Growth and Assemblage Dynamics of Temperate Forest Tree Species Match Physiological Resilience to Changes in Atmospheric Chemistry.

ABSTRACT: Human-induced environmental changes are altering forest productivity and species composition, significantly impacting tree physiology, growth, water uptake, and nutrient acquisition. Investigating the intricate interplay between plant physiology and environmental shifts, we analyzed tree-ring isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and δ¹⁵N) to track long-term trends in intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) and nitrogen availability for European beech, Norway spruce, and silver fir in a unique old-growth temperate mountain forest since 1501 ce. Our findings reveal that Norway spruce, a dominant species, exhibited iWUE saturation, exacerbated by acidic precipitation, resulting in growth declines during periods of high acidic air pollution and increased drought frequency. In c

SUBMITTER: Oulehle F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11938019 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature