Ecological valence of expanding European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Bohemian Karst (Czech Republic)

Střeštík, S.; Šamonil, Pavel

doi:10.17221/4511-jfs

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…This trend is obviously the direct reason for the expansion of F. excelsior, as reported from several other places (Hofmeister et al, 2004;Střeštík & Šamonil, 2006;von Oheimb & Brunet, 2007). The expansion of nutrient-demanding species is consistent with the observed increase in mean Ellenberg indicator value for nutrients.…”

Section: Species and Vegetation Changesupporting

confidence: 89%

Half a century of succession in a temperate oakwood: from species‐rich community to mesic forest

Hédl

Kopecký

Komárek³

2010

Diversity and Distributions

207

152

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Aim Lowland woodlands in Europe went through dramatic changes in management in the past century. This article investigates the influence of two key factors, abandonment of coppicing and increased pressure of ungulates, in thermophilous oakwoods. We focused on three interconnected topics: (1) Has the assumed successional trend lead to impoverishment of the vegetation assemblages?(2) Has it resulted in vegetation homogenization? (3) Are the thermophilous oakwoods loosing their original character?Location Czech Republic, Central Europe. MethodsThe vegetation in 46 semi-permanent plots was recorded three times: firstly, shortly after the abandonment of coppicing (1953) and then, after four to six decades of secondary succession and strong game impact (1992 and 2006). Overall trends and changes in species spectra were analysed. ResultsThere is a marked successional shift towards species-poorer communities growing in cooler, moister and nutrient-richer conditions. The change was significantly different in parts affected and unaffected by high numbers of ungulates yet only for herbs, not the woody species. However, observed change in species composition was not accompanied by significant homogenization process that is the general process reported from elsewhere. A sharp decline in plant species typical for thermophilous woodland communities and in endangered species indicates that the original character of the woodland has been gradually lost.Main conclusions Thermophilous oakwoods have been largely replaced by mesic forests. Lowland oakwoods in continental parts of Europe historically depended on active management, which kept the understorey conditions light and warm. Successional processes in the 20th century caused a critical loss of species diversity at various spatial levels. However, artificially high numbers of ungulates, which otherwise have a negative impact, probably held up succession, so that the changes may still be reversible.

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Section: Species and Vegetation Changesupporting

confidence: 89%

Half a century of succession in a temperate oakwood: from species‐rich community to mesic forest

Hédl

Kopecký

Komárek³

2010

Diversity and Distributions

207

152

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“…Ash productivity is strongly influenced by soil composition, climate factors and silviculture. Species thrives on rather deep, humid, fertile, heavy and partially decalcified soils (Střeštík & Šamonil, 2006;Dobrowolska et al, 2011). In term of climatic factors, correlation was generally the strongest between ash increment and temperature compared to precipitation on study plots, especially in the winter and second half of growing season.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Effect of fungal pathogens and climatic factors on production, biodiversity and health status of ash mountain forests

Vacek¹,

Vacek²,

Bulušek³

et al. 2017

Dendrobiology

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European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) is a broad-leaved fast-growing tree species common in most parts of Europe, highly-valued for its ecological properties and occurrence in many forest site types. Its future is threatened, especially by an invasive fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causing disintegration of E. ash stands throughout all Europe. This paper deals with changes in stand structure, biodiversity and production parameters in mixed European ash stands in the Krkonoše Mountains National park, Czech Republic, with respect to ash dieback progress for period [2009][2010][2011][2012][2013][2014][2015]. Studied four permanent research plots (0.25 ha) showed negative dynamics of stand structural and production parameters. Volume of ash ranged between 98-376 m 3 ha -1 (stand volume 378-613 m 3 ha -1), which indicates a decrease by 2.7% during 6 years. Detected fungi caused mean deterioration of foliage by 22.9%, canopy by 15.8% and mortality reached 15.2%. The earlier ash dieback symptoms were detected at suppressed and intermediate trees, especially on waterlogged sites and at low altitude. Conversely, ash dieback was reflected less intensively at higher-elevated sloping stands, although low temperature (particularly severe frosts at the beginning of the year) was prevailing limiting factor for radial growth of ash in these mountain areas. The biodiversity indices of tree layer indicate mostly medium values with a decreasing tendency (to 22.4%). Relationship between spatial pattern of trees without dieback symptoms and infected trees was positive at small distances (to 7 m) or random. In terms of preventive silvicultural practices, strong systematic thinning is recommended to maintain the vitality of ash stands.

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“…Nevertheless, ash establishment may be limited on optimum sites for beech. Thus, a correlation between canopy openness and mean density of ash seedlings was found by Modrý, Hubený & Rejšek (), and Střeštil and Šammonil () found that ash could not establish itself under beech on south‐facing slopes on limestone in the continental climate of the Czech Republic.…”

Section: Response To Environmentmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…It was found in southern Sweden that ash seedling densities were higher in deciduous woodlands than in stands including conifers (Götmark et al . ), and Střeštil & Šammonil () found faster growth of ash seedlings in the Czech Republic in Fageto–Quercetum illimerosum than in the Carpineto–Aceretum saxatile community. On good sites, Kerr () found little evidence of intraspecific competition and in monoculture plantations, ash increased in height, diameter and stem volume with a decrease in spacing from 4.86 to 0.77 m between trees although Kuehne et al .…”

Section: Response To Environmentmentioning

confidence: 94%

Biological Flora of the British Isles:Fraxinus excelsior

Thomas

2016

Journal of Ecology

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Summary1. This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Fraxinus excelsior L. (Ash) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history, and conservation. 2. Fraxinus excelsior is a large forest tree, native throughout the main islands of Britain and much of mainland Europe. Seedlings are shade tolerant, but adults are not so it tends to be an intermediate successional species, invading gaps in mixed stands rather than forming extensive pure stands. Ash grows on a wide range of soils but is commonest on nutrient-rich soils with a high base status and pH > 4.2, and is at its best on dry calcareous screes and fertile alluvial soils. 3. Fraxinus excelsior is trioecious or subdioecious with male, hermaphrodite and female flowers and trees. Seed production is prolific with periodic higher producing mast years. Seeds are primarily wind-dispersed, but they can float and be moved considerable distances along waterways. Germination is delayed by dormancy until usually the second spring after being shed. 4. Ash is tolerant of drought, but intolerant of spring frosts and so is predicted to fare well under current climate change scenarios, and indeed has recently been expanding in range in Europe. However, ash health and survival is currently seriously compromised by ash dieback caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Chalara fraxinea) that has the potential to kill all but a very few resistant trees. Moreover, the emerald ash borer beetle Agrilus planipennis, a serious pest of ash species in N. America, has reached Europe (though not yet the British Isles) and poses an equally if not more serious long-term threat to ash.

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Ecological valence of expanding European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Bohemian Karst (Czech Republic)

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

Half a century of succession in a temperate oakwood: from species‐rich community to mesic forest

Half a century of succession in a temperate oakwood: from species‐rich community to mesic forest

Effect of fungal pathogens and climatic factors on production, biodiversity and health status of ash mountain forests

Biological Flora of the British Isles:Fraxinus excelsior

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