Slovak Spruces in Danger: Scientists Search for Populations That Can Withstand Climate Change
Climate change is significantly altering conditions in Slovak forests. One of the most threatened tree species is Norway spruce, which in the past formed extensive monocultures, particularly at lower elevations. Scientists from the Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) are therefore investigating which spruce populations are better able to withstand drought, high temperatures, and bark beetle outbreaks.
The research is based on so-called provenance experiments – studies in which scientists compare populations of the same tree species originating from different geographical regions. The goal is to determine which of these populations is most resilient under changing climate conditions.
“This does not mean that spruce should disappear completely from our forests. Instead, we are searching for populations that naturally have a greater capacity to adapt to heat and drought. At the same time, the species composition and age structure of forest stands will also need to change,” explains Gabriela Jamnická from the Institute of Forest Ecology of the SAS.
In the past, spruce was often planted in areas where environmental conditions were not optimal. At lower elevations, the species now faces a combination of stressors – long-term drought, high temperatures, and bark beetle outbreaks. Large-scale forest damage in parts of central Slovakia, for example, around Čierny Balog, illustrates these challenges.
Scientists are therefore studying how different spruce populations respond to stressful conditions. Their research focuses mainly on physiological processes in plants, such as photosynthesis and the production of chemical compounds that may influence the trees’ resistance to pests.
“It appears that some spruce populations – particularly those from the peripheral parts of the species’ natural range or from high-altitude environments – are better able to cope with stress caused by heat and water scarcity,” Jamnická adds.
The results of provenance experiments can help foresters adapt forest management to climate change. Based on these findings, scientists can recommend which sources of reproductive material should be used when planting trees in specific regions. The goal is not to eliminate spruce from Slovak forests but to introduce more resilient populations and combine them with other tree species. Research on the adaptive potential of forest tree species is a key topic in contemporary forestry science. Analysing the genetic and physiological variability of populations can help identify suitable tree sources and design measures that will strengthen the resilience and stability of forest ecosystems under changing climate conditions.
Prepared by: Jozef Bednár
Photo: canva.com