scholarly journals Langzeitforschung auf Sturmflächen zeigt Potenzial und Grenzen der Naturverjüngung

2015 ◽  
Vol 166 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Brang ◽  
Sandra Hilfiker ◽  
Ulrich Wasem ◽  
Andreas Schwyzer ◽  
Thomas Wohlgemuth
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Storm Event ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Climax Species ◽  
Advance Regeneration

Long-term research on storm areas demonstrates the potential and the limits of natural regeneration After windthrow, questions arise about the appropriate silvicultural management. Answers can be derived from long-term studies on 19 storm-damaged areas caused by Vivian (1990) and Lothar (1999), which encompass cleared, cleared and planted as well as uncleared subareas. Forest succession on these areas was studied using repeated regeneration inventories. Ten resp. 20 years after the storms, the resulting young forests were 3–12 m tall and had a stem density of 500 to 31,400 per ha. Many tree species grow in the storm areas, with climax species like European beech (in the lowlands) and Norway spruce (in high-altitude forests) being most frequent. Advance regeneration has only a small share of the young stands, since seedlings were scarce in the pre-storm stands. Regeneration is slightly more dense on cleared than on uncleared storm areas. The yearly increase in seedling density ranged from 25 to 4,000 trees per ha, with low values occurring mainly if dense vegetation of tall forbs, bramble or bracken covered the ground. The increase in density has fallen since the storms, and in thickets with high stem numbers, the regeneration density has even started to decrease. Pionieer trees as well as sycamore maple and ash grow fastest, and climax species like Norway spruce and silver fir slowest. For spruce, planting results in an advance of 1.0 to 2.4 m after 20 years in high montane storm areas; moreover, gaps, which are widespread in storm areas even 10 or 20 years after the storm event, can be avoided. On areas with total damage, cluster planting should be considered, in particular in protection forests and in cases with scarce advance regeneration, missing seed trees and dense ground vegetation.

scholarly journals Biotic and Abiotic Determinants of Soil Organic Matter Stock and Fine Root Biomass in Mountain Area Temperate Forests—Examples from Cambisols under European Beech, Norway Spruce and Silver Fir (Carpathians, Central Europe)

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Anna Zielonka ◽  
Marek Drewnik ◽  
Łukasz Musielok ◽  
Marcin K. Dyderski ◽  
Dariusz Struzik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Beech Forests

Forest ecosystems significantly contribute to the global organic carbon (OC) pool, exhibiting high spatial heterogeneity in this respect. Some of the components of the OC pool in a forest (woody aboveground biomass (wAGB), coarse root biomass (CRB)) can be relatively easily estimated using readily available data from land observation and forest inventories, while some of the components of the OC pool are very difficult to determine (fine root biomass (FRB) and soil organic matter (SOM) stock). The main objectives of our study were to: (1) estimate the SOM stock; (2) estimate FRB; and (3) assess the relationship between both biotic (wAGB, forest age, foliage, stand density) and abiotic factors (climatic conditions, relief, soil properties) and SOM stocks and FRB in temperate forests in the Western Carpathians consisting of European beech, Norway spruce, and silver fir (32 forest inventory plots in total). We uncovered the highest wAGB in beech forests and highest SOM stocks under beech forest. FRB was the highest under fir forest. We noted a considerable impact of stand density on SOM stocks, particularly in beech and spruce forests. FRB content was mostly impacted by stand density only in beech forests without any discernible effects on other forest characteristics. We discovered significant impacts of relief-dependent factors and SOM stocks at all the studied sites. Our biomass and carbon models informed by more detailed environmental data led to reduce the uncertainty in over- and underestimation in Cambisols under beech, spruce, and fir forests for mountain temperate forest carbon pools.

scholarly journals Effect of climatic factors on the dynamics of radial increments of Norway spruce, European beech and sessile oak

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Petráš ◽  
J. Mecko
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Annual Ring ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Sessile Oak ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

Correlations of increment indexes with average monthly temperatures and total monthly precipitation were studied on annual ring series of 455 trees of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), sessile oak (Quercus petrea Liebl.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Data on precipitation from the period 1901–2005 and on temperatures from the period 1931–2005 were used. Statistically significant dependences with correlation coefficients in the range of 0.2–0.5 were confirmed. All tree species react positively to precipitation mainly in June and July. An increase in precipitation by 1 mm when compared with the long-term average results in an increase in increment index of spruce almost by 0.13%. This index in oak and beech increases only by a half value of the value for spruce. Precipitation from the second half of the vegetation period of the previous year is also important. Higher temperatures during the vegetation period affect increment changes mostly negatively. With temperature increase by 1°C, when compared with the long-term average, the increment index of trees decreases by about 1–2%.

