ZLV Online

Abstract

The growth response of trees to changing climate plays a key role in the efficient management of forest ecosystems. The case study analyses long-term growth trends and reactions of conifer tree species (Norway spruce, silver fir, Scots pine) on climate characteristics in mixed selection forest of the Volovské vrchy Mts. in eastern Slovakia. The collection of data for the analysis of stand structure was carried out in 2016 on a series of 41 circular sample plots (size 500 m2). From the selected trees in different vertical layers of forest stand we collected totally 152 cores. Sampled cores were processed with standard dendrochronological methods. Based on the data acquired from the tree cores, silver fir was confirmed as the tree species with the best growth during the last three decades. As the only one tree species, fir showed a positive trend of diameter growth in this period. Regarding the influence of climate change, the most endangered tree species was Norway spruce. Its diameter growth was limited mainly by higher summer temperatures of current and previous year and by drought. According to the acquired results we assume that silver fir can be one of the tree species, which will replace Norway spruce in many localities. Nevertheless, questionable is how the fir will react on the gradual increase of climate extremes and the growing competitive pressure of European beech. Regarding the differences between stand layers, the results confirmed a lower sensitivity of middle layer trees to the impact of drought in comparison with the upper layer trees.