Influence of Climate on Radial Growth of Black Pine on the Mountain Regions of Southwestern Turkey

Abstract

In this study, we identified the most important climate factors affecting the radial growth of black pine at different elevations of the mountain regions of Southwestern Turkey (Sandıras Mountain, Muğla/Turkey). We used four black pine tree-ring chronologies, which represent upper and lower distribution limits of black pine forest on the South and North slopes of Sandıras Mountain. The relationships between tree-ring width and climate were identified using response function analysis. We performed hierarchical cluster analysis to classify the response functions into meaningful groups. Black pine trees in the mountain regions of Southwestern Turkey responded positively to a warmer temperature and high precipitation at the beginning of the growing season. As high summer temperatures exacerbated drought, radial growth was affected negatively. Hierarchical cluster analysis made clear that elevation differences, rather than aspect, was the main factor responsible for the formation of the clusters. Due to the mountainous terrain of the study area, the changing climatic conditions (air temperature and precipitation) affected the tree-ring widths differently depending on elevation.

Growth Response of Endemic Black Pine Trees to Meteorological Variations and Drought Episodes in a Mediterranean Region

“…Many studies indicate as a major limiting tree growth factor the summer droughts [16,17,20,75,93], especially affecting low-elevation areas, while others suggest spring droughts as a limiting factor, mainly in western parts of the Mediterranean [18,75]. In the area of the current study, it is interesting to note that winter and early spring conditions play also an important role on tree growth, with a strong correlation between all examined drought indices for the first 6 months of the hydrological year and a higher influence of March conditions.…”

New evidence for population-specific responses to drought events from tree ring chronologies of Pinus nigra ssp. laricio across the entire distribution range

“…A negative influence of excess precipitation in February on stem radial growth in black pine ssp. pallasiana was also found in Turkey (Doǧan and Köse, 2019). Indeed, Doǧan and Köse (2019) found a negative relationship between stem radial growth and precipitation mainly on the southern slope of the mountain, probably related to higher exposure to winter snowfall brought by southerly winds coming from the Mediterranean Sea in comparison with the northern slope.…”

“…pallasiana was also found in Turkey (Doǧan and Köse, 2019). Indeed, Doǧan and Köse (2019) found a negative relationship between stem radial growth and precipitation mainly on the southern slope of the mountain, probably related to higher exposure to winter snowfall brought by southerly winds coming from the Mediterranean Sea in comparison with the northern slope. High snowfall may delay the beginning of the vegetative period at high altitudes due to decreasing soil temperature and frost drought.…”

Latitude or altitude as the future refugium? A case for the future of forests in Asia Minor and its surroundings

“…On the other hand, P. nigra can tolerate higher temperatures, but prefers a lower GDD5 for establishment, and cannot tolerate drought as well as C. libani (Köse et al., 2012). Thus, when both taxa compete, the latter comes out as the winner in Central Iranian Highlands in our simulations: despite an increase in projected temperatures in this region, the GDD5 stays within C. libani 's establishment range, and the taxon can potentially withstand the projected drying in this area, where P. nigra cannot (Doğan & Köse, 2019). Table 1 details the key taxa's simulated range expansion/contraction and the potential change in their stand dominance.…”