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Forests
Special Issues
Forest Microclimate: Predictions, Drivers and Impacts
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Forest Microclimate: Predictions, Drivers and Impacts

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Meteorology and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 5200

Image courtesy of Damir Ugarković

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Damir Ugarković

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: forest ecology; forest climate interaction; bioclimatology; microclimate
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Urša Vilhar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Forest Ecology, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna Pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: forest ecology; forest hydrology; microclimate; climate change; soil and water conservation; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest vegetation creates a special forest climate or microclimate. The microclimate of the forest stand is influenced by the macroclimate of the wider area, the type of forest habitat, topography, forest trees species, and the age and structure of the forest stand. Microclimate conditions have an important role in forest ecosystem processes. Ecological processes, such as photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, respiration, the decomposition of matter, the nutrient cycle, and others, are related to the microclimatic conditions. The forest microclimate is crucial for seed germination, the growth and survival of tree seedlings and understory vegetation, the growth and reproduction of plants, soil microbiology, biodiversity, and fauna. We can also change the microclimate conditions using silviculture treatments, i.e., cutting down forest trees and thinning the stand. Likewise, the degradation of forest stands worsens their microclimatic conditions. Urban trees and forests have a specific microclimate to mitigate climatic extremes in cities and provide citizens with favourable conditions for rest and recreation. To study all the biological and ecological processes in forests, we need accurate climate data, which is why knowledge about the forest climate or microclimate is important.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Forest–microclimate interactions;
  • Forest microclimate and natural regeneration;
  • Silviculture treatments and forest climate;
  • Large-scale forest disturbances and microclimate;
  • Forest microclimate and soil microbiology;
  • Forest phenology;
  • Forest degradation;
  • Canopy gaps;
  • Climate change and forest climate change;
  • Urban forests and park forests;
  • Forest microclimate and wildlife.

Dr. Damir Ugarković
Dr. Urša Vilhar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest microclimate
  • stand structure
  • forest cover
  • ecosystem processes
  • species composition
  • silviculture
  • degradation stages
  • biodiversity
  • microbiology
  • urban forests

