Author
Miroslav Svoboda
Other affiliations: University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, University of Ljubljana, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Bio: Miroslav Svoboda is an academic researcher from Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. The author has contributed to research in topics: Picea abies & Old-growth forest. The author has an hindex of 42, co-authored 153 publications receiving 6411 citations. Previous affiliations of Miroslav Svoboda include University of Agriculture, Faisalabad & University of Ljubljana.
Papers published on a yearly basis
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University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna1, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology2, Center for International Forestry Research3, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne4, University of Turin5, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague6, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic7, University of Naples Federico II8, Forestry Commission9, University of Bari10, University of Ljubljana11, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research12
TL;DR: It is concluded that both ecosystems and society should be prepared for an increasingly disturbed future of forests, as warmer and drier conditions particularly facilitate fire, drought and insect disturbances, while warmer and wetter conditions increase disturbances from wind and pathogens.
Abstract: Forest disturbances are sensitive to climate. However, our understanding of disturbance dynamics in response to climatic changes remains incomplete, particularly regarding large-scale patterns, interaction effects and dampening feedbacks. Here we provide a global synthesis of climate change effects on important abiotic (fire, drought, wind, snow and ice) and biotic (insects and pathogens) disturbance agents. Warmer and drier conditions particularly facilitate fire, drought and insect disturbances, while warmer and wetter conditions increase disturbances from wind and pathogens. Widespread interactions between agents are likely to amplify disturbances, while indirect climate effects such as vegetation changes can dampen long-term disturbance sensitivities to climate. Future changes in disturbance are likely to be most pronounced in coniferous forests and the boreal biome. We conclude that both ecosystems and society should be prepared for an increasingly disturbed future of forests.
1,388 citations
TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations
Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory1, University of East Anglia2, University of Freiburg3, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute4, Queen's University Belfast5, University of Padua6, University of Ljubljana7, University of Mainz8, Cornell University9, Stockholm University10, Dresden University of Technology11, University of Barcelona12, United States Department of State13, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut14, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague15, Istanbul University16, University of Gothenburg17, University of Oxford18, University of Pavia19, University of Forestry, Sofia20, Norwegian University of Science and Technology21, University of Arizona22, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń23, University of St Andrews24, Technische Universität München25
TL;DR: Megadroughts reconstructed over north-central Europe in the 11th and mid-15th centuries reinforce other evidence from North America and Asia that droughts were more severe, extensive, and prolonged over Northern Hemisphere land areas before the 20th century, with an inadequate understanding of their causes.
Abstract: Climate model projections suggest widespread drying in the Mediterranean Basin and wetting in Fennoscandia in the coming decades largely as a consequence of greenhouse gas forcing of climate. To place these and other “Old World” climate projections into historical perspective based on more complete estimates of natural hydroclimatic variability, we have developed the “Old World Drought Atlas” (OWDA), a set of year-to-year maps of tree-ring reconstructed summer wetness and dryness over Europe and the Mediterranean Basin during the Common Era. The OWDA matches historical accounts of severe drought and wetness with a spatial completeness not previously available. In addition, megadroughts reconstructed over north-central Europe in the 11th and mid-15th centuries reinforce other evidence from North America and Asia that droughts were more severe, extensive, and prolonged over Northern Hemisphere land areas before the 20th century, with an inadequate understanding of their causes. The OWDA provides new data to determine the causes of Old World drought and wetness and attribute past climate variability to forced and/or internal variability.
429 citations
ETH Zurich1, University of Ulm2, Royal Museum for Central Africa3, Vrije Universiteit Brussel4, University of Coimbra5, University of Helsinki6, University of Victoria7, University of Innsbruck8, University of Milan9, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague10, Spanish National Research Council11, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research12, Institut national de la recherche agronomique13, Laval University14, University of Ljubljana15, United States Geological Survey16, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev17, Center for International Forestry Research18, Technical University of Berlin19, Dresden University of Technology20, University of Kansas21, University of Arkansas22, Max Planck Society23, National Museum of Natural History24, Desert Botanical Garden25, Humboldt State University26, Sukachev Institute of Forest27, National Scientific and Technical Research Council28, National University of Comahue29, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center30, Wageningen University and Research Centre31, Naturalis32, Pablo de Olavide University33, Autonomous University of Barcelona34, University of Lisbon35, Mediterranean University36, Technical University of Madrid37, University of Western Sydney38, University of Debrecen39, Natural Resources Canada40, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute41, University of Patras42, University of Cyprus43, Open University of Cyprus44, University of Colorado Boulder45, Northern Arizona University46, University of Novi Sad47, European Forest Institute48, Estonian University of Life Sciences49, University of Alberta50, University of Minnesota51, University of Forestry, Sofia52
TL;DR: The results imply that growth-based mortality algorithms may be a powerful tool for predicting gymnosperm mortality induced by chronic stress, but not necessarily so for angiosperms and in case of intense drought or bark-beetle outbreaks.
