Sensitivity of Eurasian Rear-Edge Birch Populations to Regional Climate and Local Hydrological Conditions

• Published in: Forests Vol. 14; no. 7; p. 1360
• Main Authors: González de Andrés, Ester, Colangelo, Michele, Luelmo-Lautenschlaeger, Reyes, López-Sáez, José Antonio, Camarero, Jesús Julio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Aridity; Betula pendula; Betula pubescens; Birch; Climate; Climate change; Climatic changes; Comparative analysis; Creeks & streams; Drought; Drought index; Ecotypes; Environmental aspects; Forests; Global warming; growth decline; Growth patterns; Hydrology; land use; Mountains; National parks; peatland; Physiological aspects; Plant species; Populations; Precipitation; Reservoirs; River flow; Rivers; Water; Water availability; Water deficit; Water inflow; Water resources; Water shortages; Spain; Eurasia; Europe

South rear-edge populations of widely distributed temperate and boreal tree species such as birches (Betula pubescens and Betula pendula) are considered particularly vulnerable to climate warming, and at the same time, they constitute genetic reservoirs of drought-adapted ecotypes. Here, we compared...