Abstract: | The effect of water stress in three Quercus species belongingto different habitats is investigated. Chlorophyll concentrationdecreased in all Quercus species with the greatest decreaseoccurring in Quercus robur. An increase of total carotenoidcontent was observed in Quercus coccifera and Quercus ilex,while in Q. robur water stress effected a carotenoid contentreduction. Anthocyanins increased with decreasing relative watercontent in the three Quercus species, the largest increase occurringin Q. coccifera. A correlation between xerophytic characterand pigment concentration is discussed. |