Climate change and disturbances will shape future temperate forests in the transition zone between Central and SE Europe

It is expected that climate change as well abiotic and anthropogenic disturbances will strongly influence temperate forests. Besides changes in the main variables, various disturbance factors may significantly worsen conditions for mesic Slovenian forests (SE Europe) dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies) silver fir (Abies alba). In Slovenia, has warmed recent decades, with an average annual rate of increase about 0.4°C per decade or even more than 0.5°C summer. addition, have caused considerable damage to trees most extensive forest types starting a widespread ice storm 2014, followed bark beetle outbreaks, windthrows salvage logging interventions. After increased from one third two thirds total felling. Over last we observed decline growing stock, highest decrease areas below 500 m a.s.l., increasing trend beech. Overall, three dominant species (beech, spruce, fir), which together account 70% shown declining over 20 years. The patterns are broadly consistent earlier predictions developed different scenarios those reported many other countries. Adaptive management, implements close-to-nature silviculture, been traditionally practised region under study potential play important role reducing risks associated impacts future.