Affiliation:
1. Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, 111 Rigas Str., LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Abstract
The ongoing shifts in natural vegetation zones predict the expansion of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) into the Eastern Baltic region, suggesting it will become a potential alternative to birch (Betula pendula Roth. and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) in forest regeneration. For a successful application of alternative forest regeneration material, an evaluation of susceptibility to natural disturbances (e.g., wind) is necessary for reliable projections of timber yield in the long term. This study compared the loading resistance of beech growing in the northeasternmost stands in Europe to local birch by applying the static tree-pulling test. Relationships between dimensions of aboveground parts and resistance against intrinsic wood damages (primary failure) and fatal (secondary) failure were similar between species. However, birch, which is more drought sensitive compared to beech, is suggested to have a higher susceptibility to post-storm legacy effects, supporting beech as a potential alternative to birch in terms of wind resistance.
Funder
Latvia’s State Forests project “Support for Forest Tree Seed Production”
Reference49 articles.
1. Contemporary forest restoration: A review emphasizing function;Stanturf;For. Ecol. Manag.,2014
2. Konnert, M., Fady, B., Gömöry, D., A’Hara, S., Wolter, F., Ducci, F., Koskela, J., Bozzano, M., Maaten, T., and Kowalczyk, J. (2015). Use and Transfer of Forest Reproductive Material in Europe in the Context of Climate Change, Euforgen, Bioversity International.
3. The north-eastern distribution range of European beech—A review;Bolte;Forestry,2007
4. Projecting tree species composition changes of European forest for 2061–2090 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios;Buras;Front. Plant Sci.,2019
5. Projecting the future distribution of European potential natural vegetation zones with a generalized, tree species-based dynamic vegetation model;Hickler;Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr.,2012