Results of a phenological study of the European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) growing in a mixed stand

• Main Authors: Emilie Bednářová, Kristýna Slovíková, Sabina Truparová, Lucie Merklová
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mendel University Press 2013-01-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis
• Subjects: phenological stages; mixed stand; European larch; effective temperature; air temperature; soil temperature
• Online Access: https://acta.mendelu.cz/61/5/1239/

This paper presents an evaluation of the onset and duration of phenological stages of the European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) growing in a mixed stand in Drahanská vrchovina highlands. It covers the period of 2007–2010 and refers to results obtained in the preceding study period of 1991–2006. In individual years of this study, beginnings and durations of individual phenological stages differed in dependence on climatic conditions. Temperature requirements of European larch regarding the onset of individual phenological stages were evaluated on the base of sums of air temperatures above 0° C and of effective air temperatures higher than +5° C. Obtained results indicate that the onset and duration of spring phenological stages are dependent on air and soil temperatures already in the early spring. As far as the European larch is concerned, the breaking of buds is dependent on temperatures of air and soil; the corresponding correlation coefficients were R2 = 0. 8684 (y = −3.788x + 97.165) and R2 = 0.7627 (y = −6.667x + 101.88), respectively. The obtained results indicate that recently the onset of spring phenological stages occurred earlier and earlier in the study area of Drahanská vrchovina highlands and that their course was also shorter and shorter. In spring months, higher temperatures influence the phenological stage of flushing at most while in the autumn individual phenological stages occur later and later so that the growing season is longer and longer. This finding was corroborated by results of long-term studies.