On the relationship between drought stress-induced tree mortality of European beech with after-effects and small-scale variability in soil properties and neighborhood conditions (BEECHDECLINE)
Background and motivation
The extreme drought in 2018/19 led to widespread loss of vitality, partial crown dieback and tree mortality in European beech (Fagus sylatica), the most important tree species in the natural forest vegetation of Central Europe. Great heterogeneity was observed at the affected sites, with individuals that reacted strongly to the drought - including dieback - occurring alongside vital and apparently unaffected individuals. Most likely, complex interactions between different abiotic and biotic factors are responsible for this uneven distribution of drought response in beech stands.
Objectives and approach
- Quantification of the loss of vitality of the trees
- Quantification and comparison of trees using indicators of decline derived from derived from radial growth and stable isotopes of tree rings
- Development of a new strategy for risk assessment by placing it in the biogeographical context for drought-induced patterns of growth decline and recovery across the the range of the European beech
In an accompanying study, remote sensing and soil analysis will be used to soil analysis, the small-scale heterogeneity of abiotic factors and their their relationship with the water availability in the soil within the the stand and intra-specific competition as a critical biotic factor. biotic factor is quantified.
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