Variable growth responses of four tree species to climate and drought in a Madrean Pine-Oak Forest

Forest Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100292 - 100292

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Growth of tree (Pinus sylvestris) and shrub (Amelanchier ovalis) species is constrained by drought with higher shrub sensitivity in dry sites

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 918, P. 170539 - 170539

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

We lack understanding of how variable is radial growth coexisting tree and shrub species, constrained by drought depending on site aridity. Here, we compared the two widespread a winter deciduous (Amelanchier ovalis Medik.) an evergreen conifer (Pinus sylvestris L.). sampled four sites in Northeastern Spain subjected to different aridity levels used dendrochronological methods quantify patterns responses climate variables. The species varied between regions, being lower driest sites. first-order autocorrelation (growth persistence) was higher more mesic but without clear differences species. Tree negatively responded elevated summer temperatures positively spring-summer precipitation wet conditions. However, negative were only observed contrast tree. Abrupt reductions common drier sites, resilience indices show that rapidly recovered pre-drought levels. synchrony as can be due multistemmed architecture, fast low stature shrub. Besides, high dependency rainfall explain why limitations apparent In any case, results point out potential shrubs, which particularly relevant giving its ability inhabit woodlands treeless regions under harsh climatic Nevertheless, further research required elucidate capacity tolerate drought, well understand shrubs thrive water- cold-limited environments.

Language: Английский

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Tree-Level Climate Sensitivity Reveals Size Effects and Impending Growth Decline in Silver Fir Affected by Dieback

Forests, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 999 - 999

Published: June 7, 2024

Worldwide studies have related recent forest decline and mortality events to warmer temperatures droughts, as well pointing out a greater vulnerability climate changes in larger trees. Previous research performed on silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) suggest an increasing mortality, mainly rising water shortages. Here, we investigate these die-off two populations at the rear edge of species western Pyrenees. We used dendrochronology tree age, size (diameter) individual sensitivity (climate–growth relationships) predisposing factors growth patterns drought resilience indexes canopy-level declining non-declining The regional was also investigated, including temperature trends, quantile regression precipitation frequency extreme (SPEI). characterized by increase mean higher decades, without decrease total precipitation. Larger trees were more sensitive prone decline. Declining presented decreasing trends years ago, providing robust trait. Both not different growth, despite contrasting local management legacies, although identified eastmost stand. A significant found between sensitivity, supporting that are drought. Hence, results support (but age), suggesting impending large with (negative temperature–growth correlations). Nonetheless, contributing factors, such legacy previous logging, should be accounted for.

Language: Английский

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Climate sensitivity of Abies alba Mill. in marginal Mediterranean low-elevation stands reveals new insights into the ecological potential of the species

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 585, P. 122670 - 122670

Published: March 30, 2025

Language: Английский

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Elevational gradients and species similarities of climate responses for conifers in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 586, P. 122723 - 122723

Published: April 21, 2025

Language: Английский

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Growth phenology adjusts to seasonal changes in water availability in coexisting evergreen and deciduous mediterranean oaks

Forest Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10, P. 100134 - 100134

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Different leaf (evergreen vs. deciduous habit) and xylem (diffuse-vs. ring-porous wood) traits represent contrasting strategies to face seasonal changes in water availability temperature. However, how habits of coexisting tree species affect stem wood formation tree-ring development remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the spatio-temporal patterns two oaks (Quercus faginea Quercus petraea) evergreen ilex suber) seasonally dry Mediterranean forests along subjected different aridity conditions Spain. We hypothesized that growth responses drought intra- inter-annual would differ between functional groups. simulated using a modified version Vaganov-Shashkin (VS) process-based, model. The VS model simulations were used estimate under high emission scenario (RCP 8.5) for current distribution study oak forecast their future performance warm (4.8 °C) Iberian Peninsula. Our indicate climate warming induce shortening ring-growth season reduction radial oaks, particularly sites from southern eastern Iberia currently occupied by Q. faginea. Evergreen may better recover after periods than resuming summer drought. Low soil spring be more detrimental oaks. Process-based models should refined validated as function climate.

Language: Английский

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Topoclimatic modulation of growth and production of intra-annual density fluctuations in Juniperus thurifera

Dendrochronologia, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 82, P. 126145 - 126145

Published: Oct. 22, 2023

Forest growth is driven by climate variability at continental to regional scales, but other factors play major roles local scales (0.1–1 ha). Topography impacts on tree responses stressors, including drought, modifying radiation, evapotranspiration rates and the access soil moisture. However, there a lack of studies investigating how topographical (elevation, aspect, slope) affect climate-growth relationships considering both continuous (tree-ring width) discrete wood-anatomical features (e.g., intra-annual density fluctuations –IADFs). Here, we investigated topography modulated influences drought semi-arid Juniperus thurifera forests from north-eastern Spain. We compared two stands located in valley bottoms steep slopes. Radial was measured using dendrochronology which also allowed quantifying latewood IADFs. A proxy topographic influence (incident radiation) calculated. In addition, Vaganov-Shashkin (VS) model used infer main climatic constraints scales. found that junipers growing were taller produced more IADFs than slopes, responded less precipitation variability. This confirmed VS showed low moisture June limited growth, particularly steep-slope sites during dry periods. Wet-cool late-summer conditions induced formation The topoclimatic modulation explained interaction between incident radiation age. Furthermore, associations are changing as temperatures rise. Drought strengthening, responsive may be buffered against intensified aridification.

Language: Английский

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Last-Century Forest Dynamics in a Highland Pyrenean National Park and Implications for Conservation

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 1144 - 1144

Published: April 19, 2024

Ecological records from before and after the creation of natural parks are valuable for informing conservation management but often unavailable. High-resolution paleoecological studies may bridge gap provide required information. This paper presents a 20th-century subdecadal reconstruction vegetation landscape dynamics in national park Pyrenean highlands. The lands had traditionally been used cultivation, extensive grazing, forest exploitation, hydroelectricity generation following damming numerous glacial lakes. A significant finding is that forests have dominated landscape, with negligible changes composition, only experienced fluctuations cover, influenced by both climatic anthropogenic factors. (1955) initial restrictions on exploitation did not significantly affect cover or composition. Major expansion occur until several decades later, 1980, when was enlarged further restricted. peaked 1990s, coinciding warming trend decrease fire incidence, declining due to warmer drier climates. decline coeval ongoing global dieback be exacerbated predicted this century, which could also increase incidence dead-wood accumulation. Currently, main threats warming/drying, fire, tourism intensification. Similar high-resolution protected areas globally scarce would capable providing long-term ecological scope properly understand optimize measures.

Language: Английский

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Matching Vegetation Indices and Tree Vigor in Pyrenean Silver Fir Stands

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(23), P. 4564 - 4564

Published: Dec. 5, 2024

Forest health monitoring is crucial for sustainable management, especially with the challenges posed by climate warming. Remote sensing data provide vegetation indices, such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced (EVI), that are widely used in assessing forest health. However, studies considering validation of these field assessments tree vigor still scarce. To address this issue, we explored relationships declining (D) non-declining (N) silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) stands from Spanish Pyrenees between changes canopy (a proxy vigor), indices (NDVI, EVI) variables. We compared trends NDVI EVI period 1984–2023 D N showing high low crown defoliation levels, respectively. The values allowed separation according to their earlier more clearly than values, which did not show clear patterns throughout time series. Significant negative correlations were found stand (r = −0.57) or mean radial growth 0.81). Late-spring drought reduced EVI. series reflected similar spatial terms growth, offering complementary information, along strengths remote respect its temporal coverage, early detection dieback. This study also contributes a better understanding useful monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Genomic insights into climate change-induced forest dieback in Abies alba hotspots of decline

European Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 18, 2024

Abstract Understanding adaptive genetic responses to climate change is an issue of utmost importance improve conservation policies and management. This study deeps on it, focusing rear-edge silver fir ( Abies alba ) forests, where decline has been reported linked climatic stressors, such as warming recurrent drought events. Hotspots coldspots forest mortality were defined. Different sets single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely genome-wide adaptive, used their characteristics, aiming identify differences in diversity between vigor classes (declining non-declining trees) age cohorts (adult trees saplings). Global DNA methylation levels assessed investigate a possible role epigenetic processes adaptation stressful environments. Parentage relatedness analysis conducted track the lineage from each site. Our findings indicate that, even though SNPs seem provide more insightful information than set, optimal approach for evolutionary studies combination both. Changes genomic observed classes, revealing existence molecular basis behind ongoing events forests. Besides, trees’ relatives display higher mixture origins coldspots, which could temporary refuge species’ potential. All all, both characteristics should be considered order comprehend how respond stress achieve change.

Language: Английский

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