Projected changes in winter climate in Beskids Mountains during 21st century

We have investigated the future changes of climate conditions during the winter season in the Beskids Mountains. During the 21st century mean winter temperature will increase by 2.0–6.3 °C and winter precipitation will increase by 12.5 – to 17.5 % - depending on the scenario. Higher winter temperatures will be reflected in the reduced number of frost days, the number of which may drop by 40 % according to the RCP8.5 scenario. Whilst our study expects general increase in precipitation, higher temperatures will lead to an increased evapotranspiration and also change in the form of precipitation from solid (snow, rime) to liquid (rain, drizzling). Such trends could further propel the unfavorable changes in the water balance budget.

The variability of wood density and compression strength of Norway spruce (Picea abies/L./Karst.) within the stem

This study relates to the variability of wood density and compression strength parallel to grain within the stem of spruce trees (Picea abies/L./Karst.). The sample tree originated from the Giant Mountains and was an adult autochtonous mountain spruce. The properties were analysed for wood that formed between 1850 and 1990 along (1) the north-south oriented radius and along (2) the stem height on test specimens with the following dimensions: 20×20×30 mm, prepared from logs taken from the stem base at distances of 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 20, 22, 24 and 26 m. In individual sections, the properties of the samples oriented in the north or south direction did not differ, while the effect of different ages on the properties showed statistically significant differences at each orientation (p < 0.05). Along the radius, the properties showed an increasing trend in tree-rings that developed between 1850 and 1940 with a slight decrease in the following years. The coefficient of variation in various decades was 1–7 % (wood density) and 3–15 % (wood compression strength). Along the stem height, the properties gradually increased to a height of 20 m, while the increase in values ​​was more pronounced in the 22–26 m interval. The variability of the wood properties along the stem height corresponded to the variability of the properties along the stem radius. A linear dependence between wood strength and density was demonstrated. Compared to what had been previously written, wood density showed a greater impact, probably due to the biomechanical optimization of the stem with regard to mechanical wind and snow loads in the mountains.

Seasonal courses of photosynthetic parameters in sun- and shade-acclimated spruce shoots

Exponential attenuation of light intensity passing through forest canopies leads to the formation of sun- and shade-acclimated leaves contributing to overall canopy carbon gain. Using a gas-exchange technique, seasonal changes in photosynthetic parameters were investigated in situ to test the hypothesis that the relative contributions of sun- and shade-acclimated Norway spruce shoots to total carbon gain vary during the growing season and that the contribution of sun-acclimated shoots to total carbon uptake may be reduced during the hot and dry summer season. In agreement with the tested hypothesis, we found reduced photosynthetic capacity as well as reduced light-use efficiency for carbon assimilation in sun-acclimated shoots during summer months while these remained almost unchanged in shade-acclimated shoots. Reduction of photosynthetic capacity was primarily associated with reduced stomatal conductance. On the other hand, seasonal courses of mitochondrial dark respiration, quantum efficiency of photosynthetic reactions, and compensation irradiance were primarily driven by changes in temperature. Accordingly, the photosynthetic characteristics of sun- and shade-acclimated shoots tended to converge in early spring and late autumn when temperature was low. Such seasonal dynamics result in an increased contribution of shade-acclimated shoots to total carbon uptake at the beginning and end of the growing season as well as during hot and dry summer periods.

Economic value of ecosystem services in Protected Landscape Areas in the Czech Republic

This study aims to explore spatially explicit economic values of ecosystem services provided by ecosystems and habitats in 25 Protected Landscape Areas (PLAs) in the Czech Republic, with a more detailed overview of three selected PLAs (Beskids Mountains, Český les Mountains and Odra River Basin). In the methodology, combination of the Consolidated Layer of Ecosystems of the Czech Republic (CLES) and the EKOSERV database allowed us to utilize the ecosystem and economic valuation data in a specific geographic context using a GIS-based approach. The total value of ecosystem services in all 25 PLAs reached € 51 billion/year, with the surface area significantly influencing the total average value of a particular PLA. When transformed to value per unit area, the values varied from €1.2 to €6.5 million/km2/year. The results suggest a dominant role of forest ecosystems in the composition of the economic value provided by ecosystem services in the PLAs. Economic valuation of benefits provided by protected areas can help to realize the social importance of these sites and to support policy and decision-making processes.

Precipitation conditions at the mountain study site of Bílý Kříž (the Beskids Mts.) during the past 20 years

Expected global climate change can cause changes in several hydrological cycle processes, such as the intensity and frequency of precipitation, river flows, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, and groundwater recharge. Precipitation conditions have been observed at the mountain study site of Bílý Kříž (the Beskids Mts., Czech Republic) since 1989. This paper presents the analysis of long-term (1997–2016) precipitation conditions at this study site. Comparison of selected long-term mean precipitation characteristics with mean precipitation characteristics for the 1997–2016 period reported differences in only some parameters. The number of days without precipitation was slightly increasing. No statistically significant trend was found for the number of days with heavy rain. The study site was changed from being a per-humid to humid type as indicated by Lang’rain factor. More dry periods were determined at the past decade according to the standardized precipitation index.

