Words apart: Standardizing forestry terms and definitions across European biodiversity studies

Forest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms, often inconsistently. This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on biodiversity highly context-dependent. Recent attempts to standardize forestry and stand description terminology mostly used a top-down approach that did not account for the perspectives and approaches of forest biodiversity experts. This work aims to establish common standards for silvicultural and vegetation definitions, creating a shared conceptual framework for a consistent study on the effects of forest management on biodiversity. We have identified both strengths and weaknesses of the silvicultural and vegetation information provided in forest biodiversity studies. While quantitative data on forest biomass and dominant tree species are frequently included, information on silvicultural activities and vegetation composition is often lacking, shallow, or based on broad and heterogeneous classifications. We discuss the existing classifications and their use in European forest biodiversity studies through a novel bottom-up and top-driven review process, and ultimately propose a common framework. This will enhance the comparability of forest biodiversity studies in Europe, and puts the basis for effective implementation and monitoring of sustainable forest management policies. The standards here proposed are potentially adaptable and applicable to other geographical areas and could be extended to other forest interventions. Forest management Multi-taxon Terminology Silviculture Data harmonizationpublishedVersio

Management of dynamic forest functions based on carbon, nitrogen and water cycles

Waldökosysteme zeichnen sich durch vielfältige, wenngleich miteinander verbundene Waldfunktionen aus. In dieser Doktorarbeit wurden langfristige Dynamiken der Waldfunktionen 1.) Kohlenstoff- und Stickstoffspeicherung im Waldboden, 2.) Regulierung des Wasserhaushalts und der Schutzfunktion gegen Hochwässer, 3.) Waldproduktivität und 4.) Wohlfahrts- und Erholungsfunktion studiert. Die Auswirkungen von Waldbewirtschaftung, Waldwachstum und sich ändernden Wuchsbedingungen auf diese Waldfunktionen wurden für vier, durch Fichte, Buche oder Amerikanischen Amberbaum dominierte Wälder in Österreich und in Tennessee, USA mit Hilfe eines Pärchen-Vergleichs und prozessbasierter Ökosystem-Modellierung mit dem Model Biome-BGC untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Plenterwälder im Vergleich zu schlagweise genutzten Altersklassenwäldern größere Mengen an Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden speichern und somit zur Erholung degradierter Böden beitragen. Für den Wienerwald wurde bis 2100 eine vom Klimaszenario abhängige gleichbleibende oder erhöhte Produktivität prognostiziert, wenngleich in den tieferen Lagen die Bodentrockenheit zukünftig einen limitierenden Faktor darstellen könnte. Die Fichtenwälder des Schmittentales zeigten eine deutliche Kontrolle des Abflussgeschehens, wobei bereits bei einem Holzvorrat ab 250 m3 sich der Wasserverbrauch auf hohem Niveau stabilisierte und somit eine entsprechende Schutzwirkung gegeben war. Wasserhaushalts- und Produktivitätsparameter zeigten insgesamt eine starke Abhängigkeit von Bestandesentwicklung, Baumart, atmosphärischem CO2-Gehalt, Temperatur- und Niederschlagsänderungen und Stickstoffeintrag. Mit Hilfe von Waldbewirtschaftung lässt sich somit bei Kenntnis der Ökophysiologie der Baumarten die Bereitstellung der untersuchten Waldfunktionen (beispielsweise Hochwasserschutz, Trinkwasserbereitstellung und Netto-Kohlenstoffbilanz als Faktor für den Klimaschutz) durch die Umtriebszeit, die Bestandesdichte und die Baumartenwahl steuern.Forest ecosystems are characterised by numerous different, but dependent forest functions. In this dissertation I investigated effects of forest management, stand development and changing growing conditions on the interrelated ecosystem pools and fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and water and derived effects on the following forest functions: 1.) Storage of carbon & nitrogen in the soil; 2.) Regulation of the water budget & flood protection; 3.) Productivity; 4.) Welfare & recreation. The long-term dynamics of these forest functions were studied in four different Norway spruce, European beech and American sweetgum dominated forests in different eco-regions in Austria and in Tennessee, USA using a paired-stand approach and mechanistic ecosystem modelling with the Biome-BGC model. Results showed that a management change from age class forests to single tree selection forests can increase soil carbon and nitrogen storage and therefore ameliorate degraded soils. Constant or increasing productivity and increasing water use efficiency were projected for the Vienna Woods until 2100, depending on the climate change scenario. Decreasing soil water potentials mainly in low elevations, however, could limit a future productivity increase. Simulations of Norway spruce forests in the Schmittental valley and the analysis of 29 years of river runoff data demonstrated that forest canopy development and ecophysiological control of transpiration change catchment runoff. With a standing timber volume of > 250 m3 outflow was minimised, supporting flood prevention. Consequently, forest management can regulate the provision of a diverse set of forest functions (e.g. flood protection, drinking water supply, net ecosystem carbon storage for climate change mitigation). Foresters can adjust rotation length, stand density and structure, and promote tree species with the desired ecophysiological behaviour, and with these measures influence the flux dynamics in forests.Elisabeth PötzelsbergerAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in dt. SpracheWien, Univ. für Bodenkultur, Diss., 2015OeBB(VLID)193040

