Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.15177/seefor.26-012
Climatic Drivers of Vegetation Activity and Radial Growth in Mediterranean Pinus sylvestris from Central Albania
Arben Q. Alla
; Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Forestry Sciences, Kodër Kamëz, AL-1029 Tirana, Albania
*
Edmond Pasho
; Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Forestry Sciences, Kodër Kamëz, AL-1029 Tirana, Albania
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Sustainable management of Pinus sylvestris L. plantations under changing climatic conditions requires a comprehensive understanding of how climate variability and drought influence tree growth. This study investigates vegetation activity assessed via the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and radial growth variability, (EW – earlywood width, LW – latewood width, TRW – tree-ring width, and BAI – basal area increment), in a P. sylvestris plantation in central Albania. This is the first such study conducted in Albania, addressing a significant geographical gap in the southernmost natural range of this species in the Balkans. Climate-growth relationships were explored using Pearson correlation analysis with temperature, precipitation, and drought indices (SPI – Standardised Precipitation Index and SPEI – Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index). August NDVI and EVI correlated positively with LW and BAI. Both vegetation indices were positively associated with spring and autumn temperatures, while EVI with June and September precipitation. NDVI was most responsive to the 7-month SPI and SPEI in April, whereas EVI was sensitive to the 7-month SPI in September and the 4-month SPEI in June. Summer temperatures negatively impacted LW and BAI. July precipitation strongly enhanced LW, TRW, and BAI. EW showed the highest positive correlation with the 4-month SPI in August but was negatively correlated at scales longer than 14 months, in winter and spring. LW and TRW demonstrated remarkable positive associations with SPI and SPEI in July (1-month). BAI was most drought-sensitive in August (4-month for SPEI and 6-month for SPI). These findings provide critical insights into the climate sensitivity of P. sylvestris and offer a scientific basis for adaptive forest management in Mediterranean regions increasingly affected by drought and warming trends.
Ključne riječi
vegetation indices; tree-ring; temperature; precipitation; drought
Hrčak ID:
349129
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.6.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *