Masting of European Beech in Seed Stands from Eastern Carpathians

Abstract

Masting is the process of producing seed crops, which presents annual variation and synchronicity among individuals. Among the major species in Europe, beech is the most common deciduous species, a foundational species in the majority of forest ecosystems, and it has economic, ecological, and environmental benefits. We present the results of a study in masting drivers at stand level in seed stands from Eastern Carpathians. Masting is controlled by stand and climate factors, among which the most important are the canopy position and the crown diameter, together with a surrogate measure for aridity, the Ellenberg quotient (EQ). Known as a factor limiting the beech distribution, EQ seems also to be determinant in masting intensity at stand level more than other analyzed climate factors. The identified parameters are suitable for the selection of the seed forest stands to be used in afforestation programs.