A single-tree approach to determine climate-growth patterns of European beech and their seasonality in the species southern distribution area

Abstract

Dry and warm climate conditions in southern Europe represent clear limits for European beech (Fagus sylvatica) growth near the species southern distribution limit, but it is unclear how aridification and changes in seasonal precipitation regimes will affect these forests at the individual level. We explored climate-growth relationships and the seasonality of peak climate signals in European beech using daily climate data and a large collection of tree-ring width series from southern and southeastern Europe through Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs). In most cases we found a positive and significant influence of precipitation on tree growth, and a significant negative effect of maximum temperature. Predictions from the GLMMs revealed a positive impact of precipitation during an 88 day window from spring to early summer (mid-April to mid-July), for an average tree across our network. This critical growing time window ranged from 75 days in warmer and drier conditions, and extended up to 100 days in areas with mild temperatures and moderate summer precipitation. Maximum temperatures negatively affected trees for an average of 27 day window in summer (June-July). This period was reduced to <10 days in locations with wetter and colder summers, rising up to 45 days in sites with drier and warmer summers. The positive effect of precipitation on growth was stronger and commenced earlier in larger trees. Similarly, the negative effects of maximum temperatures were more pronounced for larger trees. The use of daily climate data and a tree-centred approach allowed for capturing critical temporal dynamics in climate-growth relationships that are often overlooked by conventional methods. These insights significantly enhance our understanding of climatic factors influencing individual beech growth at the edge of its distribution range and their seasonal variations.