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With ongoing global warming, increasing water deficits promote physiological stress on forest ecosystems with negative impacts on tree growth, vitality, and survival. How individual tree species will react to increased drought stress is therefore a key research question to address for carbon accounting and the development of climate change mitigation strategies. Recent tree‐ring studies have shown that trees at higher latitudes will benefit from warmer temperatures, yet this is likely highly species‐dependent and less well‐known for more temperate tree species. Using a unique pan‐European tree‐ring network of 26,430 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees from 2118 sites, we applied a linear mixed‐effects modeling framework to (i) explain variation in climate‐dependent growth and (ii) project growth for the near future (2021–2050) across the entire distribution of beech. We modeled the spatial pattern of radial growth responses to annually varying climate as a function of mean climate conditions (mean annual temperature, mean annual climatic water balance, and continentality). Over the calibration period (1952–2011), the model yielded high regional explanatory power (R2 = 0.38–0.72). Considering a moderate climate change scenario (CMIP6 SSP2‐4.5), beech growth is projected to decrease in the future across most of its distribution range. In particular, projected growth decreases by 12%–18% (interquartile range) in northwestern Central Europe and by 11%–21% in the Mediterranean region. In contrast, climate‐driven growth increases are limited to around 13% of the current occurrence, where the historical mean annual temperature was below ~6°C. More specifically, the model predicts a 3%–24% growth increase in the high‐elevation clusters of the Alps and Carpathian Arc. Notably, we find little potential for future growth increases (−10 to +2%) at the poleward leading edge in southern Scandinavia. Because in this region beech growth is found to be primarily water‐limited, a northward shift in its distributional range will be constrained by water availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Afforestation of mixed spruce–pine stands more resistant to windfall at the upper altitudinal limit of Romanian forests. Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) is a feasible solution for increasing the resistance of future mixed spruce–pine stands to windfall at the upper altitudinal limit of Romanian forests. This study aims to analyze the adaptability of ten full-sib families in two different environmental conditions and their evolution in time for predicting forward selection. At a seedling age of 33, evaluations were carried out for survival rate (Sr), growth (diameter at breast height—Dbh, and trees' height), and branch traits, as well as for stem straightness. The high level of genetic variability, inheritance rate, and trait–trait correlations, registered in both trials, ensure the success of the breeding program. The Swiss stone pine shows a very good adaptation on high-sloping lands from the upper altitudinal limit of Romania's forests, with the cross-pollinated (CP) families registering a 28.5% better survival in the Rodna trial (34° slope) compared to the Păltiniș experiment (7° slope). The consanguineous families registered only an 11% Sr in Păltiniș, while in the Rodna trial, the Sr was four times higher (in both trials, consanguineous trees were dominated). The juvenile–adult correlations of growth traits were significant, indicating that early selection could be efficient. The forward selection of the best 10% of CP families for Dbh could be applied, ensuring a 9% to 15% genetic gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to investigate the qualitative parameters of 163 lots of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds, originated from all over Romania, in the last 30 years (1994-2023). In the context of global warming, the influence of the climatic factors (temperature and precipitations) on the beechnuts was studied for the most important counties (regarding the number of tested seed lots), Brașov and Caraș-Severin. The analyses were performed in the seed testing laboratory of INCDS "Marin Drăcea" Brașov. All laboratory analyses were made in according with the international rules established by ISTA and implemented in Romania by SR 1908/2004 standard. Average values for purity (98,6%), viability (72,8%) and mass of 1000 seeds (254,2 g) were obtained for the 163 analysed lots of European beech seeds which places them in the 2nd class of quality, with 38,7% of the lots included in the top category. The highest values of seed viability were recorded in 2004, 2016 and 2012, and the leading counties were Maramureș, Prahova, Caraș-Severin and Brașov. Generally, direct and highly significant correlations were found among the main qualitative parameters of the beechnuts (Purity, viability, and M1000) as well as a multiple correlation among them. Heavier and higher purity beechnuts will own superior viability. In both analysed counties (Brașov and Caraș-Severin), the climatic factors generally had an insignificant influence on the qualitative parameters of the beechnuts harvested especially from populations located in the ecological optimum of European beech in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the research consisted in the analysis of the qualitative parameters of 380 lots of seeds of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) originated from all over Romania, in the last 21 years (2003-2023). In the context of global warming, the influence of the main climatic factors (air temperature and atmospheric precipitations) on the qualitative parameters of the seeds of sycamore maple was studied for two leading counties regarding the tested seed lots, Caraș-Severin and Sibiu. The research was carried out in the forest seed testing laboratory of the INCDS "Marin Drăcea" Brașov Station. All laboratory analyses, carried out between 2003 and 2023, were made in according with the international rules established by ISTA and implemented in Romania by SR 1908/2004 standard. Average values for purity (94.4%), viability (72.9%) and mass of 1000 seeds (130.5 g) were obtained for the 380 analysed lots of sycamore maple seeds which places them in the 2nd class of quality, very close to the thresholds of the first class, where 40% of the lots are included. The highest values of seed viability were recorded in 2008, 2011 and 2012, and the leading counties were Mureș, Buzău and Timiș. Positive and highly significant