Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Detecting successional changes in long-term empirical data from subalpine conifer forests

  • Published:
Plant Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In many mountain regions, traditional agriculture and forestry are no longer economically viable and less intense land-use is becoming more and more widespread. Thus, the importance of understanding secondary succession in these abandoned systems increases. This study is based on a comparison of historic (1957) and present tree data (2001) from subalpine forest stands located in the Swiss National Park (SNP), where all management was stopped in 1914. The two data sets contain information on tree and sapling density as well as diameter distribution for all tree species present. Using time-series analyses, space for time substitution and multivariate methods (PCoA, minimum spanning tree analysis), we investigated if successional changes can be detected within the forest stands in the SNP. Our results showed that the stands studied are developing from a stage dominated by mountain pine (Pinus montana Miller) to a late successional stage dominated by Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) and European larch (Larix decidua Miller). This shift in species composition, which was observed in both the tree and sapling layer, was accompanied by a significant decrease in tree density (stems/ha). We also found that stand disturbances, such as fungal diseases, parasitic insects, ungulate browsing, windthrow or snow pressure, have not prevented succession from mountain pine to Swiss stone pine-larch communities. The minimum spanning tree analysis revealed that the sixteen observed 44-year-time-series cover at least 110 years of succession. This time frame is the shortest possible duration for a successional development starting from a 95 to 125-year-old mountain pine stand. The successional changes depicted in our study indicate how similar areas in the Central European Alps might develop in the near future when management ceases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achermann G., Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Wildi O. 2000. Tallherb communities in the Swiss National Park: long-term development of the vegetation. In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 67-88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bäntzing W. 1996. Landwirtschaft im Alpenraum - unverzichtbar, aber zukunftslos? In: Bäntzing W. (ed.), Landwirtschaft im Alpenraum - unverzichtbar, aber zukunftslos: Eine alpenweite Bilanz der aktuellen Probleme und der möglichen Lösungen. Blackwell, Berlin, pp. 9-11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bärlocher A., Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Wildi O. 2000. Development of species richness in mono-dominant colonies of tor grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) - an indicator of the impact of grazing upon subalpine grassland? In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 89-106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broggi M.F. 1998. SOS für bedrohte Kulturlandschaften. In: CIPRA (ed.), 1. Alpenreport: Daten, Fakten, Probleme, Lösungsansätze. Haupt, Bern. pp. 152-162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callaway R.M., Sala A. and Keane R.E. 2000. Succession may maintain high leaf area: Sapwood ratios and productivity in old subalpine forests. Ecosystems 3: 254-268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements F.E. 1936. Nature and structure of climax. Journal of Ecology 24: 252-284.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Mas G. and Piutti E. 1994. Structure of Swiss stone pine in northeastern Italy. In: Schmidt W. and Holtmeier F.-K. (eds), Proceedings - International Workshop on subalpine pines and their environment: the status of our knowledge. USDA Forest Service, Odgen, Utah, General Technical Report, INT-GTR-309, pp. 226-239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobbertin M., Baltensweiler A. and Rigling D. 2001. Tree mortality in an unmanaged mountain pine (Pinus mugo var. uncinata) stand in the Swiss National Park impacted by root rot fungi. Forest Ecology and Management 145: 79-89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg H. 1996. Vegetation Mitteleuropas und der Alpen in ökologischer, dynamischer und historischer Sicht. 5th ed., UTB, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleason H.A. 1926. The individualistic concept of plant association. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 53: 7-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gower J.C., and Ross G.J.S. 1969. Minimum spanning tree and single linkage cluster analysis. Applied Statistics 18: 54-64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greig-Smith P. 1983. Quantitative plant ecology. 3rd ed. Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtmeier F.-K. 1990. Disturbance and management problems in larch-cembra pine forests in Europe. In: Schmidt W. and McDonald K.J. (eds), Proceedings - Symposium on whitebark pine ecosystems: Ecology and management of a high-mountain resource. USDA Forest Service, Odgen, Utah, General Technical Report, INT-GTR-270, pp. 25-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keane R.E. 2001. Successional dynamics: modeling an anthropogenic threat. In: Tomback D.F., Arno S.F., and Keane R.E. (eds), Whitebark pine communities: ecology and restoration. Island Press, Washington, D.C., pp. 159-192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller W., Wohlgemuth T., Kuhn N., Schütz M. and Wildi O. 1998. Waldgesellschaften der Schweiz auf floristischer Grundlage. Mitteilungen der Eidgenössischen Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft 73: 93-357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kienast F., Fritschi J., Bissegger M. and Abderhalden W. 1999. Modeling successional pattern of high-elevation forests under changing herbivore pressure - responses at the landscape level. Forest Ecology and Management 120: 35-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krüsi B.O. and Moser B. 2000. Impacts of snow and ungulates on the successional development of a mountain pine forest in the Swiss National Park. In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 131-164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krüsi B.O., Schütz M., Grämiger H. and Achermann G. 1996. Was bedeuten Huftiere für den Lebensraum Nationalpark? Eine Studie zu Nahrungsangebot und Waldverjüngung. Cratschla 4: 51-64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurth A., Weidmann A. and Thommen F. 1960. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Waldverhältnisse im Schweizerischen Nationalpark. Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Anstalt für das forstliche Versuchswesen 36: 221-379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauber L. and Wagner G. 1996. Flora Helvetica. Paul Haupt, Bern.