The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia
The dieback of common ash (<i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> L.) has dramatically decreased the abundance of the species in Europe; however, tolerance of trees varies regionally. The tolerance of trees is considered to be a result of synergy of genetic and environmental factors, suggesting an un...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/3/340 |
| _version_ | 1797541368710561792 |
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| author | Ilze Matisone Roberts Matisons Āris Jansons |
| author_facet | Ilze Matisone Roberts Matisons Āris Jansons |
| author_sort | Ilze Matisone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The dieback of common ash (<i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> L.) has dramatically decreased the abundance of the species in Europe; however, tolerance of trees varies regionally. The tolerance of trees is considered to be a result of synergy of genetic and environmental factors, suggesting an uneven future potential of populations. This also implies that wide extrapolations would be biased and local information is needed. Survival of ash during 2005–2020, as well as stand- and tree-level variables affecting them was assessed based on four surveys of 15 permanent sampling plots from an eastern Baltic region (Latvia) using an additive model. Although at the beginning of dieback a relatively low mortality rate was observed, it increased during the 2015–2020 period, which was caused by dying of the most tolerant trees, though single trees have survived. In the studied stands, ash has been gradually replaced by other local tree species, though some recruitment of ash was locally observed, implying formation of mixed broadleaved stands with slight ash admixture. The survival of trees was related to tree height and position within a stand (relative height and local density), though the relationships were nonlinear, indicating presence of critical conditions. Regarding temporal changes, survival rapidly dropped during the first 16 years, stabilizing at a relatively low level. Although low recruitment of ash still implies plummeting economic importance of the species, the observed responses of survival, as well as the recruitment, imply potential to locally improve the survival of ash via management (tending), hopefully providing time for natural resistance to develop. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:15:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ee70de24efb24196bf62bf36663cd3d7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:15:01Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-ee70de24efb24196bf62bf36663cd3d72023-11-21T10:29:46ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072021-03-0112334010.3390/f12030340The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in LatviaIlze Matisone0Roberts Matisons1Āris Jansons2Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Riga str. 111, LV2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Riga str. 111, LV2169 Salaspils, LatviaLatvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Riga str. 111, LV2169 Salaspils, LatviaThe dieback of common ash (<i>Fraxinus excelsior</i> L.) has dramatically decreased the abundance of the species in Europe; however, tolerance of trees varies regionally. The tolerance of trees is considered to be a result of synergy of genetic and environmental factors, suggesting an uneven future potential of populations. This also implies that wide extrapolations would be biased and local information is needed. Survival of ash during 2005–2020, as well as stand- and tree-level variables affecting them was assessed based on four surveys of 15 permanent sampling plots from an eastern Baltic region (Latvia) using an additive model. Although at the beginning of dieback a relatively low mortality rate was observed, it increased during the 2015–2020 period, which was caused by dying of the most tolerant trees, though single trees have survived. In the studied stands, ash has been gradually replaced by other local tree species, though some recruitment of ash was locally observed, implying formation of mixed broadleaved stands with slight ash admixture. The survival of trees was related to tree height and position within a stand (relative height and local density), though the relationships were nonlinear, indicating presence of critical conditions. Regarding temporal changes, survival rapidly dropped during the first 16 years, stabilizing at a relatively low level. Although low recruitment of ash still implies plummeting economic importance of the species, the observed responses of survival, as well as the recruitment, imply potential to locally improve the survival of ash via management (tending), hopefully providing time for natural resistance to develop.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/3/340<i>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</i>diebacksurvivalstand structurestand dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Ilze Matisone Roberts Matisons Āris Jansons The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia Forests <i>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</i> dieback survival stand structure stand dynamics |
| title | The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia |
| title_full | The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia |
| title_fullStr | The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia |
| title_short | The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia |
| title_sort | struggle of ash insights from long term survey in latvia |
| topic | <i>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</i> dieback survival stand structure stand dynamics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/3/340 |
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