Can we expect more from Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in a changing climate?

doi:10.3832/ifor4842-019

Can we expect more from Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in a changing climate?

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, Volume 19, Issue 2, Pages 69-76 (2026)
doi: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor4842-019
Published: Mar 08, 2026 - Copyright © 2026 SISEF

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Black alder (Alnus glutinosa [L.] Gaertn.) is recognized as a key tree species in moist habitats, riparian ecosystems, and wetland restoration projects. The future success of A. glutinosa establishment is believed to be at risk due to the increasing frequency of high-temperature and drought events associated with climate change. However, some studies have indicated that alder may tolerate greater drought stress than previously assumed. In this study, a series of greenhouse experiments was conducted to assess the sensitivity of black alder to drought during seed germination and seedling establishment in its first year. The results showed that alder seeds can withstand unfavourable germination conditions (e.g., radiation, precipitation, heat) for periods exceeding 16 weeks and still germinate successfully thereafter. Consequently, the expected increase in spring and summer droughts due to climate change will not affect the success of alder germination in years with extended periods of precipitation. Additionally, germination success appears unaffected by the absence of cool spring temperatures. Warmer spring temperatures are necessary for germination and the presence of open mineral soil. Covering dry soil with litter and moss proved problematic, and as drought conditions worsen, there are no safe alternatives to exposed mineral soil. Shading was found to significantly enhance germination success. This allows alder to germinate in a changing climate in shaded locations that remain moist for longer. During germination on open soil, alder seeds did not exhibit specific requirements for soil moisture compared to other deciduous pioneer tree species. Furthermore, drought conditions did not significantly affect growth parameters, including shoot and root growth, root collar diameter, and biomass; however, there was a tendency toward reduced shoot length and belowground biomass under drought stress. Importantly, alder seedlings cannot survive dry periods exceeding 3-6 weeks without soil moisture during spring, summer, or autumn, consistent with other pioneer species such as Betula pendula, Salix caprea, and Populus tremula. These findings support the hypothesis that alder trees are more drought-tolerant than previously thought.

Keywords

Black Alder, Drought Stress, Seed, Germination, Seedling, Radiation, Biomass, Riparian Ecosystem

Authors’ address

(1)

0000-0003-2492-6695

Chair of Silviculture, Institute of Silviculture and Forest Protection, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Str. 8, 01737 Tharandt (Germany)

Corresponding author

Katharina Tiebel
katharina.tiebel@tu-dresden.de

Citation

Tiebel K, Karge A (2026). Can we expect more from Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in a changing climate?. iForest 19: 69-76. - doi: 10.3832/ifor4842-019

Academic Editor

Michele Carbognani

Paper history

Received: Feb 27, 2025
Accepted: Jan 09, 2026

First online: Mar 08, 2026
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2026
Publication Time: 1.93 months

Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

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