sustainability Article The Influence of Tilia tomentosa MOENCH on Plant Species Diversity and Composition in Mesophilic Forests of Western Romania–A Potential Tree Species for Warming Forests in Central Europe? Steffi Heinrichs 1,2 , Veronika Öder 3, Adrian Indreica 4, Erwin Bergmeier 3 , Christoph Leuschner 5 and Helge Walentowski 1,* 1 Faculty of Resource Management, HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Büsgenweg 1a, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
[email protected] 2 Department Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany 3 Vegetation & Plant Diversity Analysis, Albrecht von Haller Institute, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 1a, 37073 Göttingen, Germany;
[email protected] (V.Ö.);
[email protected] (E.B.) 4 Department of Silviculture, Transilvania University of Bra¸sov, ¸Sirul Beethoven 1, 500123 Bra¸sov, Romania;
[email protected] 5 Plant Ecology, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +49-551-5032-177 Citation: Heinrichs, S.; Öder, V.; Abstract: Climate change challenges important native timber species in Central Europe. The intro- Indreica, A.; Bergmeier, E.; Leuschner, duction of non-native tree species originating from warmer climates is one option to make Central C.; Walentowski, H. The Influence of European forests compatible to global warming. This, however, requires an assessment of the Tilia tomentosa MOENCH on Plant species’ growth requirements, and of its impact on biodiversity in its native ranges. Silver lime (Tilia Species Diversity and Composition in tomentosa), a moderately drought-tolerant, thermophilous tree species of South-eastern Europe is Mesophilic Forests of Western Romania–A Potential Tree Species for considered suitable for the future.