scholarly journals Low Population Differentiation but High Phenotypic Plasticity of European Beech in Germany

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1354
Author(s):  
Markus Müller ◽  
Tanja Kempen ◽  
Reiner Finkeldey ◽  
Oliver Gailing
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Population Differentiation ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Frost Tolerance ◽  
Relative Effect ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Moderate Drought ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

Drought is increasingly impairing the vitality of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in several regions of its distribution range. In times of climate change, adaptive traits such as plant phenology and frost tolerance are also becoming more important. Adaptive patterns of European beech seem to be complex, as contrasting results regarding the relative effect of phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation in trait variation have been reported. Here, we used a large translocation experiment comprising more than 15,500 seedlings in three regions of Germany to investigate local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in beech. We found low population differentiation regarding plant survival, and plant height increment, but high phenotypic plasticity for these traits. Survival showed a positive correlation with temperature variables and a less pronounced and negative correlation with precipitation-related variables. This suggests a predominant effect of temperature and growing degree days on the survival of beech seedlings under moderate drought stress. The high phenotypic plasticity may help beech to cope with changing environmental conditions, albeit increasing drought stress may make adaptive changes necessary in the long term.

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%.

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.

A recent growth increase of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) at its Mediterranean distribution limit contradicts drought stress

2013 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willy Tegel ◽  
Andrea Seim ◽  
Dietrich Hakelberg ◽  
Stephan Hoffmann ◽  
Metodi Panev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Distribution Limit ◽  
Recent Growth ◽  
Growth Increase ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stomatal features under water deficit assessed in provenance trial

Dendrobiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 163-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srđan Stojnić ◽  
Saša Orlović ◽  
Branislav Trudić ◽  
Uroš Živković ◽  
Georg von Wuehlisch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Provenance Trial ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

scholarly journals The onset and duration of vegetative phenological stages in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under changing conditions of the environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie Bednářová ◽  
Jiří Kučera ◽  
Lucie Merklová
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Phenological Data ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L

A phenological study on the onset and duration of particular phenological stages of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was carried out using sample trees growing in a research area of the Faculty of Fo­res­try and Wood Technology, MENDELU Brno for a period of 17 years (1991–2007). The paper describes the onset and duration of particular phenological stages depending on effective temperatures. In spring phenological stages, the high dependence was proved on air temperatures. To evaluate temperature requirements of studied species the cumulative sum of temperatures which activated the beginning of a respective phenological stage was used. It is evident that the onset and the course of particular phenological stages were very variable being subject to the effect of temperature changes, particularly in the spring season. In recent years, the earlier onset is noted of spring phenological stages and the length of their duration shortens. Effects of temperature on the onset and duration of the stage of budbreak and the beginning of foliage became evident in European beech most mar­ked­ly. 2007 was a very extreme year from the aspect of the early onset of spring vegetative phenological stages. In that year, a marked shift was noted in the onset of particular staged as compared to previous years. To specify phenological observations, records of phenological data of a camera placed in the central part of a crown were used. Results obtained show that some spring phenological stages take only several hours, which corresponds with higher temperatures during spring months in last years. In the area described, higher temperatures were measured even in autumnal months as compared with a long-term average. Owing to high temperatures in the pre-dormancy period, the extension of a growing season occurs and thus also shortening the dormancy playing an irreplaceable role in forest trees. Shortening the dormancy can result in the disturbance of physiological processes and subsequently the decline of trees.

scholarly journals Stomatal and Leaf Morphology Response of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Provenances Transferred to Contrasting Climatic Conditions

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1359
Author(s):  
Peter Petrík ◽  
Anja Petek ◽  
Alena Konôpková ◽  
Michal Bosela ◽  
Peter Fleischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Stomatal Density ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Guard Cells ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Leaf Dry Weight

Climate change-induced elevated temperatures and drought are considered to be serious threats to forest ecosystems worldwide, negatively affecting tree growth and viability. We studied nine European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances located in two provenance trial plots with contrasting climates in Central Europe. Stomata play a vital role in the water balance of plants by regulating gaseous exchanges between plants and the atmosphere. Therefore, to explain the possible adaptation and acclimation of provenances to climate conditions, stomatal (stomatal density, the length of guard cells, and the potential conductance index) and leaf morphological traits (leaf size, leaf dry weight and specific leaf area) were assessed. The phenotypic plasticity index was calculated from the variability of provenances’ stomatal and leaf traits between the provenance plots. We assessed the impact of various climatic characteristics and derived indices (e.g., ecodistance) on intraspecific differences in stomatal and leaf traits. Provenances transferred to drier and warmer conditions acclimated through a decrease in stomatal density, the length of guard cells, potential conductance index, leaf size and leaf dry weight. The reduction in stomatal density and the potential conductance index was proportional to the degree of aridity difference between the climate of origin and conditions of the new site. Moreover, we found that the climate heterogeneity and latitude of the original provenance sites influence the phenotypic plasticity of provenances. Provenances from lower latitudes and less heterogeneous climates showed higher values of phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between phenotypic plasticity and mortality in the arid plot but not in the more humid plot. Based on these impacts of the climate on stomatal and leaf traits of transferred provenances, we can improve the predictions of provenance reactions for future scenarios of global climate change.

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