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On the Ecology of Mountainous Forests in a Changing Climate: A ...

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Behaviour <strong>of</strong> FORCLIM along a transect <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Alps 105<br />

gen availability <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> steady state <strong>of</strong> FORCLIM-E/P/S is higher than <strong>the</strong> 100 kg/ha assumed<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> previous sections, <strong>the</strong>re are prolonged periods where N availability drops to<br />

low values, e.g. when a large fallen log immobilizes large amounts <strong>of</strong> nitrogen. Dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />

such phases, species which are tolerant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se conditions (i.e. those which have a low<br />

kNTol parameter) have a competitive advantage. Hence, <strong>the</strong>se species may be expected to<br />

<strong>in</strong>crease <strong>the</strong>ir abundance <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> FORCLIM-E/P/S model as compared to <strong>the</strong> variant E/P.<br />

600<br />

Bever (south, P)<br />

500<br />

Biomass (t/ha)<br />

400<br />

300<br />

200<br />

Populus nigra<br />

P<strong>in</strong>us silvestris<br />

Larix decidua<br />

P<strong>in</strong>us cembra<br />

Picea excelsa<br />

100<br />

0<br />

0<br />

400<br />

Year<br />

800<br />

1200<br />

600<br />

Davos (P)<br />

500<br />

Biomass (t/ha)<br />

400<br />

300<br />

200<br />

Populus nigra<br />

P<strong>in</strong>us silvestris<br />

Larix decidua<br />

P<strong>in</strong>us cembra<br />

Picea excelsa<br />

100<br />

0<br />

0<br />

400<br />

Year<br />

800<br />

1200<br />

Fig. 4.6: Average species composition from 200 forest patches simulated by <strong>the</strong> FORCLIM-P<br />

model <strong>in</strong> isolation, assum<strong>in</strong>g a nutrient-rich soil and a constant abiotic environment (i.e. no yearto-year<br />

variability <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r). Top: A south-fac<strong>in</strong>g slope at <strong>the</strong> site Bever; bottom: Davos.<br />

The graphs show cumulative species-specific biomass values.

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