Abstract
Multi-site field trials provide valuable data for the investigation of possible effects of environmental changes on forest tree species. We analyze the descendants of plus trees from 33 Norway spruce seed sources of Romanian Carpathians, at age 30, in four comparative field trials: two established in the natural range of species and two outside of it. The dynamics and variation of radial growth, earlywood and latewood were analyzed. The influence of populations, site conditions and climatic factors were also quantified. The provenances response in the four comparative trials was asymmetric for mean radial growth, but its dynamics was less favourable outside of the natural range. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (P<0.001) between the testing sites, but non-significant (P<0.05) for the populations. Populations x localities interaction was high (P<0.001) in the first half of the testing period, but decreased over time, becoming not significant at the age of 30. At intra-populational level, the average coefficient of variation for radial growth was higher outside the natural range, whereas the proportion of latewood decreased. The temperature in the first half of the growing season negatively influenced (P<0.001) the radial increment, but in the latewood proportion significat effects (PË‚0.05) were recorded only in trials located outside of the natural range. An increased variability of radial growth and a decrease of latewood proportion are expected in Norway spruce stands located at lower altitudes, towards the limits of the natural range. Our results may contribute to the sustainable management of Norway spruce forests within and outside its natural range.
Highlights
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is the keystone species of different types of complex forest ecosystems in the boreal and temperate zones of Europe (Castagneri et al, 2013; Koski et al, 1997; Rybniček et al, 2010)
In the last 5 years, the average value of annual radial growth has decreased by 13% in the two Outside the natural range (ONR) tests, compared to the same period in In the natural range (INR) tests, but clearly more in Câmpina field trial (16.5%, Table 2)
Our study revealed substantial differences in the performance of Norway spruce in experimental field trials located outside and in the natural range
Summary
Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is the keystone species of different types of complex forest ecosystems in the boreal and temperate zones of Europe (Castagneri et al, 2013; Koski et al, 1997; Rybniček et al, 2010). Negative ecological consequences have occurred especially in areas with extreme climate events (Carrer et al, 2012; Schütz et al, 2006) It considers the existence of asymmetric response of populations to these environmental changes (Mátyás et al, 2010), which can be evaluated by simulations, and by ecological investigations under different climatic conditions (Andreassen et al, 2006), in or/and outside the natural range. Many studies carried out in natural populations or in field trials aimed at getting insight into the performance of Norway spruce at various altitudes, latitudes or along of gradients. Comparative data on performances of Norway spruce in its natural range and outside it is limited, in the Romanian Carpathians
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