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Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management

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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 18753

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Prof. Dr. Maciej Pach

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Department of Ecology and Silviculture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Interests: climate-smart forestry; adaptive silviculture; regeneration methods; natural and artificial regeneration; intermediate treatments; silvicultural prescription; mixed forest performance; conversion methods; mixed-species forest growth models; inter-and intra-specific relationships; old-growth forests
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Dear Colleagues,

In the face of environmental change, mixed-species forests are considered one of the most important measures of climate-adopted forest management in many places of the world. According to many studies, a mixed-species forest seems to be more resistant and more resilient to climate-induced change. Furthermore, their role in providing many non-timber goods and services, such as regulating, cultural, and supporting services, is recognized as an important factor contributing to human wellbeing. Knowledge about their functioning and management under changing climate conditions is still fragmented and does not allow for a global or specific and sound-based overview of their performance. We still do not know how mixed-species forests behave under climate change. In many cases, our understanding of their performance is derived from monocultures which behave sometimes completely different.

This Special Issue of Forests will comprise selected papers dealing with advanced research on mutual relationships between tree species in a stand, and the functioning of mixed-species forests on different stages of development and along with ecological gradients under conditions of climate change. Special attention should be paid to how predicted changes of the climate effect inter-specific relationships, resulting in productivity, ecological stability, wood quality, resistance, and resilience to climate events (drought, storm, frost, etc.) of various species’ configurations. The understanding of these processes should be a foundation of appropriate silvicultural prescriptions within the management of mixed-species forests, considering climate change scenarios. Any contribution related to the quantity and quality of the research-based estimation of stand regeneration methods, tending operations on different stages of stand development (pre-commercial and commercial thinning), silvicultural systems, and silvicultural planning in the management of mixed-species forests in the face of climate change are welcome. Additionally, we are looking for study results on methods of multi-species afforestation and any aspects of growth models, including climate change scenarios, used as a decision support system in mixed-species forest management.

Prof. Dr. Maciej Pach
Guest Editor

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Keywords

climate-smart forestry
adaptive silviculture
regeneration methods
natural and artificial regeneration
intermediate treatments
silvicultural prescription
mixed forests performance
conversion methods
mixed-species forest growth models
inter-specific relationship

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3448 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Chances and Limitations of Mixed Oak Regeneration under Continuous Canopy Cover—Evidence from Long-Term Observations

by Kilian Stimm, Enno Uhl and Hans Pretzsch

Forests 2022, 13(12), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13122052 - 02 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1265

Abstract

Traditionally, due to its light ecology, oak is regenerated on clear cuts or areas where the crown coverage is heavily reduced. Thus, the regeneration phase is relatively short. Recently, selective long-term regeneration phases avoiding large gaps in the canopy but fostering mixed-species stands have been advocated as being more in keeping with close-to-nature forestry in Central European forests. However, examples of the successful regeneration of oak in mixtures following this type of regeneration are largely missing. Here, we report the results of long-term experiments located in three different forest types, where oak was long-term regenerated under different mixing and canopy cover situations. The observation periods reached from 26 to 36 years. We focused on the dynamics of stem number reduction, as well as the height and biomass development of oaks and their interaction with interspecific competition and canopy density. The probability of oaks occurring in the regeneration basically decreased over the duration of the regeneration period. Despite this, considerable regeneration biomass growth could be observed, especially in the case of the lower standing volume of the mature stand. The development of beech as the main competitor is scarcely slowed down by the canopy cover compared to oak. Increasing canopy cover noticeably impeded oak regeneration in the considered mixed stands. The model results suggest that a reduction in competition within the regeneration by lowering the proportion of beech below 30% enhanced the success of oak regeneration in the long run even in small patches. The productivity of the remaining stand was primarily driven by standing volume. However, a negative trend of its productivity emerged with high regeneration biomasses. The study results show that small-scale oak regeneration with prolonged regeneration duration is possible in principle. However, oak regeneration requires active and continuous silvicultural assistance, which has to be adjusted to the specific site conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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16 pages, 2634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evidence of a Climate-Change-Induced Shift in European Beech Distribution: An Unequal Response in the Elevation, Temperature and Precipitation Gradients

by Matija Klopčič, Andrej Rozman and Andrej Bončina

Forests 2022, 13(8), 1311; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13081311 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1596

Abstract

Climate is a strong predictor of the geographic distribution of tree species, and thus climate change may trigger shifts in the distribution of a tree species and/or its demographic structure. In the study, we aim to comprehensively compare the distributions of four life stages of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) (i.e., regeneration, recruitment, young trees and mature trees) in forests in Slovenia, Central Europe, which are characterized by strong gradients of elevation (ELV), temperature (TEMP) and precipitation (PREC) to detect possible shifts in distribution and demography. Beech life stages were surveyed on 3366 plots. To depict disparities between ELV, TEMP and PREC distributions of beech life stages, we applied several non-parametric methods: basic statistical tests to study differences in medians, means, and 1st and 9th deciles; generalized additive models to study shifts in the optimum; and extreme value analysis to study shifts at the trailing and leading edges. A substantial shift in juvenile beech stages upward and toward colder sites was detected. However, the shift was not uniform along the distributions; the most significant shift was detected at the leading edge of ELV (+73 m) and TEMP (−2.6 °C), but surprisingly there was no beech movement identified at the trailing edge. The observed shift may be a result of the interplay between climate change, high spatial variability in microclimate, unexceptional droughts in the recent past, changes in forest use and possible limitations in the migration ability of beech and its adaptation capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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16 pages, 4673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Silvicultural Adaptation Measures on Carbon Stock of Austrian Forests

by Thomas Ledermann, Martin Braun, Georg Kindermann, Robert Jandl, Alice Ludvig, Klemens Schadauer, Peter Schwarzbauer and Peter Weiss

Forests 2022, 13(4), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040565 - 02 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2456

Abstract

We present the results of a simulation experiment that evaluated three scenarios of forest management in the context of climate change mitigation. Two scenarios refer to climate change adaptation measures. The third scenario was a business-as-usual scenario representing the continuation of current forest management. We wanted to know whether a change in tree species composition or the implementation of shorter rotation cycles is in accordance with the objectives of climate change mitigation. Our simulation experiment was based on data of the Austrian National Forest Inventory. A forest sector simulation model was used to derive timber demand and potential harvesting rates. Forest dynamics were simulated with an individual-tree growth model. We compared carbon stocks, harvesting rates, current annual increment, salvage logging, and forest structure. Compared to the business-as-usual scenario, a change in tree species composition and shorter rotation cycles reduce salvage logging by 14% and 32%, respectively. However, shorter rotation cycles reduce the carbon stock by 27%, but increase the harvesting rate by 4.8% within the simulation period of 140 years. For changes in the tree species composition, the results were the opposite. Here, the carbon stock is increased by 47%, but the harvesting rate is reduced by 15%. Thus, there are clear tradeoffs between the different ecosystem services depending on the climate change adaptation scenario. We also show that a fundamental change in forest management must be accompanied by a transformation in wood processing technology and innovation in wood utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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15 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Effects on Black Spruce and Trembling Aspen Productivity in Natural Origin Mixed Stands

by Mahadev Sharma

Forests 2022, 13(3), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13030430 - 09 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2157

