Robinia pseudoacacia is one of the most frequent non‐native species in Europe. It is a fast‐growing tree of high economic and cultural importance. On the other hand, it is an invasive species, causing changes in soil chemistry and light regime, and consequently altering the plant communities. Previously published models developed for the potential distribution of R. pseudoacacia concerned 2070, and were based mainly on data from Western and Central Europe; here we extended these findings and included additional data from Eastern Europe. To fill the gap in current knowledge of R. pseudoacacia distribution and improve the reliability of forecasts, we aimed to (i) determine the extent to which the outcome of range modeling will be affected by complementing R. pseudoacacia occurrence data with sites from Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe, (ii) identify and quantify the changes in the availability of climate niches for 2050 and 2070, and discuss their impacts on forest management and nature conservation. We showed that the majority of the range changes expected in 2070 will occur as early as 2050. In comparison to previous studies, we demonstrated a greater eastward shift of potential niches of this species and a greater decline of potential niches in Southern Europe. Consequently, future climatic conditions will likely favor the occurrence of R. pseudoacacia in Central and Northeastern Europe where this species is still absent or relatively rare. There, controlling the spread of R. pseudoacacia will require monitoring sources of invasion in the landscape and reducing the occurrence of this species. The expected effects of climate change will likely be observed 20 years earlier than previously forecasted. Hence we highlighted the urgent need for acceleration of policies aimed at climate change mitigation in Europe. Also, our results showed the need for using more complete distribution data to analyze potential niche models.

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacaciaL.) has been present in Poland for more than 200 years now, its range coming to encompass the entire country, albeit with a particular concentration of occurrence in the west. Overall, it is present in 3.4% of the stands making up Poland’s “State Forests National Forest Holding” (Państwowe Gospodarstwo Leśne Lasy Państwowe), and is the dominant species in 0.1% of stands. Thanks to its producing durable wood of favourable energetic properties, this species is used in medium-rotation (≤ 40-year) plantations as well as in biomass energy plantations (where there is a 5–7-year rotation). In terms of its nectar production, the black locust is second only to lime as the Polish tree best serving the production of honey. While the species shows marked expansiveness in Poland, it has not thus far been placed on the list of aliens capable of threatening native species or natural habitats. Breeding of the species has been engaged in – if to only a limited extent – in Poland for some 20 years now, and 2 selected seed stands have been registered, as well as 34 plus trees and 2 seed orchards.

Background: Renewable energy sources such as biomass are an important aspect of the energy policy of the European Union. As the use of 'full-value wood' for energy purposes has been restricted, short-rotation forestry may be an alternative source of woody biomass. In Poland, the most promising genus is poplar (Populus spp.). Methods: Ten poplar cultivars from the Aigeiros or Tacamahaca sections of the genus Populus were compared in 5-and 6-year rotations for biomass components and yields. Additional aims were to preliminarily (a) identify a suitable rotation length and (b) evaluate the sprouting capacity of various cultivars in the climate of northern Poland. The following variables were measured: diameter at breast height (DBH), height, survival rate, single-tree dry mass, crop biomass production, and sprouting ability. Results: The cultivars 'NE-42' and 'Fritzi Pauley' showed the best growth characteristics (DBH and height) and highest biomass production (7.6 and 7.7 t ha −1 year −1 , and 5.2 and 6.9 t ha −1 year −1 , respectively, for cultivars in the 5-and 6-year cycles). These cultivars were also distinguished by a large number of coppice shoots and a high shoot length. Eight cultivars did well enough to produce worthwhile data, and five of these gave higher biomass production (t DM ha −1 year −1 ) during the 6-year, as opposed to the 5-year cycle. Of the eight cultivars analysed, 'AF-8' had the poorest growth parameters and produced two thirds less dry biomass than either the 'NE-42' or 'Fritzi Pauley' cultivars. Data for two Italian cultivars ('AF-6' and 'MON') were not analysed because of their cold tenderness and their high mortality. Conclusions: Rotation length is important for biomass production in energy plantations. Most of the tested poplar cultivars gave higher biomass productivity over an initial 6-year cycle than over a 5-year one. Our preliminary results suggest that the 'NE-42' and 'Fritzi Pauley' cultivars performed best among those tested. Both of these have been tested previously in Poland in medium and long rotations. The data indicate the importance of testing cultivars under local climatic conditions before planting on a commercial scale.

No abstract

No abstract