A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Microsite preferences of three conifers in calcareous and siliceous treeline ecotones in the French alps
Authors: Ramírez, Lirey A.; Flinspach, Lukas; Nikolić, Nada; Toivonen, Johanna; Bader, Maaike Y.
Publisher: SPRINGER BASEL AG
Publishing place: BASEL
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Alpine Botany
Journal name in source: ALPINE BOTANY
Journal acronym: ALPINE BOT
Number of pages: 13
ISSN: 1664-2201
eISSN: 1664-221X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-024-00319-7
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00035-024-00319-7
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457640134
Seedling establishment is crucial for elevational advance of tree species above the treeline ecotone, but the characteristics and availability of safe sites for tree regeneration in alpine ecosystems are not well understood. To better understand the potential of treeline ecotones to show infilling or upward shifts, we assessed microsite preferences of the conifers Larix decidua, Pinus uncinata, and Pinus cembra in upper treeline ecotones with different bedrock chemistry in the French Alps. At each of two sites on calcareous and two on siliceous bedrock, we compared microsites of 50 tree individuals to 50 randomly-selected reference microsites, considering substrate, ground cover, topography, and shelter proximity. In addition, we related these characteristics with the health of the individuals. We found that the three species were established in similar microsites, usually with some shelter. The occupied microsites reflected the available microsites in the area, but certain extreme microsite types remained unoccupied. Most individuals had a krummholz form or were bent, while only a small proportion presented signs of recent mechanical damage, desiccation, snow mold or herbivory, independent of microsite characteristics. Our study shows that the availability of safe sites unlikely limits the establishment of these conifers in the studied sites, suggesting that, instead, seed availability may be a major limitation for tree establishment in these alpine-treeline ecotones. Even in safe sites, the harsh alpine conditions limit the development of tree-species individuals into tree stature, but the strong recent length growth observed suggests favorable conditions for eventual tree expansion in and above current treeline ecotones.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
Funding information in the publication:
The authors thank the Jardin du Lautaret and its researchers for their help and support during the field work. LA Ramírez would like to thank the Ecological Plant Geography working group (University of Marburg) for their support and discussion of ideas during the data analysis and writing process, and Christiane Enderle for the preparation of the maps. This work was supported by a doctoral scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to L.A. Ramírez (grant number 57381412), by a project grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG: BA 3843/9 − 1 & WI 1335/2 − 1), by travel support from the PROMOS program (DAAD in collaboration with the University of Marburg) and by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 871128 (eLTER PLUS) through the first eLTER PLUS call for Transnational Access (TA) (project name: Montreeline Plus).Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
