Zur zukunft der buche (Fagus sylvatica L.) in mitteleuropa. Kritische anmerkungen zu einem beitrag von Rennenberg et al. (2004)

The presented paper criticises a recent review of RENNENBERG and coauthors (2004) in which the suitability of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) for silviculture in central Europe is questioned against the background of climate change. The criticism is based on the fact that RENNENBERG et al (2004) transferred the results of short-term case studies to the landscape level without careful evaluation and consideration of synecological aspects. In addition it is criticised that RENNENBERG et al. (2004) have not taken into account that the response of plants to environmental factors in experiments does not necessarily mean that these factors are of ecological relevance. Based on the discussion of the interpretations given by RENNENBERG et al. (2004), results of dendroecological studies (see Figure 1) and existing literature on the subject it is concluded in contrast to RENNENBERG et al. (2004) that the targeted percentage of beech in southern Germany of about 30% is appropriate. As beech is assigned to sites with sufficient water supply it is assumed that beech will grow there satisfactorily also under the expected conditions of climate change. In all cases where silvicultural decisions concern long periods and large areas a careful examination and evaluation of case studies and autecological experiments is strongly recommended. Moreover, such decisions require all components (description, exploration, hypothesization, conduction of experiments, derivation and validation of models, and finally recommendation and/or application) of forest research cognition (see Figure 2).