scholarly journals Microclimatic Tipping Points at the Beech–Oak Ecotone in the Western Romanian Carpathians

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Hohnwald ◽  
Adrian Indreica ◽  
Helge Walentowski ◽  
Christoph Leuschner
Keyword(s):  
Canopy Structure ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Tipping Points ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Relative Air Humidity ◽  
Elevation Difference ◽  
Romanian Carpathians

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a drought-sensitive species that likely will retreat from its xeric distribution edges in the course of climate warming. Physiological measurements indicate that the species may not only be sensitive to soil water deficits, but also to high temperatures and elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficits (vpd). Through microclimatological measurements in the stand interior across near-natural beech forest–oak forest ecotones, we searched for microclimatic tipping points in the contact zone with the aim to define the thermic and hydrometeorological limits of beech more precisely. In three transects in the foothills of the Romanian western Carpathians, we measured in mid-summer 2019 air temperature, relative air humidity, and vpd at 2 m height in the stand interior across the ecotone from pure oak to pure beech forests, and compared the readings to the microclimate in forest gaps. Mean daytime temperature (T) and vpd were by 2 K and 2 hPa, respectively, higher in the oak forests than the beech forests; the extremes differed even more. Especially in the second half of the day, the oak forests heated up and were more xeric than the beech forests. Part of the differences is explained by the elevation difference between oak and beech forests (200–300 m), but species differences in canopy structure, leaf area, and canopy transmissivity enhance the microclimatic contrast. Our T and vpd data point to thresholds at about 30 °C and 25 hPa as maxima tolerated by beech in the lowermost shade canopy for extended periods. In conclusion, the rather sharp stand microclimatic gradient demonstrated here for the xeric distribution limit of beech may well be the decisive factor that hinders the spread of beech into the warmer oak forests.

scholarly journals Phytocenological and edaphic characteristics of sessile oak forests on Miroc Mt in northeastern Serbia

2013 ◽  
pp. 27-55
Author(s):  
Rade Cvjeticanin ◽  
Olivera Kosanin ◽  
Milun Krstic ◽  
Marko Perovic ◽  
Marijana Novakovic-Vukovic
Keyword(s):  
Beech Forest ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Sessile Oak ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Natural Stands

This research was carried out in natural stands of sessile oak (Quercus petraea agg. Ehrendorfer 1967) on Miroc mountain. Three comunities were investigated: Pure sessile oak forest (Quercetum montanum Cer. et Jov. 1953. s.l.), sessile oak-common hornbeam forest (Querco-Carpinetum moesiacum Rud. 1949. s.l.) and sessile oak-balkan beech forest (Querco-Fagetum Glis. 1971). Pure sessile oak forests are found on the following soils: dystric ranker and acid cambic soil on sandstone, dystric ranker and acid cambisols on phyllite, and acid cambic soil on schists. Sessile oak-hornbeam forests grow on sandstone, granite and schists. Sessile oak-beech forests are found on acid cambisol on phyllite and sandstone conglomerate. Various ecological conditions (exposition, slope, altitude, soil types and bedrock) on Mt Miroc caused the occurence of diverse sessile oak forest communities, while different states of these forest stands resulted from the implementation of management measures.

scholarly journals Altitude and biotope distribution of species of a number of Neuroptera fauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Transcarpathian lowlands

2020 ◽  
pp. 147-158
Author(s):  
Hanna Serediuk
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Forest Belt ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Spruce Forests ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Subalpine Zone

The species composition of the net-winged insects fauna, as well as the biotope distribution within the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians have been studied. For the first time, an altitude-band analysis of the distribution of net-winged insects in the Ukrainian Carpathians was conducted, which showed that the highest species diversity is characterized by the belt of oak forests, for which 50 species of reticulated net-winged insects are listed. Seven were found to be original for the belt: Chrysopa hummeli, Chrysopa dorsalis, Chrysopa hungarica, Chrysopa nigricostata, Sisyra nigra, Distoleon tetragrammicus, Libelloides macaronius. These species occur only in this zone and are very rare. It was found that the highest species diversity is characterized by mixed forests and forest edges, for which 39 species were identified, which is 78% of the total number of species that occur in the belt of oak forests. The highest Magralef index for mixed oak forests (Quercus, Tilia, Acer, Fraxinus, Ulmus, etc.). For the belt of beech forests, there are 43 species. It was found that the greatest species diversity is characterized by forest edges, there are 32 species, which is 74% of the total number of species of beech belt of the Ukrainian Carpathians, 31 species (72%) in beech forest with admixtures of other deciduous trees. 29 on the edges and in the old beech forests (virgin forests). The highest index of species richness according to Margalef falls on the edges. As part of the spruce forest belt, 24 species were noted, ten of which, namely Wesmaelius mortoni, Wesmaelius nervosus, Wesmaelius ravus, Wesmaelius tjederi, Wesmaelius concinnus, Wesmaelius quadrifasciatus, Hemerobius contumax, Hemerobius feumax, Hemerobius fenestih only within the belt of spruce forests. Margalef's highest index characterizes young spruce forests. In the subalpine zone, only four species of reticulated net-winged insects were found – Myrmeleon formicarius, Wesmaelius nervosus, Wesmaelius ravus and Chrysoperla carnea, in the alpine zone – none.

