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Tree rings indicate different drought resistance of a native (Abies alba Mill.) and a nonnative (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) species co-occurring at a dry site in Southern Italy
Authors:Giovanna Battipaglia  Matthias Saurer  Paolo Cherubini  Rolf T.W. Siegwolf  M. Francesca Cotrufo
Affiliation:1. WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland;2. PSI Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland;3. Department of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
Abstract:Climate changes induced by the anthropogenic alteration of the atmospheric radiative balance are expected to change the productivity and composition of forest ecosystems. In Europe, the Mediterranean is considered one of the most vulnerable regions according to climatic forecasts and simulations. However, although modifications in the inter-specific competition are envisaged, we still lack a clear understanding of the ability of the Mediterranean vegetation to adapt to climate changes. We investigated how two co-occurring tree species commonly used in afforestation programmes, the native Abies alba Mill. and the nonnative Picea abies L. Karst., adapt to climate change by assessing their growth performance and physiological responses in relation to past climate variability. Growth was addressed by analysing tree-ring width and carbon and oxygen stable isotopes. Statistical relationships between isotopic value and monthly climate data suggest that the two species underwent ecophysiological adaptation to Mediterranean climatic constraints. These adaptations are also expressed in the ring-width data. Based on the carbon isotope ratio reflecting the stomatal response to drought, we found that the precipitation in the first period of the growing season, i.e. early spring, is a major factor influencing the annual growth of A. alba, which although native, proved to be sensitive to drought. P. abies, on the other hand, showed a higher tolerance to summer drought stress. These findings should help define criteria for sustainability and effective forest conservation in the Mediterranean region.
Keywords:Abies alba   Picea abies   Silver fir   Norway spruce   Mediterranean   Drought   Tree rings   δ13C   δ18O
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