Early Survival and Growth Plasticity of 33 Species Planted in 38 Arboreta across the European Atlantic Area

Abstract

To anticipate European climate scenarios for the end of the century, we explored the climate gradient within the REINFFORCE (RÉseau INFrastructure de recherche pour le suivi et l’adaptation des FORêts au Changement climatiquE) arboreta network, established in 38 sites between latitudes 37° and 57°, where 33 tree species are represented. We aim to determine which climatic variables best explain their survival and growth, and identify those species that are more tolerant of climate variation and those of which the growth and survival future climate might constrain. We used empirical models to determine the best climatic predictor variables that explain tree survival and growth. Precipitation-transfer distance was most important for the survival of broadleaved species, whereas growing-season-degree days best explained conifer-tree survival. Growth (annual height increment) was mainly explained by a derived annual dryness index (ADI) for both conifers and broadleaved trees. Species that showed the greatest variation in survival and growth in response to climatic variation included Betula pendula Roth, Pinus elliottii Engelm., and Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don, and those that were least affected included Quercus shumardii Buckland and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold. We also demonstrated that provenance differences were significant for Pinus pinea L., Quercus robur L., and Ceratonia siliqua L. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of infrastructures along a climatic gradient like REINFFORCE to determine major tendencies of tree species responding to climate changes.

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacaciaL.) range contraction and expansion in Europe under changing climate

“…Consequently, introductions of R. pseudoacacia in new regions of Europe should refer to pan‐European provenance tests, following the provenance recommendations for this species (Konnert et al, 2018). These, however, are not representative for Central and Eastern Europe, referring mainly to the European Atlantic area (Correia et al, 2018).…”

Wind damage to forests and trees: a review with an emphasis on planted and managed forests

“…There is evidence that mixed species and mixed structure stands have stability benefits compared to pure single-species stands (Gardiner et al 2005;Griess and Knoke 2011;Valinger and Fridman 2011;Bauhus et al 2017;Brockerhoff et al 2017;Jactel et al 2017) although the evidence to date is from a relatively few forest types. The other difficulty is that such ideas have to be taken in the context of rapid changes to growing conditions because of the changing climate and this may limit the species that are suitable in the future (Correia et al 2018). Therefore, further work is needed to compare the potential gains in stability of mixed species and mixed structure forests against the increased complexity of managing such forests and the choice of suitable species in a changing climate.…”

Factors causing the death of Kabesak (Acacia leucophloea Roxb. Willd.) seedlings in the monsoon tropical forest of Timor Island

“…Ketersediaan semai dan sapling sangat penting untuk mengatur atau mempertahankan populasi tumbuhan dan adaptasinya terhadap perubahan lingkungan (Han et al, 2018). Banyak penelitian telah memfokuskan pada kelangsungan hidup semai sebagai komponen penting dari pembentukan tumbuhan, yang membentuk tingkat migrasi tumbuhan tersebut (Correia et al, 2018;Gailing, 2013).…”