Abstract
Key message
Contrasted response of Quercus macrolepis growth to climate conditions during summer months indicated increased climate-related control of tree growth at high elevation site modulated by topographic characteristics and tree age.
Abstract
High climatic variability and increased drought conditions lead to reduced growth and increased mortality of several tree species in Mediterranean regions, and other parts of the world. We have evaluated the impact of climate variability (temperature and precipitation) and drought stress (standardized precipitation index, SPI) on vegetation activity (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) and tree radial growth (earlywood width, EW; latewood width, LW; and tree-ring width, TRW) of two Quercus macrolepis stands in Southern Albania with different topographic site conditions. During spring, increased vegetation activity (May NDVI) was coupled with enhanced radial growth at both locations (lower and upper site). At the lower site, vegetation activity and radial growth were controlled mostly by winter–spring precipitation and drought stress accumulated for a mid-term period (6–12 months). Contrastingly, at the upper site, summer precipitation, temperature and the drought index at short time scale (<5 months) were the main drivers of radial growth. The highly significant response of radial growth to temperature and precipitation during the summer months at the upper site contrasts with the response to winter–spring climate at the lower site, and it indicates a seasonal shift in climate responses of this species with elevation. Therefore, it is necessary to stimulate adequate management strategies to increase Q. macrolepis resilience to further possible climate impacts.
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We would like to thank Mr. Gjergji Qose for his support in the field. The contribution of two anonymous reviewers and Communicating Editor for the improvement of the manuscript is greatly acknowledged.
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Alla, A.Q., Pasho, E. & Marku, V. Growth variability and contrasting climatic responses of two Quercus macrolepis stands from Southern Albania. Trees 31, 1491–1504 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-017-1564-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-017-1564-0