The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia

Matisone, Ilze; Matisons, Roberts; Jansons, Āris

doi:10.3390/f12030340

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…This is probably explained by the more recent disturbance and the smaller cover loss of ash in the tree layers so far. With the persistent advance of ADB, it seems only a matter of time until ash is also lost from the tree canopy in most of our study sites (Ruks 2020, Matisone et al 2021). However, between 1989 and 2021, DED also provided ash with a brief window of opportunity to ll emerging canopy gaps.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Vegetation responses to pathogen-induced tree loss – Swedish elm and ash forests revisited after 32 years

Brunet

Felton

Hedwall

2023

Preprint

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Invasive fungal pathogens are an increasing problem globally and can cause devastating effects on forest ecosystems. In this study we contrast vegetation surveys in eutrophic elm (Ulmus glabra) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) forests in southern Sweden, conducted just prior to the arrival of Dutch elm disease (DED) in 1989, and then again in 2021, several years after ash dieback (ADB) began. Mean cover and species richness (α-diversity) of the upper tree layer strongly decreased from 1989 to 2021. In the lower tree layer, loss of elm and ash was compensated by an increase in other tree species. The cover and richness of the shrub layer increased in previously elm-dominated stands but not in ash-dominated stands. Canopy recovery was mainly dominated by shade-tolerant tree species which, especially in the previously ash-dominated stands, implies a successional shift. The extensive loss of canopy cover in elm stands caused a larger change in species composition and increased compositional variability (β-diversity) between plots when compared to the ash stands. The direction of the changes in tree layer composition between the surveys varied with soil moisture and nutrient availability. While beech increased in less eutrophic plots, more nutrient rich plots changed towards hornbeam or small-leaved lime, and wetter plots turned towards alder and bird cherry. Hence, our results indicate increased compositional diversity and alternative successional pathways for community reorganization following DED and ADB. Future research will reveal if these pathways will later merge or further split.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Vegetation responses to pathogen-induced tree loss – Swedish elm and ash forests revisited after 32 years

Brunet

Felton

Hedwall

2023

Preprint

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“…However, both species are thermophilic, being limited by low temperature [11,12] but are likely to become suited to more northerly regions and higher elevations than they are at present [21]. Small-leaved lime and Norway maple both together or separately are often present in sites where other native tree species (e.g., Ulmus, Fraxinus) have declined [22,23]. Lime is known to successfully compete with oaks in moist sites [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Height Growth Suggests Moderate Growth of Tilia cordata and Acer platanoides at the Native Hemiboreal Stands in Latvia

Matisone,

Šņepsts,

Kaupe

et al. 2023

Forests

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In the Eastern Baltics, climatic changes are expected to alter forest composition favouring broadleaved species. The height growth of trees influences the productivity of stands and the competitiveness of species, particularly in mixed sites, thus emphasising the necessity for accurate projections. Accordingly, height models are paramount for projecting productivity and yields of stands. As tree height growth dynamics vary regionally, regional or even local models are needed. Based upon 214 National Forest Inventory plots and 510 individual canopy trees, dominant height growth for small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) in Latvia were analysed. Height growth was modelled using a generalised algebraic difference approach, testing several non-linear equations. The Sloboda (for lime) and Hossfeld I (for maple) models showed the best fit and were the most realistic, predicting slower initial and middle-age (maturing period) growth, yet also displayed higher asymptotes compared to Western Europe. The predicted height at the age of 80 years was 14–33 m and 13–34 m for lime and maple, accordingly. A longer establishment period and later growth culmination suggest longer rotation, highlighting the assessment of long-term risks. In this case, supplementation of the models with climatic effects appears advantageous.

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Indirect auxiliary organogenesis of Fraxinus excelsior L. as a tool for ash dieback control

2023

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The existence of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) is threatened by fungus-induced ash dieback. It is essential to find effective methods to multiply ash genotypes resistant to ash dieback while preserving the genetic diversity of these tree populations. In this paper the efficient method for production of European ash seedlings using indirect auxiliary organogenesis with multi-factor analysis of its effectiveness is presented. Procedures for a dormancy breaking treatment of seeds and effective disinfection of F. excelsior primary explants, as well as appropriate composition of the culture media taking into account impact of growth regulators and physiological gradient on the micropropagation efficiency were developed. As primary explant for micropropagation of F. excelsior, leaf buds, megagametophytes and zygotic embryos were tested. The best-performing type of primary explant for micropropagation of European ash proved to be zygotic embryos, which were successfully used to regenerate seedlings via indirect auxiliary organogenesis. No statistically significant impact of population origin of F. excelsior explant donor trees was observed on the effectiveness of callus initiation. However, such difference was significant in regard to average productivity of acquired callus cultures (number of seedlings produced) and to average root length of regenerated seedlings. Health condition of explant donor trees and their seeds affects the callus initiation rate from zygotic embryos, but does not affect the productivity of callus lines derived from the seeds and the quality of regenerated seedlings. Indirect auxiliary organogenesis of F. excelsior, developed in our study, not only provides the acquisition of ash seedlings of different genotypes, but also enables rapid selection of desired genotypes already at the callus stage. In this way, the presented method benefits not only profit oriented forestry and wood industry, but also provide the effective and fully controllable tool for reintroduction of various resistant to ash-dieback F. excelsior genotypes without loss of variability and genetic identity of its populations.

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The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia

Cited by 12 publications

References 67 publications

Vegetation responses to pathogen-induced tree loss – Swedish elm and ash forests revisited after 32 years

Vegetation responses to pathogen-induced tree loss – Swedish elm and ash forests revisited after 32 years

Analysis of Height Growth Suggests Moderate Growth of Tilia cordata and Acer platanoides at the Native Hemiboreal Stands in Latvia

Indirect auxiliary organogenesis of Fraxinus excelsior L. as a tool for ash dieback control

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