RESTRICTING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ON THE EASTERN DISTRIBUTION LIMIT OF EUROPEAN BEECH (FAGUS SYLVATICA) IN NORTH-EASTERN ROMANIA FOR THE MARCH – JUNE INTERVAL

Dumitru Mihaila,Andrei Emil Briciu,Cătălin Constantin Roibu,Petrut Ionel Bistricean

doi:10.15551/pesd2019132002

Abstract

The meteo-climatic arguments for the eastern biogeographic limit of beech in Romania are of particular interest to forestry, but also to geographers and climatologists. This limit marks the transition from the temperate humid climate of Western and Central Europe to the temperate continental climate of Eastern Europe. Our paper provides improved knowledge on climatic conditions that restrict the longitudinal distribution of beech at temperate latitudes in north-eastern Romania. Results show that rainfall scarcity and high temperature in the March-June interval, added to temperature drop below the freezing point in April-June are the main climatic conditions that limit beech expansion eastward of this biogeographic limit.

Highlights

IntroductionThe transition between Suceava and Bârladului plateaus and Moldova Plain is characterized by a gradual, eastward change from forest to foreststeppe and steppe
Old and vigorous beech trees are frequently found in the forests of this area (e.g., a 417-year-old beech-tree was identified in the Humosu - Iași Reserve; Roibu, 2010, Roibu, et al, 2017), the species is subject to restrictive climatic conditions specific to north-eastern Romania
For north-eastern Romania, Roibu (2010) and Roibu et al (2017) demonstrated that temperature and precipitation in the M-J interval of each year are very important for the ecological cycle of this species (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The transition between Suceava and Bârladului plateaus and Moldova Plain is characterized by a gradual, eastward change from forest to foreststeppe and steppe. In this region, European beech (Fagus sylvatica) occurs at the eastern limit of its natural distribution. High temperatures favour increased evapotranspiration and have a negative effect on the growth and expansion of this species. Water scarcity, manifested as drought, raises many economic and ecological issues (Mihăilă, 2006, Nedealcov, 2012). In this part of Europe drought occurs with increased frequency and duration, making the territories vulnerable (Alexandrov et al, 2010). The thermo-pluviometric prognoses show an increase in water shortage during the vegetation season (Potop, 2011, Piticar et al, 2016, Mihăilă et al, 2017)

Methods

Results

Conclusion