Sessile Oak Forest Ecosystems From Transylvania in the Context of Climatic Changes

Abstract

Climatic modelling software was used in order to measure future changes in climatic conditions. The software HYPE can realize prognosis for certain climatic factors responsible for causing extreme climatic phenomena in forest ecosystems. It was applied to study sessile oak forest ecosystems from Transylvania. Sample surfaces were installed, inventoried and followed by simulations of two future climatic scenarios. Two such scenarios were chosen, namely the climatic scenario in which the gas effect concentration will increase moderately (rcp-4.5) and the climatic scenario in which the gas effect concentration will be accentuated (rcp-8.5). The data was then processed and which led to an analysis of the way in which future climatic changes will affect forest ecosystems located in the studied area. After analyzing all three sessile oak stands, we can conclude that the Mediaș stand is the most vulnerable one to both climatic parameters. Future climatic scenarios are necessary for other surfaces located in our country for the same species, as well as for others in order to have a bigger picture of future implications. The best management measures and decisions regarding the installment of future stands can consequently be taken based on these results.