The causes of upper tree limits in the mountain ranges of Central Europe north of the Alps - A stem growth perspective

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00027073%3A_____%2F18%3AN0000010" target="_blank" >RIV/00027073:_____/18:N0000010 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11310/18:10382021

Result on the web

<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvs.12691" target="_blank" >https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvs.12691</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvs.12691" target="_blank" >10.1111/jvs.12691</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The causes of upper tree limits in the mountain ranges of Central Europe north of the Alps - A stem growth perspective

Original language description

Questions Globally, mean growing season temperature at the climatic treeline was found to converge to a common isotherm, presumably related to similar growth limitations by low temperature. However, temperatures for high-elevation tree limits are often higher than the corresponding thermal limit for tree growth, suggesting that trees are regionally absent from the potential treeline. We explore whether the regional uppermost tree stands in Central Europe are limited by low growing season temperature, reflect the action of a "summit syndrome" (harsh climatic conditions near summits of insufficiently high mountains), or have resulted from historical land use or other disturbances. Location Mountains of Central Europe, north and east of the Alps (48-51 degrees N, 10-20 degrees E). Methods In each region, the highest elevation, 3-m tall individuals of Picea abies were sampled to measure radial and height growth and to record symptoms of wind-induced damage (abrasion, bending, breakage). Trees were grouped based on their growth performance and growing season temperature. Differences in variables indicative of a summit syndrome (wind-induced damage, elevation distance to nearest summit, height increment above 2 m stem height) were tested among groups. Results We identified four particular groups of trees. The first contains trees characterized by low growth rates at cold tree limits located distant from summit areas. These trees are considered to represent the climatic treeline. The second group consists of trees growing well at relatively "warm" tree limits located near summits. These upper tree limits are probably a consequence of disturbances, human interventions or tree establishment lagging behind the warming over the past century. Trees from the remaining two groups are characterized by intermediate temperatures and growth rates. They are usually located near summits and exhibit various ranges of symptoms of mechanical impact due to summit conditions. Their current range limits reflect a combination of the repeated loss of biomass, thermally-limited growth and restricted space for further upslope advance. Conclusions Our study shows that comparing tree growth, growing season temperature and symptoms of biomass loss is helpful for explaining the formation of regional upper tree limits.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10611 - Plant sciences, botany

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2018

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Vegetation Science

ISSN

1100-9233

e-ISSN

1654-1103

Volume of the periodical

29

Issue of the periodical within the volume

6

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

10

Pages from-to

1007-1016

UT code for WoS article

000454200200006

EID of the result in the Scopus database

—