BiologicalFlora of theBritishIsles:Fagus sylvatica

Abstract

Summary1. This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Fagus sylvatica L. that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. 2. Fagus sylvatica (Beech) is a large usually single-stemmed deciduous tree native to south-east England but now growing over almost the whole of the British Isles, often planted as a forestry tree on all but the wettest soils. It forms extensive woodlands, where it is dominant over a large altitudinal range, competing primarily with Quercus robur. The outcome of this competition is determined by local soil and climatic conditions leading to a gradation into oak woodlands. It is monoecious, wind-pollinated and notable for its periodic large seed numbers (mast years); seed is dispersed by birds and mammals but mostly drops below the parent tree. 3. Fagus sylvatica is hardy, very shade tolerant, casts a deep shade and is fairly resistant to browsing but susceptible to spring frosts. 4. Due to its shallow rooting and intensive rather than extensive mode of soil water exploitation, it is also susceptible to drought, and this is likely to be the main factor controlling its expected response to climate change. 5. Fagus sylvatica is facing few conservation problems, and indeed, its range is currently expanding into central Europe. However, in the face of climate change, its range is likely to contract from its extremes in all but the north, and Phytophthora diseases may become more serious.

Species Richness Pattern along Altitudinal Gradient in Central European Beech Forests

“…Undisturbed beech forests thus show a thicker layer of humus than vegetation of other species (Packham et al 2012). The accumulation and forming of a thick litter layer is unfavourable for the development of understory vegetation as it might form a physical barrier inhibiting germination and emergence of herb layer plants (Mölder et al 2008;Vockenhuber et al 2011).…”

Consistent limitation of growth by high temperature and low precipitation from range core to southern edge of European beech indicates widespread vulnerability to changing climate

“…Limitation of growth, regeneration, mortality and competitiveness in F. sylvatica have all been linked to climate and extreme events Jump et al 2007). The sensitivity to summer drought in particular appears to be largely a result of its shallow rooting system, which is concentrated in the upper layers of the soil (Packham et al 2012). The relationship between F. sylvatica radial growth and climate has been extensively investigated in Europe, but studies have either been at local scales (Friedrichs et al 2009;Tegel et al 2014) or for regional networks of chronologies (e.g.…”

“…While we do not have data for Scandinavia, we do have an extensive dataset from the northern UK, which represents the northern region of the distribution of this species (Packham et al 2012). An extensive network of chronologies exists for Italy (e.g.…”

Population structure of Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana in the cloud forest of Hidalgo State, Mexico

“…Light gaps were due mainly to small scale natural disturbances (large fallen branches, death of adult trees due to senescence, uprooting and/or trunks broken by storms). As a result, the two sites had similar conditions, with a mosaic of patches in different stages of natural regeneration (Peters & Platt 1996, Packham et al 2012, Jardel-Peláez et al, 2014, Rodríguez-Ramírez 2014, which may be related to the prevalence of beech trees in the smaller height classes.…”