Abstract: Tree mortality is a key factor influencing forest functions and dynamics, but our understanding of the mechanisms
leading to mortality and the associated changes in tree growth rates are still limited. We compiled a new pan-conti-
nental tree-ring width database from sites where both dead and living trees were sampled (2970 dead and 4224 living
trees from 190 sites, including 36 species), and compared early and recent growth rates between trees that died and
those that survived a given mortality event. We observed a decrease in radial growth before death in ca. 84% of the
mortality events. The extent and duration of these reductions were highly variable (1–100 years in 96% of events) due
to the complex interactions among study species and the source(s) of mortality. Strong and long-lasting declines were
found for gymnosperms, shade- and drought-tolerant species, and trees that died from competition. Angiosperms
and trees that died due to biotic attacks (especially bark-beetles) typically showed relatively small and short-term
growth reductions. Our analysis did not highlight any universal trade-off between early growth and tree longevity
within a species, although this result may also reflect high variability in sampling design among sites. The intersite
and interspecific variability in growth patterns before mortality provides valuable information on the nature of the
mortality process, which is consistent with our understanding of the physiological mechanisms leading to mortality.
Abrupt changes in growth immediately before death can be associated with generalized hydraulic failure and/or
bark-beetle attack, while long-term decrease in growth may be associated with a gradual decline in hydraulic performance coupled with depletion in carbon reserves. Our results imply that growth-based mortality algorithms may be
a powerful tool for predicting gymnosperm mortality induced by chronic stress, but not necessarily so for angiosperms and in case of intense drought or bark-beetle outbreaks.
367 citations
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research1, University of Copenhagen2, University of Freiburg3, University of Ljubljana4, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences5, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna6, Wageningen University and Research Centre7, Bern University of Applied Sciences8, University of Florence9, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague10
TL;DR: This review identifies and evaluates six principles for enhancing the adaptive capacity of European temperate forests in a changing climate and uses these principles to examine how three CNS systems (single-tree selection, group selection and shelterwood) serve adaptation strategies.
Abstract: In many parts of Europe, close-to-nature silviculture (CNS) has been widely advocated as being the best approach for managing forests to cope with future climate change. In this review, we identify and evaluate six principles for enhancing the adaptive capacity of European temperate forests in a changing climate: (1) increase tree species richness, (2) increase structural diversity, (3) maintain and increase genetic variation within tree species, (4) increase resistance of individual trees to biotic and abiotic stress, (5) replace high-risk stands and (6) keep average growing stocks low. We use these principles to examine how three CNS systems (single-tree selection, group selection and shelterwood) serve adaptation strategies. Many attributes of CNS can increase the adaptive capacity of European temperate forests to a changing climate. CNS promotes structural diversity and tree resistance to stressors, and growing stocks can be kept at low levels. However, some deficiencies exist in relation to the adaptation principles of increasing tree species richness, maintaining and increasing genetic variation, and replacing high-risk stands. To address these shortcomings, CNS should make increased use of a range of regeneration methods, in order to promote light-demanding tree species, non-native species and non-local provenances.
282 citations
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TL;DR: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols used xiii 1.
Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201
14,171 citations
1,184 citations
West Virginia University1, Yale University2, Food and Agriculture Organization3, Landcare Research4, University of Udine5, Max Planck Society6, University of Alaska Fairbanks7, Technische Universität München8, Université du Québec à Montréal9, University of the French West Indies and Guiana10, University of Freiburg Faculty of Biology11, Cornell University12, Wageningen University and Research Centre13, University of Sydney14, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu15, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro16, University of Göttingen17, Russian Academy of Sciences18, Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research19, Lakehead University20, University of La Frontera21, Seoul National University22, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg23, University of Cambridge24, James Cook University25, Center for International Forestry Research26, University of Zurich27, University of Yaoundé I28, University of Wisconsin-Madison29, Queensland Government30, Florida International University31, Institut national de la recherche agronomique32, Forest Research Institute33, University of Minnesota34, Polish Academy of Sciences35, Warsaw University of Life Sciences36, Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava37, University of Florence38, University of Warsaw39, Spanish National Research Council40, King Juan Carlos University41, International Trademark Association42, National Scientific and Technical Research Council43, National University of Austral Patagonia44, Wildlife Conservation Society45, College of African Wildlife Management46, University of York47, Durham University48, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources49, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador50, Centre national de la recherche scientifique51, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi52, University College London53, University of Leeds54
TL;DR: A consistent positive concave-down effect of biodiversity on forest productivity across the world is revealed, showing that a continued biodiversity loss would result in an accelerating decline in forest productivity worldwide.
Abstract: The biodiversity-productivity relationship (BPR) is foundational to our understanding of the global extinction crisis and its impacts on ecosystem functioning. Understanding BPR is critical for the accurate valuation and effective conservation of biodiversity. Using ground-sourced data from 777,126 permanent plots, spanning 44 countries and most terrestrial biomes, we reveal a globally consistent positive concave-down BPR, showing that continued biodiversity loss would result in an accelerating decline in forest productivity worldwide. The value of biodiversity in maintaining commercial forest productivity alone-US$166 billion to 490 billion per year according to our estimation-is more than twice what it would cost to implement effective global conservation. This highlights the need for a worldwide reassessment of biodiversity values, forest management strategies, and conservation priorities.
889 citations
TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations