A comparison between different treeline types shows contrasting responses to climate fluctuations

Compostella, Chiara; Caccianiga, Marco

doi:10.1080/11263504.2016.1179695

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(64 reference statements)

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“…In our database, the duration of monitoring was therefore recorded, as this may influence the detected treeline response to climate change. Treelines were also classified based on their physical properties, as the structural characteristic of treelines can influence how they respond to climate change (Harsch et al 2009;Compostella and Caccianiga 2017). The type of treeline was recorded as either: abrupt, indicating a sharp transition between tree and non-tree vegetation; diffuse where gradual transition zones occurred, or krummholz where trees have a stunted growth form (Harsch et al 2012).…”

Section: Mapping Recent Treeline Migrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of modern treeline migration, the factors controlling it and the implications for carbon storage

2021

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Numerous studies have reported that treelines are moving to higher elevations and higher latitudes. Most treelines are temperature limited and warmer climate expands the area in which trees are capable of growing. Hence, climate change has been assumed to be the main driver behind this treeline movement. The latest review of treeline studies was published in 2009 by Harsch et al. Since then, a plethora of papers have been published studying local treeline migration. Here we bring together this knowledge through a review of 142 treeline related publications, including 477 study locations. We summarize the information known about factors limiting tree-growth at and near treelines. Treeline migration is not only dependent on favorable growing conditions but also requires seedling establishment and survival above the current treeline. These conditions appear to have become favorable at many locations, particularly so in recent years. The review revealed that at 66% of these treeline sites forest cover had increased in elevational or latitudinal extent. The physical form of treelines influences how likely they are to migrate and can be used as an indicator when predicting future treeline movements. Our analysis also revealed that while a greater percentage of elevational treelines are moving, the latitudinal treelines are capable of moving at greater horizontal speed. This can potentially have substantial impacts on ecosystem carbon storage. To conclude the review, we present the three main hypotheses as to whether ecosystem carbon budgets will be reduced, increased or remain the same due to treeline migration. While the answer still remains under debate, we believe that all three hypotheses are likely to apply depending on the encroached ecosystem. Concerningly, evidence is emerging on how treeline migration may turn tundra landscapes from net sinks to net sources of carbon dioxide in the future.

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Section: Mapping Recent Treeline Migrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of modern treeline migration, the factors controlling it and the implications for carbon storage

2021

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“…The relative importance of the regionally, locally, and temporally varying factors and processes has increasingly attracted interest in treeline research [4,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Treeline is usually defined as a theoretical "line" connecting the uppermost or northernmost trees exceeding a certain minimum height.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treelines—Approaches at Different Scales

Holtmeier

Broll

2017

Sustainability

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Scales in treeline research depend on the objectives and must match the underlying natural processes. Factors and processes at one scale may not be as important at another scale. In the global view, the number of factors influencing climatic treeline position can be reduced to the effects of heat deficiency. Emphasis, however, should be laid on differentiation of the treeline by their regionally and locally varying physiognomy, diversity, spatial and temporal features, and heterogeneity. An assessment of the relative importance of the factors shaping regional/local treeline physiognomy, spatial patterns, and dynamics should have priority. This can be achieved only by syndisciplinary research. Such studies are indispensable for assessing treeline response to climate change at the regional and landscape scales.

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“…The most likely explanation of the low F. sylvatica treeline at the southern exposure (Figure 2 ) in the Apennines lies in the complex interaction between climate (e.g., freezing temperature, short growing season, and summer drought) and past human disturbance that shaped the actual treeline over the centuries, which goes beyond the differences imposed by the slope exposure itself. To date, concrete evidence of anthropogenic impact on treeline elevation along the Apennine chain emerged (Benatti et al, 2019 ; Brown et al, 2013 ; Compostella & Caccianiga, 2017 ). In the subalpine belt, centuries of logging and coppicing promoted vegetative reproduction from stump sprouting rather than clonal layering from basal branches (Saulino et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several climategrowth relationships that concerned beech forests far below their altitudinal limit (e.g., Arnič et al, 2021;Rita et al, 2014, but see Calderaro et al, 2020) reported that the radial growth of the spe- et al, 2016), thereby impairing forest regeneration and promoting the establishment of grasslands. Limited soil water availability would also impair F. sylvatica regeneration in alpine grassland, which restrains the probability of reestablishment only inside the canopy of shrub nursing species, e.g., mountain junipers and pines (Allegrezza et al, 2016;Compostella & Caccianiga, 2017). Without "nursing effect", we expect the impact of summer drought and late frost damage would be more critical for F. sylvatica at the treeline,…”

Section: Apennines' Treelines Are Lower Than Southern Alps' Treelinesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Topoclimate effect on treeline elevation depends on the regional framework: A contrast between Southern Alps (New Zealand) and Apennines (Italy) forests

Rita

Saracino

Cieraad

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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A comparison between different treeline types shows contrasting responses to climate fluctuations

Cited by 8 publications

References 52 publications

A review of modern treeline migration, the factors controlling it and the implications for carbon storage

A review of modern treeline migration, the factors controlling it and the implications for carbon storage

Treelines—Approaches at Different Scales

Topoclimate effect on treeline elevation depends on the regional framework: A contrast between Southern Alps (New Zealand) and Apennines (Italy) forests

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