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September 02-03, 2019 | Berlin, Germany
6th World Conference on Climate Change
Volume 10 Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
ISSN: 2157-7617 Climate Change 2019
September 02-03, 2019
Forest management and C-allocation of beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Johannes Eichhorn and Caroline Klinck
The Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt, Germany
Statement of the Problem: Does forest management contribute towards assuring carbon storage in beech
forests?Forests store carbon to a large extent above and below ground.Solid volume beech shows a high increasing
above-ground C supply of about 120 t C/ha. The below-ground value is about 160 t C/ha (excluding moors; Evers
et al., 2019, Wördehoff et al., 2011)). The stability of C-supplies in forests depends mainly on the vitality of above-
ground biomass. As exemplary indicators the annual mortality rate, fructification and the foliation of beech are
presented.
Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: The basis of the data stems from the forest monitoring in north-west
German federal states ranging from 1984 up to now (2018). Governing indicators: atmospheric conditions and
meteorological variables, forest management information. Evaluation through resilience analysis, deduction of
decision-making guidance for forest management.
Findings: Annual mortality is an essential indicator of tree vitality. The so-far low mortality rate of beech remained
unchanged up to the end of 2018 despite that year's drought; an indication of the high adaptability of beech to
changing environmental conditions. The C-allocation of beech is a contributing factor. Three impact-indicators are
to be presented, and also C-sinks: fructification, foliation, and diameter increment.
FructificationBeech (in Hesse) fructifies at present at shorter intervals (1988 to 2018 there was a mast every
2.6 years; 1839 to 1987: 4.7 years (Paar et al., 2011), widely synchronised over a number of locations. A significant
reason for this is global radiation. But also influences which can be controlled by forest management (Jandi et al.:
2007, Jarvis, 2005).
Sink properties through growth and interaction In 2018, Beech diameter growth starts above average.
However, growth ends and remains absent from mid of June on water limited sites (Wagner et al. 2019). There is a
connection between diameter increment and weather conditions, as well as interaction with fructification.
Conclusion and Significance: So far annual beech mortality is low, yet external influences cause alterations in the
C-allocation but without exceeding threshold values of stable sylvan development. More frequent fructification
supports a more natural sylvan development with natural rejuvenation, mixed forest structures and multi-functional
forests (WBGU, 2009; Jarvis, 2005). Taking possible long-term consequences of the extreme summer of 2018 into
account, this positive result for beech must be regarded with a question mark.
Recent Publications
1. Evers, J.;Dammann, I.; König,N.; Paar,U.; Stüber,V.; Schulze,A.; Schmidt,m,.; Schönfelder, E., Eichhorn, J. (2019):
Waldbodenzustandsbericht für Niedersachsen und Bremen. Ergebnisse der zweiten Bodenzustandserhebung
imWald (BZE II). Berichte aus der Nordwestdeutschen Forstlichen Versuchsanstalt Band 19. 498 pp.
2. Wördehoff, R., Spellmann, H.; Evers, J.; Nagel, J. (2011): Kohlenstoffstudie Forst und Holz Niedersachsen.
Beiträge aus der Nordwestdeutschen Forstlichen Versuchsanstalt Band 6 Universitätsverlag Göttingen. 104 pp.
3. Jandi, R.; KLindner, M.; Vesterdal, L.; Bauwens, B.; Baritz, R.; Hagedorn, F.; Johnson, D.; Minkkinen, D.W.;
Byrne, K.; (2007): How strongly can forest management influence soil carbon sequestration? Geoderma 137,
253-268.
4. Jarvis, P.G.; Ibrom, A.; Lindner, S. (2005): Carbon Forestry: managing forests to conserve carbon. In: Griffiths,
Johannes Eichhorn et al., J Earth Sci Clim Change 2019, Volume: 10