Eurasian Aspen (Populus tremula L.): Central Europe's Keystone Species 'Hiding in Plain Sight'

Authors

Antonín Kusbach, Mendel University in BrnoFollow
Jan Šebesta, Mendel University in Brno
Robert Hruban, Forest Management Institute
Pavel Peška, Mendel University in Brno
Paul C. Rogers, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Author ORCID Identifier

Antonín Kusbach https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5693-7463

Pavel Peška https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3965-9163

Journal/Book Title/Conference

PLoS ONE

Volume

19

Issue

3

Publisher

Public Library of Science

First Page

1

Last Page

20

Publication Date

3-27-2024

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

Knowledge of Eurasian aspen’s (Populus tremula L.) ecological and growth characteristics is of high importance to plant and wildlife community ecology, and noncommercial forest ecosystem services. This research assessed these characteristics, identified aspen’s habitat optimum, and examined causality of its current scarce distribution in central Europe. We analyzed a robust database of field measurements (4,656,130 stands) for forest management planning over 78,000 km² of the Czech territory. Our analysis we used GIS techniques, with basic and multivariate statistics such as general linear models, ordination, and classification. Results describe a species of broad ecological amplitude that has heretofore attracted little research attention. Spatial analysis showed significant differences between aspen and other forest non-forest cover types. Additionally, we found significant association between the proportion of aspen in a stand, the size of forest property, and the forest category. The results demonstrate historic reasons for aspen’s widespread presence, though contemporary occurrence is limited. This study advances the concept of a quantitatively based aspen ecological optimum (niche), which we believe may be beneficial for numerous aspen associates in the context of anticipated warming. Irrespective of local ecology (i.e., the realized aspen niche), the study confirms that profit-driven policy in forestry is chiefly responsible for historic aspen denudation in central Europe. Even so, we demonstrate that ample habitat is present. Further solutions for improving aspen resilience are provided to support these keystone systems so vital to myriad dependent flora and fauna.

Recommended Citation

Kusbach, A., J. Šebesta, R. Hruban, P. Peška, and P. C. Rogers. 2024. Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula L.): Central Europe’s keystone species ‘hiding in plain sight’. PLOS ONE 19:e0301109.