Drought Trends in the Polish Carpathian Mts. in the Years 1991–2020

Mountains are highly sensitive to the effects of climate change, including extreme short- and long-term weather phenomena. Therefore, in spite relatively high annual precipitation totals, mountains might become endangered by droughts. The paper presents drought trends Polish Carpathians located Central Europe. Data from period 1991–2020 12 meteorological stations various vertical zones were used define conditions using following indices: Standardized Precipitation (SPI), Evapotranspiration (SPEI), Relative (RPI) Sielianinov. Additionally, four forest indices order estimate impact on beech as a typical Carpathian tree species, i.e., Ellenberg (EQ), Forestry Aridity (FAI), Mayr Tetratherm (MT) De Martonne (AI) indices. Statistically significant but weak obtained for 6-month SPI (indicating an increase seasonal mid-term precipitation), 1-month SPEI three stations, 3-month MT all intensity). analysis dry month frequency according particular shows that at most during last decade study period, months was much higher than previous decades, especially cold half-year. Two prone occurrence: peak zone due shift climatic triggered air temperature increase, forelands foothills, together with basins about 200–400 m a.s.l., where mean is highest profile, sums very diversified, already unfavorable.