Ecological and silvicultural characteristics of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) - Implications for forsst management in Austria related to climate change
Abstract
Climate change will exert several impacts on forest ecosystems, whereas the development of the climate itself is affected by a high degree of uncertainty. Especially forestry with its long-term production periods will hence be confronted with great challenges. Within this context, the adaptability of tree species, forest stands and forest ecosystems will be of crucial importance. The obviously existing broad ecologically spectrum of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) qualifies this tree species as an interesting option for the development of silvicultural concepts with regard to climate change. Larch is a wide spread tree species in Austria’s timber forests and protection forests as well as in agro-forestry systems like larch-meadows. Its actual area of distribution can be described as far beyond its distribution in natural forest communities, which covers a broad amplitude on the level of forest site conditions (physiologically and genetically differentiation). Hence the silvicultural significance of larch is of great interest in times of climate change. Within timber forests, larch was advanced within mixed stands in order to achieve an economical valorisation as well as a sustainable stabilisation and risk minimisation. With regard to climate change, a persistent discussion about necessary adaptations and revisions of the recommendations to the cultivation of larch is present among foresters in the field. The purpose of this study is the enhancement of the knowledge regarding the ecological and silvicultural characterisation of European larch and the elaboration of functional oriented silvicultural concepts, which take climate change especially into consideration.
keywords larch Forest Management Silviculture Climate change
Publikationen
Project staff
Eduard Hochbichler
Ao.Univ.Prof.i.R. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Eduard Hochbichler
eduard.hochbichler@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91314
BOKU Project Leader
01.09.2010 - 31.08.2011