correlations were obtained among the main qualitative traits of the seeds as well as a multiple correlation, also positive and highly significant, between purity, viability and mass of 1000 seeds. Heavier and higher purity seeds will have better viability. In both analysed counties (Sibiu and Caraș-Severin), regarding the influence of climatic factors on the seed’s quality parameters, in the year in which the highest temperature was recorded, and fell among the lowest amounts of precipitation (year 2019), a very low values for seeds viability were obtained (penultimate place, in Sibiu, and 15th out of 20, in Caraș-Severin). The obtained results indicate a possible risk of reducing the viability of the sycamore maple seeds in the future, in the context of climate warming, with negative effects on the existence of this important mixed species in the Romanian forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article was to inform the public opinion and specialists from agriculture and forestry regarding the latest achievements of the breeders in the two fields, namely the obtaining of new varieties of potato and spruce, with climate resilience and the ability to respond to the present and future societal needs. In the last period, major changes have been observed at all levels, from climate changes to the preferences of producers and consumers, as well as production technologies. Climatic changes, due to the global warming process through the continuous increase in carbon dioxide emissions, manifest themselves significantly through long periods of drought, with damaging effects on agricultural and forestry productions. The creation of resilient varieties allows these critical periods to be overcome, simultaneously with the use of ecological and environmentally friendly technologies. Among the most recent achievements of the breeders in agriculture and forestry is the obtaining of 12 new varieties of potato and one of spruce, with adaptive plasticity. The progress of genetic breeding, through the development of nature-based solutions, which are based on the creation of new varieties, also ensures the perpetual enrichment of the genetic pool, in addition to increasing the degree of climate resilience. With a vast activity in the field, NIRDPSB Brasov and NIRDF "Marin Dracea", continue to provide results for the benefit of sustainable development and contribute to the fulfilment of EU objectives in terms of environment and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Silvicultură şi Cinegetică is the property of Societatea Progresul Silvic / Forest Progress Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Silvicultură şi Cinegetică is the property of Societatea Progresul Silvic / Forest Progress Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to analyse the viability of two forest genetic resources (FGR), one arboretum and two comparative trials, re-establish the limits of them (including the replications and provenances limits within them), and to establish the management measures necessary for sustainable conservation of FGR, trials and arboretum, in the forests managed by Experimental Base (B.E.) Săcele (Brașov county, Romania) of National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea” (INCDS). In the Romanian National Catalogue of FGR are includes two populations managed by B.E. Săcele, one constituted mainly for European larch (Larix decidua) and the other principally for Norway spruce (Picea abies), both with other associated species, like Silver fir (Abies alba), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). Also, in the B.E. Săcele is well represented the FGR group of artificial trials, where the genetic heritage of some national and European provenances of European beech, European larch, Norway spruce, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), black pine (Pinus nigra) and white pine (Pinus strobus) is preserved ex situ, in comparative trials and in an arboretum. In the spring of 2022, the current state of the two forest genetic resources (spruce and larch), the arboretum (spruce, Scots pine and black pine) and the two comparative trials (beech– European provenances and larch– full-sib experiment) were analysed and the necessary works for the conservation and sustainable management of these valuable gene pool have been executed/ planned. Thus, it was executed or planned the restoration of the experimental device limits, choosing the seed trees and their materialization in the field, as well as recommending the emergency extraction of felled trees, those with broken stems, as well as standing dried trees. Further research will be carried out regarding phenotypic data, phenological studies, as well as the study of wood using cores and rounds, the data being subsequently correlated with climatic data. Finally, valuable sources will be recommended for use in similar ecological conditions, both in the regions of origin, as well as in the Curvature Carpathians, the region in which they stood out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic inheritance of a tree species is fully expressed in the phenotype only when its ecological requirements are accomplished. Therefore, genetic tests provide the opportunity to simulate the change in the environment and determine the most suitable site conditions for specific populations. In light of the unpredictable climate conditions resulting from rapid environmental changes, the current study investigated possible signs of adaptation and productivity of European beech in the Romanian Carpathian region. For this purpose, the tree growth and stability performances, as well as the transfer effect, were examined in 17 international beech provenances tested in two different environments for 27 years. Growth and stability performances were evaluated using tree height (Th), breast height diameter (DBH), and survival (S). In the case of the transfer analyses, the ecodistance approach was applied. According to the results, the average of S was 13% higher in the Carbunari provenance trial, and DBH was higher in the Sacele trial by 15%, while no noticeable differences were registered for Th. The best-performing provenances were those originating from similar site conditions to the Romanian test sites, and the transfer function detected the sensitivity of beech provenances to increasing temperature. The general transfer response of provenances revealed a similar performance across sites and suggested that provenances exhibited adaptation and acclimation to the test environments from Romanian Carpathians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]