At the 1000km geographical distance in Dinaric montane forests of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), the tree response from the north-western sites towards southern, warmer and dryer sites was performed during three consecutive growing seasons (2011, 2012 and 2013). On eleven permanent plots, positioned in uneven-aged beech and fir forests above 800m along the geographical gradient, the physiological and morphological response to light intensity were measured in predefined light categories based on the analysis of hemispherical photos. Radial growth was analysed on all plots and compared to precipitation, temperature and two drought indexes. Analysis showed a decrease in the cumulative precipitation and no change in temperature between plots. Beech was most efficient in the open area light conditions, while fir proved most efficient under shelter. Physiological response for beech increased towards SE and reached its maximal values in the middle of transect, while fir's response decreased from the NW towards SE. Tendency to plagiotropic growth decreased from NW to SE in both species. Growth response to climatic parameters is weak, stronger in fir than in beech and decreasing towards SE.
COBISS.SI-ID: 5553574
Carbon cycling in the forest ecosystems is affected by various natural factors (climate change, drought, fire, bark beetle attacks) and human influence (forest management, altered tree species composition, changed land use, urbanization). Various approaches of forest management and harvesting intensity influence the dynamics of carbon cycling between the atmosphere and forest soils as well as the soil carbon stocks. Changed microclimate affects carbon cycling, tree growth, organic decomposition and soil respiration. Current way of forest management in the Dinaric silver fir-beech forests as well as the intensity of silvicultural measures regarding living stock provides balance and preserves the amount of carbon in the forest ecosystems. Large scale disturbances change microclimatic site conditions and lead into the aboveground- and soil-carbon loss.
COBISS.SI-ID: 5362854