Abstract

Droughts with strong impacts on forests have occurred in Europe in the past (in 1911, at the end of 1940’s, in 1976). The most recent droughts during the summers of 2003, 2018 and 2022 have also been marked by unprecedented heatwaves. The predicted increase of extreme drought events and heatwaves is a major challenge for foresters who aim at sustainable management to provide high-quality services. The present article provides explanations about the combined effects of heatwaves and droughts on tree health, in link with phenological changes among plants and insects. Finally, the differential drought responses of the main European species observed through a dendrochronological approach bring information on the species to be


Highlights
The unexpected increase of the frequency and intensity of droughts and heatwaves is going to modify the sanitary state of forests.
Tree pests could develop more rapidly because forests are weakened by warming.
Modifying silvicultural practices could greatly help to preserve healthy forests.

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Authors

Yann Vitasse

yann.vitasse@wsl.ch

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-505X

Affiliation : Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)

Country : Switzerland

Biography :

 

Adresse postale : Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Suisse

Thomas Wohlgemuth

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4623-0894

Affiliation : Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)

Country : Switzerland

Andreas Rigling

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1944-4042

Affiliation : Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems (ITES), ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Suisse

Country : Switzerland

Biography :

 

Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Suisse

Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems (ITES), ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Suisse

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