Articles | Volume 19, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-1121-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-1121-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Methods for assessment of models
| 
03 Feb 2026
Methods for assessment of models |
| 03 Feb 2026
| 03 Feb 2026
Simulating the recent drought-induced mortality of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) in German forests
Gina Marano
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Forest Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Forest Resources and Management, Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Ulrike Hiltner
Forest Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Nikolai Knapp
Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany
Harald Bugmann
Forest Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Chun Chung Yeung, Harald Bugmann, Frank Hagedorn, Margaux Moreno Duborgel, and Olalla Díaz-Yáñez
Biogeosciences, 22, 7535–7562, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7535-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7535-2025, 2025
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To shed light on the interactions between soil nitrogen (N) and carbon (C), we set up a model “experiment” in silico to test several hypothesized responses of decomposers to N. We found that decomposers were stimulated by N when decomposing high C:N detritus, but inhibited when decomposing low C:N, processed organic C. The consequence is that under exogenous N addition (e.g., contemporary N deposition), forests may accumulate light fraction C predominantly, at the expense of coarse detritus.
Yannek Käber, Florian Hartig, and Harald Bugmann
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 2727–2753, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2727-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2727-2024, 2024
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Many forest models include detailed mechanisms of forest growth and mortality, but regeneration is often simplified. Testing and improving forest regeneration models is challenging. We address this issue by exploring how forest inventories from unmanaged European forests can be used to improve such models. We find that competition for light among trees is captured by the model, unknown model components can be informed by forest inventory data, and climatic effects are challenging to capture.
Nikolai Knapp, Sabine Attinger, and Andreas Huth
Biogeosciences, 19, 4929–4944, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4929-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4929-2022, 2022
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The biomass of forests is determined by forest growth and mortality. These quantities can be estimated with different methods such as inventories, remote sensing and modeling. These methods are usually being applied at different spatial scales. The scales influence the obtained frequency distributions of biomass, growth and mortality. This study suggests how to transfer between scales, when using forest models of different complexity for a tropical forest.
Ulrike Hiltner, Andreas Huth, and Rico Fischer
Biogeosciences, 19, 1891–1911, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1891-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1891-2022, 2022
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Quantifying biomass loss rates due to stem mortality is important for estimating the role of tropical forests in the global carbon cycle. We analyse the consequences of long-term elevated stem mortality for tropical forest dynamics and biomass loss. Based on simulations, we developed a statistical model to estimate biomass loss rates of forests in different successional states from forest attributes. Assuming a doubling of tree mortality, biomass loss increased from 3.2 % yr-1 to 4.5 % yr-1.
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Short summary
Drought is reshaping Europe's forests. Using an uncalibrated process-based model across 149 German sites, we identified key drivers of tree mortality in European beech and Norway spruce forests. Our model captured both the timing and extent of mortality. A new bark beetle module improved predictions for spruce. High soil water capacity and heterogeneous soils reduced drought impacts. These findings offer new insights to anticipate forest responses in a warming, drying climate.
Drought is reshaping Europe's forests. Using an uncalibrated process-based model across 149...
