Abstract
The projected northwards shift in the distribution suggests an expansion of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) into the Baltics and an increase of its commercial potential there. Furthermore, recent studies have shown good long-term survival of underplanted, yet non-rereleased beech under the presumedly limiting climate of the eastern part of Latvia, thus supporting the advance of the thermophilic species. Hence, the estimation of the responses of the underplanted beech to shelterwood removal is a logical step in the assessment of the specie’s growth potential. To analyse the effect of conventionally managed mature coniferous shelterwood thinning on the growth of underplanted European beech, six thinning treatments (100, 75, and 50% of canopy, second canopy storey, second canopy storey with understorey removed, and the control) were tested in the 33-year-old northeasternmost experimental plantation in Europe. Growth responses were evaluated five years after the treatment, when beech was 38 years old. The survival and growth responses to shelterwood thinning and local characteristics at the tree and stand level were estimated using linear models. The post-treatment survival/mortality was independent, yet the dimensions of beech, particularly stem diameter, were significantly affected by shelterwood thinning intensity (positively). Regarding tree height, the response was somewhat weaker compared to that of stem diameter, while being disproportional to thinning intensity, with moderate thinning having the strongest positive effect. The estimated positive responsiveness of beech to shelterwood thinning suggested increasing growth potential of the species and expansion in the Baltics. Though the responses of beech were moderate probably due to the age and harsher climate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agestam E, Ekö PM, Nilsson U, Welander NT (2003) The effects of shelterwood density and site preparation on natural regeneration of Fagus sylvatica in southern Sweden. For Ecol Manag 176(1/3):61–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(02)00277-3
Allen CD, Macalady AK, Chenchouni H et al (2010) A global overview of drought and heat-induced tree mortality reveals emerging climate change risks for forests. For Ecol Manag 259(4):660–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.09.001
Ammer C (2003) Growth and biomass partitioning of Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. seedlings in response to shading and small changes in the R/FR-ratio of radiation. Ann for Sci 60(2):163–171. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2003009
Annighöfer P (2018) Stress relief through gap creation? Growth response of a shade tolerant species (Fagus sylvatica L.) to a changed light environment. For Ecol Manag 415:139–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2018.02.027
Aranda I, Bergasa LF, Gil L, Pardos J (2001) Effects of relative irradiance on the leaf structure of Fagus sylvatica L. seedlings planted in the understory of a Pinus sylvestris L. stand after thinning. Ann for Sci 58:673–680. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2001154
Aussenac G (2000) Interactions between forest stands and microclimate: ecophysiological aspects and consequences for silviculture. Ann for Sci 57:287–301
Bates D, Maechler M, Bolker B, Walker S (2015) Fitting linear mixed-effects models using lme4. J Stat Softw 67:1–48. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1406.5823
Bolte A, Czajkowski T, Kompa T (2007) The north-eastern distribution range of European beech—a review. Forestry 80:413–429. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpm028
Boncina A, Kadunc A, Robic D (2007) Effects of selective thinning on growth and development of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest stands in south-eastern Slovenia. Ann for Sci 64(1):47–57. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:20060874
Bontemps JD, Hervé JC, Dhôte JF (2010) Dominant radial and height growth reveal comparable historical variations for common beech in north-eastern France. For Ecol Manag 259(8):1455–1463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.01.019
Caquet B, Montpied P, Dreyer E, Epron D, Collet C (2010) Response to canopy opening does not act as a filter to Fagus sylvatica and Acer sp. advance regeneration in a mixed temperate forest. Ann for Sci 67:105. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009086
Čater M, Diaci J, Roženbergar D (2014) Gap size and position influence variable response of Fagus sylvatica L. and Abies alba Mill. For Ecol Manag 325:128–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.04.001
Cavin L, Jump AS (2017) Highest drought sensitivity and lowest resistance to growth suppression are found in the range core of the tree Fagus sylvatica L. not the equatorial range edge. Glob Change Biol 23(1):362–379. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13366
