Prunus Serotina ◽  
Tilia Cordata ◽  
Black Cherry ◽  
Light Gradient ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

Black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is considered one of the most invasive tree species in central Europe and causes problems for both nature conservation and silviculture. Besides mechanical control treatments, a suggested control method to prevent its ongoing spread is to underplant shade-tolerant native tree species. Therefore, we combined two mechanical treatments, with underplanting of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) or small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) on fenced and unfenced plots. After the first growing season, survival rates were evaluated, and selected seedlings were destructively harvested to analyze their growth performance and leaf morphology in association with the different light regimes resulting from mechanical treatments Survival rates for both seedlings were very high (>95%). Survival rates were higher on fenced plots than on unfenced plots, most likely as result of browsing. The mortality of F. sylvatica decreased with increasing light availability on fenced plots. The mortality of T. cordata did not change along the light gradient. After one vegetation period no differences with respect to biomass allocation could be detected along the light gradient. However, the specific leaf areas of both species responded similarly, decreasing with increasing light availability. In summary, both species were able to establish and survive in the dense P. serotina understory and might have the potential to outcompete the invasive alien species in the long run.

scholarly journals Floristic Change at the Drought Limit of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens) Forest in the Temperate Climate of Central Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 646-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert REIF ◽  
Fotios XYSTRAKIS ◽  
Stefanie GÄRTNER ◽  
Uwe SAYER
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Quercus Pubescens ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Shallow Soils

An increase in drought could cause shifts in species composition and vegetation structure. In forests it limits the occurrence of drought sensitive tree species which become replaced by drought tolerant tree species and forest communities. Under temperate macroclimatic conditions, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) naturally dominates the forested landscape, except on extremely shallow soil in combination with high irradiation. On these sites beech reaches its drought limit, and is replaced by forests dominated by species like downy Oak (Quercus pubescens s.l.) and English Oak (Quercus petraea L). Phytosociological and ecological data were collected in the transition (ecotone) between European beach stands and stands of more drought tolerant species in order to quantify the drought intensity threshold, above which beech is replaced by drought tolerant species. It was shown that favourable topographic and soil conditions partially compensated the unsuitable climatic conditions for beech. The ecotone between these forest types was found to be characterized by shallow soils with an available soil water storage capacity of 73 l/m² or less, and an irradiation intensity of 6000 MJ/m2 or more during the growing season. This indicates that under conditions of climate change beech would naturally still remain the dominant tree species on the majority of central European forest sites.

scholarly journals Can we use dendrogeomorphology for the spatial and temporal analysis of less intensive mass movement processes?: A case study of three debris flows in NW and W Slovenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Matevž Konjar ◽  
Tom Levanič ◽  
Thomas Andrew Nagel ◽  
Milan Kobal
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Debris Flow ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Tilia Cordata ◽  
Ostrya Carpinifolia

Debris flows can transport large amounts of material and therefore present a significant threat to infrastructure and human life. In this research, we used tree-ring width analyses to quantify the response of trees to three debris flow events in NW Slovenia (Javoršček, Srpenica) and W Slovenia (Nikova) for which we know the time of origin. We attempted to date these and similar tree responses in the past and compared the patterns between different tree species. Altogether, we sampled 147 trees across a range of tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris, Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus ornus, Acer pseudoplatanus, Picea abies, Juglans regia, Acer campestre, Tilia cordata and Ostrya carpinifolia), including reference trees that were outside the debris flow fan. For 91 trees, we constructed tree-ring chronologies and used pointer-year analysis to identify years that had abnormal growth. For the remaining trees (mostly Ostrya carpinifolia, Tilia cordata and Acer pseudoplatanus), we either could not accurately distinguish tree rings or two samples from a single tree showed significantly different growth patterns. The growth patterns of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies following debris flow events showed a weak response at the Javoršček site and no clear responses at the other two sites. Tree species responded similarly at the same locations. Due to the lack of a clear response pattern, we were not able to reconstruct past debris flows.

scholarly journals BVOC emissions from English oak (<i>Quercus robur</i>) and European beech (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i>) along a latitudinal gradient

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylva Persson ◽  
Guy Schurgers ◽  
Riikka Rinnan ◽  
Thomas Holst
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Quercus Robur ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
English Oak

Abstract. English oak (Quercus robur) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) are amongst the most common tree species growing in Europe, influencing the annual Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound (BVOC) budget in this region. Studies have shown great variability in the emissions from these tree species, originating from both genetic variability and differences in climatic conditions between study sites. In this study, we examine the emission patterns for English oak and European beech in genetically identical individuals and the potential variation within and between sites. Leaf scale BVOC emissions, net assimilation rates and stomatal conductance were measured at the International Phenological Garden sites of Ljubljana (Slovenia), Grafrath (Germany) and Taastrup (Denmark). Sampling was conducted during three campaigns between May and July 2014. Our results show that English oak mainly emitted isoprene whilst European beech released monoterpenes. The relative contribution of the most emitted compounds from the two species remained stable across latitudes. The contribution of isoprene for English oak from Grafrath and Taastrup ranged between 92–97 % of the total BVOC emissions, whilst sabinene and limonene for European beech ranged between 30.5–40.5 % and 9–15 % respectively for all three sites. The relative contribution of isoprene for English oak at Ljubljana was lower (78 %) in comparison to the other sites, most likely caused by frost damage in early spring. The variability in total leaf-level emission rates from the same site was small, whereas there were greater differences between sites. These differences were probably caused by short-term weather events and plant stress. A difference in age did not seem to affect the emission patterns for the selected trees. This study highlights the significance of within-genotypic variation of BVOC emission capacities for English oak and European beech, the influence of climatic variables such as temperature and light on emission intensities and the potential stability in relative compound contribution across a latitudinal gradient.

scholarly journals Effect of game browsing on natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in the Krušné hory Mts. (Czech Republic and Germany)

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-180
Author(s):  
Zdeněk Fuchs ◽  
Zdeněk Vacek ◽  
Stanislav Vacek ◽  
Josef Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Tree Damage ◽  
Black Alder ◽  
Game Browsing

Abstract Tree damage by game browsing is one of the biggest threats to forest ecosystems at the time of climate change and large-scale forest disturbances. The aim of the paper was to determine the effect of browsing by ungulates on the diversity, abundance and species composition of natural regeneration in forest stands dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The research was conducted on 10 permanent research plots in the Krušné hory Mts. in the Czech Republic and Germany. The density of natural regeneration was in the range of 23,300–114,100 recruits ha−1. A higher proportion of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) was found in the regeneration compared to the mature stands. A total of 78% of recruits was damaged by browsing. The most frequently damaged tree species were sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.; 98%) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa [L.] Gaertn.; 97%), while Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst; 31%) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.; 50%) were the least affected. Seventy-nine percent of European beech recruits were damaged. The game significantly reduced the height of regeneration by up to 40%, especially by terminal browsing. Browsing also negatively affected the quality and abundance of regeneration. For successful dynamics of species-rich natural forest ecosystems, it is necessary to minimize tree damage by game browsing. These main measures include the reduction of ungulate population levels and the optimization of their age structure and sex ratio, an increase in the number of overwintering enclosures and food fields for game and a change in the political approach to game management with sufficient consideration of forestry interests.

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