{{}P{}}rocess based model sheds light on climate signal of mediterranean tree rings

Abstract

We use the process-based VS (Vaganov-Shashkin) model to investigate whether a regional { }Pinus halapensis{ } tree-ring chronology from Tunisia can be simulated as a function of climate alone by employing a biological model linking day length and daily temperature and precipitation (AD 1959–2004) from a climate station to ring-width variations. We use two periods to calibrate (1982–2004) and verify (1959–1981) the model. We have obtained highly significant positive correlation between the residual chronology and estimated growth curve ({ }r{ } = 0.76 { }p{ } {