COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

heaLTh sTaTe aNd ImPacT oF cLImaTe chaNGe
special surveys of crown health condition of beech and oak forests in southern Sweden were carried
out in 1988, 1993 and 1999, showing increased crown defoliation in the beech stands. The soil
condition of the subsurface mineral layer at a depth of 20 – 30 cm was highly acid with a pH value
less than 4.2 in 86% of the forest stands surveyed (Andersson, Sonesson 2000).
The beech distribution area (Fig. 1) may be expanded in the future as an effect of climate change, since
spring frost, which is an important limiting climatic factor, may be less frequent during flowering.
Furthermore, an increased temperature will enhance the breaking-down process of organic material,
liberating more nutrients in the soil. This will, together with high nitrogen deposition and longer
growing season, promote yield and shorten the rotation period in the present beech distribution area
(Berg et al. 200 ).
Fig. 1: Beech distribution area Fig 2: Regions of provenances
reFereNces
Ahti T., Hämet-Ahti L., Jalas J. 1968. Vegetation zones and their sections in north western Europe.
Ann. Bot. Fenn., 5: 169-211.
Andersson S., Sonesson K. 2000. Skogsskadeinventering av bok och ek i Sydsverige 1999. [Survey
on forest condition in beech and oak forests in southern Sweden 1999.] Report 2000: 6. Jönköping,
Sweden, The Swedish Forest Agency.
Berg J., Blennow K., Andersson M., Olofsson E., Nilsson U., Sallnäs O., Karlsson M. 200 .
Effekter av ett förändrat klima på skogen och implikationer för skogsbruket. [Effects of a changed
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