Rigorous studies on long-term changes of heavy metal distribution in forest soils since the implementation of emission controls are rare. Hence, we resampled 97 old-growth beech stands in the Vienna Woods. This study exploits an extensive data set of soil (infiltration zone of stemflow and between trees area) and foliar chemistry from three decades ago. It was hypothesized that declining deposi...

In most cases forest practice in Austria use yield tables to predict the growth of their forests. Common yield tables show the increment of pure even-aged stands which are treated in a way the table developer recommends. The usage of these tables in stands which are either unevenaged, mixed or treated in another way, may lead to inaccurate predictions. To avoid these problems, forest growth mod...

We investigated the effect of leaf litter on below ground carbon export and soil carbon formation in order to understand how litter diversity affects carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. 13C labeled and unlabeled leaf litter of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior), characterized by low and high decomposability, were used in a litter exchange experiment in the Hainich National Pa...

We aimed to gain knowledge on the changes in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations and climate change over the last century. We investigated the variation in the iWUE of mature Fagus sylvatica trees located in the higher, central and lower altitudinal forest limits (HFL, CFA and LFL) of one of the southernmost sites of beech distribution ...

This study attempted to detect the impact of ozone on adult trees of Norway spruce ( Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) in an experimental mixed stand in Southern Bavaria, Germany. The aim was to examine whether there is a decrease in growth when trees are exposed to higher than atmospheric concentrations of ozone. This exposure was put into effect using a free-ai...

canopy gaps are one of the most important structural features of forest ecosystems, and studying of them can have useful results and implications for forest management. the aim of this study is investigation of characteristics and regeneration within canopy gaps in an intact beech stand in the shastkalateh experimental forest of hyrcanian region, north of iran. all canopy gaps and related fores...

A recent lengthening of the growing season in mid and higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere is reported as a clear indicator for climate change impacts. Using data from Germany (1951-2003) and Slovenia (1961-2004), we study whether changes in the start, end, and length of the growing season differ among four deciduous broad-leaved tree species and countries, how the changes are related to...

gross rainfall (gr) partitioning into throughfall (tf), stemflow (sf) and interception loss (i) was studied in a pure oriental beech (fagus orientalis lipsky) forest located in the central caspian region of northern iran. measurements were performed on a rainfall event basis in a 5625 m2 plot of the kheyrud forest research station of tehran university during 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. gr wa...

Large uncertainties characterize forest development under global climate change. Although recent studies have found widespread increased tree mortality, the patterns and processes associated with tree death remain poorly understood, thus restricting accurate mortality predictions. Yet, projections of future forest dynamics depend critically on robust mortality models, preferably based on empiri...

Some criteria of density in beech saplings were studied in various forest associations (mainly Galio odorati-Fagetum typicum) growing in the submontane region near Zurich (Swiss Central Plateau). The sample plots were established in regeneration gaps resulting from Swiss irregular shelter wood system (Femelschlag). Five sample plots, each 2x2m in 3 transects (a total of 15 plots in each gap, x...