Abstract Standard procedures to obtain high‐quality images of wood samples have become a bottleneck in the digitization dendrochronology. Digitization is currently dominated by flatbed scanners, but use these devices limited sample length and surface flatness. Although several solutions based on digital photography been published, they lack effective processes or are too expensive be widely adopted. Free open‐source software hardware has emerged as an alternative create research tools that...

Abstract Aims Carbon accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems is inherent to the vegetation development and ageing process. Primary productivity synthetize biomass which constantly incorporated soil. Vegetation community composition, other ecological drivers, are known mediate production. However, links between forest developmental stage drivers of carbon stocks unexplored. We address this topic under prediction that species-rich uneven-sized forests can improve storage potential topsoil...

Dioecious plant species, i.e. those in which male and female functions are housed different individuals, particularly vulnerable to global environmental changes. For long-lived such as trees, long-term studies imperative understand how growth patterns their sensitivity climate variability affect the sexes differentially. Here, we explore intersexual differences wood traits, namely radial rates water-use efficiency quantified stable carbon isotope abundance of cellulose, Ilex aquifolium trees...

The response of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to climate warming will depend on the ability their populations adjust tree performance water shortage. By exploring inter- and intra-annual variations in secondary growth mean vessel area (MVA), we assessed effects precipitation cambial activity hydraulic control during expansion phase along lifes. We sampled at low high altitude from four mountain ranges across its southwestern distribution edge. measured a total 45,897 rings 126 trees...

Abstract Key message Tree-ring growth of pollarded narrow-leaved ash trees in Central Spain reveals traditional management cessation 1970 and property-specific patterns. Tree pollarding was a dominant strategy European forests for centuries creating open agroforestry landscapes with important cultural environmental values. This practice has been widely abandoned last decades subsequent impact terms biodiversity loss. hosts the largest best-preserved area ( Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.)...

Abstract Rear‐edge tree populations are experiencing a combination of higher temperatures and more intense droughts that might push individuals beyond their tolerance limits. This trend towards rising atmospheric [CO 2 ] is concurrent with an increase in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), which theoretically enhances photosynthesis decrease evapotranspiration rates, consequently improving resistance to drought. However, it remains unclear whether iWUE favouring growth under current...

Tree ring records are among the most valuable resources to create high-resolution climate reconstructions. Most reconstructions based on old trees growing in inaccessible mountainous areas with low human activity. Therefore, reconstruction of conditions lowlands is usually data from distant mountains. Albeit can be common humanized areas, they not used for Pollarding was a traditional management Europe that enabled maintain great vitality periods exceeding longevity unmanaged trees. We...

Defoliating insects' outbreaks play a critical role in trees' carbon cycle. The pine processionary moth (PPM; Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is the major defoliating insect of Mediterranean coniferous forests. frequency and intensity PPM projected to increase as winter temperatures become milder due climate warming. An accurate evaluation this projection requires wide spatial baseline historical incidence. affect tree secondary growth leading narrow rings, providing level signal. However,...

The impact of lag effects produced by disturbances on primary production has been a major concern among ecologists during the last decade. Sudden and extreme climatic events are imposing drastic reductions in radial growth trees as evidenced tree-rings series Dendrochronological samples obtained at tree level but analyzed an aggregated scale (i.e., mean chronologies), although aggregating tree-ring chronology regional may reduce possibility studying variability individual response to...

Understanding the role of tree biodiversity in stabilizing ecosystem processes is paramount importance forest ecology, especially because increasing temperatures and droughts. The portfolio effect one main hypotheses explaining biodiversity-stability relationship that has been defined as a variance reduction an process, so fluctuations over time highly diverse communities become significantly smaller low-diversity communities. In this work, two objectives were established: to analyze...

Abstract Aims We studied the regeneration dynamics of woodlands and abandoned old fields in a landscape dominated by Quercus suber its lower limits rainfall temperature. Two hypotheses were established: (1) species is strongly favored presence tree cover; (2) growth Q. driven climatic variables that represent ecological limit leading distribution edge. Methods selected with without remnants ( n = 3 per type), analyzed stand structure, soil parameters growth. Results Succession was arrested...

Stomatal conductance is the principal mechanism of plants to regulate transpiration rates in response environmental conditions. However, disturbances directly affecting leaves, such as outbreaks defoliating insects, can impact ability trees control canopy water loss, leading significant shifts plant relations and forest budget dynamics. One example pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa; PPM), main insect pines cedars Mediterranean Basin, that could have a effect on ecohydrology...

Understanding the role of tree biodiversity in stabilising ecosystem processes is paramount importance forest ecology, especially because increasing temperatures and droughts. The portfolio effect one main hypotheses explaining biodiversity-stability relationship that has been defined as a variance reduction an process, so fluctuations over time highly diverse communities become significantly smaller low-diversity communities. In this work, two objectives were established: to analyse...

Abstract AimsWe studied the regeneration dynamics of woodlands and abandoned old fields in a landscape dominated by Quercus suber its lower limits for rainfall temperature. Two hypotheses were established: (1) recruitment Q. is restricted more abiotic variations than other species adapted to extreme Mediterranean conditions; (2) decreases precipitation reduce growth, but temperature positively affects growth leading cold edge this distribution area.MethodsWe selected nine sites containing...