11. Fungal community composition predicts forest carbon storage at a continental scaleMark A. Anthony, Leho Tedersoo, Bruno De Vos, Luc Croisé, Henning Meesenburg, Markus Wagner, Henning Andreae, Frank Jacob, Paweł Lech, Anna Kowalska, Aleksander Marinšek, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Forest soils harbor hyper-diverse microbial communities which fundamentally regulate carbon and nutrient cycling across the globe. Directly testing hypotheses on how microbiome diversity is linked to forest carbon storage has been difficult, due to a lack of paired data on microbiome diversity and in situ observations of forest carbon accumulation and storage. Here, we investigated the relationship between soil microbiomes and forest carbon across 238 forest inventory plots spanning 15 European countries. We show that the composition and diversity of fungal, but not bacterial, species is tightly coupled to both forest biotic conditions and a seven-fold variation in tree growth rates and biomass carbon stocks when controlling for the effects of dominant tree type, climate, and other environmental factors. This linkage is particularly strong for symbiotic endophytic and ectomycorrhizal fungi known to directly facilitate tree growth. Since tree growth rates in this system are closely and positively correlated with belowground soil carbon stocks, we conclude that fungal composition is a strong predictor of overall forest carbon storage across the European continent.
Keywords: fungal community, carbon storage, forest
Published in DiRROS: 19.04.2024; Views: 81; Downloads: 29
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12. How beech provenance affects the structure of secondary xylem, leaf traits, and the ectomycorrhizal community under optimal growth conditionsTanja Mrak, Jožica Gričar, Tina Unuk Nahberger, Gregor Božič, Luka Krajnc, Peter Prislan, Domen Arnič, Tom Levanič, Hojka Kraigher, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Beyond growth parameters and drought tolerance, comparatively little is known about the functioning of different beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances. We investigated properties of leaves, stem secondary xylem, and ectomycorrhiza (ECM), and explored their interdependencies to identify the best performing beech provenance in optimal growth conditions. The study was conducted on 23-year-old trees in a provenance trial. The investigated provenances originated from Atlantic (Belgium—BE), Alpine (Italy—IT, Slovenia—SI), and continental climates (the Czech Republic—CZ). A significant effect of provenance was observed for stem vessel diameters and conductive area, as well as for foliar %C, δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O. δ13C as a proxy of intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) showed that the highest iWUE was achieved in BE provenance. Individuals with a better iWUE had wider growth rings regardless of provenance. Better iWUE was associated with lower specific leaf area (SLA). ECM community composition and diversity indices did not differ significantly among the provenances. Specific ECM taxa were associated with individuals with high SLA, δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O. In optimal growth conditions with no stress events, BE is a promising provenance due to an efficient water conducting system with high vessel diameters and conductive area, and high iWUE, while Alpine provenances showed an adaptation of their water conducting system to freezing conditions at their original locations. Integrating findings from different compartments improves our understanding of functioning of different beech provenances.
