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  • Pedunculate oak is more resistant to drought and extreme events than narrow-leaved ash in Central European floodplain forests [Elektronski vir]
    Basu, Soham ...
    The vulnerability of floodplain forests, a critically sensitive global ecosystem, is exacerbated by both hydrological management practices and the escalating frequency and severity of drought events ... caused by climate change. This issue is particularly acute in Central European floodplain forests, where river regulation and reduced groundwater levels have markedly contributed to increased water deficits and intensified drought conditions, causing forest growth decline, species dieback and shifts in forest composition. In this study, we utilized tree-ring measurements from pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) across four sites with varying groundwater levels. This approach allowed us to assess the impact of artificial groundwater modifications and drought conditions in their growth, providing valuable insights into the resilience and adaptation of these species. Our study indicates that the most determining drivers of tree-growth are hydrological parameters such as groundwater levels and drought indices while temperature alone was less important for tree growth. However, we observed species-specific growth responses to these environmental drivers. In particular, Q. robur exhibited a greater adaptability to climatic variables, with a weaker relationship of tree-ring width to climate compared to F. angustifolia, which demonstrated a stronger dependence on hydroclimatic variables and appeared to feature a higher drought susceptibility. Our findings also reveal that radial growth during the vegetation period relies on different water sources; in spring, growth is primarily driven by precipitation, while groundwater levels become more critical in summer and autumn. Overall, our study underscores the significant threat posed to floodplain forests by both groundwater modifications and the escalating frequency of drought events. However, not all floodplain species are equally adaptable to these environmental changes, exhibiting varied responses and vulnerability.
    Source: Forest Ecology and Management [Elektronski vir]. - ISSN 1872-7042 (Vol. 561, 121907, 2024, str. 1-12)
    Type of material - e-article
    Publish date - 2024
    Language - english
    COBISS.SI-ID - 193519875

    Link(s):

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112724002196?via%3Dihub
    DOI

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