Phenology of four broad-leaved forest trees in a submountain beech forest

Abstract

ABStRAct:The phenology of four deciduous forest tree species (Carpinus betulus L., Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus dalechampii Ten., Tilia cordata Mill.) was studied in a submountain beech forest stand in Central Slovakia. Two spring phenological phases -bud-burst and leaf unfolding as well as one autumn phase -autumn leaf colouring were monitored over the period of 13 years. The results documented interannual variability in the dating of phenological phases within the species, while the differences among the species were also revealed. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were detected between the dating of leaf unfolding and air temperature; the coefficients of correlation (r) ranged from -0.86 (hornbeam and beech) to -0.92 (oak). Significant relationships were also revealed between cumulative precipitation amounts and timing of autumn leaf colouring phase (r-value ranged from -0.73 in oak to -0.81 in hornbeam). The trend analysis showed that the onset of phenological phases was slightly shifted to the earlier dates during the period of 13 years. However, the trends were not statistically significant. some tree species, e.g. beech (Gessler et al. 2007). On the other hand, we can expect a relatively positive effect -longer duration of the growing season (Chmielewski, Rötzer 2001). But it is not clear how these changes can affect the behaviour of trees when their regulatory mechanisms are disrupted.The aim of the present study is to analyze variability in the onset of selected vegetative phenological phases in four deciduous forest tree species in a submountain beech forest stand during the period of 13 years. Potential relationships between selected climatic factors and phenological phases were also studied. MAteRiAl And MethodS Study siteInvestigations were carried out in a submountain beech forest stand at the Beech Ecological Experimental Station (BEES), which is localized in the south-east part of the Kremnické vrchy Mts. (48°38'N, 19 o 04'E, 450-520 m a.s.l.). The study area is situated on a slope 5-15° oriented to the westsouthwest. The soil cover is skeletal Cambisol with moderate acid reaction and skeleton content ranging from 10 to 60% (Kukla et al. 1998 (Kontriš et al. 1993). The investigated area belongs to the moderately warm region and moderately warm and humid hilly land subregion (according to Lapin et al. 2002). The mean annual air temperature and mean annual rainfall totals are 6.8°C and 780 mm, respectively. On average, the coldest month is January (-4°C), while the warmest one is July (17°C). About 55% of the annual precipitation amount falls from April to September (Střelec 1992). More information detailing the BEES was described in papers published by Kodrík (1993), Barna (2004), Kuklová et al. (2005), Kellerová and Janík (2006). Phenological monitoring and meteo-dataPhenological observations were done according to slightly modified methodology used by the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (Slovenský hydrometeorologický ústav -SHMI 1996). Monitoring (for the period 1995-2007) usually start...

A Review of the Characteristics of Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) and Their Implications for Silviculture in a Changing Climate

“…According to the observations of Schieber et al [79], there is a significant positive correlation between the autumnal coloration of the leaves and the cumulative precipitation from May to August. Given its late budding and early leaf shedding, T. cordata has a very short vegetation period.…”

“…Usually, bud burst occurs in mid-April and the first developed leaves appear approximately 5-10 days later, which is a very short period [18,79,80]. These spring phenophases are strongly correlated with air temperature, particularly the accumulation of temperatures [79,81]. In the study of Wesołowski and Rowiński [80] in Białowieża National Park (Poland), the sum of the temperatures greater than 0˝C from March was the best predictor of the budbreak date.…”

“…When compared with other tree genera like Fagus and Acer, T. cordata can be considered to have late bud burst and leaf unfolding and early leaf fall [79,80]. Usually, bud burst occurs in mid-April and the first developed leaves appear approximately 5-10 days later, which is a very short period [18,79,80].…”

“…Leaf coloring starts in the second half of September, and leaf shedding usually ends around late October or early November [55,79,84]. According to the observations of Schieber et al [79], there is a significant positive correlation between the autumnal coloration of the leaves and the cumulative precipitation from May to August.…”

Phenology of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) along the altitudinal gradient in Slovakia (Inner Western Carpathians)

“…On the contrary, there is generally enough moisture near the upper limit, but the lack of warmth is evident. Phenology of common beech was studied by several authors (Cicák, Štefančík 1993;Heide 1993;von Wuehlisch et al 1995;Falussi, Calamassi 1997;Štefančík 1997;Priwitzer, Miňďáš 1998;Chmura, Rozkowski 2002;Schieber 2006;Bednářová, Merklová 2007;Merklová, Bednářová 2008;Barna et al 2009;Schieber et al 2009). Only a few works were devoted to the investigation of phenological responses of beech along the vertical gradient Vitasse et al 2009;Čufar et al 2012).…”