The causes of upper tree limits in the mountain ranges of Central Europe north of the Alps - a stem-growth perspective
2018
Abstract
Globally, mean growing-season temperature at the climatic treeline was found to converge to a common isotherm, presumably related to similar growth limitations by low temperature. However, temperatures for high-elevation tree limits are often higher than the corresponding thermal limit for tree growth, suggesting that trees are regionally absent from the potential treeline.
We explore whether the regional uppermost tree stands in Central Europe are limited by low growing-season temperature, reflect the action of a 'summit syndrome' (harsh climatic conditions near summits of insufficiently high mountains), or have resulted from historical land use or other disturbances.