The Influence of Tilia tomentosa Moench on Plant Species Diversity and Composition in Mesophilic Forests of Western Romania–A Potential Tree Species for Warming Forests in Central Europe?

Abstract

Climate change challenges important native timber species in Central Europe. The introduction of non-native tree species originating from warmer climates is one option to make Central European forests compatible to global warming. This, however, requires an assessment of the species’ growth requirements, and of its impact on biodiversity in its native ranges. Silver lime (Tilia tomentosa), a moderately drought-tolerant, thermophilous tree species of South-eastern Europe is considered suitable for the future. Along three elevational transects in western Romania, we assessed the impact of changing climate and local site conditions on the abundance of this tree species and contrasted plant species diversity and composition of lime-dominated forests with mesophytic oak and beech forests. Local site conditions and disturbance histories shaped the distribution pattern of silver lime. When dominant, it reduced plant species diversity within stands due to its dense canopy. For shade-tolerant, mesophytic species, though, lime forests provided an additional habitat and extended their range into warmer environments. Thus, silver lime may have the potential as an admixed tree species forming a transitory meso-thermophilous habitat in the future. At the same time, silver lime may be limited under increasing drought frequency.

Effects of two different thinning methods on the diameter and basal area increments of silver lime (Tilia tomentosa Moench) target trees in Fruška Gora (Serbia)

“…The trial plots established and the results obtained can be used in the future to address other important aspects of selective thinning related to its potential use as an adaptation measure in the context of climate change and tree devitalization. This has already been confirmed in other trials with other tree species (Bobinac & Andrašev 2009, Sohn et al 2016, Diaconu et al 2015, Diaconu et al 2017, van der Maarten 2013 and is significant considering the fact that silver lime has been assessed as suitable mixed tree species for future use in Central Europe as an admixed species (Heinrichs et al 2021).…”

“…Considering climate change issues, silver lime has been investigated for its potential for future silviculture in Central Europe, especially as admixed tree species (Heinrichs et al 2021). In this context, Tilia platyphyllos (Scop.)…”

Risks, benefits, and knowledge gaps of non-native tree species in Europe

“…In its native range in North America, Q. rubra can potentially hybridize with other native Quercus species (Jensen et al, 1993), but species from its section are absent from Europe, so hybridization is less likely. Interesting is the case of Tilia tomentosa, which is native to south eastern Europe and exhibits a promising perspective for distribution in central Europe as a thermophilous and moderately drought-tolerant species (Heinrichs et al, 2021). Natural inter-specific hybrids do exist within the genus Tilia (e.g., T. cordata and T. platyphyllos) and as they are characterized by a higher drought tolerance (Radoglou et al, 2009), they can be of further interest in the context of climate change.…”

The Impact of the Neophyte Tree Fraxinus pennsylvanica [Marshall] on Beetle Diversity under Climate Change

“…In addition, droughtresistant tree species from different regions of Europe are being considered for cultivation [3]. The introduction of neophyte trees is referred to as assisted colonisation, which is considered to merely accelerate the process of natural recolonisation [7]. In addition, tree species from separated regions of the world are also assessed for their suitability as supplementary trees.…”