Tail-dependence of masting synchrony results in continent-wide seed scarcity DOI Creative Commons
Jakub Szymkowiak, Jessie Foest, Andrew Hacket‐Pain

et al.

Published: June 6, 2024

Spatial synchrony may be tail-dependent, meaning it is stronger for peaks rather than troughs, or vice versa. High interannual variation in seed production perennial plants, called masting, can synchronized at subcontinental scales, triggering extensive resource pulses famines. We used data from 99 populations of European beech (\emph{Fagus sylvatica}) to examine whether masting differs between mast and years scarcity. Our results revealed that scarcity occurs simultaneously across the majority species range, extending separated by distances up 1800 km. Mast were spatially 1000 km was geographically concentrated northeastern Europe. Extensive lower tail means famines caused are amplified their spatial synchrony, with diverse consequences food web functioning climate change biology.

Language: Английский

Summer solstice orchestrates the subcontinental-scale synchrony of mast seeding DOI
Valentin Journé, Jakub Szymkowiak, Jessie Foest

et al.

Nature Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(3), P. 367 - 373

Published: March 8, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

11
Widespread breakdown in masting in European beech due to rising summer temperatures DOI Creative Commons
Jessie Foest, Michał Bogdziewicz, Mario B. Pesendorfer

et al.

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Climate change effects on tree reproduction are poorly understood, even though the resilience of populations relies sufficient regeneration to balance increasing rates mortality. Forest‐forming species often mast, i.e. reproduce through synchronised year‐to‐year variation in seed production, which improves pollination and reduces predation. Recent observations European beech show, however, that current climate can dampen interannual synchrony production this masting breakdown drastically viability crops. Importantly, it is unclear under conditions occurs how widespread pan‐European species. Here, we analysed 50 long‐term datasets population‐level sampled across distribution beech, identified summer temperatures as general driver breakdown. Specifically, increases site‐specific mean maximum during June July were observed most range, while variability (CVp) decreased. The declines CVp greatest, where increased rapidly. Additionally, occurrence crop failures low years has decreased last four decades, signalling altered starvation predators. Notably, did not vary among sites according site temperature. Instead, response warming local (i.e. relative temperatures), such risk restricted growing warm average conditions. As lowered reduce viable despite overall increase count, our results warn a covert mechanism underway may hinder potential change, with great alter forest functioning community dynamics.

Language: Английский

Citations

11
Evolutionary ecology of masting: mechanisms, models, and climate change DOI Creative Commons
Michał Bogdziewicz, Dave Kelly, Davide Ascoli

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(9), P. 851 - 862

Published: June 10, 2024

Many perennial plants show mast seeding, characterized by synchronous and highly variable reproduction across years. We propose a general model of masting, integrating proximate factors (environmental variation, weather cues, resource budgets) with ultimate drivers (predator satiation pollination efficiency). This shows how the relationships between masting shape diverse responses species to climate warming, ranging from no change lower interannual variation or reproductive failure. The role environmental prediction as driver is being reassessed; future studies need estimate accuracy benefits acquired. Since central plant adaptation change, understanding adapts shifting conditions now question.

Language: Английский

Citations

9
Growth decline in European beech associated with temperature-driven increase in reproductive allocation DOI Creative Commons
Andrew Hacket‐Pain, Jakub Szymkowiak, Valentin Journé

et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(5)

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Climate change is impacting forests in complex ways, with indirect effects arising from interactions between tree growth and reproduction often overlooked. Our 43-y study of European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) showed that rising summer temperatures since 2005 have led to more frequent seed production events. This shift increases reproductive effort but depletes the trees’ stored resources due insufficient recovery periods crops. Consequently, annual ring increments declined by 28%, dropping a stable average 1.60 mm y −1 1980 1.16 thereafter. Importantly, this decline occurred without an accompanying trend drought, indicating altered patterns—not moisture stress—are driving reduction. creates “perfect storm”: Increased drains resources, viable output falls loss mast-seeding benefits via pollination lower predation, ongoing reduces current carbon uptake future potential. These compounding factors threaten sustainability Europe’s most widespread forest tree. findings unveil critical yet underrecognized mechanism which climate endangers ecosystems, emphasizing need consider demographic processes when assessing species vulnerability change.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Comparing two ground-based seed count methods and their effect on masting metrics DOI
Jessie Foest, Michał Bogdziewicz, Thomas Caignard

et al.

