Abstract
Central European forests suffered from severe, large-scale atmospheric depositions of sulfur and nitrogen due to coal-based energy production during the 20th century. High deposition of acid compounds distorted soil chemistry and had negative effects on forest physiology and growth. Since 1994, continuous data on atmospheric deposition and stream runoff fluxes have provided evidence of ecosystem recovery from acidification. In this study, we combined for the first time mass budget data (sulfur deposition and total dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export) from the GEOMON monitoring network of headwater catchments with annual trajectories of vegetation indices derived from Landsat remote sensing observations. Time series of selected vegetation indices was constructed from Landsat 5, 7, and 8 using Google Earth Engine. Linear regression between the field data and vegetation indices was analyzed using R software. Biogeochemical responses of the forested catchment to declining acid deposition (driven by SO2 emission reduction) were consistent across all catchments covering various forest stands from different regions of the Czech Republic. Significant correlations were found with total sulfur depositions, suggesting that the forests are continuously and consistently prospering from reductions in acid deposition. Disturbance index (DI) was the only vegetation index that was well-related to changes in forest cover associated with salvage loggings (due to the forest decline) during the 1980s and 1990s. A significant relationship (R2 = 0.82) was found between the change in DI and DIN export in stream water. Regrowth of young forests in these highly affected areas tracks the most pronounced changes in total DIN export, suggesting a prominent role of vegetation in nitrogen retention. With the Landsat-derived DI, we could map decennial changes in forest disturbances beyond the small scale of the catchments to the regional level (demonstrated here for two protected landscape areas). This analysis showed the peak in forest disturbances to have occurred around the mid-1990s, followed by forest recovery and regrowth. Despite the improvement in forest ecosystem functioning over the past three decades in mountainous areas, emerging threats connected to changing climate will shape forest development in the near future.
Highlights
Forests cover about 40% of the European Union (EU) territory [1], are regarded as the largest terrestrial ecosystem type, and accommodate a large proportion of European biodiversity
During the past three centuries, European forests have gone through fundamental changes in species composition, and most of the tree populations have been strongly affected by human activities [4]
Mlanodsstcoapf ethaerecaast)c. hMmosetnotfs are climattihcealclyatachnmdelnitthsoalroegcicliamllaytipcarlelydiasnpdosleitdhotloogbiecaslelynspirtievdeistpoosaecdidtioficbaetisoenns, iwtivitehtothaeciedxicfiecpattiioonn, twhiatthPLB iesxwpoeslltUsehudbHefuftLeefforx,eecaddreneipdrfdrteioJcobEmtnyZaltiiawhtrrsageptrueoeP-lsltLmclruBaaoltbesiisaotdsneweixfceiponlbroleestbsehdutdaerftoftiesoocrenkedcdoti[hr4neba7cdyt]t.rihaetTisaarhclupfheloeottrdlfhalubirtttheasioesemincc2aai0bxntteichmdthhrumceoemcsenkenitcn[uto4snrt7hyUd]e. aDhTmnahLildedf, oUtsohfufHrtff1ehL9eee9r,c02eaas0dnttc[hd4hf4rmcJo,e4Eemn8Znt]u.tlswrayUregarDeenL-dms,coalset deforestation that reached its maximum in the mid of 1990s [44,48]
Summary
Forests cover about 40% of the European Union (EU) territory [1], are regarded as the largest terrestrial ecosystem type, and accommodate a large proportion of European biodiversity. During the past three centuries, European forests have gone through fundamental changes in species composition, and most of the tree populations have been strongly affected by human activities [4]. In the Central European region, forests were largely converted to Norway spruce (Picea abies L., Karst) monocultures. Norway spruce is one of the economically important tree species, but, at the same time, it is vulnerable and susceptible to various biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic disturbances when planted outside its natural habitats [5,6,7]. During the 20th century, Central European forests suffered from the severe, large-scale deposition of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) [8,9,10] that distorted soil chemistry and had negative effects on tree physiology and growth [11,12,13,14]. The Czech Republic is part of a region with the most pronounced decrease in regional SO2 emissions [10,16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