Collet C, Chenost C (2006) Using competition and light estimates to predict diameter and height growth of naturally regenerated beech seedlings growing under changing canopy conditions. Forestry 79(5):489–502. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpl033
Collet C, Fournier M, Ningre F, Hounzandji AP-I, Constant T (2011) Growth and posture control strategies in Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus saplings in response to canopy disturbance. Ann Bot 107:1345–1353. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcr058
Collet C, Lanter O, Pardos M (2001) Effects of canopy opening on height and diameter growth in naturally regenerated beech seedlings. Ann for Sci 58(2):127–134. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2001112
Collet C, Lanter O, Pardos M (2002) Effects of canopy opening on the morphology and anatomy of naturally regenerated beech seedlings. Trees 16(4–5):291–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-001-0159-x
Diaconu D, Kahle HP, Spiecker H (2015) Tree-and stand-level thinning effects on growth of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) on a northeast-and a southwest-facing slope in southwest Germany. Forests 6(9):3256–3277. https://doi.org/10.3390/f6093256
Dittmar C, Zech W, Elling W (2003) Growth variations of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under different climatic and environmental conditions in Europe—A dendroecological study. For Ecol Manag 173:63–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00816-7
Durrant, TH, De Rigo D, Caudullo G (2016) Fagus sylvatica in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. European atlas of forest tree species. Luxembourg, Europe: European Commission. https://www.org/mtv/FISE-Comm/v01/e012b90. Accessed 30 September 2023
Felton A, Petersson L, Nilsson O et al (2020) The tree species matters: biodiversity and ecosystem service implications of replacing Scots pine production stands with Norway spruce. Ambio 49(5):1035–1049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01259-x
Fortu DA (2023) A comparison of thinning programmes in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) based on permanent plots in Southern Sweden. Master’s thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Tompson D, Fennessy J (2011) Beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Irish Forestry. In: Frýdl J, Novotný P, Fennessy J, von Wühlisch G (ed) Genetic Resources of Beech in Europe—Current State, Vol. 350, VTI, Braunschweig, pp 167–170
Hara T, Kimura M, Kikuzawa K (1991) Growth patterns of tree height and stem diameter in populations of Abies veitchii, A. mariesii and Betula ermanii. J Ecol 79:1085–1098. https://doi.org/10.2307/2261100
Hickler T, Vohland K, Feehan J, Miller PA, Smith B, Costa L, Giesecke T, Fronzek S, Carter TR, Cramer W, Kuhn I, Sykes MT (2012) Projecting the future distribution of European potential natural vegetation zones with a generalized, tree species-based dynamic vegetation model. Global Ecol Biogeogr 21:60–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-8238.2010.00613.x
Jansone D, Matisons R, Kārše V, Bāders E, Kaupe D, Jansons Ā (2023) Structural heterogeneity of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands at its northernmost limits. Sustainability 15(20):14681. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014681
Jansons Ā, Matisons R, Puriņa L, Neimane U, Jansons J (2015) Relationships between climatic variables and tree-ring width of European beech and European larch growing outside of their natural distribution area. Silva Fenn 49(1):1255. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.1255
Klumpp R, Steiner H, Hochbichler E (2010) Current state of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) gene-pool in Austria. In: Frýdl J, Novotný P, Fennessy J, von Wühlisch G (ed) Genetic Resources of Beech in Europe—Current State, vol 350. VTI, Braunschweig, pp 38–45
Kramer K, Degen B, Buschbom J, Hickler T, Thuiller W, Sykes M, de Winter W (2010) Modelling exploration of the future of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under climate change—range, abundance, genetic diversity and adaptive response. For Ecol Manag 259:2213–2222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.12.023
Kunstler G, Curt T, Bouchaud M, Lepart J (2005) Growth, mortality, and morphological response of European beech and downy oak along a light gradient in sub-Mediterranean forest. Can J for Res 35:1657–1668. https://doi.org/10.1139/x05-097
Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC) (2020) Climate in Latvia. https://klimats.meteo.lv/klimats/latvijas_klimats. Accessed 29 Oct 2023
Leder B, Weihs U (2000) Wachstum und qualitative Entwicklung eines 8 Jahre alten Buchen-Verbandsversuches unter Kiefer im Niederrheinischen Tiefland. Forst Und Holz 55(6):172–176
