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Climate and forest management affect 15N-uptake, N balance and biomass of European beech seedlings

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Abstract

We investigated the effect of (a) different local climate and (b) thinning of the forest canopy on growth and N status of naturally regenerated European beech seedlings in a beech forest on shallow rendzina soil in southern Germany. For this purpose, a 15N-tracing experiment was conducted during the growing season of the year 2000 with beech seedlings growing on a warm, dry SW-exposed site and a cooler, moist NE-exposed site, and in a thinned and a control stand at each site. Biomass, 15N uptake and partitioning and total N concentrations of beech seedlings were determined. Site and thinning produced clear differences, particularly at the end of the growing season. Biomass and cumulative 15N uptake of beech seedlings then increased due to thinning on the NE site and decreased on the SW site. Total N concentrations in leaves, roots and stems of beech seedlings responded similarly. Therefore, growth and N status of beech seedlings are found to be favoured by thinning under cool-moist conditions. However, under higher temperature and reduced water availability—conditions that are prognosticated in the near future—thinning reduces N uptake and plant N concentration and, thus, impairs N balance and growth of beech regeneration.

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Acknowledgements

This study was part of the SFB 433, funded by DFG (Deutsche Forschungs-Gemeinschaft). We thank P. Escher for technical assistance during the measurements of 15N abundances. We are also grateful to T. Holst and H. Mayer for providing meteorological data, and to S. Augustin and E. Hildebrand for providing data on soil water potential. M.N. Fotelli thanks DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) and LGFG (Landesgraduiertenförderungsgesetz) for the financial support during the present study.

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  1. Department of Tree Physiology, Institute of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee, Gebäude 053/054, 79110, Freiburg, Germany

    Mariangela N. Fotelli, Michael Rienks, Heinz Rennenberg & Arthur Geßler

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  1. Mariangela N. Fotelli
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  2. Michael Rienks
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  3. Heinz Rennenberg
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  4. Arthur Geßler
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Correspondence to Arthur Geßler.

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Fotelli, M.N., Rienks, M., Rennenberg, H. et al. Climate and forest management affect 15N-uptake, N balance and biomass of European beech seedlings. Trees 18, 157–166 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-003-0289-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-003-0289-4

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