The Environment of Fagus Species: Climate and Soil

Abstract

The beeches cover a large geographic area (Figure 3.4), which includes a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types. The North American, European, Chinese and Japanese beeches have different combinations of latitudinal and altitudinal ranges, which suggests different climates and soils. This should be considered when comparing the ecology of beech species and beech forests. If beech species have different temperature and moisture tolerances, their physiology may be different. At different latitudes and altitudes the length of the growth season and growth rate differ. In different climates, beech forest composition and main codominant tree species differ. The local wind climate affects forest structure and dynamics, and variation among regions may be an important reason for regional differences in species diversity or forest composition. Most soil types are affected by climate, but also by parent material and topography.