The Carbon Sequestration Potential of Degraded Agricultural Land in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia

Forests are a key player within the global carbon cycle and reforestation is an important climate change mitigation mechanism. In this study, we identify potentially suitable areas for reforestation to assess the carbon sequestration potential in the highly deforested and degraded Amhara region of Ethiopia. We apply biogeochemical mechanistic ecosystem modelling to predict the amount of carbon that can be potentially sequestered within different time horizons. Since human intervention plays a key role within the Amhara region, three different forest management scenarios and five different rotation periods following reforestation are tested: (i) unthinned; (ii) removal of 5% of the stem carbon every 20 years (thinning 1); and (iii) removal of 10% stem carbon every 20 years (thinning 2), as well as a rotation period of 10, 30, 50, 100, and 150 years. Sustainable management of reforested land is addressed by implementing the so called ‘Normal-forest’ system (equal representation of every age class). This ensures the long term sequestration effect of reforested areas. The study shows that 3.4 Mha (Mha = Million hectare) of land, including bare land (0.7 Mha), grass land (1.2 Mha), and shrub land (1.5 Mha) can be considered as ecologically potentially suitable for reforestation. Assuming a 100 year rotation period in a ‘Normal-forest’ system, this shows that a total net carbon sequestration potential of 177 Tg C (10.8 Tg C in the soil and 165.9 Tg C aboveground; Teragram = 1012 g) is possible, if all 3.4 Mha are replanted. The highest total net carbon sequestration (soil and aboveground) was evident for the Highland-wet agro-ecological zone, whereas the lowest values are typically in the Midland-dry zone. The highest net aboveground carbon sequestration was predicted for reforestations on current grass land and shrub land versus bare land, whereas the highest net soil carbon sequestration was predicted on current bare land, followed by grass land and shrub land

Genotypic data from 10 populations of Ailanthus altissima in Eastern Austria

The file contains genotypic data of 298 trees from 10 populations of Ailanthus altissima in eastern Austria. Samples were collected in the field and genotyped according to the methods described in the cited research. The file contains genotypes of five (5) microsatellite loci scored using fragment length analysis (Aa22, Aa69, Aa75, Aa76 and Aa82) and further twelve (12) microsatellite loci scored based on an SSR-GBS approach (loci loci HT2, HT7, HT9, HT10, HT16, HT19, HT22, HT24, HT27, HT30, HT31 and HT35). Genotypes of the same population assigned to a particular multilocus lineage (MLL) are marked with a capital letter (from A-F)

Effect of aging on muscle and tendon properties in highly functioning elderly people

This study analyzes longterm changes in muscle strength, muscle architecture, and patellar tendon mechanical properties in a specific sample of physically active elderly people. Twentytwo participants were reexamined from a former 12weeklong skiing intervention study: 11 from the intervention group (IG: 7 , 4 ; 67 3 years) and 11 from the control group (CG: 6 , 5 ; 66 4 years). Muscle architecture, strength endurance, maximum torque, and tendon properties were analyzed three times within 6 months, and again 6 years later in a followup test. No changes in either group could be observed between June 2009 and April 2015 in any parameter. This can be interpreted positively because no agerelated decreases were found. Although our participants were physically active from the very beginning (>150 min/wk), it must be noted that the intensity of the physical activity was too low to provoke physiological improvements in leg strength or muscle/tendon morphology.(VLID)359845

Data from: Population bottlenecks have shaped the genetic variation of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle in an area of early introduction

Ailanthus altissima is a common tree species of the European non-native flora. In Eastern Austria, Ailanthus has both a long tradition, dating back to the late 18th century, and a high frequency of occurrence. Here, we apply molecular markers from the nuclear and chloroplast DNA in order to study the origin, as well as the clonal and genetic structure of the species in forest stands of this region. Our results indicate a single area of origin for all our study populations from the north-eastern part of the native range, in agreement with historical reports. Within populations, vegetative reproduction has resulted in extensive clonal structures at some sites. Long presence and repeated vegetative recruitment might have led to expansion of clones in areas of early introduction. In addition, limited mate availability may also have promoted vegetative reproduction. Tests for recent bottlenecks were significant in almost all stands, possibly reflecting founder effects since the introduction of Ailanthus in our study area. Among populations, we found a very pronounced and significant genetic structure, which did not follow a spatial pattern. We argue that founder effects due to population establishment with a low number of propagules – whether naturally or artificially – have caused genetic drift and a structured gene pool. The lack of spatial pattern or isolation-by-distance suggests that seed transfer by humans might have been a major factor shaping the genetic variation of Ailanthus in Eastern Austria

Growing Non-native Trees in European Forests Brings Benefits and Opportunities but Also Has Its Risks and Limits

Purpose of Review: Non-native tree species (NNT) raise a range of different associations and emotions—to many citizens they are just an exotic curiosity in parks, to many conservationists they are an evil to native ecosystems that should be eradicated, to a rising group of foresters they are part of the solution to climate change and an increasing timber demand, and to others they are already daily forestry business. In this review, where we also summarise the findings of the recent COST Action FP1403 (NNEXT) ‘Non-native tree species for European forests: experiences, risks and opportunities’, we highlight opportunities and challenges in the light of climate change, ecological risks and legislative limits of growing non-native tree species in Europe. Recent Findings: Few NNT in Europe show invasive behaviour and are listed as prohibited species or as species to be monitored. A larger number of NNT is utilised in productive forestry and forest restoration due to their superior growth, valuable timber properties and good performance under harsh growing conditions. Current species distribution, experiences with success and failures and environmental concerns differ profoundly across Europe, with Western Europe overall revealing higher shares in NNT and showing a stronger interest of forestry related stakeholder groups to continue planting NNT. Summary: Many more NNT are already used in forestry than previously thought, but relatively few species have major importance in terms of area, mainly in western European countries. Diversification, mixing and avoidance of invasion in relation to NNT are necessities that are relatively new on the agenda. In contrast, provenance research of major NNT has been going on for many decades and now provides important information for climate change adaptation. Despite the limitations to the use of NNT either through legal restrictions or forest certification that differ considerably across Europe, the careful integration of a range of tested NNT also into future forest management planning shows a high potential for climate change adaptation and mitigation

The incorporation of extreme drought events improves models for beech persistence at its distribution limit

International audience& Context Projections of species distribution models under future climate are usually based on long-term averages. However, singular extreme drought events presumably con-tribute to the shaping of distribution limits at the retreating low-elevation xeric limits. & Methods The objectives of this study were to set up a distribution model based on extreme drought events (EDM), which uses sanitary logging information as a proxy of vitality response of beech, and compare it with the results of classical species distribution models (SDMs). & Results Predictions of the EDM for 2025 were in agreement with those of the SDM, but EDM predicted a more serious decline in all regions of Hungary towards the end of the century. & Conclusion These results suggest that the predicted increase in frequency and severity of drought events may further limit the distribution of beech in the future

Aging in high functioning elderly persons : study design and analyses of behavioral and psychological factors

This article aims to (a) describe the study design of a 6year followup multidisciplinary research project on aging, (b) report the psychosocial characteristics of the sample in detail, and (c) evaluate agingrelated changes of health, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics in 10 youngold (age at pretest: M SD = 63.2 1.5) and 12 oldold (age at pretest: M SD = 69 2) individuals. Both age groups consist of individuals displaying a high health status, a high extent of physical activity, high levels of psychosocial properties in the dimensions of wellbeing, life satisfaction, selfconcept, body image, selfesteem, and selfefficacy, as well as a low general depression index. Psychosocial characteristics demonstrated a stable pattern over a period of nearly 6 years in both age groups with the exceptions of physical activity, satisfaction with children, general depression, and selfefficacy. Furthermore, physical selfconcept decreased in oldold adults, whereas the youngolds showed no change. We assume that a high psychosocial status and a physically active lifestyle play an important role for mastering aging successfully in two life phases, each of which has its own challenges for older individuals. The decline in the physical selfconcept of oldolds is interpreted as a first sign of subjective aging. Its association with losses in physical performance should be addressed in future studies. Finally, agingrelated changes should be monitored on an individual level in order to capture the complex dynamic of aging that is not considered in analyses of betweenperson differences or averages.(VLID)359845