Marked Seasonality Research Articles

Mixed Recharge and Epikarst Role in a Complex Metamorphic Karst Aquifer: The Pollaccia System, Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy)

The Apuan Alps (Italy) are an internationally renowned karst region where several karst springs have a mean discharge exceeding 100 L/s, thus representing important water resources. One of the major springs, the Pollaccia, was monitored for approximately one year. This spring drains a structurally complex metamorphic karst aquifer that is characterized by multiple hydrologic sectors with variable recharge and infiltration styles. Spring discharge, water temperature, and electrical conductivity were compared to precipitation data, and time lag analysis was performed on 27 storm hydro/thermo/chemographs (HTC-graphs) that occurred in different hydrological phases. A marked seasonality was observed for all the monitored parameters and for the measured lags. The comparison of the storm HTC-graphs with no precipitation phases permitted recognition of the differential contribution of the various sectors. The Pollaccia’s hydrodynamic behavior was related to three different scenarios in the recharge area: (1) allogenic runoff recharge in the noncarbonate sectors; (2) autogenic recharge and runoff over the steeply dipping marble outcrops, characterized by fast epiphreatic flow through master conduits and low epikarst storage; (3) autogenic recharge through highly fractured, gently dipping marble outcrops, characterized by quick hydraulic pressure transfer to the phreatic zone and relevant epikarst storage.

For all audiences: Incorporating immature stages into standardised spider inventories has a major impact on the assessment of biodiversity patterns.

Although arthropods are the largest component of animal diversity, they are traditionally underrepresented in biological inventories and monitoring programmes. However, no biodiversity assessment can be considered informative without including them. Arthropod immature stages are often discarded during sorting, despite frequently representing more than half of the collected individuals. To date, little effort has been devoted to characterising the impact of discarding nonadult specimens on our diversity estimates. Here, we used a metabarcoding approach to analyse spiders from oak forests in the Iberian Peninsula, to assess (1) the contribution of juvenile stages to local diversity estimates, and (2) their effect on the diversity patterns (compositional differences) across assemblages. We further investigated the ability of metabarcoding to inform on abundance. We obtained 363 and 331species as adults and juveniles, respectively. Including the species represented only by juveniles increased the species richness of the whole sampling in 35% with respect to those identified from adults. Differences in composition between assemblages were greatly reduced when immature stages were considered, especially across latitudes, possibly due to phenological differences. Moreover, our results revealed that metabarcoding data are to a certain extent quantitative, but some sort of taxonomic conversion factor may be necessary to provide accurate informative estimates. Although our findings do not question the relevance of the information provided by adult-based inventories, they also reveal that juveniles provide a novel and relevant layer of knowledge that, especially in areas with marked seasonality, may influence our interpretations, providing more accurate information from standardised biological inventories.

The response of the natural and sewage-impacted intertidal mussel community of the SW Atlantic to pulse (before / after summer) and chronic sewage discharges in the 1997 - 2014 period

Until 2014 Mar del Plata city discharged its untreated sewage effluents to the intertidal sector. This city has a marked seasonality in the urban discharge, varying between 2.8 and 3.5 m3.sec.-1 of effluents before/after summer. The effect on the intertidal benthic community was evaluated in both spatially, in sewage-impacted and reference sites, and temporarily in both the short term, before/after summer, and in long term along nine periods between 1997 - 2014. The bivalve Brachidontes rodriguezii, the ecosystem engineer, reach the maximum dominance and frequency in reference areas. Spatially the presence of opportunistic and tolerant species characterized the impacted areas, while in reference sites sensitive species were prevalent. The opportunistic polychaete species Capitella "capitata" sp. and Alitta succinea were dominant near the sewage discharge in firsts periods. In other periods the indicator species were Rhynchospio glutaea or Boccardia spp. From 2008 the invader Boccardia proboscidea characterized the sewage-impacted sites building massive reefs. The crustaceans Jassa falcata and Caprella sp. were very abundant at intermediate distances from the sewage discharge, while Monocorophium insidiosum was very abundant in sewage-impacted areas. The tolerant and opportunistic species are favored after the summer due to the extra organic matter input. All community parameters showed lower values after the summer, and also a trend to diminish along the studied period.