Holocene forest transformations in sandstone landscapes of the Czech Republic: Stand-scale comparison of charcoal and pollen records

The Holocene ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1468-1479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Novák ◽  
Vojtěch Abraham ◽  
Petr Šída ◽  
Petr Pokorný
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Pollen Record ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Ecosystem Changes

Stand-scale palaeoecology in sandstone landscapes provides insight into contrasting Holocene forest succession trajectories. Sharp geomorphological gradients in this investigated area, which in addition have never been deforested during the Holocene, provide a good model for upscaling the local vegetation histories to the wider territory of Central Europe. In three sandstone areas – Bohemian Paradise, Polemené hory and Broumov – we compare (1) anthracological records from archaeological stratigraphies under rockshelters with (2) pedoanthracological sequences from nearby locations in valleys, rocks and plateaus; and with (3) pollen analyses carried out in nearby peat accumulations. Taphonomical vectors discriminate the source vegetation of each proxy, however thanks to proximity of all sampling sites pollen record and charcoals from rockshelters integrate the signal from pedoanthracology. The results show that past distribution of individual arboreal taxa is clearly related to the position within local environmental gradients. All basic habitats – valleys, rocky edges and plateaus – started with the dominance of pine forest in the early Holocene. Middle Holocene witnessed expansion of spruce inside valleys and oak on plateaus. Pine has maintained its dominance on rocky edges. In the late Holocene, silver fir and beech expanded into valleys, while oak stands remained dominant on plateaus. In the High Medieval and Modern Ages, human impact triggered general spread of fir. Records indicate site-specific local histories connected to various human activities, fire dynamics and erosion. Against the background of these immediate driving forces, the long-term process of ecosystem changes has been influenced by climate of the Holocene.

scholarly journals Evidence of elevation-specific growth changes of spruce, fir, and beech in European mixed mountain forests during the last three centuries

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 689-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Pretzsch ◽  
Torben Hilmers ◽  
Peter Biber ◽  
Admir Avdagić ◽  
Franz Binder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abies Alba ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Spatiotemporal Pattern ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Mountain Forests ◽  
Growth Trend ◽  
Dependent Change ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Growth Changes

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 10 × 106 ha at elevations between ∼600 and 1600 m a.s.l. These forests provide invaluable ecosystem services. However, the growth of these forests and the competition among their main species are 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 nondecelerating, linear diameter growth trend spanning more than 300 years; (ii) increased growth levels and trends, the latter being particularly 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 spatiotemporal pattern indicates significant changes in the growth and interspecific 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.

Selection effects of air pollution on gene pools of Norway spruce, European silver fir and European beech

2001 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Longauer ◽  
Dušan Gömöry ◽  
Ladislav Paule ◽  
David F Karnosky ◽  
Blanka Maňkovská ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Selection Effects

scholarly journals Variation in Leaf Morphological Traits of European Beech and Norway Spruce Over Two Decades in Switzerland

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Zhu ◽  
Anne Thimonier ◽  
Sophia Etzold ◽  
Katrin Meusburger ◽  
Peter Waldner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Legacy Effects ◽  
Term Trend ◽  
Long Term Trend ◽  
Needle Mass ◽  
Leaf Morphological Traits

Leaf morphological traits (LMTs) of forest trees have been observed to vary across space and species. However, long-term records of LMTs are scarce, due to a lack of measurements and systematic leaf archives. This leaves a large gap in our understanding of the temporal dynamics and drivers of LMT variations, which may help us understand tree acclimation strategies. In our study, we used long-term LMT measurements from foliar material collections of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies), performed every second year from 1995 to 2019 on the same trees within the Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research Program LWF. The 11 study plots (6 beech, 4 spruce, and 1 mixed) are distributed along gradients of elevation (485–1,650 m a.s.l.), mean annual precipitation (935–2142 mm), and mean annual temperature (3.2–9.8°C). The investigated LMTs were (i) leaf or needle mass, (ii) leaf area or needle length, and (iii) leaf mass per area or needle mass per length. We combined this unique data set with plot variables and long-term data on potential temporal drivers of LMT variations, including meteorological and tree trait data. We used univariate linear regressions and linear mixed-effects models to identify the main spatial and temporal drivers of LMT variations, respectively. For beech LMTs, our temporal analysis revealed effects of mast year and crown defoliation, and legacy effects of vapor pressure deficit and temperature in summer and autumn of the preceding year, but no clear long-term trend was observed. In contrast, spruce LMTs were mainly driven by current-year spring conditions, and only needle mass per length showed a decreasing long-term trend over the study period. In temporal models, we observed that LMTs of both species were influenced by elevation and foliar nutrient concentrations, and this finding was partly confirmed by our spatial analyses. Our results demonstrate the importance of temporal analysis for determining less recognized drivers and legacy effects that influence LMTs, which are difficult to determine across space and species. The observed differences in the temporal drivers of beech and spruce LMTs suggest differences in the adaptation and acclimation potential of the two species.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Trans-geographic Observational Network Design for Revelation of Growth Pattern in Mountain Forests Across Europe

