Reconstructions of spring/summer precipitation for the Eastern Mediterranean from tree-ring widths and its connection to large-scale atmospheric circulation

Touchan, Ramzi; Xoplaki, Elena; Funkhouser, Gary; Luterbacher, Jürg; Hughes, Malcolm K.; Erkan, Neşat; Akkemik, Ünal; Stephan, Jean

doi:10.1007/s00382-005-0016-5

Cited by 172 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Akkemik 2003;Touchan et al 2005;Ducrey et al 2008). It appears that the relatively humid and temperate climate during the growing season in Central Europe is favorable to the growth performance of C. libani.…”

Section: Tolerance To Droughtmentioning

confidence: 92%

Cedrus libani: A promising tree species for Central European forestry facing climate change?

et al. 2015

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Considering climate change, the discussion intensifies whether and to what extent exotic tree species should be taken into account for forest cultivation, especially when indigenous species are no longer able to fulfill essential forest functions. In this study, for the first time growth potential of Cedrus libani was evaluated under climatic conditions in Central Europe (Bayreuth, Germany). The sampled trees exhibited extraordinary growth with tree ring widths averaging 4.9 mm year -1 during the past 23 years. A continuously available soil water supply enhanced radial stem growth. Thus, growth declined during the dry year of 2003, but recovered to average values the following year. Our results confirm that C. libani is a lightdemanding species which is sensitive to competition and which shows a typical age trend. In a second study, we compared cambial growth in Bayreuth with a natural stand in Elmali (Turkey) in 2009. Cambial growing season in Bayreuth was 45 days longer, and radial growth rates in Bayreuth were four times higher than in Elmali. Interestingly, C. libani maintained a slow but continuous radial growth at Elmali even during the dry summer period, confirming its exceptional drought tolerance. Our results indicate a high adaption of C. libani to current and future climate conditions in Central Europe. It tolerates extreme cold in winter and prolonged droughts during summer. Thus, its promising potential for establishing stable and productive forest stands in Central Europe under a changing climate should be confirmed in further studies.

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Section: Tolerance To Droughtmentioning

confidence: 92%

Cedrus libani: A promising tree species for Central European forestry facing climate change?

et al. 2015

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“…However, precipitation trend studies have shown uncertain results. Trends are generally not significant or significant only during some months and in some localities, without a clear spatial pattern (Norrant and Douguédroit 2006;Touchan et al 2005;Chbouki et al 1995;González-Hidalgo et al 2001;Goodess-and-Jones 2002;Sumner et al 2001;Esteban-Parra et al 1998;Maheras and Anagnostopoulou 2003). The inherent rainfall variability observed in the Mediterranean region often prevents the detection of long-term trends using standard regression procedures, as standard errors of estimated parameters tend to be large and do not allow for the rejection of the null hypothesis of an absence of trend.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Climatic trends and different drought adaptive capacity and vulnerability in a mixed Abies pinsapo–Pinus halepensis forest

2010

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The projected temperature rise, rainfall decrease and concentration of rainfall in extreme events could induce growth decline and die-off on tree populations located at the geographical distribution limit of the species. Understanding of adaptive capacity and regional vulnerability to climate change in Mediterranean forests is not well developed and requires more focused research efforts. We studied the relationships between spatiotemporal patterns of temperature and precipitation along the southwestern edge of the Betic range (southern Spain) and measured basal area increment (BAI) and carbon isotope ( ) in tree ring series of Abies pinsapo and Pinus halepensis, two Mediterranean conifer trees with contrasting drought adaptive capacity. Climatic information was obtained from a network covering a wide range of elevations and distances from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Temperature trends were tested by the Mann-Kendall test, and precipitation was thoroughly analyzed by quantile regression. Climatic data showed a warming trend, enhanced since the 1970s, while quantile regressions revealed that drought events worsened Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (68 Climatic Change (2011) 105:67-90during the course of the twentieth century. Long-term decrease of A. pinsapo BAI was related to regional warming and changing precipitation patterns, suggesting increasing drought stress on this species. Both temperature and precipitation in the summer influenced wood in P. halepensis, whereas negative correlation between wood and current autumn temperature was yielded for A. pinsapo. Increased intrinsic water use efficiency was inferred from wood in both species; however, A. pinsapo showed sudden growth reductions under drier conditions, while pine trees were able to maintain almost constant BAI values and lower water costs under increasing long-term water stress.

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“…To the best of our knowledge, the Mediterranean basin has been characterized by focusing the attention on air temperature and precipitation dynamics (Brunetti et al 2000;Klein Tank and Können 2003;Xoplaki et al 2004Xoplaki et al , 2005Touchan et al 2005;Scherrer et al 2006;Pauling and Paeth 2007), whereas no studies have been performed by utilizing THI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of the temperature-humidity index in the Mediterranean basin

et al. 2010

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The study was aimed at describing the temperature humidity index (THI) dynamics over the Mediterranean basin for the period 1951-2007. The THI combines temperature and humidity into a single value, and may help to predict the effects of environmental warmth in farm animals. In particular, on the basis of THI values, numerous studies have been performed to establish thresholds for heat stress in dairy cows. The THI was calculated by using monthly mean values of temperature and humidity obtained from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis project. The analysis demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity of THI patterns over the Mediterranean basin, a strong north-south gradient, and an overall warming during the study period, which was particularly marked during summer seasons. Results indicated that several areas of the basin present summer THI values which were unfavorable to cow welfare and productivity, and that risk of heat stress for cows is generally greater in the countries of the south coast of the basin. Furthermore, THI data from the summer 2003 revealed that severe positive anomalies may impact areas normally characterized by a favorable climate for animal production. In conclusion, THI dynamics should be taken into careful consideration by farmers and policy makers operating in Mediterranean countries when planning investments in the sector of animal production. The investments should at least partially be directed towards implementation of adaptation measures, which may help to alleviate the impact of hot on farm animals welfare, performance and health.

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Reconstructions of spring/summer precipitation for the Eastern Mediterranean from tree-ring widths and its connection to large-scale atmospheric circulation

Cited by 172 publications

References 74 publications

Cedrus libani: A promising tree species for Central European forestry facing climate change?

Cedrus libani: A promising tree species for Central European forestry facing climate change?

Climatic trends and different drought adaptive capacity and vulnerability in a mixed Abies pinsapo–Pinus halepensis forest

Dynamics of the temperature-humidity index in the Mediterranean basin

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