Wind characteristics of CzeCOS’s ecosystem station Bílý Kříž

Eddy-covariance is a direct and accurate method to measure exchanges of greenhouse gases and energy between ecosystems and the atmosphere under good turbulent mixing conditions. Calm conditions can affect the accuracy of the eddy-covariance measurements by potential gas buildup below the measurement height. This study characterizes wind patterns and calm periods at Bílý Kříž Ecosystem Research Station, using four-year (2010-2013) wind data measured on an eddy-covariance tower at the site, located in Beskids Mountains, Czech Republic. The site is covered by young, dense Norway spruce forest on a 12.5° slope facing South. The results show that the prevailing wind direction was from S to SW direction (55 % frequency of occurrence), and to a much lesser extent from N, NE and NW but including the strongest winds above 12 m s-1, possibly during gale or storm events. Calm condition (u < 1 m s-1) accounted for 34 % of year time. Summer and Spring were the calmest seasons. Occurrence frequencies of calm conditions for the six-month periods from May to October (plant growing season) were higher than those for the remaining parts of the year (on average 39 % vs 28 % respectively). One should be aware of the calm periods in May-October when processing eddy-covariance data, since it is the time period of most contribution of forest ecosystem as a sink of CO2.

Elevated CO2 concentration affects vertical distribution of photosynthetic activity in Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth

An understanding of photosynthetic responses to elevated CO2 concentration (EC) across the entire vertical canopy profile will help to achieve more proper simulation of ecosystem responses to expected climate change. Accordingly, we studied changes in vertical gradients of photosynthetic parameters in the grass species Calamagrostis arundinacea under EC at the time of anthesis. Plants were transplanted and grown for 3 years under ambient (385 ppm; AC) and elevated (700 ppm; EC) atmospheric CO2 concentrations in experimental glass domes. In general, EC reduced the variability of photosynthetic activity within the vertical profile of plants. Such changes also altered the differences between AC and EC in the vertical profile. While EC led to greater accumulation of chlorophylls, CO2 assimilation rate, and efficiency of photochemical processes in lower leaves, EC primarily reduced stomatal conductance and transpiration rate in upper leaves. These changes resulted in higher water-use efficiency in lower leaves. On the other hand, we found slightly greater down-regulation of photosynthesis under EC in lower leaves indicated as the A700/A385 ratio. Such knowledge may be important in upscaling EC effects from leaves to the canopy level and modelling impacts of expected climate change on grassland ecosystems.

Plant species composition and potential feed value of permanent grasslands in the Sýkořská hornatina Upland

In multifunctional agriculture, permanent grasslands (PG) present an important culture which keeps the soil in the continuous production status while helping to shape the landscape and protecting biodiversity, plus it has a number of other non-productive functions. The aim of the study was to evaluate, using the “Inventory and Classification of PG” method, species composition and the feed value of fodder in permanent grasslands in a specific farming company (ZEAS Lysice, a. s.) located in the area of the Sýkořská hornatina Upland. Multivariate analysis of PCA identified three categories of sites in the area: (1) PG with a low proportion of grass species and a high proportion of other herbs (47–55 %); (2) PG with a high proportion of grass species (68–81 %); (3) PG with a medium-high proportion of grass species (50–60 %), legumes (1 %) and other herbs. Most of PG are completely lacking legumes which supply nitrogen to the vegetation and are a major improvement for fodder production and its quality. Additional seeding of grass-clover mixtures seems to be a useful way to improve the botanical composition of meadows and pastures in the area of interest.

Temperature conditions at the mountain study site of Bílý Kříž (the Beskids Mts.) during the past 20 years

Global climate change (including temperature changes) had already observable effects on the environment and humanity. Air temperature characteristics have been observed at the mountain study site of Bílý Kříž (the Beskids Mts., Czech Republic) since 1989. This paper presents an analysis of long-term (1997–2016) air temperature conditions at this study. Comparison is made of selected long-term mean air temperature characteristics with mean air temperature characteristics for the period 1997–2016. The results show slightly increasing air temperature, as indicated not only by values for mean annual air temperature but also by changes in number of extreme days (summer, tropical, ice, etc.) and occurrence of hot period. Moreover, the length of the growth season has increase slightly.

Spatial and temporal trends in winter deposition of Pb, Be, Cu and Zn in selected mountain areas of Central Europe

Atmospheric depositions of trace metals have been the focus of attention because of their potential toxicity to living organisms. In this paper, winter deposition rates of Pb, Be, Cu and Zn collected from 2009 to 2011 at 10 mountain-top localities in the border area of the Czech Republic were compared and summarized. Across the sites there were up to 7–8fold differences in Pb, Be and Zn deposition rates, and up to threefold differences in their Cu deposition rates. In all cases, rime contained higher amounts of Pb, Be, Cu and Zn compared to snow. More than 92 % of Pb, Cu and Zn occured in soluble (bioavailable) form, whereas only 34 % of Be was in soluble form. Recent trace metal concentrations in precipitation considerably decrease compared to those measured during the period of the highest atmospheric emissions in the 1980s. The industrial region in the northeast of the Czech Republic experienced moderate levels of Pb air pollution, while atmospheric Pb inputs in the rest of the country as well as overall inputs of Cu, Zn and Be were low, representing a low threat to human and ecosystem health. Between-site differences made it possible to classify sites into three categories according to their level of pollution load. A previously-mentioned north-south pollution gradient between the industrial north and rural south of the country was not observed. Sites in the northwest and in the south were among those with the lowest pollution loads. On the other hand, sites in the northeast were the most polluted due to their location near the industrial regions of southern Silesia (Poland) and Ostrava.