Meteorological seasonality affecting individual tree growth in forest plantations in Brazil

Abstract

Seasonal meteorological variability within and among years has significant impact on forest productivity, thus understanding its detailed effects on tree growth contributes to the knowledge of the processes controlling forest productivity. This study used high frequency measurements of dendrometer bands (every 2–4weeks over 1–2years) to assess tree growth of four different planted forest types (Brazilian native tree species, Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, and Pinus taeda) in response to meteorological variables in distinct regions of Brazil. Multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to relate growth as function of meteorological variables. All species responded to multiple meteorological variables related to air temperature and water availability (maximum air temperature (p<0.05), vapor pressure deficit (p<0.01) and actual evapotranspiration (p<0.01)). Dominant trees were more responsive to meteorological seasonality, compared to suppressed trees. Understanding the relations between forest growth and meteorological variables is useful and has practical applications, including the optimization of species zoning, modeling and the evaluation of climate change impacts on planted tree species for restoration or wood production purposes.