Growth losses in Swiss forests caused by ozone: Epidemiological data analysis of stem increment of Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies Karst

The estimate of growth losses by ozone exposure of forest trees is a significant part in current C sequestration calculations and will also be important in future modeling. It is therefore important to know if the relationship between ozone flux and growth reduction of young trees, used to derive a Critical Level for ozone, is also valid for mature trees. Epidemiological analysis of stem increment data from Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies Karst. observed in Swiss forest plots was used to test this hypothesis. The results confirm the validity of the flux-response relationship at least for beech and therefore enable estimating forest growth losses by ozone on a country-wide scale. For Switzerland, these estimates amount to 19.5% growth reduction for deciduous forests, 6.6% for coniferous forests and 11.0% for all forested areas based on annual ozone stomatal uptake during the time period 1991–2011. •We showed stem increment reduction related to ozone in mature Fagus sylvatica stands.•The growth reduction is similar to what was expected from fumigation experiments.•We mapped ozone flux for Switzerland and calculated growth reductions for Swiss forests.•Growth reduction for Swiss forests (deciduous + coniferous) by ozone is estimated to 11%. Growth loss by ozone is confirmed for mature forests using stem increment growth rates.