Increased Post-Drought Growth after Thinning in Pinus nigra Plantations

In Mediterranean seasonally dry regions, the rise in dieback and mortality episodes observed pine afforestations has been related to higher drought intensity lack of appropriate management, which enhance competition between trees for water light. However, there is little understanding benefits silviculture plantations under seasonal stress. A combination dendrochronology wood C O isotope analyses was used three Black (Pinus nigra) work out responses radial growth (BAI, basal area increment) water-use efficiency (WUEi) thinning treatments (removal 40% stand area). Thinning had a positive effect on BAI WUEi, reduced sensitivity, temporal dependence previous year’s growth. These results were significant even 13–14 years after coherent study sites. Differences found sites regarding physiological mechanisms adaptation. two sites, we inferred enhanced WUEi due increased photosynthetic rates (A) at constant stomatal conductance (gs). third site, tree density therefore competition, increases both gs, with former being proportionally larger than latter.