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long J.N. and Daniel T.W. 1990. Assessment of growing stock in uneven-aged stands. Western Journal of Applied Forestry 5: 93-96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Märki K., Nievergelt B., Gigon A. and Schütz M. 2000. Impact of selective foraging by red deer on the long-term vegetation development in the Swiss National Park. In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 189-206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer H. 1992. Waldbau auf soziologischer-ökologischer Grundlage. Fischer, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • McComb A.L. 1955. The European larch: its races, site requirements and characteristics. Forest Science 1: 298-318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parolini J.D. 1995. Zur Geschichte der Waldnutzung im Gebiet des heutigen Schweizerischen Nationalparks. Ph.D. Thesis, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zürich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickett T.A. 1989. Space-for-time substitution as an alternative to long-term studies. In: Likens E. (ed.), Long-term studies in ecology: Approaches and alternatives. Springer, New York, NY. pp. 110-135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piussi P. 1994. Mixed cembran pine stands on the southern slope of the Eastern Alps. In: Schmidt W. and Holtmeier F.-K. (eds), Proceedings - International Workshop on subalpine pines and their environment: the status of our knowledge. USDA Forest Service, Odgen, Utah, General Technical Report, INT-GTR-309, pp. 261-268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price M.F. 1995. Mountain research in Europe: an overview of MAB Research from the Pyrenees to Siberia. In: Jeffers J.N.R. (ed.), Man and the Biospheres Series. UNESCO, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson D.M. and Rundel P.W. 1998. Ecology and biogeography of Pinus: an introduction. In: Richardson D.M. (ed.), Ecology and biogeography of Pinus. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 3-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riederer P. 1996. Berglandwirtschaft in der Schweiz. In: Bäntzing W. (ed.), Landwirtschaft im Alpenraum-unverzichtbar, aber zukunftslos: Eine alpenweite Bilanz der aktuellen Probleme und der möglichen Lösungen. Blackwell, Berlin, pp. 117-139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Risch A.C., Krüsi B.O., Grämiger H. and Schütz M. 2001. Spatially specific simulation of the long-term development of a subalpine pasture in the Swiss National Park. Bulletin of the Geobotanical Institute ETH 67: 27-40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sala A., Carey E.V., Keane R.E. and Callaway R.M. 2001.Water use by whitebark pine and subalpine fir: potential consequences of fire exclusion in the northern Rocky Mountains. Tree Physiology 21: 717-725.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sauermoser S. 1994. Current distribution of cembra pine in the Lechtal Alps. In: Schmidt W. and Holtmeier F.-K. (eds), Proceedings - International Workshop on subalpine pines and their environment: the status of our knowledge. USDA Forest Service, Odgen, Utah, General Technical Report, INT-GTR-309, pp. 269-274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schütz M., Wildi O., Achermann G., Krüsi B.O. and Nievergelt B. 2000a. Predicting the development of subalpine grassland in the Swiss National Park: how to build a succession model based on data from long-term permanent plots. In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 207-236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schütz M., Wildi O., Krüsi B.O., Märki K. and Nievergelt B. 2000b. From tall-herb communities to pine forest: distribution patterns of 121 plant species during a 585 year regeneration process. In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 237-255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schütz M., Wolgemuth T., Achermann G., Krüsi B.O. and Wildi O. 2000c. Influence of increasing grazing pressure on species richness in subalpine grassland in the Swiss National Park. In: Schütz M., Krüsi B.O. and Edwards P.J. (eds), Succession research in the Swiss National Park. Scientific Council of the Swiss National Park, Liestal, pp. 67-88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senn J. 2000. Huftiere und Verjüngung im Gebirgswald: eine Geschichte mit vielen Variablen und noch mehr Interaktionen. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für das Forstwesen 151: 99-106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smolonogov E.P. 1994. Geographical differentiation and dynamics of Siberian stone pine forests in Eurasia. In: Schmidt W. and Holtmeier F.-K. (eds), Proceedings - International Workshop on subalpine pines and their environment: the status of our knowledge. USDA Forest Service, Odgen, Utah, General Technical Report, INT-GTR-309, pp. 275-279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watt A.S. 1947. Patterns and processes in the plant community. Journal of Ecology 35: 1-22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildi O. and Orlóci L. 1996. Numerical exploration of community patterns. A guide to the use of MULVA-5. SPB Academic Publisher, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildi O. and Schütz M. 2000. Reconstruction of a long-term recovery process from pasture to forest. Community Ecology 1: 25-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoller H. 1995. Vegetationskarte des Schweizerischen Nationalparks. Erläuterungen. Nationalpark - Forschung Schweiz. 85: 1-108.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Zuercherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Anita C. Risch, Martin Schütz, Bertil O. Krüsi, Felix Kienast & Otto Wildi

  2. Mountain Forest Ecology, Department of Forest Sciences, ETH Zurich, Rämistrasse 101, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland

    Harald Bugmann

Authors
  1. Anita C. Risch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martin Schütz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bertil O. Krüsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Felix Kienast
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Otto Wildi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Harald Bugmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anita C. Risch.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Risch, A.C., Schütz, M., Krüsi, B.O. et al. Detecting successional changes in long-term empirical data from subalpine conifer forests. Plant Ecology 172, 95–105 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VEGE.0000026040.01175.7c

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:VEGE.0000026040.01175.7c

Search

Navigation