A recent long-term study has uncovered concerning findings about how climate change is affecting European beech (Fagus sylvatica), which is among the most widespread and ecologically significant tree species in Europe.
Led by an international team from the University of Liverpool, this research utilized 40 years of monitoring data, revealing a startling 28% drop in tree growth since 2005, primarily linked to climate-related changes in seed production.
The results, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, emphasize the intricate relationship between rising temperatures, seed production, and tree growth.
According to lead author Dr. Andrew Hacket-Pain from the University of Liverpool’s Department of Geography & Planning, “Many studies have previously addressed how climate change might diminish tree growth in Europe due to increasing summer drought frequency and severity. Our findings indicate that rising temperatures, regardless of drought variations, lead to a decline in growth because trees are redirecting resources from growth to reproduction. In warmer conditions, the trees in our study produced more seeds, but their growth suffered as a result. This insight is crucial, as it suggests that beech trees in regions of Europe that are less prone to drought are not safe from climate change impacts, contrary to earlier research.”
While the increased investment in reproduction might seem beneficial for beech trees, it actually comes at the cost of their growth. Previous studies by the research team have revealed that the more frequent and uncoordinated reproduction associated with climate change, a phenomenon referred to as “masting breakdown,” ironically leads to a decrease in the number of viable seeds produced and dispersed.
Dr. Hacket-Pain further explained, “Typically, beech trees minimize seed loss to animals that consume them by alternating between periods of scarcity and abundance. However, more frequent reproduction disrupts these patterns. While beech trees are putting more resources into reproduction, it is actually the seed predators that benefit rather than the trees themselves.”
The research presents a troubling outlook for beech trees, which are vital components of temperate forests across Europe. The decline in reproduction threatens their capability to regenerate and sustain future generations of European forests, while decreased growth hinders their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
“Our study reveals a significant yet often overlooked way that climate change affects forests,” noted co-author Dr. Maciej Barczyk from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland. “These consequences could have a ripple effect throughout Europe’s beech-dominated woodlands.”