Abstract

Forest managers need site productivity estimates for tree species growing in mixed stands. Models developed in the past are generally for pure stands and don’t factor in the effects of climate change on site productivity. Therefore, site index (SI) models were developed for black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) trees grown in natural origin mixed stands. For this, 186 trees (93 black spruce and trembling aspen each) were sampled from 31 even-aged natural mixed stands (sites) (3 trees/species/site) across Ontario, Canada. Stand height growth models were developed by incorporating climate variables during growth for each species. Stem analysis data collected from sampled trees were used to develop these models. A mixed effects modelling approach was used to fit the models. The relationship between SIs of black spruce and trembling aspen grown in mixed stands was analyzed by calculating correlation coefficients and plotting black spruce SIs against those of trembling aspen. Climate effects on site productivity were evaluated by predicting stand heights for 4 geographic areas of Ontario for the period 2021 to 2080. Three emissions scenarios reflecting different amounts of heat at the end of the century (i.e., 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 watts m⁻²) were used in the stand height growth models developed here for evaluation. Climate effects were more pronounced for trembling aspen than black spruce only in the far west. The relationship between SIs of black spruce and trembling aspen trees grown in natural origin mixed stands could not be described using a linear/nonlinear mathematical function. The models developed here can be used to estimate stand height and SI of black spruce and trembling aspen trees grown in natural origin mixed stands in a changing climate. In the absence of climate data, models fitted without climate variables can be used to estimate SI of both species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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18 pages, 1934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Species Mixing Proportion and Aridity Influence in the Height–Diameter Relationship for Different Species Mixtures in Mediterranean Forests

by Diego Rodríguez de Prado, Jose Riofrío, Jorge Aldea, James McDermott, Felipe Bravo and Celia Herrero de Aza

Forests 2022, 13(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13010119 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2159

Abstract

Estimating tree height is essential for modelling and managing both pure and mixed forest stands. Although height–diameter (H–D) relationships have been traditionally fitted for pure stands, attention must be paid when analyzing this relationship behavior in stands composed of more than one species. The present context of global change makes also necessary to analyze how this relationship is influenced by climate conditions. This study tends to cope these gaps, by fitting new H–D models for 13 different Mediterranean species in mixed forest stands under different mixing proportions along an aridity gradient in Spain. Using Spanish National Forest Inventory data, a total of 14 height–diameter equations were initially fitted in order to select the best base models for each pair species-mixture. Then, the best models were expanded including species proportion by area (m_i) and the De Martonne Aridity Index (M). A general trend was found for coniferous species, with taller trees for the same diameter size in pure than in mixed stands, being this trend inverse for broadleaved species. Regarding aridity influence on H–D relationships, humid conditions seem to beneficiate tree height for almost all the analyzed species and species mixtures. These results may have a relevant importance for Mediterranean coppice stands, suggesting that introducing conifers in broadleaves forests could enhance height for coppice species. However, this practice only should be carried out in places with a low probability of drought. Models presented in our study can be used to predict height both in different pure and mixed forests at different spatio-temporal scales to take better sustainable management decisions under future climate change scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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15 pages, 2250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biscogniauxia Charcoal Canker—A New Potential Threat for Mid-European Forests as an Effect of Climate Change

by Katarzyna Patejuk, Anna Baturo-Cieśniewska, Wojciech Pusz and Agata Kaczmarek-Pieńczewska

Forests 2022, 13(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13010089 - 08 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2381

Abstract

Biscogniauxia nummularia (Bull.) Kuntze is a fungus which induces strip-cankers on beech, commonly referred to as charcoal canker. The symptoms of infection are visible on the host tree’s bark as elongated, blackish bark lesions on the trunk and branches. Recent years have shown that, due to climate change causing local epidemics, the species is increasing its economic impact in Mediterranean regions. Until recently, B. nummularia was considered rare and uncommon in central Europe. However, in the last few years it has been noticed more often, mostly in coniferous trees, which are out of B. nummularia’s host range. A similar situation has been observed with the closely related species Biscogniauxia mediterranea (De Not.) Kuntze, which prior to 2017 had not been observed in central Europe at all. This study shows the genetic diversity of mid-European strains of Biscogniauxia spp. (based on the ITS, TEF1, TUB2 and ACT regions) and, as the first in Europe, presents a molecular investigation of this species isolated from coniferous trees. It is also the first attempt at estimating the potential impact of this pathogenic fungus on European forestry management in the close future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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13 pages, 1680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid and Environmental Effects on Gene Expression in Poplar Clones in Pure and Mixed with Black Locust Stands

by Oleksandra Kuchma, Dennis Janz, Ludger Leinemann, Andrea Polle, Konstantin V. Krutovsky and Oliver Gailing

