Differences in Growth–Climate Relationships among Scots Pines Growing on Various Dune Generations on the Southern Baltic Coast

Abstract

This study focuses on analyzing the growth rate and growth–climate relationship in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing on coastal dunes of different ages on the Southern Baltic coast. Podzols have developed on these dunes. Depending on dune age, however, podzols are characterized by a different degree of development and richness, which represents the main factor differentiating the studied habitats: the oldest brown dunes (BD), younger yellow dunes (YD), and the youngest white dunes (WD). Samples were taken from 68 trees using Pressler borers. Using classic cross-dating methods, local chronologies were compiled that served as the basis for further analyses. Basic analyses of soil properties were also performed. Trees growing on brown dunes display the widest tree-rings and the highest rate of cumulative radial growth. Both rates are the lowest for trees growing on white dunes (WD). The dominant meteorological factor shaping tree-ring widths is late winter/early spring air temperature (February/March). However, in poorer habitats with inferior soil air–water conditions, rainfall sums and rainfall distribution through the year become progressively more significant factors. On white dunes (WD), the strongest growth–climate correlations are obtained for summer precipitation. These results identify habitat richness as the main factor shaping growth dynamics in Scots pines growing on dunes. Due to the protective function of the studied tree stands (coast protection), and in light of the rising sea levels and increasing storm intensities, further studies are required, aiming at understanding all interrelationships occurring in these valuable ecosystems.

A Comparison of the Chronologies of Introduced versus Native Coniferous Tree Species Growing in Northwestern Poland during the Period of Global Warming

“…Also, the pointer years designated for this species mostly overlap and are determined by the same weather conditions [7,44,49]. The studied trees are also sensitive to thermal conditions in the autumn of the previous growing season, which is also confirmed by other studies [47,49,50].…”

“…For the main native coniferous species that forms most of the tree stands in Poland, P. sylvestris (PS), similar growth-climate relationships are observed as those obtained by other researchers from the south coast of the Baltic Sea. The results confirm the sensitivity of this species to low temperatures in winter/early spring and to rainfall deficits in the summer season [7,8,[44][45][46][47][48][49]. The mechanism of the relationship in February and March has not been fully explained, but the following climate changes (mainly warmer winters and earlier spring) should have a positive impact on the tree ring width for pine [47].…”

“…The mechanism of the relationship in February and March has not been fully explained, but the following climate changes (mainly warmer winters and earlier spring) should have a positive impact on the tree ring width for pine [47]. Also, the pointer years designated for this species mostly overlap and are determined by the same weather conditions [7,44,49]. The studied trees are also sensitive to thermal conditions in the autumn of the previous growing season, which is also confirmed by other studies [47,49,50].…”

Local Site Conditions Reduce Interspecific Differences in Climate Sensitivity between Native and Non-Native Pines

“…A.4). Site-specific climate-growth relationships reported for pine species in Europe were related either to marginal populations under mountain climate conditions (Herrero et al, 2013) or to lowland populations in the species' core range (Cedro et al, 2022). Therefore, our results may reflect a more general pattern for the effects of local conditions on the radial growth of pine species.…”