The radial increment of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) under climate change, Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the response of the radial increment of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Western and Eastern forest steppe of Ukraine to climate change. The growth-climate relationships were estimated for 1961–1987 and 1988–2014 in Western and Eastern parts of the forest steppe. The results indicate that the sensitivity of the ash radial increment in stands of the Western and Eastern forest steppe to climate variations in the second period (1988–2014) was increased compared to the first period (1961–1987). In the second period correlation analysis and response function showed a negative effect of summer droughts on the ash radial increment for both stands. Also a negative effect of winter precipitation on tree rings of ash trees in the Western forest steppe during the second period was detected. The radial growth response to climate change showed an increase in the response of European ash radial growth to climate change, which was confirmed for European ash for both stands in the Western and Eastern forest steppe.