Tree-ring analysis of intermediate hawthorn (Crataegus media Bechst.) in NW Poland

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Intermediate hawthorn (Crataegus × media Bechst.) is broadly distributed in Europe but very rarely examined by dendrochronologists. In NW Poland, it is one of three naturally occurring hawthorn species, growing mainly at forest margins, along roads, in mid-field woodlots, and on uncultivated land. Biocenotically, it is a very valuable species. This study aimed to determine the age of trees, tree-ring dynamics, and growth–climate relationship for intermediate hawthorn. Signature years were also determined. Samples for analysis were collected from 22 trees growing in a typical agricultural landscape in a monospecific mid-field woodlot comprised of several hundred specimens of various ages and forms (shrubs and trees). Using classic methods of dendrochronological dating, a 40-year long chronology spanning 1981–2020 was constructed. The radial growth rate of intermediate hawthorn is comparable to other tree species forming stands in NW Poland and equals 2.41 mm/year. Considerable intersubject variability is noted, from 1.48 to 4.44 mm/year. The chronology was also used for dendroclimatological analyses, including correlation and response function and signature years. Of the meteorological parameters analyzed, annual incremental growth in hawthorn is the most strongly shaped by precipitation totals from May to August of the current vegetation year: high rainfall favors the formation of wide tree-rings. Statistically significant growth–climate relationships were also obtained for winter months (December of the preceding vegetation year, January and February), for which period negative correlation and regression values are noted for air temperature and insolation. Furthermore, high precipitation, low-temperature and low insolation late in the preceding vegetation year (especially in August) make a positive influence on the condition of trees in the upcoming growing season. Signature year analysis clearly pointed to precipitation as the dominant factor in shaping tree-rings in the studied hawthorn population. As there are no dendrochronological papers concerning indigenous hawthorn species, future studies should be expanded to include diverse geographic locations and habitat conditions and should include all three species of hawthorn occurring in Poland.

Twórca
Cedro Anna ORCID 0000-0002-7629-5840
Słowa kluczowe
intermediate hawthorn; Crataegus media Bechst; dendrochronology; dendroclimatology; Polska
Współtwórca
Cedro Bernard ORCID 0000-0002-5138-1064
Data
2021
Typ zasobu
Artykuł
Identyfikator zasobu
https://DOI .org/10.3390/f12010029
Źródło
Forests 2021, vol. 12, iss. 1
Opis
Artykuł pierwotnie opublikowany w MDPI
Język
angielski
Prawa autorskie
licencja CC BY CC BY
Kategorie
Publikacje pracowników US
Data udostępnienia27 maj 2021, 08:57:55
Data mod.1 mar 2022, 07:37:17
DostępPubliczny
Aktywnych wyświetleń0