Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

What is the potential of silver fir to thrive under warmer and drier climate?

  • Review
  • Published:
European Journal of Forest Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Foresters from many countries are seeking for tree species or provenances able to cope with expected climate change. While it becomes clear that some temperate tree species will increasingly suffer from climate warming, the fate of the ecologically and economically important silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) remains uncertain and debated because the ecological requirements of this species, as well as its resilience to drought, are still unclear. On the one hand, paleoecological studies reveal that this species was widely distributed under much warmer climate, suggesting a high potential to cope with ongoing and future climate warming. On the other hand, species distribution models generally predict a strong decline of its climatic suitability in the future. This paper aims to clarify the potential of this species to thrive in central and western Europe under predicted climate warming by reviewing the knowledge gained from different fields. Based on insight from different fields, we argue that silver fir has a great potential to thrive under warmer conditions in western and central Europe provided sufficient rainfall, as forecasted by climate models for most regions by 2100. For instance, dendroecological studies demonstrate that silver fir is more resistant and resilient to drought compared to co-occurring species such as Norway spruce, European beech and larch. The most prominent obstacle for increasing the proportion of fir in mixed forests nowadays is ungulate browsing that often prevents its upgrowth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Adapted from EUFORGEN (2003)

Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alba-Sánchez F, López-Sáez JA, Pando BBd, Linares JC, Nieto-Lugilde D, López-Merino L (2010) Past and present potential distribution of the Iberian Abies species: a phytogeographic approach using fossil pollen data and species distribution models. Divers Distrib 16(2):214–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ammer C (1996) Impact of ungulates on structure and dynamics of natural regeneration of mixed mountain forests in the Bavarian Alps. For Ecol Manag 88(1–2):43–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aussenac G (2002) Ecology and ecophysiology of circum-Mediterranean firs in the context of climate change. Ann For Sci 59(8):823–832

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Badeau V, Dupouey J-L, Cluzeau C, Drappier J (2007) Aires potentielles de répartition des essences forestières d’ici 2100. RDV techniques ONF (hors-série n°3):62–66

  • Becker MG, Landmann G, Levy G (1989) Silver fir decline in the Vosges mountains (France): role of climate and silviculture. Water Air Soil Pollut 48:77–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belletti P, Ferrazzini D, Ducci F, De Rogatis A, Mucciarelli M (2017) Genetic diversity of Italian populations of Abies alba. Dendrobiology 77:147–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett K, Tzedakis P, Willis K (1991) Quaternary refugia of north European trees. J Biogeogr 18:103–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birks HJB, Tinner W (2016) Past forests of Europe. In: San-Miguel-Ayanz J, de Rigo D, Caudullo G, Houston Durrant T, Mauri A (eds) European atlas of forest tree species. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, pp 36–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloesch U (1983) Beitrag zum Problem des Weisstannensterbens: Untersuchungen über die langfristige Entwicklung der absterbenden Weisstannen auf repräsentativen Standorten inner- und ausserhalb des Optimalbereiches der Weisstanne auf Grund der Zwangsnutzungensstatistiken im Kanton Neuenburg, sowie Abklärung der Kausalzusammenhänge, insbesondere mit klimatischen Hypothesen. Professur für Waldbau. – ETH Zürich, p 74

  • Bosela M, Popa I, Gömöry D, Longauer R, Tobin B, Kyncl J, Kyncl T, Nechita C, Petráš R, Sidor CG, Šebeň V, Büntgen U (2016) Effects of post-glacial phylogeny and genetic diversity on the growth variability and climate sensitivity of European silver fir. J Ecol 104(3):716–724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosela M, Lukac M, Castagneri D, Sedmák R, Biber P, Carrer M, Konôpka B, Nola P, Nagel TA, Popa I, Roibu CC, Svoboda M, Trotsiuk V, Büntgen U (2018) Contrasting effects of environmental change on the radial growth of co-occurring beech and fir trees across Europe. Sci Total Environ 615:1460–1469

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bosela M, Lukac M, Castagneri D, Sedmák R, Biber P, Carrer M, Konôpka B, Nola P, Nagel TA, Popa I, Roibu CC, Svoboda M, Trotsiuk V, Büntgen U (2018) Contrasting effects of environmental change on the radial growth of co-occurring beech and fir trees across Europe. Sci Total Environ 615(Supplement C):1460–1469