Keywords: Fagus sylvatica, provenance trial, stable isotopes, specific leaf area, xylem vessels, ectomycorrhizal fungi
Published in DiRROS: 19.04.2024; Views: 58; Downloads: 26
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13. Verjetnostna napoved sanitarnega poseka smreke zaradi podlubnikov v Sloveniji v 2024Nikica Ogris, Maarten De Groot, 2024, short scientific article Keywords: gozdovi, varstvo gozdov, navadna smreka, Picea abies, sanitarni posek, napoved, prognoza, ogroženost, model, smrekovi podlubniki, Ips typographus, Pityogenes chalcographus
Published in DiRROS: 19.04.2024; Views: 70; Downloads: 42
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14. Habitat degradation facilitates the invasion of Neophytes : a resurvey study based on permanent vegetation plots in oak forests in Slovenia (Europe)Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The spread of neophytes (non-native plant species) challenges the conservation status and ecological integrity of forests, especially in lowland areas. Long-term resurvey studies are needed to evaluate the temporal dynamics of neophytes in forests; however, such data are scarce. In 2023, we resampled a set of 45 permanent vegetation plots (established in 1992/93) in two forest vegetation types: oak–hornbeam forests dominated by Quercus robur and colline oak–beech forests dominated by Q. petraea. Over the last 30 years, oak forests have experienced extensive oak tree mortality, with the degree of habitat degradation being greater in Q. robur forests. In the early 1990s, only three neophytes with low abundance were recorded across all plots. In the 2023 resurvey, the total number of neophytes increased to 22 species (15 herbaceous and 7 woody species), comprising 6.9% of the total species pool in the understory layer. The increase in the plot-level number and cover of neophytes was significant in plots dominated by Q. robur but not in those with Q. petraea. The most frequent neophytes were Impatiens parviflora (present in 31% of plots), Solidago gigantea (27%), Erigeron annuus (16%) and Erechtites hieraciifolia (16%). The richness and cover of neophytes were significantly affected by the tree layer cover (negative correlation) and the degree of soil disturbance (positive correlation). All neophytes established in disturbed patches, whereas the occurrence of I. parviflora was exceptional as it was able to colonize less degraded, shaded understory environments. Habitat degradation (the mortality-induced loss of stand-forming oak trees resulting in extensive tree layer cover decrease) emerged as a key driver promoting neophyte proliferation, coupled with the impact of management-induced disturbances affecting overstory and soil conditions. The spread is expected to continue or even intensify in the future because novel light regimes and disturbances make forest habitats less resistant to neophyte proliferation.
Keywords: long-term vegetation change, invasive non-native plants, oak mortality, Quercus robur, Quercus petraea, canopy openness, Impatiens parviflora, Slovenia
Published in DiRROS: 19.04.2024; Views: 51; Downloads: 24
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15. Urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil ecosystem servicesDavid J. Eldridge, Haiying Cui, Jingyi Ding, Miguel Berdugo, Tadeo Sáez-Sandino, Jorge Duran, Juan J. Gaitan, José L. Blanco-Pastor, Alexandra Rodríguez, César Plaza, Tine Grebenc, Tina Unuk Nahberger, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Greenspaces are important for sustaining healthy urban environments and their human populations. Yet their capacity to support multiple ecosystem services simultaneously (multiservices) compared with nearby natural ecosystems remains virtually unknown. We conducted a global field survey in 56 urban areas to investigate the influence of urban greenspaces on 23 soil and plant attributes and compared them with nearby natural environments. We show that, in general, urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil multiservices, with only six of 23 attributes (available phosphorus, water holding capacity, water respiration, plant cover, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and arachnid richness) significantly greater in greenspaces, and one (available ammonium) greater in natural areas. Further analyses showed that, although natural areas and urban greenspaces delivered a similar number of services at low (>25% threshold) and moderate (>50%) levels of functioning, natural systems supported significantly more functions at high (>75%) levels of functioning. Management practices (mowing) played an important role in explaining urban ecosystem services, but there were no effects of fertilisation or irrigation. Some services declined with increasing site size, for both greenspaces and natural areas. Our work highlights the fact that urban greenspaces are more similar to natural environments than previously reported and underscores the importance of managing urban greenspaces not only for their social and recreational values, but for supporting multiple ecosystem services on which soils and human well-being depends.
