Annual cork-ring width variability of Quercus suber L. in relation to temperature and precipitation (Extremadura, southwestern Spain)

TitleAnnual cork-ring width variability of Quercus suber L. in relation to temperature and precipitation (Extremadura, southwestern Spain)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1996
AuthorsCaritat, A., Molinas M., & GUTIÉRREZ E.
JournalForest Ecology and Management
Volume86
IssueI 996
Pagination113 - 120
Date Published1996///
Keywordsclimatic fluctuations, cork growth, cork-oak, cork-ring chronology, Quercus suber L.
Abstract

A 14 year sequence of cork-ring width chronology is correlated with rainfall and temperature data. Cork specimens were obtained from three cork peel samplings carried out in 1989, 1991 and 1993 from a cork ‘dehesa’ in Ckeres, Spain. Average width of cork-rings varied between 2.05 and 4.37 mm. The cork-ring width chronologies of the three peel-off samplings show definite agreement patterns. Differences in ring width in years of greater and lesser growth are clearly marked. Correlation between ring width and rainfall indicates that the rain periods with the greatest influence on cork growth are those occurring from November to June, followed by those from November to September. Temperature, on the other hand, shows a negative correlation with cork growth, except during the coldest months and the months of April and September when temperature possibly has a crucial influence on phellogen activation.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112796037875