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdenet P (1998) Essais d’adaptation et peuplements de référence de sapins méditerranéens mis en place par l’Office National des Forêts. Forêt méditerranéenne 19(2):183–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Brousseau L, Postolache D, Lascoux M, Drouzas AD, Källman T, Leonarduzzi C, Liepelt S, Piotti A, Popescu F, Roschanski AM (2016) Local adaptation in European firs assessed through extensive sampling across altitudinal gradients in southern Europe. PLoS ONE 11(7):e0158216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bugmann H, Brang P, Elkin C, Henne PD, Jakoby O, Lévesque M, Lischke H, Psomas A, Rigling A, Wermelinger B (2015). Climate change impacts on tree species, forest properties, and ecosystem services. In: OCCR, FOEN, MeteoSwiss, C2SM, Agroscope, ProClim (eds) CH2014-impacts, toward quantitative scenarios of climate change impacts in Switzerland

  • Büntgen U, Tegel W, Kaplan JO, Schaub M, Hagedorn F, Bürgi M, Brázdil R, Helle G, Carrer M, Heussner K-U, Hofmann J, Kontic R, Kyncl T, Kyncl J, Camarero JJ, Tinner W, Esper J, Liebhold A (2014) Placing unprecedented recent fir growth in a European-wide and Holocene-long context. Front Ecol Environ 12(2):100–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bürgi M, Schuler A (2003) Driving forces of forest management—an analysis of regeneration practices in the forests of the Swiss Central Plateau during the 19th and 20th century. For Ecol Manag 176(1):173–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cailleret M, Davi H (2011) Effects of climate on diameter growth of co-occurring Fagus sylvatica and Abies alba along an altitudinal gradient. Trees Struct Funct 25(2):265–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cailleret M, Nourtier M, Amm A, Durand-Gillmann M, Davi H (2014) Drought-induced decline and mortality of silver fir differ among three sites in Southern France. Ann For Sci 71(6):643–657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camarero JJ, Bigler C, Linares JC, Gil-Pelegrín E (2011) Synergistic effects of past historical logging and drought on the decline of Pyrenean silver fir forests. For Ecol Manag 262(5):759–769

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camarero JJ, Gazol A, Sangüesa-Barreda G, Oliva J, Vicente-Serrano SM (2015) To die or not to die: early warnings of tree dieback in response to a severe drought. J Ecol 103(1):44–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carcaillet C, Muller SD (2005) Holocene tree-limit and distribution of Abies alba in the inner French Alps: anthropogenic or climatic changes? Boreas 34(4):468–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caudullo G, Tinner W (2016) Abies–Circum-Mediterranean firs in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. In: San-Miguel-Ayanz J, De Rigo D, Caudullo G, Houston Durrant T, Mauri A (eds) European atlas of forest tree species. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, pp 50–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Čavlović J, Bončina A, Božić M, Goršić E, Simončič T, Teslak K (2015) Depression and growth recovery of silver fir in uneven-aged Dinaric forests in Croatia from 1901 to 2001. Forestry cpv026

