A matter of size and shape: Microclimatic changes induced by experimental gap openings in a sessile oak–hornbeam forest

Horváth, Csenge Veronika; Kovács, Bence; Tinya, Flóra; Locatelli, Julia Schadeck; Németh, Csaba; Crecco, Lorenzo; Illés, Gábor; Csépányi, Péter; Odór, Péter

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162302

Cited by 13 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…Regarding the microclimatic variations of the small-scale gaps caused by treefall, the differences were less pronounced than for the comparison of different vegetation types and successional stages. The main reason for that could be the relatively small gap size, as gaps with a diameter up to one tree height can maintain forest conditions (Horváth et al 2023 ), and differences in forest structure (De Frenne et al 2021 ). Nevertheless, we found significant temperature differences between forest stand and gap for A. chilensis in the warmest month of the year (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interior climate and its microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Simon,

Fierke,

Reiter

et al. 2024

Int J Biometeorol

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Knowledge on mesoclimatic zonation and microclimatic variations within mountain forest ecosystems is crucial for understanding regional species turnover and effects of climate change on these systems. The temperate mountain forests in the Andean region of South America are among the largest and contiguous natural deciduous forest areas in the world. Due to their pronounced disturbance regime and different successional stages, a climatic zonation combined with the characterisation of its microclimatic variation is important to identify thresholds of species occurrences.We used micro-loggers to measure air temperature and relative humidity for one year at 40 measurement locations along longitudinal and elevation gradients in mountain forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Our results unveil mesoclimatic patterns within these forests characterised by variations in temperature and vapour pressure deficit along the elevational gradient in general, but also at different times of the year. For example, Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi forests differed mainly by temperature and its diurnal range in the warmest months of the year. Also, differences between forest stands and gaps were more pronounced in the warmest months of the year and at lower elevations, with up to 2.5 K higher temperatures in the second half of the day in gaps. We found clear indications that shrubland of Nothofagus antarctica representing a successional stage after disturbances alters the mesoclimatic pattern, favouring forest fire ignition. Such mesoclimatic variations have a major influence on tree species turnover and ecological processes within these forest ecosystems.The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between topography, climate, and vegetation in shaping the spatial patterns of species occurrences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interior climate and its microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Simon,

Fierke,

Reiter

et al. 2024

Int J Biometeorol

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“…They were defined as the canopy gaps created by the fall or decay of one or several large trees in the forest crown layers under natural mortality or external disturbances that can generate localized succession within the forest gaps, namely, the theory of gap-phase regeneration. The theory became the basis for the research on forest dynamics [3,4]. As research continued, Runkle, an American forest ecologist, divided the concept of forest gaps into two parts after studying mature forests in eastern North America [5]: (1) canopy gap, the area or space of land directly under the canopy gap (i.e., forest gap in the narrow sense); (2) expanded gap, the area or space of land surrounded by the trunks of the trees surrounding the open space, includes the area or space enclosed by the canopy gap and the edge of the base of the trunks of the surrounding trees (i.e., forest gaps in the broad sense).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research History of Forest Gap as Small-Scale Disturbances in Forest Ecosystems

Tian,

Halik,

et al. 2023

Forests

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Forest gaps, which are formed by small-scale disturbances that often occur in forest communities, are the most dominant form of disturbance in many types of forests around the world and play an essential role in the dynamics of forest regeneration, plant diversity conservation, nutrient cycling, and forest succession. Forest gaps are one of the vital directions in forest research. Dynamic disturbance and vegetation regeneration are important elements of forest gap research. The research on forest gaps has a history spanning over 70 years, but there is a lack of a systematic overview of the process. Therefore, this review outlines the spatial changes in the whole process of forest gap development by systematically analyzing the occurrence, basic characteristics, micro-environmental changes, and the effects of forest gap disturbance processes on understory animals, plants, soil microorganisms, and forest regeneration and succession. The results contribute to a better understanding of forest gaps and their impacts on forest regeneration and management. Based on this, we remapped the forest gap process during forest succession. We suggest directions and recommendations for improvements in response to the dilemmas and challenges facing the future of forest gaps.

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The effects of canopy gaps on soil nutrient properties: a meta-analysis

Hou,

Zhang,

et al. 2024

Eur J Forest Res

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A matter of size and shape: Microclimatic changes induced by experimental gap openings in a sessile oak–hornbeam forest

Cited by 13 publications

References 107 publications

The interior climate and its microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

The interior climate and its microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Research History of Forest Gap as Small-Scale Disturbances in Forest Ecosystems

The effects of canopy gaps on soil nutrient properties: a meta-analysis

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