Mesophication in temperate Europe: A dendrochronological reconstruction of tree succession and fires in a mixed deciduous stand in Białowieża Forest

Research reveals the first evidence of mesophication—a shift from fire-dependent, shade-intolerant species to shade-tolerant ones—in temperate Europe's Białowieża Forest. Dendrochronological analysis showed that frequent fires until the late 18th century suppressed oak and pine regeneration, while their suppression in the 19th century allowed spruce encroachment and simultaneous recruitment of fire-sensitive species like Carpinus, Tilia, and Acer. The study demonstrates that fire exclusion has significantly altered forest dynamics, inhibiting oak and pine regeneration while promoting shade-tolerant species, offering critical insights into long-term ecosystem changes in mixed deciduous forests.

Spînu, A. P., Niklasson, M., & Zin, E. (2020). Mesophication in temperate Europe: A dendrochronological reconstruction of tree succession and fires in a mixed deciduous stand in Białowieża Forest. Ecology and Evolution, 10(2), 1029–1041. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5966