  • Chauchard S, Beilhe F, Denis N, Carcaillet C (2010) An increase in the upper tree-limit of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the Alps since the mid-20th century: a land-use change phenomenon. For Ecol Manag 259(8):1406–1415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheddadi R, Birks HJB, Tarroso P, Liepelt S, Gömöry D, Dullinger S, Meier ES, Hülber K, Maiorano L, Laborde H (2014) Revisiting tree-migration rates: Abies alba (Mill.), a case study. Veg Hist Archaeobot 23(2):113–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chéret V, Dagnac J, Fromard F (1987) Le déperissement du sapin dans les Pyrénées luchonnaises. Revue forestière française 39(1):12–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colombaroli D, Marchetto A, Tinner W (2007) Long-term interactions between Mediterranean climate, vegetation and fire regime at Lago di Massaciuccoli (Tuscany, Italy). J Ecol 95(4):755–770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Commarmot B (1997) Anbauversuch mit kalabrischen Tannen in verschiedenen Höhenlagen—erste Ergebnisse. Schweiz Z Forstwiss 148:353–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Conedera M, Barthold F, Torriani D, Pezzatti G (2010) Drought sensitivity of Castanea sativa: case study of summer 2003 in the Southern Alps. Acta Hortic 866:297–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conedera M, Colombaroli D, Tinner W, Krebs P, Whitlock C (2017) Insights about past forest dynamics as a tool for present and future forest management in Switzerland. For Ecol Manag 388:100–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortini Pedrotti C (1967) L’abetina di Varramista (Pisa). Flora fanerogamica e briologica e caratteristiche geobotaniche. Webbia 22(1):39–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davi H, Cailleret M (2017) Assessing drought-driven mortality trees with physiological process-based models. Agric For Meteorol 232:279–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Andrés EG, Camarero JJ, Martínez I, Coll L (2014) Uncoupled spatiotemporal patterns of seed dispersal and regeneration in Pyrenean silver fir populations. For Ecol Manag 319:18–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desplanque C, Rolland C, Michalet R (1998) Dendroclimatologie comparée du sapin et de l’épicéa dans les zones internes des vallées alpines nord-occidentales (France et Italie). Ecologie 29(1–2):351–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobrowolska D, Bončina A, Klumpp R (2017) Ecology and silviculture of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.): a review. J For Res 22(6):326–335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ducić V, Ivanović R, Mihajlović J, Gnjato R, Trbić G, Ćurčić NB (2014) Dendroindication of drought in Rogatica region (Eastern Bosnia). Arch Biol Sci 67(1):201–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durand-Gillmann M, Cailleret M, Boivin T, Nageleisen L-M, Davi H (2014) Individual vulnerability factors of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) to parasitism by two contrasting biotic agents: mistletoe (Viscum album L. ssp. abietis) and bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) during a decline process. Ann For Sci 71(6):659–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyderski MK, Paź S, Frelich LE, Jagodziński AM (2018) How much does climate change threaten European forest tree species distributions? Glob Change Biol 24(3):1150–1163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eichenseer F (1997) Entwicklung der Tannenanteile in Ostbayern im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert. Forst und Holz 52(17):498–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg HH (2009) Vegetation ecology of central Europe. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Elling W, Dittmar C, Pfaffelmoser K, Rötzer T (2009) Dendroecological assessment of the complex causes of decline and recovery of the growth of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Southern Germany. For Ecol Manag 257(4):1175–1187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elling W, Heber U, Polle A, Beese F (2012) Schädigung von Waldökosystemen: Auswirkungen anthropogener Umweltveränderungen und Schutzmaßnahmen. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Etzold S, Zweifel R (2018) TreeNet – Daten und Analysen der ersten fünf Messjahre. Mit Beiträgen von: Haeni, M.; Burri, S.; Braun, S.; Walthert, L.; Dawes, M.; Buchmann, N.; Haeler, E.; Köchli, R.; Schaub, M.; Eugster, W. WSL Berichte 72. 69 S

  • EUFORGEN (2003) Distribution map of silver fir (Abies alba). First published in 2003, updated on 25 November 2011

  • Fady B (1993) Caractéristiques écologiques et sylvicoles des sapins de Grèce dans leur aire naturelle et en plantation dans le sud de la France. Perspectives pour le reboisement en région méditerranéenne. Revue forestière française 45(2):119–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ficko A, Poljanec A, Boncina A (2011) Do changes in spatial distribution, structure and abundance of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) indicate its decline? For Ecol Manag 261(4):844–854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ficko A, Roessiger J, Bončina A (2016) Can the use of continuous cover forestry alone maintain silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in central European mountain forests? Forestry 89(4):412–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frank A, Howe GT, Sperisen C, Brang P, Clair JBS, Schmatz DR, Heiri C (2017a) Risk of genetic maladaptation due to climate change in three major European tree species. Glob Chang Biol 23(12):5358–5371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frank A, Sperisen C, Howe GT, Brang P, Walthert L, St Clair JB, Heiri C (2017b) Distinct genecological patterns in seedlings of Norway spruce and silver fir from a mountainous landscape. Ecology 98(1):211–227

