LITTLE ICE AGE DECLINE OF A COLD MARGINAL <i>PINUS SYLVESTRIS</i> FOREST IN THE SWEDISH SCANDES

Kullman, Leif

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1987.tb00161.x

Cited by 36 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In northwestern Canada there has been increased establishment of white spruce (Picea glauca), resulting in increasing density but no substantial increase in the altitude of the treeline during the past 150 yr (Szeicz & Macdonald, 1995). Similar situations have been reported in central Sweden (Kullman, 1987) and northern Que! bec (Payette & Filion, 1985).…”

Section:   mentioning

confidence: 50%

Tansley Review No. 114

Crawford

2000

New Phytologist

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A cyclic behaviour in the intensity of maritime conditions which varies with the periodic behaviour of the North Atlantic oscillation has recently become apparent in the climatic record of northern Europe. Periodic increases in oceanicity are usually viewed as having a positive effect on plant survival, as milder winters, reduction of temperature extremes, low risk of exposure to frost, and freedom from drought reduce many aspects of environmental stress. However, warmer winters in maritime environments may also have a powerful influence in creating habitats that are unfavourable for many species. The dangers of long periods of soil saturation for overwintering plants, soaking injury to germinating seeds, premature bud burst in spring, depression of treelines by increased cloud cover and high lapse rates, as well as the constant leaching of soils, are all negative aspects of the maritime environment. Woody species in which root dormancy is delayed by mild winters are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of winter flooding. Subsequent re-exposure to oxygen as water tables fall in spring can aggravate flooding damage through post-anoxic injury, leading to severe dieback of anchoring roots. Soil leaching, particularly after human disturbance, can induce nutrient deficiencies and the establishment of oligotrophic communities with reduced productivity. Podzolization and iron pan formation have in the past facilitated the processes of paludification in oceanic regions. The resulting spread of bogs and acid moorlands can further reduce the potential for productivity in both agriculture and natural plant communities. Given the probability that current climatic trends may increase the degree of oceanicity in western and northern regions of Europe, the potentially negative consequences of such a climatic change need to be considered in relation to future ecological changes and their consequences for conservation and land use.

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Section:   mentioning

confidence: 50%

Tansley Review No. 114

Crawford

2000

New Phytologist

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“…Similar phenomena are documented all over northern Fennoscandia (e.g. Kranck 1909, Olafsen 1911, Caseldine & Matthews 1987, Kullman 1987, 1996a and in the European Alps (Damm 1998).…”

Section: The Long-term Perspectivementioning

confidence: 57%

Tree-limit rise and recent warming: a geoecological case study from the Swedish Scandes

Kullman

2000

Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift - Norwegian Journal of Geography

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Tree-limit rise and recent warming: a geoecological case study from the Swedish Scandes LEIF KULLMAN Kullman, L. 2000. Tree-limit rise and recent warming: a geoecological case study from the Swedish Scandes.Twentieth-century elevational tree-limit (TL) and species-limit histories have been reconstructed for Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies and Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa within a permanent belt transect in the southern Swedish Scandes. Upward TL shifts of 100-130 m between c. 1915 and 1999 appear related to a summer warming of c. 0.78C, and increased winter temperatures. Rates of tree recruitment and individual growth have increased substantially since 1974, notably during the 1990s, apparently mainly in response to some warm summers and a sequence of exceptionally mild winters. The distributional trend during the 20th century constitutes a fundamental and unexpected break in a monotonic, century-scale TL descent throughout most of the Holocene (exemplified by Pinus sylvestris), which was particularly accentuated during the 'Little Ice Age' of the past several centuries. Assuming that the TL stabilizes at the new, higher level for several decades, its elevation will be higher than at any time during at least the past c. 4000 radiocarbon years. This recent history is relevant as one possible model of the ecological consequences of anthropogenic climate forcing, and the TL may be an appropriate and sensitive system for monitoring the ecological effects of future climate change and variability.

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“…To some extent, forest decline during the Little Ice Age (cf. Kullman, 1986Kullman, , 1987Payette et al, 1989) in various parts of the boreal zone may have been initiated in this way. Although pure speculation, the present event offers one possible mechanism for the unlagged response of forests to the cooling of the Younger Dryas period (cf.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cataclysmic response to recent cooling of a natural boreal pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest in northern Sweden

Kullman

1991

New Phytologist

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SII M M A R YInstant stand-level dieback occurred in boreal coniferous forests of northern Sweden in 1 087. A population of pine (Finns sylvestri.s L,) and subdominant spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst,) was analysed witb respect to defoliation, age structure, ladial increment and soil conditions. Defoliation and mortality were due to frost and drought in response to an early winter witb abnormal cold and a tbin snow cover, A tbick mor bumus layer preconditioned ground frost preservation. Annual radial increment bad declined steadily over c, 40 years, in variance witb climatic cooling and local exposure. Possibly, tbe growtb decline depleted energy reserves and lowered tbe tolerance to climatic stress during extreme conditions. It is obvious tbat tbe structure of nortbem boreal forests responds perceivably to sbort-term tbermal decline, Tbe outlined mecbanism of dieback may prevent tbe evolution of climax in tbe absence of otber exogenous disturbances, Tbe present event may be a small-scale analogue of forest response.s to rapid cooling during, for example, tbe Younger Dryas period and tbe Little Ice Age,

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LITTLE ICE AGE DECLINE OF A COLD MARGINAL PINUS SYLVESTRIS FOREST IN THE SWEDISH SCANDES

Cited by 36 publications

References 42 publications

Tansley Review No. 114

Tansley Review No. 114

Tree-limit rise and recent warming: a geoecological case study from the Swedish Scandes

Cataclysmic response to recent cooling of a natural boreal pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest in northern Sweden

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