Stand- and tree-level determinants of the drought response of Scots pine radial growth |
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Authors: | Martínez-Vilalta Jordi López Bernat C Loepfe Lasse Lloret Francisco |
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Institution: | (1) CREAF/Unitat d’Ecologia, Edifici C (Facultat de Ci?ncies), Universitat Aut?noma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain;(2) School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JN, UK |
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Abstract: | Characterizing the responses of key tree species to extreme climatic events may provide important information for predicting
future forest responses to increased climatic variability. Here we aimed at determining which tree- and stand-level attributes
were more closely associated with the effect of a severe drought on the radial growth of Scots pine, both in terms of immediate
impact and recovery after the drought event. Our dataset included tree-ring series from 393 plots located close to the dry
limit of the species range. Time series analysis and mixed-effects models were used to study the growth of each tree and its
detailed response to a severe drought event that occurred in 1986. Our results showed that the radial growth responses of
Scots pine were determined primarily by tree-level characteristics, such as age and previous growth rate, and secondarily
by stand basal area and species richness, whereas local climate had a relatively minor effect. Fast-growing trees were more
severely affected by the drought and retained proportionally lower growth rates up to three years after the episode. In absolute
terms, however, fast-growing trees performed better both during and after the event. Older trees were found to be less resilient
to drought. The effect of stand basal area and species richness indicated that competition for resources worsened the effects
of drought, and suggested that the effect of interspecific competition may be particularly detrimental during the drought
year. |
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