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 581, P. 122551 - 122551

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Fine‐tuning mast seeding: as resources accumulate, plants become more sensitive to weather cues DOI Open Access
Dave Kelly, Jakub Szymkowiak, Andrew Hacket‐Pain

et al.

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 28, 2025

Summary Interannual variability of seed production, masting, has far‐reaching ecological impacts, including effects on forest regeneration and the population dynamics consumers. It is important to understand mechanisms driving masting predict how plant populations ecosystem may change into future, for short‐term forecasting production aid management. We used long‐term observations individual flowering effort in snow tussocks ( Chionochloa pallens ) European beech Fagus sylvatica test endogenous resource levels weather variation interact masting. In both species, there was an interaction between cue resources. If reserves were high, even weak temperature cues triggered relatively high reproductive effort, depleted resources suppressed reproduction presence strong cues. Resource played dual roles suppressant prompter reproduction, allowing plants fine‐tune length intervals large seeding years regardless variable frequency. The immediate application mast models increasingly global afforestation efforts. Moreover, role response will dictate responses climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Intraspecific variation in masting across climate gradients is inconsistent with the environmental stress hypothesis DOI Creative Commons
Jessie Foest, Thomas Caignard, Ian S. Pearse

et al.

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Year‐to‐year variation in seed crop size (i.e., masting) varies strongly among populations of the same species. Understanding what causes this is vital, as masting affects ability tree species to regenerate and determines population dynamics a wide variety animals. It commonly thought that environmental stress key driver variability. The hypothesis posits more marginal conditions increase strength masting. Using 437 time series from 19 species, we find fails fully explain how across marginality gradients. We expected higher interannual less frequent events at margins but instead found while mast years are indeed frequent, was lower toward margins. observed patterns suggest growing may invest resources low production compared with their conspecifics, hedging bets these challenging environments.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Tail‐dependence of masting synchrony results in continent‐wide seed scarcity DOI
Jakub Szymkowiak, Jessie Foest, Andrew Hacket‐Pain

et al.

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(7)

Published: July 1, 2024

Spatial synchrony may be tail-dependent, meaning it is stronger for peaks rather than troughs, or vice versa. High interannual variation in seed production perennial plants, called masting, can synchronized at subcontinental scales, triggering extensive resource pulses famines. We used data from 99 populations of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) to examine whether masting differs between mast and years scarcity. Our results revealed that scarcity occurs simultaneously across the majority species range, extending separated by distances up 1800 km. Mast were spatially 1000 km was geographically concentrated northeastern Europe. Extensive lower tail means famines caused are amplified their spatial synchrony, with diverse consequences food web functioning climate change biology.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Pollen source affects acorn production in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) DOI Creative Commons
Ryan McClory, R. H. Ellis, Martin Lukáč

et al.

Journal of Forestry Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Sept. 5, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Reconstruction of Araucaria araucana cone production reveals warming intensifies regionally synchronized masting DOI Creative Commons
Andrew Hacket‐Pain, Fidel A. Roig, Davide Ascoli

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Abstract The reproduction of many long‐lived plants is highly variable and synchronized, known as masting. Masting a key driver plant regeneration dynamics has cascading effects on food webs carbon nutrient fluxes through ecosystems. patterns can respond to changes in climate, but natural long‐term variability masting behavior (i.e., baseline variability) poorly understood. Here we use tree‐rings create four‐century reconstruction annual cone production uncover centennial‐scale evolution Araucaria araucana , dioecious species South America. Over the last four decades, direct observations this revealed remarkable range‐wide synchrony Our tree‐ring‐based places context, revealing that intense regional not consistent feature A. reproduction. For extensive periods over centuries, been site‐specific phenomenon, with was regionally synchronized. Comparison climate reconstructions indicates varies temperature trends, including during recent decades. During warmer periods, enhanced, cooler breaks down. These have implications for understanding iconic endangered tree provide evidence linkages between change behavior. study demonstrates potential novel reveal crucial insights into response change.

Language: Английский

Citations

1