Long-term trends in tree-ring width and isotope signatures (δ13C, δ15N) of Fagus sylvatica L. on soils with contrasting water supply

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Werner Härdtle - , Leuphana Universität Lüneburg (Autor:in)
  • Thomas Niemeyer - , Leuphana Universität Lüneburg (Autor:in)
  • Thorsten Assmann - (Autor:in)
  • A. Aulinger - (Autor:in)
  • S. Baiboks - (Autor:in)
  • U. Friedrich - (Autor:in)
  • A.C. Lang - (Autor:in)
  • B. Neuwirth - (Autor:in)
  • L. Pfister - (Autor:in)
  • M. Quante - (Autor:in)
  • Andreas Schuldt - , Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig (Autor:in)
  • N. Simon - (Autor:in)
  • Goddert von Oheimb - , Leuphana Universität Lüneburg (Autor:in)

Abstract

We investigated climate–growth relationships (in terms of tree-ring width, basal area increment (BAI), and tree-ring δ13C signatures) of Quercus petraea in Central Europe (Luxembourg). Tree responses were assessed for 160 years and compared for sites with contrasting water supply (i.e. Cambisols vs. Regosols with 175 and 42 mm available water capacity, respectively). Oak trees displayed very low climate sensitivity, and climatic variables explained only 24 and 21 % of variance in tree-ring width (TRW) (Cambisol and Regosol sites, respectively). Contrary to our expectations, site-related differences in growth responses (i.e. BAI, δ13C signatures) to climate shifts were not significant. This finding suggests a high plasticity of oak trees in the study area. Despite a distinct growth depression found for all trees in the decade 1988–1997 (attributable to increasing annual mean temperatures by 1.1 °C), oak trees completely recovered in subsequent years. This indicates a high resilience of sessile oak to climate change. Shifts in δ13Ccorr signatures were mainly affected by temperature, and peaks in δ13Ccorr values (corrected for the anthropogenic increase in atmospheric CO2) coincided with decadal maximum temperatures. Correlations between δ13C signatures and TRW (mainly affected by precipitation) were not significant. This finding suggests that wood growth often was disconnected from carbon assimilation (e.g. due to carbon storage in the trunk or allocation to seeds). Since the selection of drought-resistant tree species gains importance within the context of adaptive forest management strategies, Q. petraea proves to be an adaptive tree species in Central Europe’s forests under shifting climatic conditions.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1413 - 1428
FachzeitschriftEcosystems
Jahrgang16
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2013
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 84888004332
ORCID /0000-0001-7408-425X/work/149081478

Schlagworte