Comparative Assessment of European Black PineTree Ring Width Series for Eustress and Risk Identification in Different Locations

Mariyana Lyubenova

Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2014

Comparative Assessment of European Black PineTree Ring Width Series for Eustress and Risk Identification in Different Locations

Mariyana Lyubenova

Abstract :

Communities of black pine offer a variety of ecosystem services and are important edaphic and hydrological factors in the regions of distribution. Black pine is not demanding to the richness and depth of soil horizon, has a large vertical range of distribution, resistant to drought and high temperatures, which reveals its prospects inrelation with forecasted climate warming. Black pine forests are characterized by a great diversity of species, the participation of endemic, rare and protected plants, some habitats are a priority for protection to sustainable existence in the landscape. The occupied territories of black pine communities are greatly reduced by human activity. The aim of the study isto demonstrate a comparative analysis of black pine tree ring widthseries from different locations in Europe for eustress identification and eustress featuresby using a new holistic approach anddeveloped SPPAM application. The analisis of growth index series shows that the radial growth is with little differences in studied locations. The number of identified stress years also slightly varies depending on the local conditions (reflected in the value of K – coefficient), but the differences in the eustress features are significant. The mean values for K– coefficient, the depth of eustress periods, the duration and frequency of eustress years are closed to the published values for QuercusfrainettoTen. that has similar ecological requirements.Applying scale–evaluation of eustress features, an attempt for the black pine functional behaviour and the level of risk for forests existence in studied locations was implemented. For the majority of investigated locations – 48.3% the risk is weak and moderate and for only 10.3% – the risk is significant.The research findings can be used for rapid assessment of black pine communities’ state and support the management of forest areas.