Warming Effects on Pinus sylvestris in the Cold–Dry Siberian Forest–Steppe: Positive or Negative Balance of Trade?

Understanding climate change impacts on drought-prone forests is a critical issue. We investigated ring-width and stable isotopes (Δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) in two Pinus sylvestris stands of the cold–dry Siberian forest–steppe growing under contrasting climatic trends over the last 75 years. Despite regional warming, there was increasing precipitation during the growing period at the southern site (MIN) but increasing water deficit (WD) at the northern site (BER). Intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE_i) increased similarly (ca. 22%) in response to warming and rising atmospheric CO₂. However, the steady increase in WUE_i was accompanied by divergent growth patterns since 1980: increasing basal area increment (BAI) in MIN (slope = 0.102 cm² year⁻²) and decreasing BAI in BER (slope = −0.129 cm² year⁻²). This suggests that increased precipitation, mediated by CO₂ effects, promoted growth in MIN, whereas intensified drought stress led to decreased carbon gain and productivity in BER. When compared to warm–dry stands of eastern Spain, the WUE_i dependence on WD was three-fold greater in Siberia. Conversely, BAI was more affected by the relative impact of water stress within each region. These results indicate contrasting future trajectories of P. sylvestris forests, which challenge forecasting growth and carbon sequestration in cold–dry areas. View Full-Text