Influence of drought on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in dry beech forest and adjacent oak-beech ecotone

Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most important broad-leaved tree species in central Europe. It covers a large geographic area and a wide range of climate zones and soil types. However, drought sensitivity is assumed to be a key factor limiting the range of beech in Europe. In this century, central Europe is experiencing less precipitation and more periodic drought during the growing season. These changes motivate us to think about the growth and survivability of beech. Drought results in the reduction of soil water availability. This inhibits a number of tree functions that restrict tree growth. The ability of trees to function under drought stress depends on various physiological and morphological traits. Furthermore, young beech growth and survival is also influenced by competition. Various ecophysiological studies, involving simulated climate change, have showed that increasing drought reduces the growth and competitiveness of beech. However, most of these studies were done under laboratory conditions or in experimental plots. Field studies need to be carried out at the drought limit of beech to gather knowledge regarding its site requirements. Not only has no study been done relating the effects of drought and competition on understorey beech, but neither, and most importantly, has this been done at their distribution limit; for example in dry beech forest and beech-downy oak ecotones. Given the warming trend in Europe and the associated potential changes in water supply, this study aims to find the effect of drought and competition on the morphological and physiological aspects of understorey beech in dry beech forest and in an adjacent beech-downy oak ecotone in near-natural forests.

contact person: Tamalika Chakraborty
Phone: 0761/203-8627
Email: Tamalika.Chakraborty@waldbau.uni-freiburg.de

Start of project: 01.04.2011
End of project: 31.12.2016

Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Albert Reif
Professur für Standorts- und Vegetationskunde
Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Reif
Tennenbacherstr. 4
79106 Freiburg
Germany

Phone: +49 (0)761 203-3678
Fax: +49 (0)761 203-3781
Email: waldbau@waldbau.uni-freiburg.de
http://www.vegetationskunde.uni-freiburg.de
Actual Research Report

• Tamalika Cakraborty