Long-term population dynamics of Fagus sylvatica at the northern limits of its distribution in southern Sweden: a palaeoecological study

Abstract

Regional pollen diagrams indicate that Fagus may have been present close to its northern distri butional limits in southern Sweden for as long as 1000 years. Fagus has probably always been rare in this region, except for some small and scattered stands. Many of these outlying Fagus stands have been regarded as planted but no previous studies have investigated this in detail. At Mattarp, a small outpost Fagus stand in northern Småland, the pollen record of the deposit of a small hollow indicates that Fagus became established c. 400 BP. The local establishment was associated with an earlier phase of woodland clearance and the former system of land-use. Local factors seem to have controlled the immigration and establishment at the stand-scale at this site. Regional climate had probably been favourable for Fagus for almost 2000 years and cannot be regarded as the direct cause for establishment at this site. The complex south Swedish cultural landscape may have favoured Fagus establishment in many areas, particularly when there has been a temporary reduction in human influence. Picea became regionally established around 800 BP, but a local expansion did not occur until c. 400 BP, coinciding with the establishment of Fagus. Picea expansion also seems to have been favoured by a moderate human influence at this site. Fagus pollen influx values have steadily increased since the time of establishment. It seems likely that the Fagus stand has continually increased in size, and probably would continue to do so if this were not prevented by human activities.