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Forest stand growth dynamics in Central Europe have accelerated since 1870

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  • Hans Pretzsch

    (Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2)

  • Peter Biber

    (Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2)

  • Gerhard Schütze

    (Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2)

  • Enno Uhl

    (Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2
    Bavarian State Institute of Forestry, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 1)

  • Thomas Rötzer

    (Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2)

Abstract

Forest ecosystems have been exposed to climate change for more than 100 years, whereas the consequences on forest growth remain elusive. Based on the oldest existing experimental forest plots in Central Europe, we show that, currently, the dominant tree species Norway spruce and European beech exhibit significantly faster tree growth (+32 to 77%), stand volume growth (+10 to 30%) and standing stock accumulation (+6 to 7%) than in 1960. Stands still follow similar general allometric rules, but proceed more rapidly through usual trajectories. As forest stands develop faster, tree numbers are currently 17–20% lower than in past same-aged stands. Self-thinning lines remain constant, while growth rates increase indicating the stock of resources have not changed, while growth velocity and turnover have altered. Statistical analyses of the experimental plots, and application of an ecophysiological model, suggest that mainly the rise in temperature and extended growing seasons contribute to increased growth acceleration, particularly on fertile sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Pretzsch & Peter Biber & Gerhard Schütze & Enno Uhl & Thomas Rötzer, 2014. "Forest stand growth dynamics in Central Europe have accelerated since 1870," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms5967
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5967
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    Cited by:

    1. Julia Noë & Karl-Heinz Erb & Sarah Matej & Andreas Magerl & Manan Bhan & Simone Gingrich, 2021. "Altered growth conditions more than reforestation counteracted forest biomass carbon emissions 1990–2020," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Félix Bastit & David W. Shanafelt & Marielle Brunette, 2023. "Stability and resilience of a forest bio-economic equilibrium under natural disturbances," Working Papers of BETA 2023-18, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    3. Stavros Tsiantikoudis & Eleni Zafeiriou & Grigorios Kyriakopoulos & Garyfallos Arabatzis, 2019. "Revising the Environmental Kuznets Curve for Deforestation: An Empirical Study for Bulgaria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Thomas Knoke & Carola Paul & Elizabeth Gosling & Isabelle Jarisch & Johannes Mohr & Rupert Seidl, 2023. "Assessing the Economic Resilience of Different Management Systems to Severe Forest Disturbance," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 84(2), pages 343-381, February.
    5. Caicoya, Astor Toraño & Poschenrieder, Werner & Blattert, Clemens & Eyvindson, Kyle & Hartikainen, Markus & Burgas, Daniel & Mönkkönen, Mikko & Uhl, Enno & Vergarechea, Marta & Pretzsch, Hans, 2023. "Sectoral policies as drivers of forest management and ecosystems services: A case study in Bavaria, Germany," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    6. Antonín MARTINÍK & Zdeněk ADAMEC & Jakub HOUŠKA, 2017. "Production and soil restoration effect of pioneer tree species in a region of allochthonous Norway spruce dieback," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 63(1), pages 34-44.
    7. Westin, Kerstin & Bolte, Andreas & Haeler, Elena & Haltia, Emmi & Jandl, Robert & Juutinen, Artti & Kuhlmey, Katharina & Lidestav, Gun & Mäkipää, Raisa & Rosenkranz, Lydia & Triplat, Matevž & Skudnik,, 2023. "Forest values and application of different management activities among small-scale forest owners in five EU countries," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    8. Jianwei W. Zhang & William W. Oliver & Russell T. Graham & W. Keith Moser, 2020. "The Level-of-Growing-Stock (LOGS) study on thinning ponderosa pine forests in the US West: A long-term collaborative experiment in density management," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 66(10), pages 393-406.

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