Drought in Alpine Areas Under Changing Climate Conditions

Rijeka

2013

S. 165-189

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

200179405

Forest ecosystem sensitivity to climate change is a result of direct impacts from climate (e.g. changes of temperature and precipitation) and indirect impacts from several biotic (e.g. pests) and abiotic factors (CO2 and Ozone concentration) influenced by climate change [12]. Within this chapter we will concentrate on possible changes for drought hazards due to climate change scenarios. Drought generally has a negative impact on ecosystem productivity and increases mortality. Species adapted to cold and wet conditions with low reproduction rates and limited mobility seem to be most affected. It was found that beech, and surprisingly the broadleaved Mediterranean forests are highly sensitive to drought [1]. The drought of 2003 was in some areas, especially in Germany and France, the strongest drought during the last 50 years. The analysis showed that some time lag effect can occur, thus e.g. for beech the growth reduction was stronger in the following year 2004 after the drought event of 2003. Besides the strong impact of extreme years as 2003 experts assume that in the long run, a change in the frequency of hot and dry years could affect tree species composition and diversity more than one single event [6]. The hydrological cycle at the local scale might superimpose the influences from climate change on a broader scale but extreme events such as droughts cause growth reductions across many site conditions.