The response of the natural and sewage-impacted intertidal mussel community of the SW Atlantic to pulse (before / after summer) and chronic sewage discharges in the 1997 - 2014 period

Until 2014 Mar del Plata city discharged its untreated sewage effluents to the intertidal sector. This city has a marked seasonality in the urban discharge, varying between 2.8 and 3.5 m3.sec.-1 of effluents before/after summer. The effect on the intertidal benthic community was evaluated in both spatially, in sewage-impacted and reference sites, and temporarily in both the short term, before/after summer, and in long term along nine periods between 1997 - 2014. The bivalve Brachidontes rodriguezii, the ecosystem engineer, reach the maximum dominance and frequency in reference areas. Spatially the presence of opportunistic and tolerant species characterized the impacted areas, while in reference sites sensitive species were prevalent. The opportunistic polychaete species Capitella "capitata" sp. and Alitta succinea were dominant near the sewage discharge in firsts periods. In other periods the indicator species were Rhynchospio glutaea or Boccardia spp. From 2008 the invader Boccardia proboscidea characterized the sewage-impacted sites building massive reefs. The crustaceans Jassa falcata and Caprella sp. were very abundant at intermediate distances from the sewage discharge, while Monocorophium insidiosum was very abundant in sewage-impacted areas. The tolerant and opportunistic species are favored after the summer due to the extra organic matter input. All community parameters showed lower values after the summer, and also a trend to diminish along the studied period.

Sexual Size Dimorphism and Female Reproductive and Fat Body Cycles of the Viviparous Chalcides ocellatus and Sphenops sepsoides (Squamata: Scincidae) from Southern Egypt

Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated Skink) and Sphenops sepsoides (Wedge-snouted Skink) give birth and co-occur in many areas of Egypt. This study examined the intra- and interspecific morphological variables and seasonal changes in the masses of oviducts and fat bodies and reproductive traits of females of both species to evaluate the extent of their relationship. Both species were highly divergent morphologically. Females and males of Ocellated Skinks showed larger morphological variables for all measured characteristics than the corresponding sexes of Wedge-snouted Skinks. They were sexually dimorphic, with females having larger body and abdomen sizes than males. Relative head size (length and width) was significantly larger in males than females of Ocellated Skinks, unlike Wedge-snouted Skinks where females possessed wider heads. Males mature at a larger size in Ocellated Skinks than in females, but females and males of Wedge-snouted Skinks mature at comparable sizes. Based on the simultaneous occurrence of yolked ovarian follicles and ova or embryos in the oviduct, some females in both species produced two clutches per reproductive season. In Ocellated Skinks, the average number and relative mass of late-stage embryos were 4.18 (range 2–7) and 0.25 (range 0.09–0.63), respectively, and were positively and significantly associated with female body size; in Wedge-snouted Skinks, the average number and relative mass of late-stage embryos were 2.75 (range 2–6) and 0.24 (range 0.07–0.43), respectively, and were not correlated with female body size. Postbreeding, females of both species stored fat in their fat bodies. Females had a marked seasonality in reproduction (spring–summer), which was correlated with ambient temperature and day length. This seasonality simultaneously negatively impacted the fat body and positively impacted the oviduct referring to the utilization of storage material during embryonic development.

Influence of the time of the year on the nutritional value of forage consumed by beef cattle raised on grassland

Due to the large territorial dimension used for the practice of livestock activity, Brazil has several pasture ecosystems, in which animals are subjected to different management conditions during their productive life. In this scenario, tropical forages present high production of dry mass, with marked seasonality between the “water”, “drought” and transition seasons. The objective of this work is to carry out a literature review on the interference of the time of year on the nutritional value of forages consumed by beef cattle raised on pasture. Seasonality determines the uneven distribution of forage production throughout the year, causing quantitative and qualitative changes in the chemical composition of pastures, resulting in lower quantity and quality in periods with lower rainfall. As the plant matures, the levels of crude protein, minerals and other components of the cellular content decrease, while those of the cell wall tend to increase, interfering with the digestibility of nutrients in the food. This digestibility will mainly determine the availability of nitrogen compounds in the rumen for microbial growth, as well as the availability of amino acids that reach the small intestine influencing the growth of animals. In this way, the pasture supplementation technique, associated with the deferral of pasture, presents itself as an alternative to low production and forage quality at critical times of production, making it possible to obtain adequate weight gain of the animals at different times of the year, resulting in efficient and sustainable animal production.