2021 ◽  
pp. 141-187
Author(s):  
H. Pretzsch ◽  
T. Hilmers ◽  
E. Uhl ◽  
M. del Río ◽  
A. Avdagić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Statistical Evaluation ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Mountain Forests ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Yield Data

AbstractUnderstanding tree and stand growth dynamics in the frame of climate change calls for large-scale analyses. For analysing growth patterns in mountain forests across Europe, the CLIMO consortium compiled a network of observational plots across European mountain regions. Here, we describe the design and efficacy of this network of plots in monospecific European beech and mixed-species stands of Norway spruce, European beech, and silver fir.First, we sketch the state of the art of existing monitoring and observational approaches for assessing the growth of mountain forests. Second, we introduce the design, measurement protocols, as well as site and stand characteristics, and we stress the innovation of the newly compiled network. Third, we give an overview of the growth and yield data at stand and tree level, sketch the growth characteristics along elevation gradients, and introduce the methods of statistical evaluation. Fourth, we report additional measurements of soil, genetic resources, and climate smartness indicators and criteria, which were available for statistical evaluation and testing hypotheses. Fifth, we present the ESFONET (European Smart Forest Network) approach of data and knowledge dissemination. The discussion is focussed on the novelty and relevance of the database, its potential for monitoring, understanding and management of mountain forests toward climate smartness, and the requirements for future assessments and inventories.In this chapter, we describe the design and efficacy of this network of plots in monospecific European beech and mixed-species stands of Norway spruce, European beech, and silver fir. We present how to acquire and evaluate data from individual trees and the whole stand to quantify and understand the growth of mountain forests in Europe under climate change. It will provide concepts, models, and practical hints for analogous trans-geographic projects that may be based on the existing and newly recorded data on forests.

scholarly journals Lehren aus Vivian für den Gebirgswald – im Hinblick auf den nächsten Sturm

2015 ◽  
Vol 166 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Schwitter ◽  
Arthur Sandri ◽  
Peter Bebi ◽  
Thomas Wohlgemuth ◽  
Peter Brang
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Winter Storm ◽  
Advance Regeneration

Lessons from Vivian for mountain forests – regarding the next storm The winter storm “Vivian” in February 1990 took Swiss forestry by surprise due to its enormous extent. It gave cause for entirely new and challenging questions for scientists and practitioners. Twenty-four years after the storm, the Swiss mountain forest tending group assessed in the frame of two workshops forest succession and the evolution of the protective effect against natural hazards in several well-documented Vivian storm areas at elevations between 1,500 and 1,700 m a.s.l. in the cantons of St. Gallen and Grisons. The decision to salvage the damaged timber or to leave it in place depends primarily on how the risk of bark beetle infestations is assessed. Lying stems can transiently reduce the risk created by natural hazards and favor stand establishment, by reducing snow movements and by serving as nurse logs in the long term. On several areas among those studied, forest succession has progressed so far that the protective effect is nearly restored. However, in the majority of the areas, this is not yet the case even 24 years after the storm. The presence of regeneration in the pre-storm stand, so-called advance regeneration, considerably accelerates forest succession in a windthrow area. If advance regeneration is absent, planting can considerably fasten succession in comparison to natural regeneration, which establishes often slowly. In summary, it is concluded that on large windthrow areas at high elevation the potential of natural regeneration is limited and that a more varied combination of the different treatment options should be envisaged in the case of future windthrow events.

Long-term changes in tree species composition in the Dinaric mountain forests of Slovenia

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrej Boncina ◽  
Franc Gaspersic ◽  
Jurij Diaci
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Virgin Forest ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
The Impact

This study utilizes data from long-term research sites in managed fir-beech forests (Hrusica, Leskova dolina and Rog) and a virgin forest remnant (Rajhenav), used as a reference site. Data obtained from old forest management plans and forest inventories were analysed. The results of the study support the hypothesis that two main tree species—silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)—alternate site dominance. The causes of species dominance alternation include both natural processes and anthropogenic factors, in particular silvicultural practices and the impact of ungulates. More than a hundred years ago, European beech dominated stand volume. The proportion of silver fir increased until 1940–1970 when a gradual decrease started. All indicators suggest that the proportion of silver fir will decrease further in the coming decades. Key words: tree species composition alternation, diameter distribution, silver fir, European beech, forest history, forest planning, managed forests, virgin forest remnant

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