ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
groundwater class
;
oak decline
;
pedunculate oak
;
Quercus robur
;
roots
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract In 1989, the mortality since 1983 and the health class distribution of pedunculate oak, (Quercus robur) on soils of different groundwater classes at 11 locations in The Netherlands were compared. It was found that dead and unhealthy oak trees are most prevalent on soils with strongly fluctuating groundwater levels in the rooted zone. On these soils oaks root less deeply and have more dead roots, especially in the deepest part of the root systems. These findings suggest that unusually dry and wet weather conditions in 1982–1983 led to, abnormally low and high groundwater levels in the growing seasons of those years. In addition to other factors such as defoliation by insects and frost damage, this phenomenon probably aggravated oak decline.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02465223
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