Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of droughts around the globe, leading to tree mortality that reduces production and provision of other ecosystem services. Recent studies show ...that growth of mixed stands may be more resilient to drought than pure stands. The two most economically important and widely distributed tree species in Europe are Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), but little is known about their susceptibility to drought when coexist.
This paper analyses the resilience (resistance, recovery rate and recovery time) at individual‐tree level using a network of tree‐ring collections from 22 sites along a climatic gradient from central Europe to Scandinavia. We aimed to identify differences in growth following drought between the two species and between mixed and pure stands, and how environmental variables (climate, topography and site location) and tree characteristics influence them.
We found that both the timing and duration of drought drive the different responses between species and compositions. Norway spruce showed higher vulnerability to summer drought, with both lower resistance and a longer recovery time than Scots pine. Mixtures provided higher drought resistance for both species compared to pure stands, but the benefit decreases with the duration of the drought. Especially climate sensitive and old trees in climatically marginal sites were more affected by drought stress.
Synthesis. Promoting Scots pine and mixed forests is a promising strategy for adapting European forests to climate change. However, if future droughts become longer, the advantage of mixed stands could disappear which would be especially negative for Norway spruce.
Mixtures of Scots pine and Norway spruce provided higher drought resistance for both species compared to pure stands, but the benefit decreases with drought duration. Norway spruce showed higher vulnerability to summer drought, with both lower resistance and a longer recovery time. Promoting Scots pine and mixed forests is a promising strategy for adapting European forests to climate change.
The increasing disturbances in monocultures around the world are testimony to their instability under global change. Many studies have claimed that temporal stability of productivity increases with ...species richness, although the ecological fundamentals have mainly been investigated through diversity experiments. To adequately manage forest ecosystems, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the effect of mixing species on the temporal stability of productivity and the way in which it is influenced by climate conditions across large geographical areas.
Here, we used a unique dataset of 261 stands combining pure and two‐species mixtures of four relevant tree species over a wide range of climate conditions in Europe to examine the effect of species mixing on the level and temporal stability of productivity. Structural equation modelling was employed to further explore the direct and indirect influence of climate, overyielding, species asynchrony and additive effect (i.e. temporal stability expected from the species growth in monospecific stands) on temporal stability in mixed forests.
We showed that by adding only one tree species to monocultures, the level (overyielding: +6%) and stability (temporal stability: +12%) of stand growth increased significantly. We identified the key effect of temperature on destabilizing stand growth, which may be mitigated by mixing species. We further confirmed asynchrony as the main driver of temporal stability in mixed stands, through both the additive effect and species interactions, which modify between‐species asynchrony in mixtures in comparison to monocultures.
Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the emergent properties associated with mixing two species, which result in resource efficient and temporally stable production systems. We reveal the negative impact of mean temperature on temporal stability of forest productivity and how the stabilizing effect of mixing two species can counterbalance this impact. The overyielding and temporal stability of growth addressed in this paper are essential for ecosystem services closely linked with the level and rhythm of forest growth. Our results underline that mixing two species can be a realistic and effective nature‐based climate solution, which could contribute towards meeting EU climate target policies.
Resumen
Las cada vez más frecuentes perturbaciones en masas forestales monoespecíficas en todo el mundo, son una muestra de su inestabilidad bajo el cambio climático. Numerosos estudios indican que la estabilidad temporal de la productividad aumenta con la riqueza de especies, aunque los fundamentos ecológicos de esta relación se han estudiado principalmente en experimentos de diversidad de especies. Para una gestión adecuada de los ecosistemas forestales, es necesaria una mejor comprensión del efecto de la mezcla de especies en la estabilidad temporal de la productividad y de cómo esta se ve modificada por las condiciones climáticas.
En este trabajo usamos una base de datos única de 261 masas monoespecíficas y mixtas de dos especies a largo de un amplio rango de condiciones climáticas para examinar el efecto de la mezcla de especies en el nivel y estabilidad temporal de la productividad. Las mezclas estudiadas son combinaciones de dos especies entre cuatro de las especies forestales más relevantes en Europa. Se utilizan modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para explorar la influencia directa e indirecta del clima, el mayor crecimiento en mixtas que en puras (overyielding), la asincronía entre especies y el efecto aditivo (estabilidad temporal esperada según el crecimiento de las dos especies en las masas puras) en la estabilidad temporal en masas mixtas.
Los resultados muestran que añadiendo solo una especie a las masas monoespecíficas el nivel (overyielding: +6%) y la estabilidad temporal (+12%) del crecimiento aumentan significativamente. Se ha identificado que la temperatura tiene un efecto clave en la desestabilización del crecimiento, que puede ser mitigado en parte por la mezcla de especies. Se confirma que la asincronía, a través del efecto aditivo y de la interacción de especies (que modifica la asincronía entre especies en masas mixtas con respecto a la de las masas monoespecíficas), es el principal factor que explica la mayor estabilidad temporal en masas mixtas.
