1,721,037 research outputs found
Suitability of contract-based nature conservation in privately-owned forests in Germany
No full textThe successful implementation of contract-based nature conservation in privately-owned forests requires a framework of reasonable operational measures. Our study aimed at developing such a framework by; 1) defining forest conservation objects including structures, processes, and habitat types, 2) assessing their conservation value based on the need for, and worthiness of, protection, 3) reviewing the suitability of contract-based measures for conservation. Overall, we defined 67 conservation objects, with 8 of them used as case studies: deadwood, habitat trees, natural succession after large-scale disturbance, coppice-with-standards, bog and fen woodlands, dry sand pine forests, and beech forests. We considered contract-based conservation suitable if, within the contract period, outcomes of measures resulted in ecological upgrading or avoidance of value loss. We identified contract-based conservation suitable for 42 combinations of objects and measures. Our approach of assessing the potential of contract-based measures for forest conservation is novel with regards to its broad range of objects, defined criteria, and various contract periods. It can help to progress conservation and improve outcomes of measures, especially in privately-owned forests in Germany. Further prerequisites are sufficient financial resources, effective administration, consultancy and the mid- to long-term stability of funding programmes
Microclimatic Tipping Points at the Beech–Oak Ecotone in the Western Romanian Carpathians
No full textEuropean beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a drought-sensitive species that likely will retreat from its xeric distribution edges in the course of climate warming. Physiological measurements indicate that the species may not only be sensitive to soil water deficits, but also to high temperatures and elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficits (vpd). Through microclimatological measurements in the stand interior across near-natural beech forest–oak forest ecotones, we searched for microclimatic tipping points in the contact zone with the aim to define the thermic and hydrometeorological limits of beech more precisely. In three transects in the foothills of the Romanian western Carpathians, we measured in mid-summer 2019 air temperature, relative air humidity, and vpd at 2 m height in the stand interior across the ecotone from pure oak to pure beech forests, and compared the readings to the microclimate in forest gaps. Mean daytime temperature (T) and vpd were by 2 K and 2 hPa, respectively, higher in the oak forests than the beech forests; the extremes differed even more. Especially in the second half of the day, the oak forests heated up and were more xeric than the beech forests. Part of the differences is explained by the elevation difference between oak and beech forests (200–300 m), but species differences in canopy structure, leaf area, and canopy transmissivity enhance the microclimatic contrast. Our T and vpd data point to thresholds at about 30 °C and 25 hPa as maxima tolerated by beech in the lowermost shade canopy for extended periods. In conclusion, the rather sharp stand microclimatic gradient demonstrated here for the xeric distribution limit of beech may well be the decisive factor that hinders the spread of beech into the warmer oak forests
Vertical temperature and air humidity gradients in beech and oak forests, and the forest interior climate created by beech
No full texthttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010415 Bundesamt für Naturschutzhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013549 Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutzhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100018987 Ministerul Cercetării, Inovării şi Digitalizăriihttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004406 Universitatea Transilvania din Braso
Modelling microclimatic variability in Andean forests of northern Patagonia
No full textAbstract Information on microclimatic conditions beneath canopies is key to understanding small-scale ecological processes, especially concerning the response of biodiversity to climate change. In north-western Patagonia, where data on climate-driven species distribution are scarce, our study provides valuable insights by providing microclimatic models covering spatiotemporal dynamics at 30 × 30 m resolution. Applying in-situ data from 2022 to 2024, we employed a random forest-based regression to assess the impact of several biophysical predictor variables describing terrain and vegetation properties on four microclimatic response variables at three vertical levels within forests. We also interpolated this data spatiotemporally, using statistical downscaling of ERA5 data. Our analysis reveals that the influence of the predictor variables varies strongly by month and response variable. Moreover, significant variability was observed between the models and months regarding their explanatory power and error range. For instance, the model predicting maximum air temperature at a 2 m height achieved an R² of 0.88 and an RMSE of 1.5 °C, while the model for minimum air temperature resulted in an R² of 0.73 and an RMSE of 1.8 °C. Our model approach provides a benchmark for spatiotemporal projections in this data-scarce region, aligned with the climate normal from 1981 to 2010. Future refinement could benefit from data on snow cover, land use and land cover, soil, as well as structural information on vegetation over an extended period, to enhance the dynamical aspects of microclimatic modelling. We are confident that our present model will substantially enhance possibilities to analyse species distribution across vegetation types and terrain-related features within the area
