Research on the responses of a beech stand to extreme drought in Eastern Bakony, Hungary

In forest management, there is an outstanding importance of water cycle of the forest because of ecological and economical viewpoints, including the water management of woody plants. Examining the reactions of trees to environmental stress – warming, extreme drought or intense rains – and the phenomena derived from this, help to provide the correct answers to challenges affecting forestry. An investigation was started in a beech stand in Magas-Bakony, which was significantly affected by early leaf loss caused by the drought of 2022. Taking into account the meteorological data of the site, the study focuses on the change in trunk diameter, on the state of health and regeneration through photosynthetic activity and on the annual growth change with annual ring analysis.

 

The research was supported by Verga forestry, Private Limited Liability Company, Veszprém, Hungary, the OTKA grant 143972SNN, the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency grant N2-0313 and the associated project TKP2021-NKTA-43. The project TKP2021-NKTA-43 was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology through the National Fund for Research Development and Innovation, funded by the TKP2021-NKTA call for proposals and the Project No. 2023-2.1.2-KDP-2023-00013 was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation through the Fund of National Research Development and Innovation, funded by the KDP-2023 Tender Program.