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3249 KiB  
Article
A Wind Tunnel Test for the Effect of Seed Tree Arrangement on Wake Wind Speed
by Tae Kyung Yoon, Seonghun Lee, Seungmin Lee, Sle-gee Lee, Mariam Hussain, Seungho Lee, Haegeun Chung and Sanghoon Chung
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1772; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101772 - 9 Oct 2024
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Changes in canopy structures caused by harvesting and regeneration practices can significantly alter the wind environment. Therefore, it is essential to understand the wind patterns influenced by seed tree arrangements for predicting seed dispersal by winds and ensuring the success of natural regeneration. [...] Read more.
Changes in canopy structures caused by harvesting and regeneration practices can significantly alter the wind environment. Therefore, it is essential to understand the wind patterns influenced by seed tree arrangements for predicting seed dispersal by winds and ensuring the success of natural regeneration. This study aimed to identify how wind speed responds to seed tree arrangement designs with differing horizontal distances, vertical positions, and free-stream wind speeds. A wind tunnel test was conducted using pine saplings for a scale model of various seed tree arrangements, and the change in wake speed was tracked. The wake’s relative wind speed averaged 71%, ranging from 3.5% to 108.5%, depending on the seed tree arrangement, distance from saplings, and vertical position. It peaked within the patch of three seed trees compared to other arrangements and at the top canopy layer. The empirical function effectively described the wind speed reduction and recovery with distance from saplings. For instance, the minimum wind speed was reached at 0.6–2.2 times the canopy height, and a wind speed reduction of over 20% of the free-stream wind speed was maintained at a 1.6–7.6 canopy height. A negative relationship between the seed tree leaf area and the relative wind speed was observed only at the top canopy layer. This study presents empirical evidence on the patterns of wake winds induced by different types of heterogeneous canopy structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Microclimate: Predictions, Drivers and Impacts)
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18 pages, 4036 KiB  
Article
Temporal Dynamics and Influencing Mechanism of Air Oxygen Content in Different Vegetation Types
by Shuxin Zhu, Jiyue Li, Qian He, Quan Qiu, Yan Su, Ting Lei and Guofa Cui
Forests 2024, 15(3), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030432 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1080
Abstract
Air oxygen content, an essential index for measuring air quality, is affected by vegetation and the environment in the forest. However, the scientific understanding of the influential mechanism of air oxygen content in different vegetation types is still not clear. Focusing on four [...] Read more.
Air oxygen content, an essential index for measuring air quality, is affected by vegetation and the environment in the forest. However, the scientific understanding of the influential mechanism of air oxygen content in different vegetation types is still not clear. Focusing on four different vegetation types: broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, and non-forest land within Shimen National Forest Park, China, the temporal dynamics of air oxygen content and its relationship with four environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and negative air ion concentration) in different vegetation types were explored based on path analysis and decision analysis. The results showed that there was a noteworthy impact of vegetation types on air oxygen content, with coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest (21.33 ± 0.42%) presenting the highest levels. The air oxygen content indicated a fundamentally consistent temporal pattern across different vegetation types, with the highest diurnal variation occurring at noon. It reached its peak in August and hit its nadir in December, with summer > spring > autumn > winter. In broad-leaved forest, the air oxygen content was determined by temperature, wind speed, negative air ion concentration, and relative humidity; in both coniferous forest and coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, the air oxygen content was affected by temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity; in non-forest land, the air oxygen content was influenced by temperature and wind speed. Generally, temperature was the dominant factor affecting air oxygen content in different vegetation types, and its positive impact tremendously exceeded other environmental factors. Wind speed had a positive impact on air oxygen content in three forest communities but a negative effect on non-forest land. Relative humidity acted as a limiting factor for air oxygen content within three forest communities. Negative air ion concentration showed a significant positive correlation on air oxygen content in broad-leaved forest. Therefore, when planning urban forests to improve air quality and construct forest oxygen bars, it is recommended that the tree species composition should be given priority to the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed pattern. Meanwhile, make sure the understory space is properly laid out so that the forest microclimates are conducive to the release of oxygen by plants through photosynthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Microclimate: Predictions, Drivers and Impacts)
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15 pages, 3741 KiB  
Article
Optimizing China’s Afforestation Strategy: Biophysical Impacts of Afforestation with Five Locally Adapted Forest Types
by Wei Ma and Yue Wang
Forests 2024, 15(1), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010182 - 17 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1417
Abstract
Recent research has mapped potential afforestation land to support China’s goal of achieving “carbon neutrality” and has proposed tree species selection to maximize carbon uptake. However, it overlooked biophysical climatic effects, which have a more significant impact on local temperature than CO2 [...] Read more.
Recent research has mapped potential afforestation land to support China’s goal of achieving “carbon neutrality” and has proposed tree species selection to maximize carbon uptake. However, it overlooked biophysical climatic effects, which have a more significant impact on local temperature than CO2 reduction. This study aims to present a comprehensive understanding of how afforestation in China affects local and regional climates through biophysical processes. It focuses on the latitudinal patterns of land surface temperature differences (ΔLST) between five locally adapted forest types and adjacent grasslands using satellite-based observations. Our key findings are as follows: Firstly, broadleaf forests and mixed forests exhibit a stronger cooling effect than coniferous forests due to differences in canopy structure and distribution. Specifically, the net cooling effects of evergreen broadleaf forests (EBFs), deciduous broadleaf forests (DBFs), and mixed forests (MFs) compared to grasslands are −0.50 ± 0.10 °C (mean ± 95% confidence interval), −0.33 ± 0.05 °C, and −0.36 ± 0.06 °C, respectively, while evergreen needleleaf forests (ENFs) compared to grasslands are −0.22 ± 0.11 °C. Deciduous needleleaf forests (DNFs) exhibit warming effects, with a value of 0.69 ± 0.24 °C. In regions suitable for diverse forest types planting, the selection of broadleaf and mixed forests is advisable due to their enhanced local cooling impact. Secondly, temperate forests have a net cooling effect to the south of 43° N, but they have a net warming effect to the north of 48° N compared to grasslands. We recommend caution when planting DNFs, DBFs, and MFs in northeastern China, due to the potential for local warming. Thirdly, in the mountainous areas of southwestern China, especially when planting ENFs and MFs, tree planting may lead to local warming. Overall, our study provides valuable supplementary insights to China’s existing afforestation roadmap, offering policy support for the country’s climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Microclimate: Predictions, Drivers and Impacts)
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21 pages, 11215 KiB  
Article
Heat Budget of Sub-Mediterranean Downy Oak Landscapes of Southeastern Crimea
by Mariia Safonova, Vladimir Tabunshchik, Roman Gorbunov and Tatiana Gorbunova
Forests 2023, 14(10), 1927; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101927 - 22 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1193
Abstract
This article presents the findings of a research endeavor focused on the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of heat balance and its constituent elements within an oak forest situated in the expanse of the Karadag Nature Reserve. Computed are the values corresponding to the [...] Read more.
This article presents the findings of a research endeavor focused on the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of heat balance and its constituent elements within an oak forest situated in the expanse of the Karadag Nature Reserve. Computed are the values corresponding to the elements of heat balance, encompassing radiation balance, latent heat fluxes corresponding to heat consumption for evaporation, turbulent heat exchange transpiring within the atmosphere, and heat flux coursing through the soil. The features of changes in the heat balance in two key areas are considered: in the zone of growth of the downy oak forest in an open area and in the forest itself. The study discloses patterns characterizing the apportionment of radiation balance into heat and energetic fluxes within the context of the downy oak landscapes native to the southeastern Crimea. Scrutiny of the data established that a substantial proportion of radiation balance finds application in propelling turbulent heat flux, while a minor share is channeled into processes of evaporation and soil heat flux. Evidenced is that the magnitudes of heat balance components, encompassing radiation balance, latent heat fluxes corresponding to heat consumption for evaporation, turbulent heat exchange transpiring within the atmosphere, and heat flux through the soil within the sub-canopy realm, undergo modifications contingent upon the seasons of the year and the vegetative phases of the downy oak forest. The correlation between air temperature and the constituents of heat balance is subject to analysis both within the confines of the territory in the zone of growth of the downy oak forest in an open area and in the forest itself. Manifest is the constancy of the influence exerted by forest vegetation upon heat balance; nevertheless, the degree of its impact is circumscribed by the cyclical dynamics of foliage upon the trees: a well-developed canopy serves to amplify the influence exerted upon the distribution of heat and energetic fluxes. This study of heat balance and its constituents assumes significance in engendering comprehension regarding the operation of downy oak landscapes that are situated on the periphery of their habitudinal range. Also, it helps to reveal deeper patterns of climate change in forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Microclimate: Predictions, Drivers and Impacts)
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