Functional Response Trait Analysis Improves Climate Sensitivity Estimation in Beech Forests at a Trailing Edge

Abstract

Functional response traits influence the ability of species to colonize and thrive in a habitat and to persist under environmental challenges. Functional traits can be used to evaluate environment-related processes and phenomena. They also help to interpret distribution patterns, especially under limiting ecological conditions. In this study, we investigate landscape-scale functional distribution responses of beech forests in a climatic transitional zone in Europe. We construct empirical density distribution responses for beech forests by applying coping-resilience-failure climatic traits based on 27 bioclimatic variables, resulting in prevalence-decay-exclusion distribution response patterns. We also perform multivariate exploratory cluster analysis to reveal significant sets of response patterns from the resilience and adaptation aspects. Temperature-related distribution responses presented a prevalence-dominated functional pattern, with Annual mean temperature indicating the most favorable adaptation function. Precipitation indices showed climate-limited response patterns with the dominance of extinction function. Considering regional site-specific climate change projections, these continental beech forests could regress moderately due to temperature increase in the near future. Our results also suggest that both summer and winter precipitation could play a pivotal role in successful resilience. Functions and variables that indicate climate sensitivity can serve as a useful starting point to develop adaptation measures for regional forest management.

Environmental filters determine the distribution of tree species in a threatened biodiversity hotspot in western Mexico

“…Other studies on species richness along elevational gradients in Mexico have reported a decreasing pattern of vascular plants (Vázquez-García & Givnish 1998, Salas-Morales & Meave 2012) or a hump-shaped pattern (Sánchez-González & López-Mata, 2005). Some of the discrepancies in assessing spatial richness patterns between different studies could be sampling effort (i.e., plot size and number), selection of growth forms (i.e., trees, shrubs, herbs and epiphytes) and partial or total analysis across the elevational gradient (Lomolino 2001, Nogués-Bravo et al 2008, McCain & Grytnes 2010.…”

The role of wood anatomical traits in the coexistence of oak species along an environmental gradient

“…Oak species in dry areas with the lowest aridity value (AI = 0.78) in lowlands possess high wood densities and lower relative hydraulic conductivity, and in higher altitudes with higher aridity values (AI = 1.78) humid places possess taller oaks with higher relative hydraulic conductivity and lower wood density. Seasonal patterns in temperature and precipitation influence ecological process as seedling growth, productivity and phenology among others, all of which have an impact on the survival and establishment of plants in mountainous areas ( Tang and Fang 2006 ; Salamon-Albert et al 2017 ). Seasonal precipitation regimen is extremely relevant such as precipitation of warmest quarter because it determines the highest level of drought stress, and plants must avoid or tolerate the drought.…”

The Impact of Adverse Weather and Climate on the Width of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Tree Rings in Southeastern Europe

“…In Romania, climate change did not affect these forests, although the increment was reduced in June and September and the amount of precipitation decreased in summer months [35]. The differences in the temperatures between the hottest and the coldest months and between the mean annual precipitation rates were proven to be the most important parameters of the resistance and adaptability of beech forests [47]. The same study noted that precipitation in the winter period will be an important factor of ecological resistance and adaptability of this species to climate change.…”