Tree Growth in Limiting Environments

Dear Colleagues,

Tree growth can be used as a proxy of tree performance under particular conditions and as an overall response to the supply of the main resources (light, water, and nutrients) and to the regulatory effect of different environmental variables. In this sense, the dating and studying annual tree rings through dendrochronology has been successfully used for climatic reconstructions, allowing for the detection of impacts of climatic extremes, such as droughts or frosts. However, changes in the tree ring width can be the consequence of other limitations imposed by life conditions. The effects of severe defoliations during the vegetative period, the excessive competition in dense stands, or the drastic reduction in this after thinning or in response to natural disturbances can be detected as a change in the tree-ring series.

Therefore, the study of secondary or radial tree growth, from the simple recording of the > ring width sequence, as well as deeper anatomical studies of intra-annual variables (density, xylem conduits diameter, vessel distributions, changes in stem perimeter or radius, etc.), can contribute to a better understanding of the relationships between overall tree performance and limitations imposed by the environment.

We invite colleagues willing to contribute their research on tree growth responses to limiting environmental conditions, including drought or cold stress, and other climatic extreme events, as well as other environmental influences negatively affecting growth capability, to consider submitting an article for publication. Observational and empirical studies on changes in tree growth at intra- and inter-annual scales where emphasis is placed on radial growth variability as the response variable are also welcome.

Dr. Eustaquio Gil-Pelegrín
Dr. Jesús Julio Camarero
Guest Editors

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