Adaptive Relationships in Hemi-Boreal Forests: Tree Species Responses to Competition, Stress, and Disturbance

Abstract

European Union forest policy calls for closer-to-nature forest management, but natural disturbances and forest succession are ecological phenomena that are difficult to characterize and integrate into sustainable forest management practices. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the adaptive properties of Lithuania’s hemi-boreal forest ecosystems. To accomplish this, we first reviewed (i) the potential natural forest communities, (ii) the successional dynamics, and (iii) adaptive strategies of forest trees, and second, we synthesised the adaptive relationships using these three reviews. The results firstly identified that Lithuania’s potential natural forests are broadly divided into two climatically based zonal formations: (i) mesophytic and hygromesophytic coniferous and broadleaved forests and (ii) mesophytic deciduous broadleaved and coniferous-broadleaved forests. Secondly, the review of successional dynamics showed that each tree species can be categorised into various end communities and plant functional groups. Using the differences in tree establishment and phenological development modes we identified four forest dynamic types of tree adaptive strategies: stress-resistant ruderals, competitive stress-sensitive ruderals, ruderal stress-sensitive competitors, and stress-resistant competitors. Such functional redundancy leads to a variety of tree responses to competition, stress, and disturbance, which reduces the risk of loss of forest ecosystem functioning. Finally, the synthesised review on the adaptive relationships of each forest tree community shows both the niche position of each hemi-boreal forest tree species and how they should be managed in the organization of plant communities. We believe that this research can serve as a guide for future relevant research and the development of appropriate methods for sustainable forest management.

Basics of Forest Ecology and Management

“…For instance, understanding how tree species, in turn whole sub-taiga forests, respond to stress, competition, and disturbance informs sustainable strategies where multiple dominant cover species coexist (Petrokas and Manton, 2023). In the context of Mongolian forests, the dominant tree cover is comprised of Larix sibirica, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus sibirica and Betula platyphylla followed by less common Picea obovata, Abies sibirica and Populus tremula (Dulamsuren et al, 2005).…”

“…The goal of this chapter is to understand the importance of preserving ecosystem processes to ensure Mongolia's forests maintain their resource attributes, as well as their hallmark calling as a source of national pride. Forest dynamicsgrowth, succession, damage/mortality, disturbance, rejuvenation, animal use, and otherscomprise healthy ecosystem functions and understanding their role in maintaining system resilience can aid forest managers in implementing successful programs (Rogers, 1996;Bergeron and Harvey, 1997;Petrokas and Manton, 2023). A crucial tenant of process-based forest management, therefore, is working within a framework of understanding forest dynamics.…”