Winners and losers of climate warming: Declining growth in Fagus and Tilia vs. stable growth in three Quercus species in the natural beech–oak forest ecotone (western Romania)
No full textPatterns and drivers of deadwood quantity and variation in mid-latitude deciduous forests
No full textRegeneration of Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Ørst. in little to moderately disturbed southern beech forests in the Andes of Patagonia (Argentina)
Full text linkNatural forests and stands subjected to little to moderate human impact are continuously declining worldwide and with these, their biodiversity and ecosystem services. Many Nothofagus forests in the south of the South American continent are in a pristine state or only moderately impacted by humans. Forest grazing by livestock, in the past and still today often practiced in a non-sustainable way is, however, increasingly under discussion to meet current environmental and socio-economic challenges. Accordingly, we investigate the regeneration of Nothofagus dombeyi, a keystone species of the Patagonian Andes, in secondary forests in Argentinian northern Patagonia, particularly addressing the role of disturbance through grazing by livestock at various intensities. We test the hypothesis that the regeneration of this tree species is favored by grazing impact and, thus, disturbance of the herb layer and soil surface. In support of our hypothesis, Nothofagus dombeyi regeneration was significantly higher in terms of individuals and height classes in moderately grazed forests. Multivariate analysis shows significant positive effects of moderate grazing pressure, herb layer cover, and the occurrence of bare soil on the regeneration of Nothofagus dombeyi. Our results show that an integration of livestock grazing and forest regeneration is possible and that agroforestry systems can be an adequate management option for stakeholders in the region. A grazing management can also be part of a forest fire prevention strategy. However, the regeneration success and grazing pressure should be continuously monitored.Fil: Zerbe, Stefan. Free University of Bozen-Bolzano; ItaliaFil: Storz, Stefanie T.. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Leitinger, Georg. No especifíca;Fil: Joelson, Natalia Zoe. Universidad de Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Bava, José. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Heinrichs, Steffi. No especifíca;Fil: Leuschner, Christoph. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Loguercio, Gabriel Angel. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Simon, Alois. No especifíca;Fil: Urretavizcaya, María Florencia. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Walentowski, Helge. No especifíca
Correction to: Climate warming-induced replacement of mesic beech by thermophilic oak forests will reduce the carbon storage potential in aboveground biomass and soil
No full textSeeking consensus in German forest conservation: An analysis of contemporary concepts
Full text linkSetting operational conservation objectives is a major challenge for effective biodiversity conservation worldwide. To analyse forest conservation objectives in Germany in a transparent manner and to achieve a consistent and consensual framework, we systematically classified conservation objectives suggested in concepts by different stakeholders. We analysed 79 biodiversity and forest conservation concepts of different stakeholder groups at various scales and applied textual content analysis and Dirichlet regression to reach a high degree of transferability and applicability. Our analysis revealed a broad consensus concerning forest conservation across stakeholders and scales, albeit with slight differences in focus, but we detected a scale-related mismatch. A wide array of conservation objectives covered social, biotic and abiotic natural resources. Conservation of species, ecosystems and structural elements in forests were found to be of primary importance across stakeholders and scale levels. Shortcomings in the conservation concepts were found in addressing genetic diversity, abiotic resources and socio-cultural objectives. Our results show that problems in forest conservation may be rooted in trade-offs between aims, targeting mismatch across scale levels and insufficient implementation of objectives
A 50-year perspective on conservation challenges and legacy effects in temperate Patagonian forests
No full texthttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100005908 Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaf
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