Wood-trait analysis to understand climatic factors triggering intra-annual density-fluctuations in co-occurring Mediterranean trees

摘要

Mediterranean trees and shrubs form intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) in tree rings as a sign of their plasticity in wood formation in response to intraseasonal variations of environmental conditions. Different species show a different aptitude to form IADFs, due to their diverse ability to cope with climate stressors, since the occurrence of IADFs may affect plant hydraulics. Dendroecology and quantitative wood anatomy were used to characterise IADFs in Pinar pinea and Arbutus unedo co-occurring at a Mediterranean site in Italy. The relations between climate parameters (i.e. temperature and precipitation) and intra-annual tree-ring traits (i.e. IADF frequency and conduit size) were analysed to highlight the main triggers for IADF formation and their functional role.