Influence of the type of solar protection on thermal and light performance in classrooms

Solar protections are often designed as passive strategies in buildings, both for thermal and lighting performance. In this sense, the importance of the balance between these two parameters could be crucial in the early stages of design. The purpose of this research is to compare the variation solar protection strategies (glazing with solar protection, and the length of overhangs) have on energy and lighting, using as reference, the value defined by the Modified Solar Factor (MSF), used in some countries like Spain and Chile, to restrict solar contributions. Simulations were carried out to understand the potential of solar protections with the same MSF and the implications on thermal and lighting performance. The case study is a classroom located in Talca, in central-southern Chile, with a climate of marked seasons, including cold winters and hot summers. The results showed that the use of solar protection strategies with the same and similar MSF values do not provide comparable energy performance. Specifically, the differences in energy consumption are 0.62 kWh (East (E) - MSF 0.14) for heating, in cooling 42.28 kWh (Northeast (NE) - MSF 0.47), in lighting 5.30 kWh (Northwest (NW) - MSF 0.11), and 39.77 kWh in the total consumption (Northeast (NE) - MSF 0.47). According to the results obtained, suitable solar protection requires evaluating different alternatives that allow balancing both performances, while attaining significant energy savings.

Influence of the New Energy Context on the Spanish Agri-Food Industry

The Spanish agri-food industries face a new energy context radically different from the one existing less than a year ago. A comparable situation is occurring in other European countries. The great variability and different seasonality of the agro-industries condition the adaptation measures to be implemented. This article quantifies the impact of the new energy context on real industries with quite different consumption patterns. More than 1000 scenarios have been analysed to determine the effectiveness of adaptation measures. The study results demonstrate the critical situation to which the sector is subjected. The new tariff system affects the agri-food sector in an unequal way, benefiting industries with marked seasonality. In just one year, the electricity bill has increased between 62% and 151%. The savings generated by implementing measures such as optimising contracted power to a new hourly discrimination system (up to 6%) or shifting consumption to lower-cost periods (up to 21%) do not seem sufficient. If prices do not fall drastically, immediate installation of generation systems, such as photovoltaic panels, appears essential to maintain the viability and competitiveness of the sector.

Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Human Coronaviruses-Associated Infections in Children: A Multi-Center Study.

BackgroundHuman coronaviruses (HCoVs) are associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Although studies have analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of HCoV-associated infections, no multi-center studies have been conducted in Korean children. We aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of HCoV-associated infection in children.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed medical records of children in whom HCoVs were detected using multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification in five centers from January 2015 to December 2019.ResultsOverall, 1,096 patients were enrolled. Among them, 654 (59.7%) patients were male. The median age was 1 year [interquartile range (IQR), 0–2 years]. HCoVs were identified mainly in winter (55.9%). HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and HCoOV-NL63 were detected mainly in winter (70.9, 55.8, and 57.4%, respectively), but HCoV-HKU1 was mainly identified in spring (69.7%). HCoV-OC43 (66.0%) was detected most frequently, followed by HCoV-NL63 (33.3%), and HCoV-229E (7.7%). Two different types of HCoVs were co-detected in 18 samples, namely. Alphacoronavirus-betacoronavirus co-infection (n = 13) and, alphacoronavirus-alphacoronavirus co-infection (n = 5). No betacoronavirus-betacoronavirus co-infection was detected. Patients were diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infection (41.4%), pneumonia (16.6%), acute bronchiolitis (15.5%), non-specific febrile illness (13.1%), croup (7.3%), and acute gastroenteritis (5.1%). There were 832 (75.9%) hospitalized patients with a median duration of hospitalization of 4 days (IQR, 3–5 days); 108 (9.9%) patients needed supplemental oxygen with 37 (3.4%) needing high-flow nasal cannula or mechanical ventilation. There were no deaths.ConclusionHCoV-associated infections exhibit marked seasonality with peaks in winter. Patients with lower respiratory tract infection, a history of prematurity, or underlying chronic diseases may progress to a severe course and may need oxygen therapy.

