Intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) inPinus nigra(J. F. Arnold) at high-elevation in the central Apennines (Italy)

Abstract

Although wood anatomical features can provide yearly resolved climatic information at sub-seasonal resolution, the occurrence of intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) might be triggered by several abiotic factors under different ecological settings. Here, we use information on cambial age and tree-ring width to standardize the frequency of IADFs in European black pines from three different mountain slopes in the central Apennines (Italy). At each site, we sampled isolated 15-30year pioneer pines above the forest limit, as well as close-grown 40-60-year planted pines at the forest limit. Mainly restricted to the latewood of both pioneer and planted trees, the occurrence of IADFs reveals a significant positive relationship with cambial age and ring width. Although the standardized IADFs are well synchronized between the planted and pioneer pines, the frequency of IADFs in narrow rings was higher in the pioneer pines. Drought conditions in July and August are responsible for the highest IADFs frequency in planted and pioneer pines, respectively. Our study underlines the value of IADFs to obtain a more nuanced understanding of the climatic drivers of wood formation at the intra-annual scale.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The effect of bedrock and species mixture on wood density and radial wood increment in pubescent oak and black pine

“…IADFs were frequently observed in tree rings of pine trees, with a higher frequency on limestone. It has been reported that severe conditions during the growing season, such as shortage of water, may trigger the formation of IADFs (de Luis et al, 2007;Piermattei et al, 2020). The site on limestone is more sensitive to water stress due to lower water retention capability as indicated from narrower wood increments in both species and a more pronounced response to unfavorable growing conditions was observed in pine through appearance of IADFs.…”

Intra-annual density fluctuations in tree rings are proxies of air temperature across Europe

“…However, IADFs have attracted increasing attention over the last two decades because they reflect variations in climatic conditions during the growing season, and can therefore be used as proxies of past environmental conditions with intra-annual resolution 11 , 16 – 18 . To date, studies focusing on IADFs formation have mainly been concentrated within the western Mediterranean basin, and have focused primarily on the genus Pinus and a few other gymnosperms 11 , 16 , 18 – 22 . A smaller number of studies have focused on angiosperms, such as Arbutus unedo , Erica arborea and Quercus ilex 2 , 23 – 28 .…”

Intra-annual density fluctuations in silver fir are triggered by drought conditions

“…The frequency and formation of IADFs in tree rings depend on tree age and size, or ring width (e.g., Novak et al 2013;Nabais et al 2014;Campelo et al 2015;Piermattei et al 2020).…”