Growth and Assemblage Dynamics of Temperate Forest Tree Species Match Physiological Resilience to Changes in Atmospheric Chemistry

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Human-induced environmental changes are altering forest productivity and species composition, significantly impacting tree physiology, growth, water uptake, nutrient acquisition. Investigating the intricate interplay between plant physiology shifts, we analyzed tree-ring isotopes (δ13C, δ18O, δ15N) to track long-term trends in intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) nitrogen availability for European beech, Norway spruce, silver fir a unique old-growth temperate mountain since 1501 ce. Our findings reveal that dominant species, exhibited iWUE saturation, exacerbated by acidic precipitation, resulting growth declines during periods of high air pollution increased drought frequency. In contrast, deep-rooted, deciduous beech demonstrated physiological resilience acid deposition, benefiting from lower dry deposition precipitation acidity thriving under conditions elevated temperatures, thereby sustaining stem regardless potential climatic limitations. Silver showed most dynamic response pollution, with contemporary adaptations leaf gas exchange allowing accelerated cleaner conditions. These different responses underscore shifts competition, gaining dominance as spruce decline. Furthermore, influence ontogeny is evident, tree-rings initial values higher δ15N, reflecting uptake dynamics ecological role age. study integrates tree-growth trends, revealing pivotal atmospheric chemistry shaping competitive trajectories forests.

Language: Английский

Climate sensitivity of Abies alba Mill. in marginal Mediterranean low-elevation stands reveals new insights into the ecological potential of the species

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 585, P. 122670 - 122670

Published: March 30, 2025

Language: Английский