Reversible Impacts of a Cold Spell on Forest Cover, Tree Growth and Carbohydrates in Mediterranean Pine and Oak Forests

Climate extremes such as cold spells are becoming more frequent climate variability increases. However, few studies have evaluated the impacts of winter on forest cover, tree growth and leaf sapwood non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations. We analyzed changes in cover using remote sensing data compared radial coexisting defoliated Pinus halepensis trees non-defoliated P. pinaster trees. also NSC concentrations leaves Quercus ilex In January 2021, a rapid drop temperatures led to minimum values (−21.3 °C) eastern Spain triggered canopy defoliation several planted (P. halepensis) native (Q. ilex) species. The spell decrease most stands reduced Q. ilex, particularly starch. Prior spell, significantly (p < 0.05) grew (2.73 ± 1.70 mm) response wetter conditions than (2.29 1.08 (1.39 Those individuals which faster at young age were less resilient later years. study showed high recovery capacity after but Mediterranean drought-avoiding was affected