Articles | Volume 23, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-6491-2026
© 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/bg-23-6491-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Sep 2026
Research article |
| 17 Sep 2026
| 17 Sep 2026
How beech ecophysiology shapes temperate forest gross primary productivity – Part 2: Identifying critical timeframes across phenological stages
Jonathan Bitton
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
Bernard Heinesch
Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
Catherine Charles
Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
Bernard Longdoz
Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges, TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
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Seasonal changes in forest behavior are often hard to detect in carbon data. We developed a wavelet‑based approach to uncover how three beech forests grow and absorb carbon through seasons. The forests showed distinct spring growth, summer slowdowns and long‑term trends. All forests were carbon sinks with managed forests strengthening over time while the old forest weakened. We show how seasonal dynamics explain long‑term changes and offer a new tool for tracking forest responses to climate.
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Short summary
We studied 24 years of carbon exchange in a beech forest to understand why its productivity rises, peaks and declines each at different times of the year. We mapped climate effects onto short biological windows and found that stored carbon supports early growth, a one‑week bud formation period can set next year’s peak and bursts of dry air drive mid‑summer drops. Hot summers even raised productivity when water was available. These insights help anticipate forest responses to heat and drought.
We studied 24 years of carbon exchange in a beech forest to understand why its productivity...
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