Abstract
The increasing probability of Taxus baccata (L.) decline given climate change brings forth many uncertainties for conservation management decisions. In this article, the authors present the effects of applying regeneration cuttings since the year 2000 on the viability of the understory yew population. By collecting data from a stand located at the centre of the largest population of European yew in Slovakia, containing approximately 160,000 individuals, and analysing tree-ring records from 38 sampled trees, the improved performance of yews, including stem growth, seed production, and number of regenerated individuals, was revealed. Thinning the canopy by removing 15% of the growing stock volume per decade, combined with the subsequent irregular shelterwood cuttings, was assessed as a useful strategy. Moreover, lower radial growth of females compared to males, but simultaneously their similar response to climate, suggests a possible trade-off between reproduction and growth. Release cuttings of up to 30% of the standing volume in the vicinity of the female trees, executed in the rainy summers following warmer winters, and consistent elimination of deer browsing, can further enhance the positive effects of applied cuts on yew viability. Overall, the suggested active measures could be considered as an effective option to preserve the unique biodiversity of calcareous beech-dominated forests in Central Europe.
Highlights
Introduction11. .InIntrtorodduuctcitoionn EEuuroroppeeaann yyeeww isis aa pprreevvioiouusslyly ccoommmmoonn eevveergrgrereeenn ggyymmnnoossppeermrm trtereee ssppeeccieiess wwhhicichh hhaass ddisisaappppeeaarreedd ffrroommmmananyyareaarse,aps,rimprairmilayrdiluye dtoudeirteoct dhiurmecatnhauctmivaintiesacctoinvniteiecstedcowninthecttheeddewviathstatthioen doefviatsstantaiotunraolf hitasbniatatutsraalnhdabitistaotvsearnedxpitlsooitvaetiroenx.pTlohitiasthioans.iTnhcriseahsaesdinpcurebaliscedcopnucberlinc aconndcleerdn taonddilreedct tocodnisreercvtactoionnsearcvtiaotniosn, reascutilotinnsg, irnesitusltinindgiviinduitaslipnrdoitveicdtiuoanl, pasrowteeclltiaosnt,haeseswtaebllliasshmtheenet sotfaybeliwshpmroetnetctoefd yaerweaps.roCthecatnegdeasrienasc.liCmhaatneg, teosgienthcleirmwatieth, ttohgeesthloewr wgirtohwtthhe, sdleolwaygerdowretphr,oddeulacytieodn,raenpdroedxutcratioornd,iannadry elxotnragolridfeincayrcyle loofnygewlif(eTacxyucslebacocfatyaeLw.), (bTrainxguss ubpacmcaatna yLc.h),alblerninggess fuopr fomreasntymcahnaalgleenmgeenst fooprerfaotrieosnts maaimnaegdeamtemntainoptaeirnaitniognssuiataimbleedecaotlomgiacianltacionnidngitiosunsitafobrleyeewcoilnogfiocraelstcsotnadnidtiso.nBsecfoaur syeeowf diinstifnocrteisvte shtaanbditsa.tBfercaagumseenotfadtiiostninacntidvethheasbhitraitnfkrianggm[e1n] taantidonpaatncdhythdeissthrriibnuktiinogn [o1f] saunidtapbaletchhaybditiasttrcibountdioitnioonfs, sguiivtaebnleitshraebsittraictticoonntdoitcioalncsa,regoivuesnsoiitlsanredstproicotriodnistpoercsaallcaabreiloituys[2s]o,icl liamndatepcohoarndgeisipselriskaellyatboiliintycre[2a]s,e ctlhime aptreocbhaabnilgiteyisofliykeewly dtoecilnincree.ase the probability of yew decline
Preserving tree species threatened by climate change remains a great challenge for forest management decision-making
Admitting that yew requires stable ecological conditions for its existence, increasing frequency and intensity of large-scale disturbances under climate change present a serious issue to the long-term growth of yew
Summary
11. .InIntrtorodduuctcitoionn EEuuroroppeeaann yyeeww isis aa pprreevvioiouusslyly ccoommmmoonn eevveergrgrereeenn ggyymmnnoossppeermrm trtereee ssppeeccieiess wwhhicichh hhaass ddisisaappppeeaarreedd ffrroommmmananyyareaarse,aps,rimprairmilayrdiluye dtoudeirteoct dhiurmecatnhauctmivaintiesacctoinvniteiecstedcowninthecttheeddewviathstatthioen doefviatsstantaiotunraolf hitasbniatatutsraalnhdabitistaotvsearnedxpitlsooitvaetiroenx.pTlohitiasthioans.iTnhcriseahsaesdinpcurebaliscedcopnucberlinc aconndcleerdn taonddilreedct tocodnisreercvtactoionnsearcvtiaotniosn, reascutilotinnsg, irnesitusltinindgiviinduitaslipnrdoitveicdtiuoanl, pasrowteeclltiaosnt,haeseswtaebllliasshmtheenet sotfaybeliwshpmroetnetctoefd yaerweaps.roCthecatnegdeasrienasc.liCmhaatneg, teosgienthcleirmwatieth, ttohgeesthloewr wgirtohwtthhe, sdleolwaygerdowretphr,oddeulacytieodn,raenpdroedxutcratioornd,iannadry elxotnragolridfeincayrcyle loofnygewlif(eTacxyucslebacocfatyaeLw.), (bTrainxguss ubpacmcaatna yLc.h),alblerninggess fuopr fomreasntymcahnaalgleenmgeenst fooprerfaotrieosnts maaimnaegdeamtemntainoptaeirnaitniognssuiataimbleedecaotlomgiacianltacionnidngitiosunsitafobrleyeewcoilnogfiocraelstcsotnadnidtiso.nBsecfoaur syeeowf diinstifnocrteisvte shtaanbditsa.tBfercaagumseenotfadtiiostninacntidvethheasbhitraitnfkrianggm[e1n] taantidonpaatncdhythdeissthrriibnuktiinogn [o1f] saunidtapbaletchhaybditiasttrcibountdioitnioonfs, sguiivtaebnleitshraebsittraictticoonntdoitcioalncsa,regoivuesnsoiitlsanredstproicotriodnistpoercsaallcaabreiloituys[2s]o,icl liamndatepcohoarndgeisipselriskaellyatboiliintycre[2a]s,e ctlhime aptreocbhaabnilgiteyisofliykeewly dtoecilnincree.ase the probability of yew decline. Studies on the management of yew populations by silvicultural treatments, aimed at maintaining and potentially improving the status of this species, are scant [4,9,10,11], as are the investigations into the relationship between regeneration and parent trees [12]. The use of regeneration cuttings is primarily aimed at promoting the reproduction of yew trees, and offers the opportunity to compare growth pattern responses and to test resource allocation between vegetative growth and sex-related investment into the production of pollen, fruits, and seeds [14]. The general goal of our study was to assess the effectiveness of irregularly cutting shelterwood with the specific aim of improving the growth and regeneration processes of the European yew population growing in actively managed forests. To improve the active management strategy, the evaluation was performed considering the possible effects of current climate change affecting the viability of yew
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