The growth potential of Douglas fir under current and future climate in Austria
Abstract
Maps of the growth potential for the non-native coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) are presented for Austria and Germany. For deriving the growth potentials we used an available site-sensitive statistical model which determines productivity as the dominant-height at age 60 (SI60). The model was calibrated using data from 28 Douglas fir stands in Austria and Germany growing on silicate and carbonate bedrock. The model is based on a non-linear relationship between SI60 versus ten climatic as well as soil physical and chemical site parameters at a 1 km x 1 km grid for Austria and Germany. The results revealed that the Northern Alpine foothills in southern Germany are an area with a particularly high growth potential according to the current climatic conditions (mean 1970-2000). We applied two climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) to assess the future productivity of Douglas fir. The results show that changing growth conditions will have a positive impact on Douglas fir growth at higher altitudes, whereas the productivity may decline in areas where the current growing conditions are dry or highly productive.
Douglas fir Productivity Climate Change
Publikationen
Project staff
Hubert Hasenauer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. DDr.h.c. Hubert Hasenauer
hubert.hasenauer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91301, 91311
Project Leader
01.09.2018 - 30.06.2020