Effects of climate and forest management on the water and nitrogen status of European beech regeneration and understorey vegetation

Human activities result in climate changes with various impacts on forest ecosystems. An increase in global surface temperature, compared to pre-industrial levels, is already recorded and further elevation is expected. Extreme events, such as hot and dry periods, would increase in frequency and duration in near future. Due to the low adaptive capacity of forest ecosystems to rapid climate changes, high priority is given to the assessment of their responses. Particularly, studies on forests dominated by the drought susceptible European beech, especially when grown on limestone-derived soils with low water storage capacity, being common in Central and Southern Europe, are important. Moreover, climate models emphasize the significance of management practices for the adaptation to the expected changes, since they could contribute to the mitigation of possible adverse effects of climate change. <br>The present study assessed the effects of different climatic conditions on the nitrogen and water status of natural beech regeneration grown in managed (thinned) and not managed (control) stands in a forest in Southern Germany. A SW-exposed site, characterized by low water availability and high temperature and radiation interception, was regarded as representative of the climate conditions expected in the future, whereas a NE-exposed site was used as typical of present climatic conditions. In parallel, controlled greenhouse-experiments enabled an in depth assessment of the effects of thinning-induced increases in understorey vegetation density on growth of beech regeneration. <br>It was concluded that thinning favours the N and water status of beech regeneration under the current climatic conditions. However, if prolonged drought periods and warming occur in near future, application of this practise could intensify the reverse effects of such suboptimal conditions and impair the establishment and growth of natural regeneration in European beech grown on limestone.

Author dc:creator

• Fotelli, Mariangela

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rennenberg, Heinz

• Konkurrenz
• Global change
• climate
• thinning
• European beech
• nitrogen
• water status

Repository record source_url

https://freidok.uni-freiburg.de/data/479

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:freidok.uni-freiburg.de:479