Leuschner C (2020) Drought response of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)-A review. Perspect Plant Ecol 47:125576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2020.125576
Lichtenthaler HK, Ač A, Marek MV, Kalina J, Urban O (2007) Differences in pigment composition, photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll fluorescence images of sun and shade leaves of four tree species. Plant Physiol Biochem 45:577–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2007.04.006
Liepa I (1996) Tree Growth Study. LUA, Jelgava (Latvia)
Linkevičius E, Junevičiūtė G (2021) Effect of competition and climatic conditions on the growth of beech in the mixed Pine Beech Stand: Lithuanian Case Study. Environ Sci Proc 3:49. https://doi.org/10.3390/IECF2020-07961
Linnert M (2009) Wachstum und Qualität junger Buchen in einem unterschiedlich aufgelichteten Fichtenaltbestand. Dissertation, Universität Göttingen
Löf M (2000) Influence of patch scarification and insect herbivory on growth and survival in Fagus sylvatica L., Picea abies L. Karst. and Quercus robur L. seedlings following a Norway spruce forest. For Ecol Manag 134:111–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(99)00250-9
Löf M, Karlsson M, Sonesson K, Welander TN, Collet C (2007) Growth and mortality in underplanted tree seedlings in response to variations in canopy closure of Norway spruce stands. Forestry 80(4):371–383. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpm022
Löf M, Paulsson R, Rydberg D, Welander NT (2005) The influence of different overstory removal on planted spruce and several broadleaved tree species: survival, growth and pine weevil damage during three years. Ann for Sci 62:237–244. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2005015
Lüttge U, Kluge M, Bauer G (2005) Botanik, 5th edn. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim
Martens S, Preißler C (2010) Reaktion von Verjüngungen unter Fichtenschirm auf plötzliche Freistellung. AFZ-Der Wald 65(10):14–18
Martinez del Castillo E, Zang CS, Buras A et al (2022) Climate-change-driven growth decline of European beech forests. Commun Biol 5(1):163. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03107-3
Matisons R, Puriņa L, Adamovičs A, Robalte L, Jansons Ā (2017) European beech in its northeasternmost stands in Europe: Varying climate-growth relationships among generations and diameter classes. Dendrohronologia 45:123–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dendro.2017.08.004
Matisons R, Šņepsts G, Puriņa L, Donis J, Jansons Ā (2018) Dominant height growth of European beech at the northeasternmost stands in Europe. Silva Fenn 52(1):7818. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.7818
Örlander G, Karlsson C (2000) Influence of shelterwood density on survival and height increment of Picea abies advance growth. Scand J for Res 10:20–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580050160439
Övergaard R, Agestam E, Ekö PM, Johansson U (2009) A method for natural regeneration of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) practiced in southern Sweden. Stud for Suecica 218:30
Parish R, Antos JA (2005) Advanced regeneration and seedling establishment in small cutblocks in high-elevation spruce-fir forest at Sicamous Creek, southern British Columbia. Can J for Res 35:1877–1888. https://doi.org/10.1139/x05-108
Petritan AM, von Lüpke B, Petritan IC (2007) Effects of shade on growth and mortality of maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings. Forestry 80(4):397–441. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpm030
Petritan AM, von Lüpke B, Petritan IC (2009) Influence of light availability on growth, leaf morphology and plant architecture of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) saplings. Eur J for Res 128(1):61–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-008-0239-1
Petritan IC, Lüpke BV, Petritan AM (2011) Influence of shelterwood and ground vegetation on late spring frost damages of planted beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) saplings. Balt for 17(2):227–234
Podrázský V, Baláš M, Linda R, Křivohlavý O (2019) State of beech pole stands established at the clear-cut and in the underplanting. J for Sci 65:256–262. https://doi.org/10.17221/59/2019-JFS
Purina L, Adamovics A, Katrevics J, Katrevica Z, Dzerina B (2016) Growth of Fagus sylvatica in young mixed stand: case study in central Latvia. Res Rur Dev 2:21–27
Puriņa L, Matisons R, Jansons Ā, Šēnhofa S (2016) Survival of European beech in the central part of Latvia 33 years since the plantation. Silva Fenn 50(4):1. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.1656
R Core Team. (2022) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.R-project.org/. Accessed 15 Oct 2023.