scholarly journals Current and simulated structure, growth parameters and regeneration of beech forests with different game management in the Lány Game Enclosure / Struktura, růstové parametry, obnova a modelový vývoj bukových porostů s odlišným způsobem mysliveckého hospodaření v podmínkách Lánské obory

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Ambrož ◽  
Stanislav Vacek ◽  
Zdeněk Vacek ◽  
Jan Král ◽  
Igor Štefančík
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Cervus Nippon ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Deer Species

AbstractThe paper presents the results of the study of the current and simulated structure of beech forests in the Lány game preserve, which is situated in the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area in the Czech Republic. The research was conducted at two permanent research plots (PRP) of 0.25 ha in size in a mature beech forest using the FieldMap technology. Typological, soil and phytocoenological stand characteristics and the history of management of both PRP are comparable; however, they differ in the protection against wildlife. The results demonstrated that deer species including red deer (Cervus elaphus L. - 300 head), sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon Temm. - 300 head), mouflon (Ovis musimon Pallas - 250 head) and fallow deer (Dama dama L. - 300 head) is a limiting factor for successful development of natural regeneration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Natural regeneration on PRP 1 with wild boar herd (Sus scrofa L. - 150 head) is sufficient in relation to site and stand conditions. On the contrary, there is no regeneration on PRP 2 with the occurrence of deer species. The results of biometric measurements and subsequent predictions by the SIBYLA forest biodynamics simulator indicate that the stands are insignificantly structured, mature, productive beech stands with the absence of individuals in the lower tree layer.

scholarly journals Litter-dwelling invertebrates in natural and plantation forests in the southern Carpathians, Romania

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred-Stefan Cicort-Lucaciu ◽  
Diana Cupsa ◽  
Felicia Sucea ◽  
Sara Ferenti ◽  
Severus-Daniel Covaciu-Marcov
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Forest Plantations ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Sessile Oak ◽  
Native Forests ◽  
Individual Number ◽  
Romanian Carpathians ◽  
Glacial Periods

Forest plantations usually have a poorer fauna than native forests of the same region. Exceptions seem to appear in colder areas of Europe with few native forests. The Jiu Gorge National Park (JGNP) is situated in the Southern Romanian Carpathians, where numerous native, especially beech, forests are present. However, in the southern part of JGNP there are plantations with non-native species, like pine or black locust, where previous studies had reported a poor fauna. Based on this information, we supposed that this fauna poverty in plantations will be obvious also in the case of the litter macrofauna. This was verified by analyzing the litter macrofauna from 15 forests in the JGNP (10 natural forests and five forest plantations). We collected 12,950 individuals belonging to 28 invertebrate groups. The highest number of taxa was registered in the sessile oak forest, while the highest individual number and taxa diversity was observed in two beech forests. In the beech and birch reforestation areas the fauna was poorer than in old mature forests of the same tree species. In contrast to native forests, the fauna in plantations was much poorer, especially in the pine plantations. Detritiphagous taxa were the most affected by factors of the plantations. In the plantations, more mobile groups with various trophic regimes prevail. The plantations that are present in the southern areas of JGNP, replaced the original sessile oak forests, compared to which they have a much poorer fauna. Forest plantations from JGNP have low value for biodiversity, compared to the northern European areas where natural forests became very rare and the fauna is recent. JGNP is not in the same situation, having extended native forests, which are present in the area since the glacial periods. Therefore, these forests shelter the native fauna of the region. There are few plantations, present only in the disturbed part of JGNP, but even there they have only a very low importance for biodiversity. The data from JGNP confirms the fact that zones with high biodiversity and native forests should be conserved. Key words: Carpathians, beech, forest plantations, past, native, invertebrates, leaf litter, forestry.

