Abstract
At present, temperate forest ecosystems are endangered by both abiotic and biotic factors. The effects of abiotic components, e.g., meteorological variables, are constantly studied. However, the detailed mechanisms affecting the phenology of plants are still unknown. Two meteorological variables (air temperature and cumulative precipitation) were analysed for the period from 1995 to 2020 in order to determine which factor which has a more significant effect on onset of the full-flowering (FF) phenophase. A set of nine forest herbs, representing different phenological groups from the viewpoint of flowering, was examined (early spring: Petasites albus and Pulmonaria officinalis; mid-spring: Carex pilosa and Dentaria bulbifera; late spring: Fragaria visa and Galium odoratum; early summer: Veronica officinalis; mid-summer: Mycelis muralis; and late summer: Campanula trachelium). Temperature-sum requirements and temporal trends in the onset of FF were also studied. The research conducted at the Ecological Experimental Station in the Kremnické vrchy Mountains (central Slovakia) at an altitude of 500 m asl. Our results show that the air temperature correlated more significantly with the date of onset of FF (r > 0.6, p < 0.001) than with precipitation. On average, the air-temperature sums, calculated for the threshold temperatures of 0 °C and 5 °C, increased from 142.9 °C (Petasites albus) to 1732.9 °C (Campanula trachelium) and from 223.4 °C (Petasites albus) to 1820.8 °C (Campanula trachelium), respectively. Temporal trends in the onset of FF over the last 26 years confirm shifts to earlier dates for most species (excepting early spring Petasites albus). In spring flowering species, shifts ranged from 2 days (0.07 day/year) for Pulmonaria officinalis to 8 days (0.30 day/year) for Carex pilosa. As for summer species, the onset of flowering shifted more significantly to earlier dates—from 7 days (0.27 day/year) for Campanula trachelium to 12 days (0.46 day/year) for Veronica officinalis. The observed trends were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for five examined species (Carex pilosa, Dentaria bulbifera, Fragaria vesca, Veronica officinalis and Mycelis muralis).
Highlights
IntroductionIntroduction iationsIn recent decades, both climate and environmental change have been recognized to be among of the most important drivers of change in distribution and abundance of plant species in European forests [1]
Introduction iationsIn recent decades, both climate and environmental change have been recognized to be among of the most important drivers of change in distribution and abundance of plant species in European forests [1]
This paper evaluates the effect of two meteorological variables, air temperature and precipitation, on the onset of the full-flowering (FF) phenophase of selected forest herbs during a 26-year period (1995–2020)
Summary
Introduction iationsIn recent decades, both climate and environmental change have been recognized to be among of the most important drivers of change in distribution and abundance of plant species in European forests [1]. Climate influences the structure and function of tree species, growth and productivity of forest ecosystems [2]. Changes in climate may cause shifts in habitats for some plant species in forests, which could influence geographic [3,4] and altitude ranges [5] or increase extinction rates [6,7]. Rising temperature generally increases the length of the growing season [8,9]. In principle, this could be a positive phenomenon, increasing productivity and offering new planting opportunities in forest conditions. The possible danger of late spring frosts [10], as well as increasing risk of damage by pests, droughts, fires and other climate extremes have been reported [11,12,13]
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