Silver fir decline in the vosges mountains (France): Role of climate and silviculture

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Becker ◽  
Guy Landmann ◽  
G�rard L�vy
Keyword(s):  
1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1110-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Becker

A dendroecological study was carried out on 196 sites distributed throughout the whole natural range of silver fir (Abiesalba Miller) in the Vosges mountains of northeastern France. At each site, six dominant trees were bored to the pith. Stand age varied, intentionally, from 40 to 180 years. All tree rings were measured and crossdated; data were then standardized with reference to the mean curve ring width vs. cambial age. The growth indices obtained in this way were studied (setting aside the cambial age) and revealed a great increase in mean vigour from 1830 to 1930–1940 (+70%) and a slight decrease from 1930–1940 to the present (−10%). Using meteorological data from Strasbourg (monthly precipitation and temperature data available from 1881) and a stepwise multiple linear regression, a climatic model was created that explains 79% of the variance. This amount included not only the monthly parameters of years y (year of ring formation) and y − 1 in the model, but also the parameters of years y − 2 toy − 6. Thus, the notion of structural autocorrelation loses much of its credibility in comparison with the notion of climatic aftereffects. The statistical validation of the model distinguishes a calibration period (1881–1960) and a verification period (1961–1983). The model reconstructs the long-term trends satisfactorily, as well as periodic severe growth declines of silver fir in 1917–1923, 1943–1951, and 1976–1983. These phenomena are mainly explained by climatic factors. The possible aggravating role of air pollution is put forward, in particular, the role of the CO2 increases during the last century.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89
Author(s):  
Nataliya O. Kryuchenko ◽  
Edward Ya. Zhovinsky ◽  
Petr S. Paparyga

he objective of the paper was determining biogeochemical peculiarities of ac- cumulation of chemical elements (Mn, Ni, Сo, V, Cr, Zr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, P) by wild-grow- ing shrubs (stems and leaves) – bog bilberry (Vaccіnium uliginоsum), European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), alpine juniper (J. communis subsp. alpina); perennial herbaceous plants (flowers and leaves) – common tormentil (Potentіlla erecta (L.) Hampe), willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea), true sedges (Carex); and trees (needles) of European silver fir (Abies alba) on nine plots in the Svy- dovets Massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The results we obtained based on field surveys (selection of samples of soil and vegeta- tion) and interpretation of their analysis allowed us to determine the total regional background of chemical elements in soils and ash of plants using emission spectral analysis. We assessed the total concentration of chemical elements in soils of the plots (least to highest): the Apshynets Ridge – the Herashaska Polonyna – Drahobratske Lake – the Svydovets stream – Apshynets Lake – Herashaske Lake – the Zhuravlyne Bog – Vorozheske Lake (group of small lakes) – Vorozheske Lake (large) and determined the dependence on type of soil and pH. We determined that for wild-growing herbaceous plants the biogeochemical activity of species increases in the following sequence: true sedges - willow gentian - common tormentil; for wild-growing shrubs (bog bilberry, European blueberry, alpine juniper) such a sequence is impossible to determine due to the great difference between the values on different plots. We determined the role of each plant as medicinal for treating microelement deficiency in Cu, Zn, Co. We determined that in the plot of the Herashaska Polonyna, the needles of alpine juniper contain a maximum amount of Zn and Co, the needles and leaves of bog bilberry – Cu, Zn, Co; the flowers and leaves of common tormentil by Apshynets Lake and European silver fir near the area of the Svydovets stream – Cu. We calculated the daily dose of each element according to species of plants to overcome microelementosis. The results of biogeochemical surveys may be the basis for determining and recommending plants as medicinal, and also of geochemical and biogeochemical monitoring studies.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1493-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Segura ◽  
Thomas M. Hinckley ◽  
Chadwick D. Oliver

Stem analysis of mature Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes (Pacific silver fir) trees was used to analyze patterns of radial growth in areas of southwestern Washington where this species is experiencing a severe crown decline associated with heavy tephra deposition from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Reductions in stem growth after 1980 appeared to be related to the severity of crown damage. The largest reductions in cross-sectional area increment exceeded 50% and extended along most of the stem. An increase in stem growth in the upper crown was common among declining trees. This zone coincided with a portion of the crown that has experienced vigorous and rapid growth since 1980. The role of this recovery zone on subsequent tree recovery is discussed. Decline or recovery of trees appeared independent of crown class per se. Reductions in radial growth of declining trees tended to be more pronounced at breast height, suggesting that estimations of whole-stem growth based on breast height measurements would overestimate growth losses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Podrázský Vilém ◽  
Vacek Zdeněk ◽  
Kupka Ivo ◽  
Vacek Stanislav ◽  
Třeštík Michal ◽  
...  

The effects of silver fir (Abies alba Miller) on the soil compared to Norway spruce (Picea abies (Linnaeus) H. Karsten) were evaluated. Altitude of the study site is 790 m a.s.l., mild slope of 10° facing SW, forest site is spruce-beech on acid soil. The forest floor and top soil horizons (L + F1, F2 + H, Ah) were sampled in 4 replications beneath unmixed Norway spruce and silver fir groups. Comparing the soil-forming effects of both species, few significant differences were found in the Ah horizon – contents of total C, N, exchangeable Al and plant available Ca were higher beneath spruce. The soil improving role of silver fir compared to spruce was confirmed at the studied locality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Pietrasz ◽  
Dawid Sikora ◽  
Tomasz Chodkiewicz ◽  
Magdalena Ślęzak ◽  
Bartłomiej Woźniak

The European breeding range of the three-toed woodpecker Picoides tridactylus overlaps with the distribution range of coniferous and mixed forests with domination of Norway spruce Picea abies or European silver fir Abies alba. The paper describes a new breeding site of the three-toed woodpecker in the Sobibór Forest, eastern Poland outside the distribution range of these two tree species and its relationship with Eurasian beaver Castor fiber. The birds occurred in dead alder forests and were recorded 3–4 years after forest started to decline due to the high level of surface waters associated with the keystone role of the beaver. The decaying cycle of trees was possible because the area settled by woodpeckers was protected as a nature reserve.


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