Keywords: soil, ecosystem services, urban forests
Published in DiRROS: 17.04.2024; Views: 80; Downloads: 33
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16. Poročilo : Makro in mikro analiza vzorcev lesa za identifikacijo (javor)Jožica Gričar, Gregor Skoberne, Peter Prislan, 2024, treatise, preliminary study, study Keywords: gozdarstvo, les, makro analize, mikro analize, javor, identifikacija
Published in DiRROS: 15.04.2024; Views: 87; Downloads: 23
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17. Researching the change in the weight of split oak firewood due to different drying methodsAmina Gačo, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In this paper, the influences of stacking methods and drying places of split oak firewood in winter conditions (Quercus cerris) have been experimentally and theoretically investigated, due to the great importance of use in heating with such wood. The research was conducted on a sample of 48 pieces of logs with bark made of freshly cut oak. The logs were obtained by mechanized technology with the help of grafting by a hydraulic splitter and a chainsaw. Each log was measured for a research length of 0.30 m, marked with numbers 1-24. On each log, the weight was measured on a scale of 5 kg with an accuracy of 0.5 grams. Drying of logs was performed in two places. The first drying place was in outdoor conditions, sheltered from the snow and ventilated. The second place was indoors, at approximately constant room temperature. The logs were stacked in a crossed way for better air circulation. They were dried between 15/12/2020 and 15/02/2021, a total of 62 days. The average initial weight of logs dried in the facility was 1130.3 g, in the dried state the average weight was 952.87 g, which represented 84.3% of the original weight. The average initial weight of logs dried in outdoor conditions was 1192.125 g, in the dried state 1076.37 g, which represented 90.29% of the original weight. The average initial water content in the logs dried in the facility was 37.9%, in the dried state it was 27.5%. For logs dried in outdoor conditions, the average initial amount of water was 36.6%, in the dried state the average amount of water was 31.2%.
Keywords: weight, drying methods, splitting firewood, oak, stacking methods
Published in DiRROS: 09.04.2024; Views: 73; Downloads: 32
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18. Mixed signals of environmental change and a trend towards ecological homogenization in ground vegetation across different forest typesJanez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Forest ground vegetation may serve as an early warning system for monitoring anthropogenic global-change impacts on temperate forests. Climate warming may induce a decline of cool-adapted species to the benefit of more thermophilous plants. Nitrogen deposition has been documented to potentially result in soil eutrophication or acidification, which can increase the proportion of species with higher nutrient requirements and species impoverishment caused by competitive exclusion. Abiotic forest disturbances are changing the light conditions in the forest understorey environment. In this resurvey study, we tested the magnitude and direction of change in alpha (species richness) and beta (within-site dissimilarity) diversity and composition of forest ground vegetation in forests of different types in Slovenia over fifteen years. Using plant-derived characteristics (Ellenberg-type indicator values) and by testing a priori predictions concerning expected effects of environmental drivers, we show that the magnitude and direction of forest ground vegetation diversity and floristic changes varies greatly between forest sites. Divergent responses at different sites resulted in low net change of alpha and beta diversity and a weak overall environmental signal. The largest decrease in species number was observed in lowland oak-hornbeam forests, which were also among the sites with the greatest compositional shifts. Changes in beta diversity did not show any consistent trend, and anticipated floristic convergence was not confirmed when all sites were considered. Thermophilization was mainly detected in montane beech sites and alpine spruce forests whereas eutrophication signal was most significant on nutrient-poor sites. Vegetation responses were strongly dependent on initial site conditions. Shrinkage of ecological gradients (process of ecological homogenization) suggests that sites positioned at the ends of the gradients are losing their original ecological character and are becoming more similar to mid-gradient sites that generally exhibit smaller changes. Our results point to the importance of local stand dynamics and overstorey disturbances in explaining the temporal trends in forest ground vegetation. Ground vegetation in Slovenian forests is changing in directions also dictated by multiple regional and global change drivers.
Keywords: vegetation resurvey, thermophilization, eutrophication, forest disturbances, alpha and beta diversity, initial site conditions, ICP-Forests network
Published in DiRROS: 09.04.2024; Views: 79; Downloads: 32
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20. Poročilo o preskusu št.: LVG 2024-017 : vzorec št. 2023/00753Tine Hauptman, Zina Devetak, Špela Hočevar, Barbara Piškur, 2024, expertise, arbitration decision Keywords: varstvo gozdov, morfološke analize, Fagus sylvatica, bukev, Botryosphaeria dothidea
Published in DiRROS: 04.04.2024; Views: 61; Downloads: 20
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