Síntesis y aplicaciones. Este estudio revela las propiedades emergentes asociadas a la mezcla de dos especies, que resultan en sistemas de producción eficientes y estables. Se identifica el impacto negativo de las temperaturas en la estabilidad temporal de la productividad y cómo el efecto estabilizador de la mezcla de dos especies puede contrarrestar este impacto. El nivel y la estabilidad temporal del crecimiento estudiados en este trabajo son fundamentales en los servicios ecosistémicos ligados al nivel y el ritmo del crecimiento forestal. Los resultados subrayan que la mezcla de dos especies puede ser una realista y efectiva solución climática basada en la naturaleza, que contribuya a cumplir los objetivos climáticos de la EU.
This study highlights the emergent properties associated with mixing two‐species, which result in resource efficient and temporally stable production systems. We reveal the negative impact of mean temperature on temporal stability of forest productivity and how the stabilizing effect of mixing two species can counterbalance this impact. The overyielding and temporal stability of growth addressed in this paper are essential for ecosystem services closely linked with the level and rhythm of forest growth. Our results underline that mixing two species can be a realistic and effective nature‐based climate solution, which could contribute towards meeting EU climate target policies.
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•Size-asymmetric and inter-specific competition drove tree growth in mixtures.•Tree growth and size of Scots pine was higher in mixtures compared to monocultures.•Drought drove tree ...growth for both species, but temperature only affects pine.•Weather conditions modified inter-specific tree competition for both species.•Growth reduction of Norway spruce in mixtures may be offset by faster Scots pine growth.
Mixed forests are suggested as a strategic adaptation of forest management to climate change. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) are tree species of high economic and ecological value for European forestry. Both species coexist naturally in a large part of their distributions but there is a lack of knowledge on the ecological functioning of mixtures of these species and how to manage such stands. This paper analyses these species’ intra- and inter-specific competition, including size-symmetric vs. size-asymmetric competition, and explore the effect of weather conditions on tree growth and competition. We studied basal area growth at tree level for Scots pine and Norway spruce in mixed versus pure stands in 22 triplets of fully-stocked plots along a broad range of ecological conditions across Europe. Stand inventory and increment cores provided insights into how species mixing modifies tree growth compared with neighbouring pure stands. Five different competition indices, weather variables and their interactions were included and checked in basal area growth models using a linear mixed model approach. Interspecific size-asymmetric competition strongly influenced growth for both tree species, and was modulated by weather conditions. However, species height stratification in mixed stands resulted in a greater tree basal area growth of Scots pine (10.5 cm2 year−1) than in pure stands (9.3 cm2 year−1), as this species occupies the upper canopy layer. Scots pine growth depended on temperature and drought, whereas Norway spruce growth was influenced only by drought. Interspecific site-asymmetric competition increased in cold winters for Scots pine, and decreased after a drought year for Norway spruce. Although mixtures of these species may reduce tree size for Norway spruce, our results suggest that this could be offset by faster growth in Scots pine. How inter-specific competition and weather conditions alter tree growth may have strong implications for the management of Scots pine-Norway spruce mixtures along the rotation period into the ongoing climate change scenario.
•Mixtures showed a significantly higher basal area increment than monocultures.•Transgressive overyielding was detected in 35% of the sites and degressive underyielding in 15%•Higher stratification ...was found in mixed-species stands with a strong effect on productivity.•Site conditions have a limited impact on productivity.
Mixed-species stands have been found to be more productive than would be expected from the performance of their component species in monocultures due to facilitation and complementarity between species, although these interactions depend on the combination of species present. Our study focuses on monospecific and mixed-species stands of Scots pine and Norway spruce using 20 triplets established in nine countries along a climatic gradient across Europe. Differences in mean tree and stand characteristics, productivity and stand structure were assessed. Basal area increment in mixed stands was 8% higher than expected while volume increment was only 2% greater. Scots pine trees growing in mixed-species stands showed 11% larger quadratic mean diameter, 7% larger dominant diameter, 17% higher basal area and 25% higher stand volume than trees growing in monospecific stands. Norway spruce showed only a non-significant tendency to lower mean values of diameters, heights, basal area, as well standing volume in mixtures than monocultures. Stand structure indices differed between mixed stands and monocultures of Scots pine showing a greater stratification in mixed-species stands. Furthermore, the studied morphological traits showed little variability for trees growing in monospecific stands, except for diameter at breast height, crown length and crown length ratio. For trees growing in mixed stands, all the morphological traits of the trees were identified as different. Some of these morphological traits were associated with relative productivity. Nevertheless, relative productivity in mixed-species stands was not related to site conditions.
•The study based on 90 mature Scots pine stands along a productivity gradient across Europe.•Growth partitioning became more asymmetric and structuring with increasing site quality.•Mortality ...eliminated predominantly small trees with increasing site quality.•We found the highest size variation on poor sites and the lowest on rich sites.•As a result stand structure became more homogeneous with increasing site quality.
Heterogeneity of structure can increase mechanical stability, stress resistance and resilience, biodiversity and many other functions and services of forest stands. That is why many silvicultural measures aim at enhancing structural diversity. However, the effectiveness and potential of structuring may depend on the site conditions. Here, we revealed how the stand structure is determined by site quality and results from site-dependent partitioning of growth and mortality among the trees. We based our study on 90 mature, even-aged, fully stocked monocultures of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sampled in 21 countries along a productivity gradient across Europe. A mini-simulation study further analyzed the site-dependency of the interplay between growth and mortality and the resulting stand structure. The overarching hypothesis was that the stand structure changes with site quality and results from the site-dependent asymmetry of competition and mortality.
First, we show that Scots pine stands structure across Europe become more homogeneous with increasing site quality. The coefficient of variation and Gini coefficient of stem diameter and tree height continuously decreased, whereas Stand Density Index and stand basal area increased with site index.
Second, we reveal a site-dependency of the growth distribution among the trees and the mortality. With increasing site index, the asymmetry of both competition and growth distribution increased and suggested, at first glance, an increase in stand heterogeneity. However, with increasing site index, mortality eliminates mainly small instead of all-sized trees, cancels the size variation and reduces the structural heterogeneity.
Third, we modelled the site-dependent interplay between growth partitioning and mortality. By scenario runs for different site conditions, we can show how the site-dependent structure at the stand level emerges from the asymmetric competition and mortality at the tree level and how the interplay changes with increasing site quality across Europe.
Our most interesting finding was that the growth partitioning became more asymmetric and structuring with increasing site quality, but that the mortality eliminated predominantly small trees, reduced their size variation and thus reversed the impact of site quality on the structure. Finally, the reverse effects of mode of growth partitioning and mortality on the stand structure resulted in the highest size variation on poor sites and decreased structural heterogeneity with increasing site quality. Since our results indicate where heterogeneous structures need silviculture interventions and where they emerge naturally, we conclude that these findings may improve system understanding and modelling and guide forest management aiming at structurally rich forests.
A change of the forestry management approach where semi-natural forests are re-created after logging instead of tree plantations will contribute to a sustainable forestry. Such a change will increase ...resilience to damages on trees, thus contributing to a more reliable supply of wood, improve reindeer husbandry, and reduce climate-driving gases. Furthermore, re-creation of semi-natural forests will better secure biodiversity. Since adequate protection of many threatened forest species, however, is not compatible with even moderate logging, a functional conservation model also has to include total saving of parts of the forest landscape.
Despite increased efficiency in the use of natural resources, the use of these resources continues to increase in most societies. This paper examines the discrepancy between the potential decrease of ...use of natural resources, as an effect of increased efficiency, and actual use. During the period 1960–2002, this difference was found to grow faster in the USA than the mean for six West European countries. Possible reasons for this difference between the two regions are analysed. To reduce the anthropogenic flows of energy and material, and the consequent deleterious effects on the biosphere, it will become necessary to adapt consumption to degree of efficiency in the use of natural resources. Based on the comparison between the two regions, some economic aspects of this issue are discussed.
Despite increased efficiency in the use of natural resources, the use of these resources continues to increase in most societies. This paper examines the discrepancy between the potential decrease of ...use of natural resources, as an effect of increased efficiency, and actual use. During the period 1960-2002, this difference was found to grow faster in the USA than the mean for six West European countries. Possible reasons for this difference between the two regions are analysed. To reduce the anthropogenic flows of energy and material, and the consequent deleterious effects on the biosphere, it will become necessary to adapt consumption to degree of efficiency in the use of natural resources. Based on the comparison between the two regions, some economic aspects of this issue are discussed.
Provider: - Institution: - Data provided by Europeana Collections- På uppdrag av Miljöhögskolan vid Umeå universitet har Centrum för regionalvetenskap (CERUM) utfört en inledande sondering och en ...preliminär förstudie där syftet har varit att lägga grunden för ett tvärvetenskapligt forskningsprojekt baserat på en vid definition av begreppet ”hållbar utveckling”. Projektets vetenskapliga bas är lagd med huvudvikt på samhällsvetenskapliga och humanistiska analysdimensioner, vilket inte utesluter de, i dessa sammanhang mer vanligen förekommande, naturvetenskapliga och teknologiska analys-dimensioner.Som en väsentlig del av denna förstudie ingår att samla/skapa en forskargrupp bestående av forskare från olika discipliner företrädesvis från Umeå universitet, samt att formulera en plan över en fördjupningsstudie. Koordinator för projektet är för närvarande Olof Stjernström, CERUM och Kulturgeografiska institutionen, Umeå universitet.- All metadata published by Europeana are available free of restriction under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. However, Europeana requests that you actively acknowledge and give attribution to all metadata sources including Europeana
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