Effects of a severe drought on growth and wood anatomical properties of Quercus faginea

Abstract

We studied the growth response to drought of a Quercus faginea Lam. stand in a xeric site in NE Spain, that experienced an intense defoliation in 1993-94. This event coincided with very low precipitation from November to February, the period when total monthly precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration. We evaluated the effects of November-February precipitation (recharge precipitation, RP) on internode length, radial growth, and wood anatomy. Quercus faginea showed reduced longitudinal and radial growth during the years with low RP, and most sampled trees did not produce latewood in 1993-94 but showed wide earlywood vessels. We observed the reverse for years with a high RP. Radial growth was enhanced by increased precipitation during January and May of the growth year. If severe droughts become more frequent, due to a greater climatic variability, extensive dieback of marginal Q. faginea populations may be expected.