Greater thermophilisation in communities of juveniles than adults in temperate European forests

Abstract

Warming of the climate system is increasing the dominance of warm-adapted species, a process referred to as thermophilisation. In forests, adult trees in the forest canopy experience warmer daytime summer conditions than juveniles in the understorey, but they are less susceptible to warming. These differences can result in differing thermophilisation rates between adults and juveniles. Here, we quantify for the first time the long-term thermophilisation of tree species in temperate European forests, comparing adults with juveniles.

Citation

Caron, M. M., P. Vangansbeke, F. Zellweger, et al. 2026. “ Greater Thermophilisation in Communities of Juveniles Than Adults in Temperate European Forests.” Journal of Vegetation Science 37, no. 1: e70111. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.70111