Abstract
Introduction and statement of the research questions
Gap dynamics have been widely studied in forests of Abies spp. from temperate and boreal regions. The local microclimate and competition for light have been identified as the main factors controlling changes in species composition and canopy structure, however little is known on dynamics of such forests in Mediterranean.
Experimental design and aims
We studied forest structure and dynamics of Abies pinsapo stands in southern Spain, in contrasting habitats and successional status. In addition past regeneration patterns and their relationship to canopy structure, disturbances and forest-use history were investigated.
Results
Stands structure attributes were within the range described for temperate conifer biomes. The age structure revealed two main cohorts comprised of a few > 100 year-old trees and abundant younger trees established in a single recruitment event after the stands were protected in the 1950s. Initial growth-rate analyses indicated that A. pinsapo regenerated mainly in small canopy gaps, while only 15% recruited from the forest understorey. For the last ten years, basal area increment was lower than 10 cm2 y−1 in 91% of studied trees and growth rate differences between trees narrowed.
Conclusion
Stand dynamics in A. pinsapo forests maintain general features of temperate fir forests. Tree establishment over time and current stand structure fit to known changes in forest use. Widespread growth decline trends might be linked to stand stagnation and global warming.
Résumé
Introduction et état des questions de recherche
Les dynamiques des trouées ont été largement étudiées dans les forêts d’Abies spp. à partir des régions tempérées et boréales. Le microclimat local et la compétition pour la lumière ont été identifiés comme les principaux facteurs de contrôle des changements dans la composition des espèces et la structure du couvert, mais on sait peu de choses sur la dynamique de ces forêts dans les écosystèmes méditerranéens.
Plan expérimental et objectifs
Nous avons étudié la structure de la forêt et la dynamique de peuplements d’Abies pinsapo dans le sud de l’Espagne, dans des habitats contrastés et dans des états d’évolution successifs. En outre, les modèles passés de régénération et leurs relations avec la structure du couvert, les perturbations et l’histoire de l’utilisation des forêts ont été étudiés.
Résultats
Les attributs de structure des peuplements se situent dans la gamme décrite pour les biomes de conifères tempérés. La structure des âges a révélé deux cohortes principales composées de quelques vieux arbres d’un âge supérieur à 100 ans, et de nombreux jeunes arbres établis dans un seul évènement de régénération après que les peuplements aient été protégés dans les années 1950. Les premières analyses des taux de croissance ont indiqué que A. pinsapo s’est régénéré principalement dans les petites trouées, tandis que seulement 15 % des arbres ont été recrutés dans le sous-bois. Au cours des dix dernières années, l’augmentation de la surface terrière a été inférieure à 10 cm2 an−1 chez 91 % des arbres étudiés et les différences entre les taux de croissance des arbres étaient réduites.
Conclusion
Les dynamique des peuplements d’A. pinsapo conservent les caractéristiques générales des forêts de sapins tempérés. L’installation des arbres et la structure actuelle des peuplements permettent de connaître les changements dans l’utilisation de la forêt. La baisse généralisée des tendances de croissance pourrait être liée à la stagnation du peuplement et au réchauffement de la planète.
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Linares, J.C., Carreira, J.A. Temperate-like stand dynamics in relict Mediterranean-fir (Abies pinsapo, Boiss.) forests from southern Spain. Ann. For. Sci. 66, 610 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009040
Keywords
- Abies pinsapo
- stand structure
- forest dynamic
- land-use change
- gap-phase regeneration
- Mediterranean-type ecosystems