Forests 2020, 11(10), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11101075 - 08 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2420

Abstract

Mixed cropping might be seen as an alternative to monocultures by better protecting biodiversity and improving ecosystem services and resources. In the presented study, we tested the genetic and ecological effects of pure and mixed propagation of different poplar hybrids planted together with black locust trees. Poplar (Populus) hybrids are widely used for bioenergy in monoculture systems due to their rapid and high biomass production. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a species with the ability to fix nitrogen and seen as a promising candidate for mixed cultivation. Eight different poplar hybrids and black locust trees from three provenances planted in two study sites with different environmental conditions were tested in varying combinations in pure and mixed stands to observe effects of the different hybrids and genotypes, site conditions and the mixed growing on the performance of poplar and its gene expression. Transcriptome analyses of leaves from four poplar clones selected according to their divergent growth performance were conducted to study differential gene expression that can be an important indicator of differences in growing conditions and success. Differences in gene expression were most pronounced among hybrids and different genotypes of the same hybrid, followed by the study site influence, and were least pronounced between mixed and pure stands. The genotypes of the same hybrid were clearly separated from each other. Clear separation between the study sites for all clones was also observed. Only a few genes were differently expressed in pure vs. mixed stand comparisons for each clone, but there were no common genes that were differently expressed in pure vs. mixed stands in all clones. In total, 199 genes showed differential expression between the study sites regardless of poplar clone or type of stands. The analysis suggested that plant genotypes and environmental conditions were more important at the early stage of stand development than pure or mixed cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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14 pages, 1419 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze Timber Stocks With Liocourt’s Law in a Natural Forest in Southern Brazil

by Emanuel Arnoni Costa, Veraldo Liesenberg, André Felipe Hess, César Augusto Guimarães Finger, Paulo Renato Schneider, Régis Villanova Longhi, Cristine Tagliapietra Schons and Geedre Adriano Borsoi

Forests 2020, 11(3), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11030339 - 18 Mar 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3111

Abstract

This paper presents a simulation of the regulation of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze timber stocks using Liocourt’s law. Although this species is currently protected by law, recent government initiatives are being considered to propose sustainable forest management practices by selecting small rural properties in Southern Brazil. Here, we simulate the applicability of Liocourt’s law in a typical rural property, the size of which is approximately 85 ha. Forest inventory measurements were conducted by estimating the diameter at the breast height (d), total height (h), and annual diameter increments of 308 trees that fit the criteria of d ≥ 10 cm, distributed on 35 permanent plots of 400 m² each. As a result, a reverse J-shaped d distribution was found. On average, 303 trees can be found per hectare (ha). Local allometric equations showed their basal area (G) to be 21.9 m²∙ha⁻¹, and their commercial volume (V) to be 172 m³∙ha⁻¹, whereas Liocourt’s quotient (q) was 1.31. Based on these attributes, nine different forest management scenarios were proposed by simulating a remaining basal area (Grem) of 10.0, 14.0, and 18.0 m²∙ha⁻¹, and Liocourt’s quotient was changed to 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5. All scenarios consider a d of 62.5 cm. In the less intensive scenario (i.e., q value = 1.5 and larger basal area of 18.0 m²·ha⁻¹) there is greater optimization of space, and higher economic return is ensured to rural producers due to the definition of shorter cutting cycles. This also allows a faster growth rate in both d and h for smaller trees, due to the higher incidence of light onto the lower canopy layer, increasing the natural regeneration implementation of other native species. Forest management should thus be considered a goal in addition to consumer market characteristics for defining the ideal timber stock scenario. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Effect on Mixed-Species Forest Management)

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