Reventlow DOJ, Nord-Larsen T, Sørensen H, Skovsgaard JP (2023) Effects of Norway spruce shelter density and soil scarification method on mortality and height growth of underplanted European beech, European silver fir and Douglas fir. Forestry 96(4):481–497. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpac051
Reventlow DOJ, Nord-Larsen T, Skovsgaard JP (2018) Pre-commercial thinning in naturally regenerated stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.): effects of thinning pattern, stand density and pruning on tree growth and stem quality. Forestry 92:120–132. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpy039
Robakowski P, Antczak P (2008) Ability of silver fir and European beech saplings to acclimate photochemical processes to the light environment under different canopies of trees. Pol J Ecol 56(1):3–16
Roibu CC, Palaghianu C, Nagavciuc V et al (2022) The response of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) populations to climate in the easternmost sites of its European distribution. Plants 11(23):3310. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233310
Stancioiu PT, O’Hara KL (2006) Regeneration growth in different light environments of mixed species, multiaged, mountainous forests of Romania. Eur J for Res 125:151–162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0069-3
Stiers M, Willim K, Seidel D, Ammer C, Kabal M, Stillhard J, Annighöfer P (2019) Analyzing spatial distribution patterns of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) regeneration in dependence of canopy openings. Forests 10:637. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10080637
Tognetti R, Minotta G, Pinzauti S, Michelozzi M, Borghetti M (1998) Acclimation to changing light conditions of long-term shadegrown beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings of different geographic origins. Trees 12:326–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00009719
Valladares F, Chico JM, Aranda I, Balaguer L, Dizengremel P, Marinque E, Dreyer E (2002) The greater seedling high-light tolerance of Quercus robur over Fagus sylvatica is linked to greater physiological plasticity. Trees 16:395–403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-002-0184-4
Wang H, Lin S, Dai J, Ge Q (2022) Modeling the effect of adaptation to future climate change on spring phenological trend of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Sci of Total Environ 846:157540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157540
Weidig J, Wagner S (2021) Growth response of advanced planted European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) after storm-caused loss of shelterwood. Eur J for Res 140:931–946. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-021-01376-x
Weigel R, Muffler L, Klisz M, Kreyling J, van der Maaten-Theunissen M, Wilmking M, van der Maaten E (2018) Winter matters: Sensitivity to winter climate and cold events increases towards the cold distribution margin of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). J Biogeogr 45(12):2779–2790. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13444
Funding
This study was supported by JSC Latvia’s State Forests project “Support for Forest Seed production”.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Conceptualization, I.M., A.J., methodology, A.J., I.J., software, I.M., R.M., validation, A.J., formal analysis, I.M., R.M., investigation, I.J., A.A., resources, A.J., data curation, I.M., A.J., I.J., writing—original draft preparation, I.M., writing—review and editing, I.M., A.J., R.M., visualization, I.M., R.M., supervision, A.J., project administration, A.J., funding acquisition, A.J. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Matisone, I., Jaunslaviete, I., Adamovičs, A. et al. Response of underplanted European beech to shelterwood thinning at the northeasternmost forpost plantation in Europe. New Forests (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-024-10033-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-024-10033-1