Tree structure and diversity shape the biomass of primary temperate mountain forests

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41320%2F24%3A100573" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41320/24:100573 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fecs.2024.100215" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fecs.2024.100215</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fecs.2024.100215" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.fecs.2024.100215</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Tree structure and diversity shape the biomass of primary temperate mountain forests

Original language description

Primary forests are spatially diverse terrestrial ecosystems with unique characteristics, being naturally regenerative and heterogeneous, which supports the stability of their carbon storage through the accumulation of live and dead biomass. Yet, little is known about the interactions between biomass stocks, tree genus diversity and structure across a temperate montane primary forest. Here, we investigated the relationship between tree structure (variability in basal area and tree size), genus-level diversity (abundance, tree diversity) and biomass stocks in temperate primary mountain forests across Central and Eastern Europe. We used inventory data from 726 permanent sample plots from mixed beech and spruce across the Carpathian Mountains. We used nonlinear regression to analyse the spatial variability in forest biomass, structure, and genus-level diversity and how they interact with plot-level tree age, disturbances, temperature and altitude. We found that the combined effects of genus and structural indices were important for addressing the variability in biomass across different spatial scales. Local processes in disturbance regimes and uneven tree age support forest heterogeneity and the accumulation of live and dead biomass through the natural regeneration, growth and decay of the forest ecosystem. Structural complexities in basal area index, supported by genus-level abundance, positively influence total biomass stocks, which was modulated by tree age and disturbances. Spruce forests showed higher tree density and basal area than mixed beech forests, though mixed beech still contributes significantly to biomass across landscapes. Forest heterogeneity was strongly influenced by complexities in forest composition (tree genus diversity, structure). We addressed the importance of primary forests as stable carbon stores, achieved through structure and diversity. Safeguarding such ecosystems is critical for ensuring the stability of the primary forest, carbon store and biodiversity into the future.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

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

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

40100 - Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA21-27454S" target="_blank" >GA21-27454S: Large scale analyses of primary forests: Disentangling drivers of biomass and biodiversity indicators</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

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

Name of the periodical

Forest Ecosystems

ISSN

2095-6355

e-ISSN

2095-6355

Volume of the periodical

11

Issue of the periodical within the volume

12.0

Country of publishing house

CN - CHINA

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

1-12

UT code for WoS article

001273439800001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85198083480