Inga Mölder
University of Göttingen
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Featured researches published by Inga Mölder.
European Journal of Forest Research | 2012
Peter Annighöfer; Inga Mölder; Stefan Zerbe; Heike Kawaletz; André Terwei; Christian Ammer
As one cause for biodiversity loss, invasive alien species are a worldwide threat. In forests, however, invasive tree species can also have an enormous biomass potential which can be harvested while taking measures against the species. Allometric equations help estimating the biomass but are often only available for the native range of the species. This lack on information complicates the management of invaded stands, and the equations presented here should help fill this gap. The above-ground biomass for single trees of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Ticino/Italy was estimated with differing explanatory variables as total, stem, crown, and leaf biomass. Regression equations of P. serotina were compared with equations from North America. The methods to derive biomass estimates from fresh weight and volumetric measurements in combination with wood densities were critically examined. The biomass could be estimated well by using “diameter” as explanatory variable. The productivity of P. serotina was lower here compared to its range of origin. Biomass estimates from volumetric measurements combined with the truncated cone formula have lead to systematic overestimations. Also the use of volumetric measurements combined with wood density measurements has overestimated comparable estimates from fresh weight measurements.
Trees-structure and Function | 2011
Inga Mölder; Christoph Leuschner; Hanns Hubert Leuschner
We conducted dendroecological analyses in 80-year-long tree ring chronologies to detect neighborhood effects (competition intensity, species identity) on the δ13C signature of tree rings and radial stem increment of Fagus sylvatica trees growing either in monospecific or mixed patches of a temperate forest. We hypothesized that tree ring δ13C is a more sensitive indicator of neighborhood effects and the impact of climate variability on growth than is ring width. We found a closer correlation of summer precipitation to δ13C than to ring width. While the ring width showed a decline over the test period (1926–2005), the mean curve of δ13C increased until the mid of the 1970s, remained high until about 1990, and markedly decreased thereafter. Possible explanations related to ontogeny and environmental change (‘age effect’ due to canopy closure; elevated atmospheric SO2 concentrations in the 1960s–1980s) are discussed. Beech target trees surrounded by many allospecific trees had a significantly lower mean δ13C in the period 1926–1975 than beech with predominantly or exclusively conspecific neighborhood, possibly indicating a more favorable water supply of beech in diverse stands. Contrary to expectation, trees subject to more intense competition by neighboring trees (measured by Hegyi’s competition index) had lower δ13C values in their tree rings, which is thought to reflect denser canopies being linked to increased shading. We conclude that tree ring δ13C time series represent combined archives of climate variability, stand history and neighborhood effects on tree physiology and growth that may add valuable information to that obtained from conventional tree ring analysis.
Biological Invasions | 2016
André Terwei; Stefan Zerbe; Inga Mölder; Peter Annighöfer; Heike Kawaletz; Christian Ammer
Plants are connected to habitats by functional traits which are filtered by environmental gradients. Since tree species composition in the forest canopy can influence ecosystem processes by changing resource availability, litter accumulation, and soil nutrient content, we hypothesised that non-native invasive trees can establish new environmental filters on the understorey communities. In the hardwood floodplain forests in Northern Italy, the invasive trees Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Prunus serotina Ehrh. are the dominant canopy species. We used trait data assembled from databases and iterative RLQ analysis to identify a parsimonious set of functional traits responding to environmental variables (soil, light availability, disturbance, and stand structure) and the dominant native and invasive canopy species. Then, RLQ and fourth-corner analysis was conducted to investigate the joint structure between macro-environmental variables and species traits and functional groups were identified. The trait composition of the herb-layer was significantly related to the main environmental gradients and the presence of the invaders in the canopy showed significant relationships with several traits. In particular, the presence of P. serotina may mitigate or even erase the effect of disturbances, maintaining a stable forest microclimate and thus favouring ‘true’ forest species, while R. pseudoacacia may slow down forest succession and regeneration by establishing new stable associations with a graminoid-dominated understorey. The impact of the two invasive trees on herb layer composition appears to differ, indicating that different management and control strategies may be needed.
Annals of Forest Science | 2014
Heike Kawaletz; Inga Mölder; Peter Annighöfer; André Terwei; Stefan Zerbe; Christian Ammer
ContextIdentifying the traits of exotic species may explain their invasiveness and help control the negative impacts of these species on native ecosystems. In this study, we investigated root competition as an important driver for the competitiveness of two exotic tree species in the seedling stage.AimsIn a pot experiment, carried out in Central Europe, we studied the effect of root competition of two exotic tree species (Prunus serotina Ehrh. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on biomass allocation of two native ones (Quercus robur L. and Carpinus betulus L.).MethodsSeedlings of these species were exposed to intra- and interspecific mixtures with and without the effect of root competition. For this, belowground plastic partitions were installed in the pots.ResultsCompetition intensity in the pots increased over time, irrespective of mixture type. However, this increase was much higher for the native species if mixed with the exotic species compared to monocultures or inter-native mixtures. In addition to ontogeny, competition affected biomass allocation patterns. Under root competition by the exotic species, the native species preferentially allocated their biomass to the roots. A higher allocation to the roots was mainly achieved at the expense of leaf and branch biomass.ConclusionRoot competition of P. serotina and R. pseudoacacia may be a reason for the lack of Q. robur and C. betulus in the seedling stage in natural environments where all four species occur.
Trees-structure and Function | 2014
Inga Mölder; Christoph Leuschner
Forest Ecology and Management | 2013
André Terwei; Stefan Zerbe; Achim Zeileis; Peter Annighöfer; Heike Kawaletz; Inga Mölder; Christian Ammer
Journal of Plant Ecology-uk | 2013
Heike Kawaletz; Inga Mölder; Stefan Zerbe; Peter Annighöfer; André Terwei; Christian Ammer
Annals of Forest Science | 2011
Stefan Fleck; Inga Mölder; Mascha Jacob; Tobias Gebauer; Hermann F. Jungkunst; Christoph Leuschner
Forestry | 2014
Heike Kawaletz; Inga Mölder; Peter Annighöfer; André Terwei; Stefan Zerbe; Christian Ammer
Canadian Journal of Forest Research | 2012
Peter Annighöfer; Peter Schall; Heike Kawaletz; Inga Mölder; André Terwei; Stefan Zerbe; Christian Ammer