scholarly journals Influence of Climate Change on Tree Growth and Forest Ecosystems: More Than Just Temperature

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 630
Author(s):  
Juan A. Blanco ◽  
Ester González de Andrés ◽  
Yueh-Hsin Lo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Species Ranges

Recent research has shown that climate change is already altering tree species ranges, mortality and growth rates [...]

Differential determinants of growth rates in subtropical evergreen and deciduous juvenile trees: Carbon gain, hydraulics and nutrient use efficiencies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hua Qi ◽  
Ze-Xin Fan ◽  
Pei-Li Fu ◽  
Yong-Jiang Zhang ◽  
Frank Sterck
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Carbon Gain ◽  
Evergreen Species ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract Growth rate varies across plant species and represents an important ecological strategy for competition, resource use and fitness. However, empirical studies often show a low predictability of functional traits to tree growth. We measured stem diameter and height growth rates of 96 juvenile trees (2 to 5 m tall) of eight evergreen and eight deciduous broadleaf tree species over three consecutive years in a subtropical forest in southwestern China. We examined the relationships between tree growth rates and 20 leaf/stem traits that associated with carbon gain, stem hydraulics and nutrient use efficiency, as well as the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees. We found that cross-species variations of stem diameter/height growth rate can be predicted by leaf photosynthetic capacity, leaf mass per area, xylem theoretical specific hydraulic conductivity, wood density and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiencies. Higher leaf carbon assimilation and lower leaf/stem constructing costs facilitate deciduous species to be more resource acquisitive and consequently faster growth within a relatively shorter growing season, whereas evergreen species exhibit a more conservative strategies and thus slower growth. Further, stem growth rates of evergreen species showed were more dependence on leaf carbon gains, whereas stem hydraulic efficiency were more important for deciduous tree growth. Our results suggest that physiological traits (photosynthesis, hydraulics, nutrient use efficiency) can predict tree diameter and height growth of subtropical tree species. The differential resource acquisition and use strategies and their associations with tree growth between evergreen and deciduous trees provide insights in explaining the co-existence of evergreen and deciduous tree species in subtropical forests.

Hotspots of change in major tree species under climate warming

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flurin Babst ◽  
Richard L. Peters ◽  
Rafel O. Wüest ◽  
Margaret E.K. Evans ◽  
Ulf Büntgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Sensitivity ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Bioclimatic Variables

<p>Warming alters the variability and trajectories of tree growth around the world by intensifying or alleviating energy and water limitation. This insight from regional to global-scale research emphasizes the susceptibility of forest ecosystems and resources to climate change. However, globally-derived trends are not necessarily meaningful for local nature conservation or management considerations, if they lack specific information on present or prospective tree species. This is particularly the case towards the edge of their distribution, where shifts in growth trajectories may be imminent or already occurring.</p><p>Importantly, the geographic and bioclimatic space (or “niche”) occupied by a tree species is not only constrained by climate, but often reflects biotic pressure such as competition for resources with other species. This aspect is underrepresented in many species distribution models that define the niche as a climatic envelope, which is then allowed to shift in response to changes in ambient conditions. Hence, distinguishing climatic from competitive niche boundaries becomes a central challenge to identifying areas where tree species are most susceptible to climate change.</p><p>Here we employ a novel concept to characterize each position within a species’ bioclimatic niche based on two criteria: a climate sensitivity index (CSI) and a habitat suitability index (HSI). The CSI is derived from step-wise multiple linear regression models that explain variability in annual radial tree growth as a function of monthly climate anomalies. The HSI is based on an ensemble of five species distribution models calculated from a combination of observed species occurrences and twenty-five bioclimatic variables. We calculated these two indices for 11 major tree species across the Northern Hemisphere.</p><p>The combination of climate sensitivity and habitat suitability indicated hotspots of change, where tree growth is mainly limited by competition (low HSI and low CSI), as well as areas that are particularly sensitive to climate variability (low HSI and high CSI). In the former, we expect that forest management geared towards adjusting the competitive balance between several candidate species will be most effective under changing environmental conditions. In the latter areas, selecting particularly drought-tolerant accessions of a given species may reduce forest susceptibility to the predicted warming and drying.</p>

scholarly journals Climate change within Serbian forests: Current state and future perspectives

Topola ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 39-56
Author(s):  
Dejan Stojanović ◽  
Saša Orlović ◽  
Milica Zlatković ◽  
Saša Kostić ◽  
Verica Vasić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Precipitation Decrease

Extreme weather conditions, namely droughts, heat waves, heavy rains, floods, and landslides are becoming more frequent globally and in Serbia as a result of climate change. Generally, various parts of human society are affected by changing climate conditions. Forest ecosystems are one of the most sensitive systems to weather and climate. In that sense, small changes may lead to large disturbances including forest decline, outbreaks of insect pests and diseases and eventually mortality. In Serbia, the average temperature in forest ecosystems of the most important and abundant forest tree species has risen for more than 1°C in the last thirty years (1990-2019) in comparison to the previous period (1961-1990). During the last thirty years, the northern and western parts of Serbia experienced an increase in precipitation as opposed to the southern and eastern parts of the country. If one takes a closer look at the climate within a particular forest stands, it would seem that the effect of precipitation decrease is stronger in less humid parts of a tree species range. In this paper, we discuss various aspects of climate change impacts on forests and forestry, including forest ecology, genetics, physiology, pests and diseases, ground vegetation, monitoring, reporting and verification system, climate change litigation and perspectives of forests in the 21st century in Serbia.

scholarly journals Empfindlichkeit typischer Schweizer Waldbestände auf den Klimawandel

2015 ◽  
Vol 166 (6) ◽  
pp. 408-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Bircher ◽  
Maxime Cailleret ◽  
Markus Huber ◽  
Harald Bugmann
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
National Forest Inventory ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Site Specific

Sensitivity of typical Swiss forest stands to climate change In Switzerland, first climate-induced changes of forest ecosystems can be observed. However, it is widely unknown how and to what extent the typical (widespread) forest stands will respond to future climate change. With the data of the third National forest inventory and the forest succession model ForClim we examined the development 71 typical stands under current and future climatic conditions (A2 emission scenario) with and without management, respectively. The simulations show a weak response until the middle of the century. In contrast, an increased sensitivity towards the end of the century becomes apparent, expressed by declines of basal area at lower elevations, respectively increases at higher elevations. The responses of forest stands are depending on site-specific characteristics. For example, Norway spruce is expected to decline up to higher elevations. Our results show an increase of deciduous tree species in higher elevation zones, particularly if management is applied. The impacts of climate change on important forest ecosystems services vary along a bioclimatic elevation gradient. Thereby, current forest management shows approaches how to at least partly counteract adverse effects of climate change. However, target- and site-specific strategies are needed and, particularly with regard to lower elevations, more knowledge on the potential of tree species to adapt is required.

scholarly journals Geographical, Climatological, and Biological Characteristics of Tree Radial Growth Response to Autumn Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunsuke Tei ◽  
Ayumi Kotani ◽  
Atsuko Sugimoto ◽  
Nagai Shin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Western Asia ◽  
Tree Radial Growth

Terrestrial forest ecosystems are crucial to the global carbon cycle and climate system; however, these ecosystems have experienced significant warming rates in recent decades, whose impact remains uncertain. This study investigated radial tree growth using the tree-ring width index (RWI) for forest ecosystems throughout the Northern Hemisphere to determine tree growth responses to autumn climate change, a season which remains considerably understudied compared to spring and summer, using response function and random forest machine learning methods. Results showed that autumn climate conditions significantly impact the RWI throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Spatial variations in the RWI response were influenced by geography (latitude, longitude, and elevation), climatology, and biology (tree genera); however, geographical and/or climatological characteristics explained more of the response compared to biological characteristics. Higher autumn temperatures tended to negatively impact tree radial growth south of 40° N in regions of western Asia, southern Europe, United State of America and Mexico, which was similar to the summer temperature response found in previous studies, which was attributed to temperature-induced water stress.

scholarly journals Potential Impact of Climate Change on the Forest Coverage and the Spatial Distribution of 19 Key Forest Tree Species in Italy under RCP4.5 IPCC Trajectory for 2050s

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Pecchi ◽  
Maurizio Marchi ◽  
Marco Moriondo ◽  
Giovanni Forzieri ◽  
Marco Ammoniaci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Forest Coverage ◽  
Potential Impact

Forests provide a range of ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing. In a changing climate, forest management is expected to play a fundamental role by preserving the functioning of forest ecosystems and enhancing the adaptive processes. Understanding and quantifying the future forest coverage in view of climate changes is therefore crucial in order to develop appropriate forest management strategies. However, the potential impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems remain largely unknown due to the uncertainties lying behind the future prediction of models. To fill this knowledge gap, here we aim to provide an uncertainty assessment of the potential impact of climate change on the forest coverage in Italy using species distribution modelling technique. The spatial distribution of 19 forest tree species in the country was extracted from the last national forest inventory and modelled using nine Species Distribution Models algorithms, six different Global Circulation Models (GCMs), and one Regional Climate Models (RCMs) for 2050s under an intermediate forcing scenario (RCP 4.5). The single species predictions were then compared and used to build a future forest cover map for the country. Overall, no sensible variation in the spatial distribution of the total forested area was predicted with compensatory effects in forest coverage of different tree species, whose magnitude and patters appear largely modulated by the driving climate models. The analyses reported an unchanged amount of total land suitability to forest growth in mountain areas while smaller values were predicted for valleys and floodplains than high-elevation areas. Pure woods were predicted as the most influenced when compared with mixed stands which are characterized by a greater species richness and, therefore, a supposed higher level of biodiversity and resilience to climate change threatens. Pure softwood stands along the Apennines chain in central Italy (e.g., Pinus, Abies) were more sensitive than hardwoods (e.g., Fagus, Quercus) and generally characterized by pure and even-aged planted forests, much further away from their natural structure where admixture with other tree species is more likely. In this context a sustainable forest management strategy may reduce the potential impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. Silvicultural practices should be aimed at increasing the species richness and favoring hardwoods currently growing as dominating species under conifers canopy, stimulating the natural regeneration, gene flow, and supporting (spatial) migration processes.

scholarly journals Radial Growth Adaptability to Drought in Different Age Groups of Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey in the Tianshan Mountains of Northwestern China

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 455
Author(s):  
Liang Jiao ◽  
Xiaoping Liu ◽  
Shengjie Wang ◽  
Ke Chen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Tianshan Mountains ◽  
Picea Schrenkiana

Forest ecosystems are strongly impacted by extreme climate, and the age effects of radial growth under drought can provide profound understanding of the adaptation strategy of a tree species to climate change. Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey) trees of three age groups (young, middle-aged, and old) were collected to establish the tree-ring width chronologies in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of northwestern China. Meanwhile, we analyzed and compared the response and resistance disparities of radial growth to drought in trees of different age groups. The results showed that (1) drought stress caused by increasing temperatures was the main factor limiting the radial growth of Schrenk spruce, (2) the old and young trees were more susceptible to drought stress than the middle-aged trees, as suggested by the responses of Schrenk spruce trees and based on the SPEI (standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index), and (3) the difference of the resistance indexes (resistance, recovery, resilience, and relative resilience) of three age groups to drought supported that the resistance values were in the order middle age > young age > old age, but the recovery, resilience, and relative resilience values were in the order old age > young age > middle age. These results will provide a basis for the ecological restoration and scientific management of dominant coniferous tree species of different age groups in the sub-alpine forest ecosystems of the arid regions under climate change scenarios.

scholarly journals Tropical tree growth sensitivity to climate is driven by species intrinsic growth rate and leaf traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bauman ◽  
Claire Fortunel ◽  
Lucas A. Cernusak ◽  
Lisa P. Bentley ◽  
Sean M. McMahon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Growth Data ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Evaporative Demand

A better understanding of how climate affects growth in tree species is essential for improved predictions of forest dynamics under climate change. Long-term climate averages (mean climate) and short-term deviations from these averages (anomalies) both influence tree growth, but the rarity of long-term data integrating climatic gradients with tree censuses has so far limited our understanding of their respective role, especially in tropical systems. Here, we combined 49 years of growth data for 509 tree species across 23 tropical rainforest plots along a climatic gradient to examine how tree growth responds to both climate means and anomalies, and how species functional traits mediate these tree growth responses to climate. We showed that short-term, anomalous increases in atmospheric evaporative demand and solar radiation consistently reduced tree growth. Drier forests and fast-growing species were more sensitive to water stress anomalies. In addition, species traits related to water use and photosynthesis partly explained differences in growth sensitivity to both long-term and short-term climate variations. Our study demonstrates that both climate means and anomalies shape tree growth in tropical forests, and that species traits can be leveraged to understand these demographic responses to climate change, offering a promising way forward to forecast tropical forest dynamics under different climate trajectories.

scholarly journals Drought Drives Growth and Mortality Rates in Three Pine Species under Mediterranean Conditions

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Cristina Valeriano ◽  
Antonio Gazol ◽  
Michele Colangelo ◽  
Jesús Julio Camarero
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Western Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Tree Ring Data ◽  
Distribution Limits ◽  
Pine Species

Drought constrains tree growth in regions with seasonal water deficit where growth decline can lead to tree death. This has been observed in regions such as the western Mediterranean Basin, which is a climate-warming hotspot. However, we lack information on intra- and inter-specific comparisons of growth rates and responses to water shortage in these hotspots, considering tree species with different drought tolerance. We sampled several sites located in north-eastern Spain showing dieback and high mortality rates of three pine species (Pinus sylvestris, Pinus pinaster, Pinus halepensis). We dated death years and reconstructed the basal area increment of coexisting living and recently dead trees using tree ring data. Then, we calculated bootstrapped Pearson correlations between a drought index and growth. Finally, we used linear mixed-effects models to determine differences in growth trends and the response to drought of living and dead trees. Mortality in P. sylvestris and P. pinaster peaked in response to the 2012 and 2017 droughts, respectively, and in sites located near the species’ xeric distribution limits. In P. halepensis, tree deaths occurred most years. Dead trees showed lower growth rates than living trees in five out of six sites. There was a strong growth drop after the 1980s when climate shifted towards warmer and drier conditions. Tree growth responded positively to wet climate conditions, particularly in the case of living trees. Accordingly, growth divergence between living and dead trees during dry periods reflected cumulative drought impacts on trees. If aridification continues, tree drought mortality would increase, particularly in xeric distribution limits of tree species.

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