Hans Pretzsch (Author), Torben Hilmers (Author), Peter Biber (Author), Admir Avdagić (Author), Franz Binder (Author), Andrej Bončina (Author), Tzvetan Zlatanov (Author), Roberto Tognetti (Author), Miren del Rio (Author), Zuzana Sitkova (Author), Gerhard Schütze (Author), Branko Stajić (Author), Dejan Stojanović (Author), Enno Uhl (Author), Michal Bošela (Author), Laura Dobor (Author), David I. Forrester (Author), Mathieu Lévesque (Author), Aida Ibrahimspahić (Author), Thomas Andrew Nagel (Author)

Abstract

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 10x106 ha at elevations between ~60-%1,600 m a.s.l. They provide invaluable ecosystem services. However, the growth of these forests and the competition between their main species is 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 non-decelerating, linear diameter growth trend spanning more than 300 years, (ii) increased growth levels and trends, the latter being particular 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 spatio-temporal pattern indicates significant changes in the growth and inter-specific 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.

Keywords

climate change;competition shift;dominance of beech;growth trends;relative loss of Norway spruce;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC: 630*11:630*16(045)=111
COBISS: 5653414 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 0045-5067
Views: 864
Downloads: 161
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: podnebne spremembe;trend rasti;Picea abies;navadna smreka;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 689-703
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ50
Issue: ǂno. ǂ7
Chronology: 2020
DOI: 10.1139/cjfr-2019-0368
ID: 11491734