A comparative analysis of forest dynamics in the Swiss Alps and the Colorado Front Range

Bugmann, Harald

doi:10.1016/s0378-1127(00)00573-9

Cited by 30 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…ForClim has evolved from a simulator of forests in the Swiss Alps to a general model that is applicable to temperate forests of central Europe (Bugmann and Cramer 1998), eastern North America (Bugmann and Solomon 1995), the Pacific Northwest of the US (Bugmann and Solomon 2000), northeastern China (Shao et al 2001) and (2000) Northeastern China 19 X. Yan X. Yan Shao et al (2001) the Colorado Front Range of the Rocky Mountains (Bugmann 2001b). ForClim is not based on a hybrid approach between physiology-based modules for plant growth (which would feature a ''mechanistic'' treatment of photosynthesis and respiration) and a more traditional approach for handling tree demography (e.g., Friend et al 1997;Lexer et al 2001).…”

Section: Forest Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Will the CO2 fertilization effect in forests be offset by reduced tree longevity?

2010

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Experimental studies suggest that tree growth is stimulated in a greenhouse atmosphere, leading to faster carbon accumulation (i.e., a higher rate of gap filling). However, higher growth may be coupled with reduced longevity, thus leading to faster carbon release (i.e., a higher rate of gap creation). The net effect of these two counteracting processes is not known. We quantify this net effect on aboveground carbon stocks using a novel combination of data sets and modeling. Data on maximum growth rate and maximum longevity of 141 temperate tree species are used to derive a relationship between growth stimulation and changes in longevity. We employ this relationship to modify the respective parameter values of tree species in a forest succession model and study aboveground biomass in a factorial design of growth stimulation 9 reduced maximum longevity at multiple sites along a climate gradient from the cold to the dry treeline. The results show that (1) any growth stimulation at the tree level leads to a disproportionately small increase of stand biomass due to negative feedback effects, even in the absence of reduced longevity; (2) a reduction of tree longevity tends to offset the growth-related biomass increase; at the most likely value of reduced longevity, the net effect is very close to zero in most multi-and singlespecies simulations; and (3) when averaging the response across all sites to mimic a ''landscape-level'' response, the net effect is close to zero. Thus, it is important to consider ecophysiological responses with their linkage to demographic processes in forest trees if one wishes to avoid erroneous inference at the ecosystem level. We conclude that any CO 2 fertilization effect is quite likely to be offset by an associated reduction in the longevity of forest trees, thus strongly reducing the carbon mitigation potential of temperate forests.

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Section: Forest Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Will the CO2 fertilization effect in forests be offset by reduced tree longevity?

2010

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“…During its construction, special emphasis was placed on developing a model with a minimum number of ecological assumptions (Bugmann 1996). The applicability of ForClim was successfully extended from the Swiss Alps to other climatic regions through several model refinements (Bugmann and Cramer 1998;Solomon 1995, 2000;Bugmann 2001;Shao et al 2001). A detailed description of ForClim can be found in Bugmann (1996), and the latest version of ForClim, V.2.9.3, is documented in Risch et al (2005).…”

Section: The Forclim Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the establishment submodel of a forest patch model to assess the long-term protective effect of mountain forests

et al. 2006

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Simulation models such as forest patch models can be used to forecast the development of forest structural attributes over time. However, predictions of such models with respect to the impact of forest dynamics on the long-term protective effect of mountain forests may be of limited accuracy where tree regeneration is simulated with little detail. For this reason, we improved the establishment submodel of the ForClim forest patch model by implementing a more detailed representation of tree regeneration. Our refined submodel included canopy shading and ungulate browsing, two important constraints to sapling growth in mountain forests. To compare the old and the new establishment submodel of ForClim, we simulated the successional dynamics of the Stotzigwald protection forest in the Swiss Alps over a 60-year period. This forest provides protection for an important traffic route, but currently contains an alarmingly low density of tree regeneration. The comparison yielded a significantly longer regeneration period for the new model version, bringing the simulations into closer agreement with the known slow stand dynamics of mountain forests. In addition, the new model version was applied to forecast the future ability of the Stotzigwald forest to buffer the valley below from rockfall disturbance. Two scenarios were simulated: (1) canopy shading but no browsing impact, and (2) canopy shading and high browsing impact. The simulated stand structures were then compared to stand structure targets for rockfall protection, in order to assess their long-term protective effects. Under both scenarios, the initial sparse level of tree regeneration affected the long-term protective effect of the forest, which considerably declined during the first 40 years. In the complete absence of browsing, the density of small trees increased slightly after 60 years, raising hope for an eventual recovery of the protective effect. In the scenario that included browsing, however, the density of small trees remained at very low levels. With our improved establishment submodel, we provide an enhanced tool for studying the impacts of structural dynamics on the long-term protective effect of mountain forests. For certain purposes, it is important that predictive models of forest dynamics adequately represent critical processes for tree regeneration, such as sapling responses to low light levels and high browsing pressure.

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“…The applicability of ForClim was successfully extended from the Swiss Alps to other forests of central Europe (Bugmann and Cramer, 1998), to forests of eastern North America (Bugmann and Solomon, 1995), the Pacific Northwest of the United States (Bugmann and Solomon, 2000), the Rocky Mountains (Bugmann, 2001a) and to the Northeast of China (Shao et al, 2001) through different model modifications.…”

Section: The Patch Model Forclimmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a forest patch model to predict the dynamics of stand structure in Swiss mountain forests

Wehrli

Zingg

Bugmann

et al. 2005

Forest Ecology and Management

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A comparative analysis of forest dynamics in the Swiss Alps and the Colorado Front Range

Cited by 30 publications

References 35 publications

Will the CO2 fertilization effect in forests be offset by reduced tree longevity?

Will the CO2 fertilization effect in forests be offset by reduced tree longevity?

Improving the establishment submodel of a forest patch model to assess the long-term protective effect of mountain forests

Using a forest patch model to predict the dynamics of stand structure in Swiss mountain forests

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