Abstract
This study reports on an investigation of fine root and foliage productivity in forest stands dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and exposed to contrasting intensities of mature forest harvesting. The main aim of this study was to consider the long-term effects of canopy manipulation on resource acquisition biomass compartments in beech. We made use of an experiment established in 1989, when five different light availability treatments were started in plots within a uniform forest stand, ranging from no reduction in tree density to full mature forest removal. We measured fine root standing stock in the 0–30 cm soil layer by coring in 2013 and then followed annual fine root production (in-growth cores) and foliage production (litter baskets) in 2013–2015. We found that the plot where the tree density was reduced by 30% had the lowest foliage and the highest fine root production. In 2013, this plot had the highest fine root turnover rate (0.8 year−1), while this indicator of fine root dynamics was much lower in the other four treatments (around 0.3 year−1). We also found that the annual fine root production represented around two thirds of annual foliage growth on the mass basis in all treatments. While our findings support the maintenance of source and sink balance in woody plants, we also found a long-lasting effect of tree density manipulation on investment into resource acquisition compartments in beech forests.
Highlights
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L., beech hereafter) is one of the most important tree species in Europe—both commercially and ecologically
Tree density followed by HC (5.1 m), MC (3.0 m), and the LC plot (2.3 m)
Tree density followed the reverse trend, followed the reverse trend, the least number of trees was found in the NC plot, the least number of trees was found in the NC plot, while the highest number of while the highest number of trees was recorded in the MC plot (58,000 ha−1)
Summary
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L., beech hereafter) is one of the most important tree species in Europe—both commercially and ecologically. In Slovakia, beech is the most common tree species and covers around 34% of the country’s forested area [2]. Beech stands occur within an altitudinal range spanning from 250 m above sea level (a.s.l) up to 1250 m a.s.l. Beech represents the most important species for commercial forestry but is extremely important ecologically since it is relatively resistant to ongoing climate change [4,5], notably in mixed-species forests [6]. European beech is tolerant of shade conditions, especially during the initial stages of growth when shielding by a mature canopy aids regeneration [1]. The shelter-wood silviculture system and Forests 2020, 11, 940; doi:10.3390/f11090940 www.mdpi.com/journal/forests
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