scholarly journals A Comparison of the Formation Rates and Composition of Tree-Related Microhabitats in Beech-Dominated Primeval Carpathian and Hyrcanian Forests

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Razieh Rafiei Jahed ◽  
Mohammad Reza Kavousi ◽  
Mohammad Ebrahim Farashiani ◽  
Khosro Sagheb-Talebi ◽  
Manoochehr Babanezhad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Forest Belt ◽  
Hyrcanian Forest ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Fagus Orientalis Lipsky ◽  
Weibull Models ◽  
Saproxylic Species ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Using Data

Primeval forests in the temperate zone exist only as a few remnants, but theses serve as important reference areas for conservation. As key habitats, tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) are of intense interest to forest ecologists, but little is known about their natural composition and dynamics in different tree species. Beech forms a major part of the temperate forests that extend from Europe, home to European beech Fagus sylvatica L. (Fs), eastward to Iran, where Oriental beech Fagus orientalis Lipsky (Fo) is the dominant species. In this study, we compared TreMs in primeval forests of both species, using data from Fo growing in 25 inventory plots throughout the Hyrcanian forest belt in Iran and from Fs growing in a 9 ha permanent plot in the Uholka Forest of Ukraine. TreMs based on 47 types and 11 subgroups were recorded. Beech trees in the Hyrcanian forest had a higher mean diameter at breast height (dbh) than beech trees in Uholka and contained twice as many TreMs per hectare. Although the mean richness of TreMs per TreM bearing tree was similar in the two species, on the basis of the comparison single trees in two groups (n = 405 vs. 2251), the composition of the TreMs clearly differed, as the proportions of rot holes, root-buttress concavities, and crown deadwood were higher in the Hyrcanian Forest, and those of bark losses, exposed heartwood, and burrs and cankers higher in Uholka Forest. Estimates of TreMs dynamics based on dbh and using Weibull models showed a significantly faster cumulative increase of TreMs in Fo, in which saturation occurred already in trees with a dbh of 70–80 cm. By contrast, the increase in TreMs in Fs was continuous. In both species, the probability density was highest at a dbh of about 30 cm, but was twice as high in Fo. Because of limitations of our study design, the reason behind observed differences of TreM formation and composition between regions remains unclear, as it could be either result of the tree species or the environment, or their interaction. However, the observed differences were more likely the result of differences in the environment than in the two tree species. Nevertheless, our findings demonstrate that the Hyrcanian Forest, recently designated as a natural heritage site in Iran, is unique, not only as a tertiary relict or due to its endemic trees, herbs and arthropods, but also because of its TreMs, which form a distinct and rich habitat for associated taxa, including endemic saproxylic species.

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 Indications of Genetic Admixture in the Transition Zone between Fagus sylvatica L. and Fagus sylvatica ssp. orientalis Greut. & Burd

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Müller ◽  
Precious Annie Lopez ◽  
Aristotelis C. Papageorgiou ◽  
Ioannis Tsiripidis ◽  
Oliver Gailing
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Expressed Sequence Tag ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Genetic Admixture ◽  
Southeast Europe ◽  
Fagus Orientalis Lipsky ◽  
Specific Allele ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

Two subspecies of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) can be found in southeast Europe: Fagus sylvatica ssp. sylvatica L. and Fagus sylvatica ssp. orientalis (Lipsky) Greut. & Burd. (Fagus orientalis Lipsky). In a previous study, based on genetic diversity patterns and morphological characters, indications of hybridization between both subspecies were found in northeastern Greece, a known contact zone of F. sylvatica and F. orientalis. Nevertheless, potential genetic admixture has not been investigated systematically before. Here, we investigated genetic diversity and genetic structure of 14 beech populations originating from Greece and Turkey as well as of two reference F. sylvatica populations from Germany based on nine expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers. Very low genetic differentiation was detected among F. sylvatica populations (mean GST: 0.005) as well as among F. orientalis populations (mean GST: 0.008), but substantial differentiation was detected between populations of the two subspecies (mean GST: 0.122). Indications for hybridization between both subspecies were revealed for one population in Greece. One of the genetic markers showed specific allele frequencies for F. sylvatica and F. orientalis and may be used as a diagnostic marker in future studies to discriminate both subspecies.

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.

Développement des axes des arbres : pousse annuelle, syllepsie et prolepsie chez le Hêtre (Fagus sylvatica)

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Thiébaut ◽  
B. Comps ◽  
E. Teissier du Cros
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Development Program ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Annual Growth ◽  
Complex Mode ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Mode Of Development

Polycyclic growth is more complex in the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) than in other tree species. Growth patterns common to all beeches studied have revealed the existence of annual and intra-annual growth rhythms and a development program peculiar to this species. Syllepsis and prolepsis are discussed in relation to beech. These observations raise new questions: (i) how can we explain a meristematic revertible conversion and (ii) what are the advantages of such a complex mode of development?

scholarly journals Characterization of EST-SSRs for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and their transferability to Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Castanea dentata Bork., and Quercus rubra L.

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Burger ◽  
Markus Müller ◽  
Oliver Gailing
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Ssr Markers ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Castanea Dentata ◽  
Fagus Orientalis Lipsky ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Population Genetic Analyses

Abstract Due to ongoing climate change, forests are exposed to changing environmental conditions, such as increasing temperatures and lower precipitation, to which trees have to adapt. Successful adaptation to changing and variable environments requires sufficient genetic variation within tree populations. Knowledge of the genetic variation of trees is therefore essential, as it provides information for the long-term conservation, stability and productivity of forests. The genetic variation of a species can be analysed with molecular markers. Despite growing genomic and genetic resources for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), which is one of the economically and ecologically most important forest tree species in Central Europe, the number of molecular markers for population genetic analyses is still limited. Therefore, the aim of the work is the development of new EST-SSR markers for this species. A total of 72 DNA samples of European beech from three widely separated regions in Germany were used to test 41 primers for variation and polymorphism, 35 of which were originally developed for American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and 6 for red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Fifteen of the primers were polymorphic, 13 monomorphic and 13 did not amplify. In addition, the transferability of the markers was successfully tested in the related species Castanea dentata Bork., Fagus orientalis Lipsky and Q. rubra. The EST-SSR markers tested in this study will be useful for future population genetic analyses and extend the set of available markers in European beech.

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.

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