Phenology; Net ecosystem productivity; Interannual variability; Fagus sylvatica L.
Abstract :
[en] Key message
Using long-term measurements in a mature beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominated forest located in east Belgium, this paper showed that spring and autumn temperature increases during the last two decades led to an earlier end and a shortening of the growing season. These phenological shifts impact negatively but not significantly the forest annual net ecosystem productivity.
Context
The mechanisms controlling temperate forest phenology are not fully understood, nor are the impacts of climate change and the consequences for forest productivity.
Aim
The aim of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of how temperate forest phenology and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) interplay and respond to temperature and its evolution.
Method
Indicators of leaf phenology and productivity dynamics at the start and the end of the growing season, as well as combinations of these indicators (length of the growing season), were derived from a long term (1997-2014) dataset of eddy covariance and light transmission measurements taken over a mature beech-dominated temperate forest.
Results
The start and the end of the growing season were correlated to spring (and autumn, for the end) temperatures. Despite no trends in annual average temperatures being detected during the observation period, April and November temperatures significantly increased. As a result an earlier but slower start and an earlier end, inducing a shorter length of the growing season, were observed over the studied period. The first shift positively impacts the mixed forest NEP but is mainly related to the presence of conifers in the subplot. The earlier end of the growing season, more related to beech phenology, negatively impacts the forest NEP. Overall, these two effects partially compensate each other, leading to a non-significant impact on NEP.
Conclusion
Increasing temperatures over the 18-year studied period shortened the growing season length, without affecting significantly the mixed forest NEP. However, as beeches are only affected by the earlier end of the growing season, this suggests a phenologically driven beech productivity reduction in the forest.
Research Center/Unit :
Biosystems dynamics and exchange
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Hurdebise, Quentin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges
Aubinet, Marc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges
Heinesch, Bernard ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges
Vincke, Caroline
Language :
English
Title :
Increasing temperatures over an 18-year period shorten growing season length in a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominated forest
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