Increased recovery in coarse‐root secondary growth improves resilience to drought in transition forests

Interaction of global change drivers affects forest resilience. Land-use changes (land abandonment) and climate (a higher frequency intensity droughts) are interacting in the Mediterranean Region. Components resilience secondary stem growth have been widely studied but, despite importance root systems functionality resilience, non-previous studies assessed them coarse roots. In this study, we use Juniperus thurifera tree-ring chronologies roots stems to assess biomass allometry tree drought events comparing two stages a expansion gradient (mature forests transition zone) Alto Tajo Natural Park. We extracted cores 48 trees distributed different developmental calculated cross-sectional area increments, root-stem allometric relationship components for both organs each individual (2005 2012). Stem as well its exponent were zone than mature forests. Both exhibited trade-off between resistance recovery but maintenance values zone. Resilience did not show differences being However, relative was forests, without stages. Finally, 2012 event showed impact on 2005 event. Synthesis. This study extends knowledge response highlights potential land-use legacies reduce negative by promoting increased after established past agricultural lands.