Fakopp 3-dimensional acoustic tomography measurements, in the Eastern-Alps, along a designated vertical transect

Abstract

The global temperature increase in high mountain areas is higher than average, which can significantly affect the physiognomy of the vegetation, can change the dominant species of different alpine zones, or lead to the shift of vegetation belts. During our research, we focused on how the state of health of the dominant conifers in the montane belt and subalpine belt regions of Central Europe's mountainous areas changes along an elevation transect. However, the number of field measurements focusing on the health status of dominant trees in temperate mountains is limited. Our measurements were carried out in the Stuhleck Mountains along an elevation gradient from 850 to 1750 metres. Health status analysis of Picea abies and Pinus mugo have been completed by using FAKOPP 3D acoustic tomography, which is able to detect the size and location of decayed regions in the trunk non-destructively. For modeling, the relationship between the decay of trees and other factors simple linear regression models were used. The results showed that the individuals of Picea abies and Pinus mugo had the worst health status in the lowest and uppermost range of the taxa in the studied area. It could be a sign of the upward shift of their range. A positive significant correlation was found between the decay and the ratio of whole trunk/healthy wood both in the case of Picea abies and Pinus mugo. It seems that acoustic tomography measurements are adequate to indicate non-destructively the altitudinal optimum and upward shift of different taxa.

The global temperature increase in high mountain areas is higher than average, which can significantly affect the physiognomy of the vegetation, can change the dominant species of different alpine zones, or lead to the shift of vegetation belts. During our research, we focused on how the state of health of the dominant conifers in the montane belt and subalpine belt regions of Central Europe's mountainous areas changes along an elevation transect. However, the number of field measurements focusing on the health status of dominant trees in temperate mountains is limited. Our measurements were carried out in the Stuhleck Mountains along an elevation gradient from 850 to 1750 metres. Health status analysis of Picea abies and Pinus mugo have been completed by using FAKOPP 3D acoustic tomography, which is able to detect the size and location of decayed regions in the trunk non-destructively. For modeling, the relationship between the decay of trees and other factors simple linear regression models were used. The results showed that the individuals of Picea abies and Pinus mugo had the worst health status in the lowest and uppermost range of the taxa in the studied area. It could be a sign of the upward shift of their range. A positive significant correlation was found between the decay and the ratio of whole trunk/healthy wood both in the case of Picea abies and Pinus mugo. It seems that acoustic tomography measurements are adequate to indicate non-destructively the altitudinal optimum and upward shift of different taxa.