Effect of Competition and Climatic Conditions on the Growth of Beech in the Mixed Pine Beech Stand: Lithuanian Case Study ^†

Abstract

Climate change and warming will potentially have profound effects on forest growth and yield, especially for pure stands in the near future. Thus, increased attention has been paid to mixed stands, e.g., pine and beech mixtures. However, the interaction of tree species growing in mixtures still remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the interspecific and intraspecific competition to diameter, height, and crown width of pine and beech trees growing in mixtures, as well as to evaluate the impact of climatic indicators to the beech radial diameter increment. The data was collected in 2017 at the mixed mature pine beech double layer stand, located in the western part of Lithuania. The sample plot of 1.2 hectare was established and tree species, diameter at the breast height, tree height, height-to-crown base, height-to-crown width, and position were measured for all 836 trees. Additionally, a representative sample of radial diameter increments were estimated only for the beech trees by taking out core discs at the height of 1 m when the stand was partially cut. Competition analysis was based on the distance-dependent competition index, which was further based on crown parameters. Climatic effect was evaluated using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. We found almost no interspecific competition effect to diameter, height, or crown width for both tree species growing in the first layer. However, it had an effect on beeches growing in the second layer. The intraspecific competition effect was important for pine and beech trees, showing a negative effect for both of them. Our results show the possible coexistence of these tree species due to niche differentiation. An analysis of climatic indicators from 1991–2005 revealed that precipitation from February–May of the current vegetation year and mean temperatures from July to September expressed radial diameter increment effects for beech trees. Low temperatures during March and April, as well as high precipitation during January, had a negative effect on beech radial increments. From 2006–2016, the highest effect on radial diameter increments was the mean temperatures from July to September, as well as the precipitation in January of the current year. From 1991–2016, the highest effect on radial diameter increments was the temperature from July to September 1991–2016 and the precipitation in June 1991–2016. Generally, cool temperatures and higher precipitation in June had a positive effect on beech radial increments. Therefore, our results show a sensitivity to high temperatures and droughts during summer amid Lithuanian’s growth conditions.

1. Introduction

The effects of climate change and forest adaptation on future environmental conditions may significantly alter forestry practices around the world [1]. The promotion of mixed forests is related to an adaptation strategy in forest management used to cope with climate change [2]. Recent studies have shown that mixed stands can reach the same productivity as pure stands. Moreover, studies have shown higher productivities of mixed stands compare to pure stands [3,4]. Nevertheless, mixed-species stands may provide more forest functions and services compared to monocultures [5].

However, the management of mixed stands requires much more knowledge and skills. It is well known that not all tree species affect each other positively and can coexist together. Only species with an ecological niche differ from each other, e.g., light demanding pines and shade-tolerant tree species, such as beech trees, provide higher yields compared to pure stands [6].

Since the Atlantic distribution range of European beeches and more continental range of Scots pines overlap, mixed stands of pine and beech trees are of considerable importance in Europe [4]. For example, for more than two decades, forest conversion from pure pine stands to pine–beech or pine–oak mixtures has been a major objective for planning and management in Germany. As such, the importance of multi-storied stands in forestry practice has steadily increased [7].

Although remarkable research regarding pine beech mixtures has already been conducted, Pretzsch 2015 [4] highlighted the limited knowledge of the mixing effects between scots pine and European beech.

Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of the interspecific and intraspecific competition to the diameter, height, and crown width of pine and beech trees growing in mixtures, as well as to evaluate the impact of climatic indicators on beech radial diameter increments.

2. Methods

The experimental plot of 1.2 hectare (length of 200 meters and width of 60 meters) was established in 2017. The data was collected in the mixed mature pine beech double layer stand, which is located in the western part of Lithuania. The age for pines—which was recorded from the stand wise forest inventory data–was 115 years and the age for beeches were 75 years. Experimental sites belonged to the Pinetum Vaccinio–myrtillosa forest type with moderately dry and comparatively fertile oligotrophic mineral soils, i.e., Haplic Arenosol, where the water table is deeper than 5 m and suitable for pine growth.

The tree species, diameter at breast height, tree height, height-to-crown base, height-to-crown widths, and position were measured for all 836 trees. Additionally, representative sample of the radial diameter increments were estimated only for beech trees by taking out core discs at the height of 1 m when the stand was partially cut. In total, core discs were taken for 76 trees, and the radial diameter increments for each sample were measured two times, according to North and East directions, which were marked in the field for each disc. Thus, 152 measurements were available for study. Measurements were done using the LINTAB 6 estimation system and a program package WinTSAP 0.30.

The synchronization of annual rings increments was done using the TSAP-Win program. The asynchronous annual rings were tested and remeasured.

The competition analysis was based on the distance-dependent competition index. The competitors for each tree were identified by setting the inverse search cone with opening angle of 80 degrees on the crown base of the target tree [7]. The competition index proposed by Pretsch 1995 [8], which incorporated horizontal crown areas, was used to estimate competition values. Interspecific and intraspecific competition indices were calculated using the CroCom analytical program, which was developed by TU Dresden scientists [7].

Interspecific competition was estimated by taking different tree species that appeared in the search cone of a target tree. Accordingly, intraspecific competition was calculated by taking the same tree species trees that appeared inside of a search cone.

We investigated the effect of climatic indicators on beech radial diameter increments from 1991 to 2016. Climatic indicators are as follows: mean monthly temperatures and mean monthly precipitations from 1991–2016. Climatic data was obtained from the closest Jurbarkas meteorology station that belongs to the Lithuanian hydrometeorology service. This station was located about 25 km away from the research plot.

In order to eliminate the age impact on radial diameter increments, radial diameter increment indices were estimated using the Stravinskienė (2002) method [9]. According to this method, all analyzed periods were divided into 5 years intervals. For these intervals, mean radial diameter increments were estimated. Finally, radial diameter increments from 1991–2016 was divided by the 5 years mean radial diameter increment. An analysis of climatic indicators was done using classification and regression trees (CART) analysis implemented in the STATISTICA 10 program.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Productivity

The main yield characteristics of the analyzed stands are presented in

Table 1. Main yield characteristics of the investigated mixed stand.

Stand		Age	HAB	DAB	Stocking Level	Hq, m	Dq, cm	Hq/Dq	BA, m2	N, vnt.	N/ha, vnt.	V/ha, m3	V, m3
Layer	Share%/ Species
1	70/Pine	115	29.2	35.9	1.0	30.4	38.5	0.79	27.89	274	228	392	470
	30/Beech					25.3	28.3	0.89	11.96	212	177	144	173
	Birch					26.0	23.5	1.11	1.23	34	28	13	16
	Oak					24.8	27.2	0.91	0.87	18	15	10	12
	Spruce					26.5	34.9	0.76	0.64	8	7	8	10
In total:										546	455	567	681
2	10/Beech	75			0.3	18.5	15.2	1.22	3.6	217	181	78	94
	Oak					20.5	17.4	1.18	0.62	31	26	6	7
	Spruce					19.1	19.8	0.96	0.54	21	18	5	6
	Birch					21.2	14.9	1.42	0.3	21	18	3	3
In total:										290	243	92	110
In total:										836	698	659	791

* The H_AB-site index: mean height at the base age of 100 years for pines in m; D_AB-site index: quadratic mean diameter at the base age of 100 years for pines in cm; H_q: mean height in m; _Dq: quadratic mean diameter in cm²; BA: basal area in m²; N: number of trees; V: growing volume in m³.

. The two layered stands were mainly composed from 115 year old pine trees (about 70% in the first layer) and 75 year old beech trees (30% in the first layer and 100% in the second layer). Moreover, other trees species such as birch, oak, and spruce were found in the stand, yet their proportions were only minor.

It is important to note that this mixed stand was highlighted for its productivity. The growing volume of pines was 392 m³/ha. However, the growing volume of beech trees in the first layer was 144 m³/h and in the second it was 78 m³/ha. The total productivity of the stand was 659 m³/ha.

The impacts of interspecific and intraspecific competition on diameter height and crown width of the trees were found to have almost no effect for both tree species growing in the first layer. The R² (coefficient of determination values) between the interspecific competition and diameter at breast height, tree height, and crown width did not reach more than 0.2 and the relations were insignificant (p > 0.05). However, interspecific competition had an effect on beeches growing in the second layer. The asymmetric competition from pines had a significant negative effect on diameter, height, and crown width of beech trees.

The intraspecific competition had significant negative effects on diameter at breast height, as well as height and crown widths for both pines and beech trees. Both grew in the first and second layers (R² > 0.33).

3.2. Climatic Trends from 1991 to 2016 in Jurbarkas

The mean annual temperature from 1991 to 2016 increased approximately by 1 °C, then from 7 to 8 °C with a yearly increase of approximately by 0.0625 °C. However, the mean annual precipitation during the analyzed period remained the same and fluctuated around 800 mm per year (data taken from the Jurbarkas meteorology station).

The impact of climatic variables on beech trees radial increments revealed that, from 1991–2005, more than 48.5 mm precipitation from February–May had a positive effect on the radial growth of beech trees. Moreover, the mean temperatures from July to September lowered to 16.5 °C. On the contrary, temperatures lower than 5.2 °C in March and April, as well as high precipitation rates (62.8 mm) in January, had negative effects on beech radial increments.

The analysis of climatic indicators from 2006–2016 revealed that the highest radial increment was achieved when mean temperatures from July to September were lower than 16.5 °C and precipitation in January was more than 62.8 mm.

The highest radial diameter increment from 1991–2016 was found when the mean temperatures from July–September were lower than 16.3 °C and the precipitation rates in June were lower than 74.7 degrees.

Generally, cool temperatures and higher precipitation rates in June had a positive effect on beech radial increments. This shows its sensitivity to high temperatures and droughts during summer in Lithuania.