Sulfur inputs and outputs for two European beech forests growing on different soil substrates

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 1626-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.P. Sah ◽  
K.J. Meiwes
Keyword(s):  
Dry Deposition ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Seepage Water ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Flux Balance ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Soil Substrates ◽  
S Deposition

Using a flux-balance approach, the S budget of two heavily polluted beech (Fagussylvatica L.) forest ecosystems growing on acid and calcareous soil substrates was investigated. Total S deposition (dry and wet fall) at both sites was large (2.3 and 3.2 kequiv.•ha−1•year−1 at the calcareous and acidic beech forest sites, respectively). The contribution of dry deposition to the total S deposition in both stands was significant; dry deposition of S exceeded the deposition of S even in bulk precipitation. The atmospheric input of S exceeded, at both sites, the forest S requirements by 6–7 times. Consequently, at the acidic beech forest site, phytotoxins like Al3+ (2 kequiv.•ha−1•year−1) were released with seepage water, neutralizing the acid input. At the calcareous beech forest site, leaching of huge amounts of Ca2+ (15 kequiv.•ha−1•year−1) and HCO3− (12 kequiv.•ha−1•year−1) was significant enough to offset the effects of acid precipitation. About 20% of the atmospheric S input in both beech stands accumulated in the vegetation. The S input–output balance in the acidic beech forest indicated a slight tendency towards S accumulation in the soil in the form of AlOHSO4. The S budget in the calcareous beech forest stand was more or less balanced.

scholarly journals The Resistance of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) From the Eastern Natural Limit of Species to Climate Change

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 625-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius BUDEANU ◽  
Any Mary PETRITAN ◽  
Flaviu POPESCU ◽  
Diana VASILE ◽  
Nicu Constantin TUDOSE
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Growth Indices ◽  
Lower Altitude

In this study, different approaches were used to investigate the vulnerability of beech forests, located at the eastern limit of their natural range, to climate change. To accomplish this, six 2500 m2 plots were sampled in four European beech forest genetic resources, located in Romania at different altitudinal levels, varying from 230 to 580 m in the Bacău hills and between 650 and 1300 m in the Curvature Carpathian (Braşov region). The analysis of trees phenotypic traits, their radial growth, and the regeneration, did not indicate a vulnerability of the sampled stands to the fluctuations of the environmental factors from the 1950-2014 period. The growth indices of all three populations of Bacău hills are negatively correlated with both June air temperature of current year and September of the previous year. The precipitation amount of September previous year positively influenced the growth indices. The radial growth of plots in Braşov region is slightly linked to the climate. The temperature during the growing season represents a limiting factor for stands that are located outside of the optimal altitudinal species distribution (600-1200 m, in Romania), especially at low altitudes. Our results indicated that a rise of the temperature accompanied by a possible reduction of the precipitations (as is predicted for the coming years) could increase the sensibility of beech forests at lower altitude.

scholarly journals Impact of European Beech Forest Diversification on Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stocks–A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Rehschuh ◽  
Mathieu Jonard ◽  
Martin Wiesmeier ◽  
Heinz Rennenberg ◽  
Michael Dannenmann
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Soc Stocks

Drought-sensitive European beech forests are increasingly challenged by climate change. Admixing other, preferably more deep-rooting, tree species has been proposed to increase the resilience of beech forests to drought. This diversification of beech forests might also affect soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks that are relevant for a wide range of soil functions and ecosystem services, such as water and nutrient retention, filter functions and erosion control. Since information of these effects is scattered, our aim was to synthesize results from studies that compared SOC/TN stocks of beech monocultures with those of beech stands mixed with other tree species as well as monocultures of other tree species. We conducted a meta-analysis including 38 studies with 203, 220, and 160 observations for forest floor (i.e., the organic surface layer), mineral soil (0.5 m depth) and the total soil profile, respectively. Monoculture conifer stands had higher SOC stocks compared to monoculture beech in general, especially in the forest floor (up to 200% in larch forests). In contrast, other broadleaved tree species (oak, ash, lime, maple, hornbeam) showed lower SOC stocks in the forest floor compared to beech, with little impact on total SOC stocks. Comparing mixed beech-conifer stands (average mixing ratio with regard to number of trees 50:50) with beech monocultures revealed significantly higher total SOC stocks of around 9% and a smaller increase in TN stocks of around 4%. This equaled a SOC accrual of 0.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1. In contrast, mixed beech-broadleaved stands did not show significant differences in total SOC stocks. Conifer admixture effects on beech forest SOC were of additive nature. Admixing other tree species to beech monoculture stands was most effective to increase SOC stocks on low carbon soils with a sandy texture and nitrogen limitation (i.e., a high C/N ratio and low nitrogen deposition). We conclude that, with targeted admixture measures of coniferous species, an increase in SOC stocks in beech forests can be achieved as part of the necessary adaptation of beech forests to climate change.

scholarly journals Carbon and Nitrogen Pools and Fluxes in Adjacent Mature Norway Spruce and European Beech Forests

Forests ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Oulehle ◽  
Michal Růžek ◽  
Karolina Tahovská ◽  
Jiří Bárta ◽  
Oldřich Myška
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Pools

scholarly journals Carbon Stock of European Beech Forest; A Case at M. Pizzalto, Italy

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Taghavi Bayat ◽  
Hein van Gils ◽  
Michael Weir
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Stock ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Beech Forest

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.

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