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gazol A, Camarero JJ, Gutiérrez E, Popa I, Andreu-Hayles L, Motta R, Nola P, Ribas M, Sangüesa-Barreda G, Urbinati C (2015) Distinct effects of climate warming on populations of silver fir (Abies alba) across Europe. J Biogeogr 42(6):1150–1162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George J-P, Schueler S, Karanitsch-Ackerl S, Mayer K, Klumpp RT, Grabner M (2015) Inter- and intra-specific variation in drought sensitivity in Abies spec. and its relation to wood density and growth traits. Agric For Meteorol 214:430–443

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez, N (2012) Quel avenir pour le sapin et l’épicéa? Synthèse bibliographique sur l’autécologie et la vulnérabilité comparée du sapin et de l’épicéa dans le cadre des changements climatiques. Rendez-vous techniques (hors série no. 6):3–8

  • Grassi G, Minotta G, Tonon G, Bagnaresi U (2004) Dynamics of Norway spruce and silver fir natural regeneration in a mixed stand under uneven-aged management. Can J For Res 34(1):141–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greguss L, Longauer R, Krajnáková J (1994) Progress in the breeding program of specific hybridization of first (a review). In: Eder W (ed) Ergebnisse des 7. IUFRO-Tannensymposiums der WP S1.01-08 “Ökologie und Waldbau der Tanne”, pp 144–153

  • Gruber F (1994) Morphology of coniferous trees: possible effects of soil acidification on the morphology of Norway spruce and silver fir. In: Godbold D, Hättermann A (eds) Effects of acid rain on forest processes. Wiley-Liss, Wilmington, pp 265–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Gubler M, Henne PD, Schworer C, Boltshauser-Kaltenrieder P, Lotter AF, Bronnimann S, Tinner W (2018) Microclimatic gradients provide evidence for a glacial refugium for temperate trees in a sheltered hilly landscape of Northern Italy. J Biogeogr 45(11):2564–2575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guicherd P (1994) Water relations of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in 2 natural stands in the French Alps subject to contrasting climatic conditions. Ann Sci For 51(6):599–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henne PD, Elkin CM, Reineking B, Bugmann H, Tinner W (2011) Did soil development limit spruce (Picea abies) expansion in the Central Alps during the Holocene? Testing a palaeobotanical hypothesis with a dynamic landscape model. J Biogeogr 38(5):933–949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henne PD, Elkin C, Colombaroli D, Samartin S, Bugmann H, Heiri O, Tinner W (2013) Impacts of changing climate and land use on vegetation dynamics in a Mediterranean ecosystem: insights from paleoecology and dynamic modeling. Landsc Ecol 28(5):819–833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henne PD, Elkin C, Franke J, Colombaroli D, Calò C, La Mantia T, Pasta S, Conedera M, Dermody O, Tinner W (2015) Reviving extinct Mediterranean forest communities may improve ecosystem potential in a warmer future. Front Ecol Environ 13(7):356–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herzog M, Rotach P (1990) Trockenresistenz und Immissionshärte der Weisstanne (Abies alba Mill.): Frühtestuntersuchungen mit vier Provenienzen. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen 141(12):989–1010

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoesly RM, Smith SJ, Feng L, Klimont Z, Janssens-Maenhout G, Pitkanen T, Seibert JJ, Vu L, Andres RJ, Bolt RM (2018) Historical (1750–2014) anthropogenic emissions of reactive gases and aerosols from the Community Emissions Data System (CEDS). Geosci Model Dev 11(1):369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hussendörfer E (1999) Genetic variation of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) populations in Switzerland. For Genet 6(2):101–113

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2013) Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press

  • Jakoby O, Wermelinger B, Stadelmann G, Lischke H (2015) Borkenkäfer im Klimawandel Modellierung des künftigen Befallsrisikos durch den Buchdrucker (Ips typographus)

  • Jones H, Sutherland R (1991) Stomatal control of xylem embolism. Plant Cell Environ 14(6):607–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaltenrieder P, Belis CA, Hofstetter S, Ammann B, Ravazzi C, Tinner W (2009) Environmental and climatic conditions at a potential Glacial refugial site of tree species near the Southern Alpine glaciers New insights from multiproxy sedimentary studies at Lago della Costa (Euganean Hills, Northeastern Italy). Quat Sci Rev 28(25–26):2647–2662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kandler O, Innes JL (1995) Air pollution and forest decline in Central Europe. Environ Pollut 90(2):171–180

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keller F, Lischke H, Mathis T, Möhl A, Wick L, Ammann B, Kienast F (2002) Effects of climate, fire, and humans on forest dynamics: forest simulations compared to the palaeological record. Ecol Model 152(2):109–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr G, Stokes V, Peace A, Jinks R (2015) Effects of provenance on the survival, growth and stem form of European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Britain. Eur J For Res 134(2):349–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klaehn F, Winieski J (1962) Interspecific hybridization in the genus Abies. Silvae Genet 11(5/6):130–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Konnert M, Bergmann F (1995) The geographical distribution of genetic variation of silver fir (Abies alba, Pinaceae) in relation to its migration history. Plant Syst Evol 196(1):19–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kupferschmid AD, Zimmermann S, Bugmann H (2013) Browsing regime and growth response of naturally regenerated Abies alba saplings along light gradients. For Ecol Manag 310:393–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang G (1994) Quartäre Vegetationsgeschichte Europas: Methoden und Ergebnisse. Fischer, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen JB (1986) Die geographische Variation der Weißtanne (Abies alba Mill.) Wachstumsentwicklung und Frostresistenz. Forstwiss Centbl 105(1):396–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latreille A, Davi H, Huard F, Pichot C (2017) Variability of the climate-radial growth relationship among Abies alba trees and populations along altitudinal gradients. For Ecol Manag 396:150–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lefèvre F, Boivin T, Bontemps A, Courbet F, Davi H, Durand-Gillmann M, Fady B, Gauzere J, Gidoin C, Karam M-J, Lalagüe H, Oddou-Muratorio S, Pichot C (2014) Considering evolutionary processes in adaptive forestry. Ann For Sci 71(7):723–739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linares JC (2011) Biogeography and evolution of Abies (Pinaceae) in the Mediterranean basin: the roles of long-term climatic change and glacial refugia. J Biogeogr 38(4):619–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linares JC, Camarero JJ (2012) Growth patterns and sensitivity to climate predict silver fir decline in the Spanish Pyrenees. Eur J For Res 131(4):1001–1012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lombardi F, Cherubini P, Lasserre B, Tognetti R, Marchetti M (2008) Tree rings used to assess time since death of deadwood of different decay classes in beech and silver fir forests in the central Apennines (Molise, Italy). Can J For Res 38:821–833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macias M, Andreu L, Bosch O, Camarero JJ, Gutiérrez E (2006) Increasing aridity is enhancing silver fir Abies alba Mill.) water stress in its south-western distribution limit. Clim Change 79(3–4):289–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maiorano L, Cheddadi R, Zimmermann NE, Pellissier L, Petitpierre B, Pottier J, Laborde H, Hurdu BI, Pearman PB, Psomas A, Singarayer JS, Broennimann O, Vittoz P, Dubuis A, Edwards ME, Binney HA, Guisan A (2013) Building the niche through time: using 13,000 years of data to predict the effects of climate change on three tree species in Europe. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 22(3):302–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maksymov JK (1950) Untersuchungen über den krummzähnigen Weißtannenborkenkäfer Ips curvidens Germ. während seiner Massenvermehrung 1947-49 in der Schweiz. ETH Zurich

  • Mauri A, de Rigo D, Caudullo G (2016). Abies alba in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. In: European atlas of forest tree species. Publication Office of the European Union, pp 48–49

