Identification of recent factors that affect the formation of the upper tree line in eastern Serbia

Abstract

The recent climate changes, among others, have contributed to the change in elevation of the upper tree line in high mountainous areas. At the same time, direct anthropogenic impact on the fragile ecosystems of high mountains has also been significant. The aim of this paper is to determine the actual dynamics of the formation of upper tree line in eastern Serbia and to identify the recent factors which condition it. The results obtained show that preconditions have been accomplished for the upper tree line increase, but this has not completely been confirmed by previous field researches.

Keywords

• Upper tree line
• climate changes
• temperature gradient
• Mt. Stara Planina
• anthropogenic influence
• depopulation