Tree mortality and forest dieback episodes are increasing due to drought and heat stress. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms enabling trees to withstand and survive droughts remains lacking. Our study investigated basal area increment (BAI), and δ13C-derived intrinsic water-use-efciency (i WUE), to elucidate beech resilience across four healthy stands in Italy with varying climates and soil water availability. Additionally, fst-order autocorrelation (AR1) analysis was performed to detect early warning signals for potential tree dieback risks during extreme drought events. Results reveal a negative link between BAI and vapour pressure defcit (VPD), especially in southern latitudes. After the 2003 drought, BAI decreased at the northern site, with an increase in δ13C and i WUE, indicating conservative water-use. Conversely, the southern sites showed increased BAI and i WUE, likely infuenced by rising CO2 and improved water availability. In contrast, the central site sustained higher transpiration rates due to higher soil water holding capacity (SWHC). Despite varied responses, most sites exhibited reduced resilience to future extreme events, indicated by increased AR1. Temperature signifcantly afected beech i WUE and BAI in northern Italy, while VPD strongly infuenced the southern latitudes. The observed increase in BAI and i WUE in southern regions might be attributed to an acclimation response.
- Contrasting patterns of water use efficiency and annual radial growth among European beech forests along the Italian peninsula
- FP PuchiD Dalmonech - National Research CouncilE Vangi - National Research CouncilG Battipaglia - University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"Roberto Tognetti - Free University of Bozen-BolzanoA Collalti - National Research Council
- Scientific Reports, Vol.14(1), pp.1-16
- 2045-2322
- 14
- Nature Publishing Group
- 16
- (UNIBZ)70068745
991006956763701241 - 2-s2.0-85188119840
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- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences
- English
- Journal article
- Puchi FP, Dalmonech D, Vangi E, Battipaglia G, Tognetti R, Collalti A