  • Mazza G, Gallucci V, Manetti MC, Urbinati C (2014) Climate–growth relationships of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in marginal populations of Central Italy. Dendrochronologia 32(3):181–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motta R (1996) Impact of wild ungulates on forest regeneration and tree composition of mountain forests in the western Italian Alps. For Ecol Manag 88:93–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muller SD, Nakagawa T, De Beaulieu J-L, Court-Picon M, Carcaillet C, Miramont C, Roiron P, Boutterin C, Ali AA, Bruneton H (2007) Post-glacial migration of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the south-western Alps. J Biogeogr 34(5):876–899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nehrbass-Ahles C, Babst F, Klesse S, Nötzli M, Bouriaud O, Neukom R, Dobbertin M, Frank D (2014) The influence of sampling design on tree-ring-based quantification of forest growth. Glob Change Biol 20(9):2867–2885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noetzli KP, Müller B, Sieber TN (2003) Impact of population dynamics of white mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. abietis) on European silver fir (Abies alba). Ann For Sci 60(8):773–779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nourtier M, Chanzy A, Cailleret M, Yingge X, Huc R, Davi H (2014) Transpiration of silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) during and after drought in relation to soil properties in a Mediterranean mountain area. Ann For Sci 71(6):683–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panagos P, Ballabio C, Borrelli P, Meusburger K, Klik A, Rousseva S, Tadić MP, Michaelides S, Hrabalíková M, Olsen P (2015) Rainfall erosivity in Europe. Sci Total Environ 511:801–814

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peguero-Pina JJ, Camarero JJ, Abadía A, Martín E, González-Cascón R, Morales F, Gil-Pelegrín E (2007) Physiological performance of silver-fir (Abies alba Mill.) populations under contrasting climates near the south-western distribution limit of the species. Flora Morphol Distrib Funct Ecol Plants 202(3):226–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfadenhauer JS, Klötzli FA (2015) Vegetation der Erde: Grundlagen, Ökologie, Verbreitung. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Piotti A, Leonarduzzi C, Postolache D, Bagnoli F, Spanu I, Brousseau L, Urbinati C, Leonardi S, Vendramin GG (2017) Unexpected scenarios from Mediterranean refugial areas: disentangling complex demographic dynamics along the Apennine distribution of silver fir. J Biogeogr 44(7):1547–1558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pons A, Quezel P (1985) history of the flora and vegetation and past and present human disturbance in the Mediterranean region. In: Gomez-Campo C (ed) Plant conservation in the Mediterranean area. Geobotany 7. W. Junk, pp 25–43

  • Ravn HP, Havill N, Akbulut S, Foottit R, Serin M, Erdem M, Mutun S, Kenis M (2013) D reyfusia nordmannianae in N orthern and C entral E urope: potential for biological control and comments on its taxonomy. J Appl Entomol 137(6):401–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robakowski P, Montpied P, Dreyer E (2002) Temperature response of photosynthesis of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) seedlings. Ann For Sci 59(2):163–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohner B, Thürig E (2015) Entwicklung klimasensitiver Wachstumsfunktionen für das Szenariomodell «Massimo». Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen 166(6):389–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohner B, Waldner P, Lischke H, Ferretti M, Thürig E (2018) Predicting individual-tree growth of central European tree species as a function of site, stand, management, nutrient, and climate effects. Eur J For Res 137(1):29–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rolland C, Michalet R, Desplanque C, Petetin A, Aime S (1999) Ecological requirements of Abies alba in the French Alps derived from dendro-ecological analysis. J Veg Sci 10(3):297–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothe A, Dittmar C, Zang C (2011) Tanne–vom Sorgenkind zum Hoffnungsträger. LWF Wissen 66:59–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruosch M, Spahni R, Joos F, Henne PD, Knaap WO, Tinner W (2016) Past and future evolution of Abies alba forests in Europe—comparison of a dynamic vegetation model with palaeo data and observations. Glob Change Biol 22(2):727–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samartin S, Heiri O, Kaltenrieder P, Kühl N, Tinner W (2016) Reconstruction of full glacial environments and summer temperatures from Lago della Costa, a refugial site in Northern Italy. Quat Sci Rev 143:107–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savill P, Wilson SM, Mason B, Jinks R (2016) Silver firs (Abies spp) of Europe and the Near East: species, silviculture, and utilisation potential. Q J For 110:16–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmid S, Genevest R, Gobet E, Suchan T, Sperisen C, Tinner W, Alvarez N (2017) HyRAD-X, a versatile method combining exome capture and RAD sequencing to extract genomic information from ancient DNA. Methods Ecol Evol 8(10):1374–1388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schnyder J, Ehrbar R, Reimoser F, Robin K (2016) Huftierbestände und Verbissintensitäten nach der Luchswiederansiedlung im Kanton St. Gallen. Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen 167(1):13–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schütt P, Cowling EB (1985) Waldsterben, a general decline of forests in central Europe: symptoms, development and possible causes. Plant Dis 69(7):548–558

