Intra-annual stem growth and response to meteorological factors in three pine species from the Aegean Region of Türkiye

Authors : Aylin Güney

Pages : 334-344

Doi:10.53516/ajfr.1730837

View : 37 | Download : 50

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background and Aims Pines are ecologically and economically important in Mediterranean forests, which are increasingly exposed to drought and heat stress due to climate change. Understanding species-specific growth responses is important for predicting forest resilience. This study aimed to analyze radial stem growth dynamics and climate-growth responses in Pinus brutia and P. pinea at a low-elevation coastal site, and P. nigra at two montane sites in the Aegean region of Türkiye. Methods High-resolution electronic dendrometers recorded stem radius changes hourly during the 2024 growing season. These data were used to assess daily growth rates, as well as diurnal and seasonal growth dynamics. Two-part statistical models were applied to evaluate the effects of air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, and precipitation on growth likelihood and amount. Results Growth onset occurred more than one month earlier at the coastal site than at the montane sites. All species showed pronounced spring growth, but summer patterns differed notably. P. brutia maintained stem growth during both summer and autumn, whereas P. pinea and P. nigra showed very limited growth. Higher air temperatures increased growth probability in P. brutia and P. nigra, whereas higher vapor pressure deficit reduced both the likelihood and amount of growth across most sites. Precipitation had no significant effect on daily growth rates. Conclusions During the study year, growth responses were strongly species- and site-specific, with P. brutia exhibiting greater drought tolerance. This study highlights the value of high-resolution dendrometer data in capturing intra-annual growth responses to short-term climatic variability.
Keywords : Karaçam, nokta dendrometre, gövde yarıçap değişimi, fıstık çamı, kızılçam

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