Streamflow as an ecological factor influencing radial growth of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior (L.)). (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koprowski, Marcin; Okoński, Bernard; Gričar, Jožica; Puchałka, Radosław
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 85(2018)
• Page Start: 390
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Tree rings -- Dendroecology -- Dendrohydrology -- Wood anatomy -- Earlywood vessels -- Maximum river flow; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.09.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: We examine the importance of climate and streamflow on the growth and early wood structure of European ash. A strong influence of high water flow from previous September to current January on tree rings and total area of early wood cells was observed. The width of tree rings, total area of early wood cells indicate increased significant influence high water level. Conductive area of first row of early wood vessels was negatively correlated with high water discharge. Abstract: The aim of our study was to find the hydrological, precipitation and temperature signal in tree rings and selected cell parameters of European ash ( Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the floodplain forest of the Warta River. A total of 30 samples were taken at breast height, using a Pressler borer, from 15 trees (2 samples per tree) during the 2012 vegetation season. We measured the tree-ring widths, built the chronology, selected the tree that was the best correlated with the rest, and used both samples from this tree for cell analysis. For earlywood vessels, average and total density, as well as the percentage of water conductive area were calculated for the years 1950–2011. We found that high water levels during September to January of the previous year positively influence tree growth. This finding could be associated with the accumulation of nutrients, like nitrogen, in the floodplain soil, which are then used at the beginning of the growing season or earlier, when the trees transition from the true dormancy phase to relative dormancy. Temperature at the end of winter and early spring did not play a big role in tree-ring width, whereas low temperature in February negatively affected the number and the area of the earlywood cells. In addition, precipitation during the growing season, especially in June, had a positive effect on ring width. To summarize, our research showed that in the case of European ash from lowland flood-areas, river flows had a large influence on growth. Precipitation and air temperature, which both shape the river regime and directly supply forest ecosystems with water, were also important for tree growth and tree-ring structure.