Short‐ and long‐term efficacy of forest thinning to mitigate drought impacts in mountain forests in the European Alps

• DOI: 10.1890/14-0690.1
• Publication Date: 2015-05-26T19:22:57Z
• Authors: Ché Elkin; Arnaud Giuggiola; Andreas Rigling; Harald Bugmann
• Keywords: Thinning

In many regions of the world, drought is projected to increase under climate change, with potential negative consequences for forests and their ecosystem services (ES). Forest thinning has been proposed as a method at least temporarily mitigating impacts, but its general applicability longer-term impacts are unclear. We use process-based forest model upscale experimental data evaluating in drought-susceptible valley interior European Alps, specific aim assessing (1) when where may be most effective (2) implications dynamics. Simulations indicate that will impacted by climate-induced increases across broad elevation range. At lower elevations, currently prevalent, reduce tree mortality, have minor on dynamics longer term. Thinning particularly useful intermediate higher elevations means reducing mortality drought-sensitive species such Norway spruce larch, which dominate these elevations. However, term, even intense likely not sufficient prevent change induced dieback species, occur moderate change. also largest impact long-term magnitude depending timing intensity thinning. More done later more strongly promote transition drought-tolerant species. conclude viable option forests, efficient implementation should contingent site-specific evaluation near term risk significant drought, how rate direction driven conversion.