    Google Scholar 

  • Semerikova SA, Semerikov VL (2014) Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Abies (Pinaceae) based on the nucleotide sequence of chloroplast DNA. Russ J Genet 50(1):7–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sindelar J, Beran F (2008) Comparison of some exotic species of Abies genus with chosen silver fir provenances on the plots of town Pisek. Commun Inst For Bohem 24:99–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes A, Ghani MA, Salin F, Danjon F, Jeannin H, Berthier S, Kokutse AD, Frochot H (2007) Root morphology and strain distribution during tree failure on mountain slopes. In: Stokes A, Spanos I, Norris JE, Cammeraat E (eds) Eco-and ground bio-engineering: the use of vegetation to improve slope stability: proceedings of the first international conference on eco-engineering, 13–17 September 2004. Springer Netherlands, pp 165–173

  • Stott P (2016) How climate change affects extreme weather events. Science 352(6293):1517–1518

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Terhürne-Berson R, Litt T, Cheddadi R (2004) The spread of Abies throughout Europe since the last glacial period: combined macrofossil and pollen data. Veg Hist Archaeobot 13(4):257–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinner W, Lotter AF (2006) Holocene expansions of Fagus silvatica and Abies alba in Central Europe: where are we after eight decades of debate? Quat Sci Rev 25(5):526–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinner W, Hubschmid PH, Wehrli M, Amman B, Conedera M (1999) Long-term forest fire ecology and dynamics in southern Switzerland. J Ecol 87(2):273–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinner W, Conedera M, Gobet E, Hubschmid P, Wehrli M, Ammann B (2000) A palaeoecological attempt to classify fire sensitivity of trees in the southern Alps. The Holocene 10(5):565–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinner W, Colombaroli D, Heiri O, Henne PD, Steinacher M, Untenecker J, Vescovi E, Allen JR, Carraro G, Conedera M (2013) The past ecology of Abies alba provides new perspectives on future responses of silver fir forests to global warming. Ecol Monogr 83(4):419–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinner W, Conedera M, Bugmann H, Colombaroli D, Gobet E, Vescovi E, Heiri O, Joos F, Luterbacher J, La Mantia T (2016) Europäische Wälder unter wärmeren Klimabedingungen: neue Erkenntnisse aus Paläoökologie und dynamischer Vegetationsmodellierung. AFZ-Der Wald 71(18):45–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhl E, Ammer C, Spellmann H, Schölch M, Pretzsch H (2013) Zuwachstrend und Stressresilienz von Tanne und Fichte im Vergleich. Allg Forstund Jagdzeitung 184(11–12):278–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Valsecchi V, Carraro G, Conedera M, Tinner W (2010) Late-Holocene vegetation and land-use dynamics in the Southern Alps (Switzerland) as a basis for nature protection and forest management. The Holocene 20(4):483–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Breemen N, Burrough P, Velthorst Ev, Van Dobben H, de Wit T, Ridder Td, Reijnders H (1982) Soil acidification from atmospheric ammonium sulphate in forest canopy throughfall. Nature 299(5883):548–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Maaten-Theunissen M, Kahle H-P, van der Maaten E (2012) Drought sensitivity of Norway spruce is higher than that of silver fir along an altitudinal gradient in southwestern Germany. Ann For Sci 70(2):185–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitali V, Buntgen U, Bauhus J (2017) Silver fir and Douglas fir are more tolerant to extreme droughts than Norway spruce in south-western Germany. Glob Change Biol 23(12):5108–5119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitali V, Büntgen U, Bauhus J (2018) Seasonality matters—the effects of past and projected seasonal climate change on the growth of native and exotic conifer species in Central Europe. Dendrochronologia 48:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitasse Y, Delzon S, Bresson CC, Michalet R, Kremer A (2009) Altitudinal differentiation in growth and phenology among populations of temperate-zone tree species growing in a common garden. Can J For Res 39(7):1259–1269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitasse Y, Hoch G, Randin CF, Lenz A, Kollas C, Körner C (2012) Tree recruitment of European tree species at their current upper elevational limits in the Swiss Alps. J Biogeogr 39(8):1439–1449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitasse Y, Rebetez M, Augustin S, Brang P (2018a) Quel avenir pour le sapin blanc en Suisse sous les effets des changements climatiques? Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen 169(3):131–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitasse Y, Schneider L, Rixen C, Christen D, Rebetez M (2018b) Increase in the risk of exposure of forest and fruit trees to spring frosts at higher elevations in Switzerland over the last four decades. Agric For Meteorol 248:60–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vrska T, Adam D, Hort L, Kolar T, Janik D (2009) European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) rotation in the Carpathians: a developmental cycle or a linear trend induced by man? For Ecol Manag 258:347–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watts WA (1985) A long pollen record from Laghi di Monticchio, southern Italy: a preiminary account. J Geol Soc 142(3):491–499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wick L, Möhl A (2006) The mid-Holocene extinction of silver fir (Abies alba) in the Southern Alps: a consequence of forest fires? Palaeobotanical records and forest simulations. Veg Hist Archaeobot 15(4):435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang X, Cao M, Zhou Z (2007) Fossil history and modern distribution of the genus Abies (Pinaceae). Front For China 2(4):355–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang Q-P, Wei R, Shao Y-Z, Yang Z-Y, Wang X-Q, Zhang X-C (2015) Phylogenetic relationships, possible ancient hybridization, and biogeographic history of Abies (Pinaceae) based on data from nuclear, plastid, and mitochondrial genomes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 82(Part A):1–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zang C, Hartl-Meier C, Dittmar C, Rothe A, Menzel A (2014) Patterns of drought tolerance in major European temperate forest trees: climatic drivers and levels of variability. Glob Change Biol 20(12):3767–3779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann NE, Normand S, Psomas A (2014) PorTree Final Report: A project funded by the BAFU-WSL program on “Forests and Climate Change” in Switzerland. ETH Zurich. https://www.wsl.ch/lud/portree/_docs/FinalReport_PorTree_vers20160106.pdf

  • Zimmermann NE, Schmatz D, Gallien L, Körner C, Huber B, Frehner M, Küchler M, Psomas A (2016) Répartition des espèces forestières et adéquation des stations. In: Pluess AR, Augustin S, Brang P (eds) Forêts et changements climatiques—Éléments pour des stratégies d’adaptation. Office fédéral de l’environnement OFEV, Berne; Institut fédéral de recherche WSL, Birmensdorf. Haupt, pp 205–228

  • Zingg A, Bürgi A (2008) Trockenperioden seit 1900 und Waldwachstum: eine Analyse langfristiger Datenreihen| Drought periods since 1900 and growth of forest stands: an analysis of long-term data series. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen 159(10):352–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This review was funded by the research program ‘Forest and Climate Change’ of the Federal Office for the Environment and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, and was also supported by the SwissForestLab. This paper was initially published in French in Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen (Vitasse et al. 2018a) and was adapted with the agreement of this journal to upscale the results to an international readership across Europe.

Data accessibility

The sources of the data used in Fig. 3 are cited in the caption legend of the figure.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Dynamics, WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Yann Vitasse & Alessandra Bottero

  2. SwissForestLab, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Yann Vitasse & Alessandra Bottero

  3. Institute of Geography, University of Neuchatel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Martine Rebetez

  4. Forest Dynamics, WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Martine Rebetez

  5. Community Ecology, WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Cadenazzo, Switzerland

    Marco Conedera

  6. Forest Division, Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, Bern, Switzerland

    Sabine Augustin

  7. Forest Resources and Management, WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Peter Brang

  8. Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Willy Tinner

  9. Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Willy Tinner

Authors
  1. Yann Vitasse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alessandra Bottero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Martine Rebetez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marco Conedera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sabine Augustin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peter Brang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Willy Tinner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

PB and SA conceived the idea. YV led the writing with input from all the other authors. AB collected the data shown in Fig. 3 and drew Fig. 3.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yann Vitasse.

Additional information

Communicated by Christian Ammer.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vitasse, Y., Bottero, A., Rebetez, M. et al. What is the potential of silver fir to thrive under warmer and drier climate?. Eur J Forest Res 138, 547–560 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01192-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01192-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation