Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.4
2.4
Journals
Forests
Special Issues
Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate...
share announcement

Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Meteorology and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 6927

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Angela Balzano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: wood and phloem formation; intra-annual density fluctuation; functional wood traits; quantitative wood anatomy; drought response; mediterranean ecosystems; scanning electron microscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maks Merela

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: wood anatomy; properties; wood use; archaeological wood; cultural heritage; rare species; invasive species; innovative products; wood products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Veronica De Micco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy
Interests: functional anatomical traits; plant hydraulics; quantitative wood anatomy; dendro-sciences; xylogenesis; intra-annual density fluctuations; plant morpho-functional adaptation in natural environments and in crop production; plant adaptation to extreme environments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dendrochronology is a powerful tool that allows us to "travel" through time, providing insight into the past through the information stored in the growth rings. These rings encode the history of the world and provide information about ancient climates, environmental changes, and key events. Beyond retrospection, dendrochronology plays a central role in providing functional information to decipher how plant species, especially trees, adapt to environmental changes and predict future ecosystem dynamics in changing environmental scenarios. Xylogenesis, the intricate process of wood formation, is the fundamental substrate that underpins this chronology and gives it precision and authenticity. Through xylogenesis, dendrochronology bridges the temporal divide and provides a deeper scientific understanding of our ever-changing world. We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue “Dendrochronology Beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change”.

The primary purpose of this Special Issue is to gather the necessary fuel, in the form of data, to enhance our efforts in advancing dendrochronology and its applications. These data are not limited to dendrochronology and xylogenesis but also encompass the broader area of anatomical responses of wood to the environment. The multifaceted knowledge that we are collecting will serve as the engine for our time travel and aid our research aiming to advance dendrochronology and its wide-ranging applications.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Angela Balzano
Dr. Maks Merela
Prof. Dr. Veronica De Micco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dendrochronology
  • xylogenesis
  • phloem formation
  • wood anatomy
  • functional anatomical traits
  • quantitative wood anatomy
  • trees’ environmental response
  • climate change

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 4123 KiB  
Article
Insights from Roots to Stems: Comparative Wood Anatomy and Dendroclimatic Investigation of Two Salix Species in Iceland
by Mohit Phulara, Angela Balzano, Magdalena Opała-Owczarek, Piotr Owczarek and Maks Merela
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101707 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1081
Abstract
This study investigates the anatomical characteristics and growth patterns of Salix arctica and Salix herbacea, two prevalent dwarf shrub species in Iceland, to understand their responses to environmental changes. We employed optical and scanning electron microscopy methods and quantitative wood anatomy to [...] Read more.
This study investigates the anatomical characteristics and growth patterns of Salix arctica and Salix herbacea, two prevalent dwarf shrub species in Iceland, to understand their responses to environmental changes. We employed optical and scanning electron microscopy methods and quantitative wood anatomy to analyze the stem and root structures of studied species. Additionally, we developed chronologies and assessed the climatic response of both the stem and root parts for both species. Our results reveal significant differences between the two species, with S. arctica exhibiting larger vessels and fibers compared to S. herbacea, both in stem and root. The growth trends differ between the species: S. arctica shows an overall increase, while S. herbacea exhibits a consistent decline. Both species’ individual parts generally follow these trends, though a recent decline has been observed in the last few years. Climatic responses also differ, highlighting specific climatic parameters influencing each species. S. arctica responds positively to warmer temperatures, while S. herbacea reacts positively to increased precipitation but struggles with rising temperatures, highlighting its role as a drought indicator species. Soil erosion driven by volcanic materials and extreme climates significantly impacts shrub growth, causing rapid changes in growth ring widths and vessel sizes. Understanding these impacts is vital for improving sampling methods in polar environments. This study highlights the importance of integrated wood anatomical studies in comprehending the ecological consequences of climate change on Arctic shrubs, providing new insights into the complexity of shrub expansion both below and above ground. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6626 KiB  
Article
Influence of Slope Aspect and Position on Xylem Formation Dynamics in Subtropical Chinese Fir Plantations
by Yingni Huang, Qianlin Li, Chunmei Bai, Wendi Zhao, Diego Ismael Rodríguez-Hernández and Xiali Guo
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071193 - 10 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1241
Abstract
Recent studies on the intra-annual dynamics of trees were mainly focused on mature trees in natural forests; however, less is known about how topography (e.g., slope’s position and aspect) shape the intra-annual xylem formation dynamics of young trees in plantation forests. We monitored [...] Read more.
Recent studies on the intra-annual dynamics of trees were mainly focused on mature trees in natural forests; however, less is known about how topography (e.g., slope’s position and aspect) shape the intra-annual xylem formation dynamics of young trees in plantation forests. We monitored intra-annual xylem formation dynamics of 6-year-old Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.)) trees across two different aspects (northeast and southwest) and three different positions (upper, middle, and lower) of the slope in a planted forest in subtropical China. We found that the intra-annual xylem formation of trees on the northeast slope aspect (176.98 ± 34.52 cells) was significantly higher than that on the southwest slope aspect (140.19 ± 36.07 cells) due to the higher growth rate (0.67 ± 0.11 cells/day vs. 0.53 ± 0.10 cells/day). In the middle slope position, xylem formation (187.89 ± 19.81 cells) was also significantly higher than that of the upper (147.35 ± 29.08 cells) and lower slope positions (140.51 ± 48.36 cells), resulting from higher growth rate rather than longer growing season length. Our study demonstrated that intra-annual xylem formation dynamics of Chinese fir were altered by different topographic features and therefore encourage the implementation of management strategies that consider different slope aspects and positions to maximize forest productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2776 KiB  
Article
Tree-Level Climate Sensitivity Reveals Size Effects and Impending Growth Decline in Silver Fir Affected by Dieback
by Juan Pablo Crespo-Antia, Ester González de Andrés, Antonio Gazol, Jesús Julio Camarero and Juan Carlos Linares
Forests 2024, 15(6), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15060999 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 910
Abstract
Worldwide studies have related recent forest decline and mortality events to warmer temperatures and droughts, as well as pointing out a greater vulnerability to climate changes in larger trees. Previous research performed on silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) suggest an increasing decline [...] Read more.
Worldwide studies have related recent forest decline and mortality events to warmer temperatures and droughts, as well as pointing out a greater vulnerability to climate changes in larger trees. Previous research performed on silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) suggest an increasing decline and mortality, mainly related to rising water shortages. Here, we investigate these die-off events in two silver fir populations at the rear edge of the species in the western Pyrenees. We used dendrochronology to investigate tree age, size (diameter) and individual climate sensitivity (climate–growth relationships) as predisposing factors related to growth patterns and drought resilience indexes in canopy-level declining and non-declining trees. The regional climate was also investigated, including temperature trends, quantile regression in precipitation and frequency of extreme events in drought indexes (SPEI). The regional climate was characterized by an increase in mean temperatures and a higher frequency of extreme drought events in recent decades, without a decrease in total precipitation. Larger trees were more sensitive to temperature and prone to decline. Declining trees presented decreasing growth trends years ago, providing a robust predisposing trait. Both populations were not different in mean growth, despite the contrasting local climate and management legacies, although we identified a higher resilience to drought in the eastmost stand. A significant regression was found between growth trends and climate sensitivity, supporting that declining trees are more sensitive to warmer temperatures and drought. Hence, the results support a contrasting climate sensitivity related to tree size (but not to tree age), suggesting impending decline and mortality in large trees with higher temperature sensitivity (negative temperature–growth correlations). Nonetheless, contributing factors, such as the legacy of previous logging, should also be accounted for. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5424 KiB  
Article
Tree Radial Growth Responses to Climate and Reservoir Impoundment in Valleys in Southwestern China
by Lian Sun, Wangke Ding, Yang Zhou, Jiejun Wang, Xingyue Ouyang, Zijun Fan, Youru Yao and Chonghong Zhang
Forests 2024, 15(5), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050749 - 25 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1181
Abstract
Southwestern China is a critical biodiversity hotspot area, and many large hydroelectric projects have been established in the valleys in the region. Tree growth in the valleys will be affected by both regional climate and reservoir impoundment. However, it remains unknown whether the [...] Read more.
Southwestern China is a critical biodiversity hotspot area, and many large hydroelectric projects have been established in the valleys in the region. Tree growth in the valleys will be affected by both regional climate and reservoir impoundment. However, it remains unknown whether the radial growth of trees in the valleys has a common response pattern to the regional climate, and it is also unclear whether the response of radial growth to reservoir impoundment can be detected. In this study, we developed tree-ring width chronologies of Pinus yunnanensis Franch. collected at 11 sites with vertical and horizontal gradients to three hydroelectric reservoirs in three riverine valleys in southwestern China. We analyzed the radial growth responses to the regional climate from 1986 to 2017 by correlation with instrumental meteorological data. Tree growth responses to reservoir impoundment were investigated through spatial and temporal comparisons using the change in the Euclidean distance and difference test. We also distinguished their responses at tree-ring sites without influenced by reservoir impoundment including two sites in the valleys and seven sites at high elevations. The results showed that the climate conditions in May and the dry season before the growth season significantly limit the radial growth in the valleys, which is different to that at high-elevation areas in southwestern China. Growth variations in the valleys are related to elevations and the trees in similar slopes positions exhibit similar responses. For trees in the low slope positions, both variance and mean values of radial growth are affected by reservoir impoundment. Trees at relatively low sites (i.e., sites M2, R2, L2), rather than the trees close to the reservoirs (i.e., sites M1, R1, L1), respond more sensitively to reservoir impoundment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5243 KiB  
Article
Reconstruction of Seasonal Kinetics in Conifer Radial Growth from Daily Meteorological Conditions, Tree-Ring Width, and Radial Size of Tracheids
by Grigory K. Zelenov, Liliana V. Belokopytova, Elena A. Babushkina, Dina F. Zhirnova, Bao Yang, Xiaomei Peng, Jingjing Liu, Gleb A. Sitnikov and Eugene A. Vaganov
Forests 2024, 15(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020249 - 28 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1256
Abstract
The development of the tree ring is a process occurring under limitations caused by a complex of environmental factors and intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. Its understanding is of interest in many scientific fields, but most quantitative models trying to describe its details meet several [...] Read more.
The development of the tree ring is a process occurring under limitations caused by a complex of environmental factors and intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. Its understanding is of interest in many scientific fields, but most quantitative models trying to describe its details meet several issues stemming from the difficulty of its verification. This study attempted to combine several observational and modeling approaches to verify intermediate details of the description of xylogenesis, aiming to restore the tree-ring seasonal growth kinetics on the basis of dendrochronological and wood anatomical data. It was carried out for Scots pine in two semiarid habitats in South Siberia. The Vaganov-Shashkin model was used jointly with tree-ring width chronology and climatic data to model the tree radial growth rate with daily precision. The Band-model was then used to calculate the kinetics of tracheid production from the growth rate and actual final number of cells per radial file in the ring. Seasonal observations of cell population and final measurements of cell sizes were used to fit model parameters and verify the numbers of developing tracheids produced by the Band-model. The patterns of modeled seasonal kinetics for six seasons and two sites were found to repeat the actual drought-derived deviations in tree growth and observations (R2 = 0.70–0.84). Further research is required to test other climatic limitations and species-specific ecophysiological mechanisms of growth regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendrochronology beyond the Ordinary: Understanding the Wood Formation and Climate Change)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop