Using Adapted and Productive European Beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) Provenances as Future Solutions for Sustainable Forest Management in Romania

Emanuel Besliu, Alexandru Lucian Curtu, Ecaterina Nicoleta Apostol and Marius Budeanu ()
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Emanuel Besliu: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, Brasov Station, 13 Cloșca Street, 500040 Brasov, Romania
Alexandru Lucian Curtu: Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Sirul Beethoven-1, 500123 Brasov, Romania
Ecaterina Nicoleta Apostol: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, Voluntari Station, 128 Eroilor Boulevard Street, 077190 Ilfov, Romania
Marius Budeanu: National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea”, Brasov Station, 13 Cloșca Street, 500040 Brasov, Romania

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: In the near future, it is predicted that the natural distribution range of forest tree species will be reshaped due to the rapid changes in climate conditions. The assisted migration of species in favorable environmental conditions, as future solutions for sustainable forest management, could be supported by genetic tests. This study aims to evaluate the adaptive potential of European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) and the opportunities for applying assisted migration practices in the Carpathian region of Romania. Growth and stability performances, as well as phenotypic plasticity of 31 international beech provenances, were assessed in two common garden experiments located in optimum growing conditions and at the eastern margin of the beech distribution range, respectively. For all analyses, trees height, breast height diameter, and survival were determined. Survival and growth traits were higher by 6–8% in the ecological optimum for beech. The highest mean plasticity was obtained by three provenances from France and one from Denmark. Three provenances performed better in both trials. Increasing the management sustainability of beech forests in a changing climate might be possible by using assisted migration practices, which include the promotion of the highest adapted and productive provenances only in the provenance region where they performed.

Keywords: European beech; provenance trials; assisted migration; sustainable forest management; phenotypic plasticity; adaptive potential; growth and stability performances (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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