Long-term successional forest dynamics: species and community responses to climatic variability

摘要: Question: Are tree dynamics sensitive to climatic variability, and do species differ in their responses variability? Hence, is vulnerability of forest communities variability depending on stand composition? Location: Mixed young at Walker Branch Watershed near Oak Ridge, East-Tennessee, USA. Methods: Using a long-term data set (1967-2006), we analyzed temporal the level, community for stands that different initial composition (i.e., Chestnut Oak, Oak-Hickory, Pine, Yellow poplar stands). summer drought growing season temperature as defined climate drivers, evaluated relationships between across levels organization. Results: Over 4-decade studied period, underwent successional change substantially increased biomass. Variation contributed biomass some species, but not others. Stand-level were shown be related specific component species; however, Pine stands. Pinus echinata, dominant initially identified stands, decreased over time due periodical outbreaks pine bark beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis). The couldmore » directly conditions. Conclusions: Our results imply developing forests predicted conditions stand-type dependent, hence, function composition. Autogenic processes (or insect outbreaks) found prevail determining dominated by emphasizing importance studying interactions succession change.« less