Disentangling snakebite dynamics in Colombia: How does rainfall and temperature drive snakebite temporal patterns?

The role of climate driving zoonotic diseases' population dynamics has typically been addressed via retrospective analyses of national aggregated incidence records. A central question in epidemiology has been whether seasonal and interannual cycles are driven by climate variation or generated by socioeconomic factors. Here, we use compartmental models to quantify the role of rainfall and temperature in the dynamics of snakebite, which is one of the primary neglected tropical diseases. We took advantage of space-time datasets of snakebite incidence, rainfall, and temperature for Colombia and combined it with stochastic compartmental models and iterated filtering methods to show the role of rainfall-driven seasonality modulating the encounter frequency with venomous snakes. Then we identified six zones with different rainfall patterns to demonstrate that the relationship between rainfall and snakebite incidence was heterogeneous in space. We show that rainfall only drives snakebite incidence in regions with marked dry seasons, where rainfall becomes the limiting resource, while temperature does not modulate snakebite incidence. In addition, the encounter frequency differs between regions, and it is higher in regions where Bothrops atrox can be found. Our results show how the heterogeneous spatial distribution of snakebite risk seasonality in the country may be related to important traits of venomous snakes' natural history.

Structure of the Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) Community in a Tropical Deciduous Forest in Northern Morelos, Mexico

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the structure of the community and seasonality of the Cerambycidae family in the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) of San Andrés de la Cal, Tepoztlán in Morelos, Mexico. Following a year of systematic collections, and with the addition of data obtained from breeding chambers and sporadic collections, 155 species, 91 genera, 35 tribes, and 4 subfamilies were recorded. Thirty-three of these species, >21% are new records for the state of Morelos. Sample coverage was 97% and, according to the Chao 1 richness estimator, we found 80% of the species present in the study area. Greater species richness, abundance, and diversity were found during the rainy season, which generates a significant difference between seasons. The ordering of faunal similarities between months indicated a marked seasonality in the composition. The data suggest that the diversity of TDF insects is not completely known (i.e., new records were found), but comprises a diverse community, composed of a high proportion (78%) of rare species. Our findings reinforce the need to continue documenting insect diversity in TDF, especially considering that this is among the least protected of the ecosystems, and one that is negatively affected to a greater degree by anthropogenic activities and climate change.

Epidemiología del derrame pleural paraneumónico en la infancia durante la implementación de la vacuna antineumocócica conjugada de 13 serotipos

IntroductionThe reported incidence of parapneumonic pleural effusion, including empyema, has shown fluctuations in the last decades. It has been related to the implementation of different types of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines. MethodsWe have retrospectively reviewed data from all 10 public hospitals in Alicante Province (Spain) covering a population of 279,000 children under 15 years of age, between 2010 and 2018. Effusions less than 10mm (PE−) and those of 10mm or more (PE+) were separated. ResultsA total of 366 episodes of parapneumonic pleural effusion have been analyzed, 178 PE− (48.6%) and 188 PE+ (51.4%), with a median age of 4 years (interquartile range: 2-7 years) and marked seasonality with the maximum in winter and the minimum in summer. A culture proven bacterial agent was identified in 34 patients (9.3%), mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae (24 patients) followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (7 patients). The most frequent S. pneumoniae serotype was 19A (6 patients) and 3 vaccine failures were observed. The mean annual incidence rate was 14.3 cases per 100,000 children under 15 years of age (7.0 for PE− and 7.3 for PE+). No significant changes were observed in incidence over time, but noticeable differences in incidence were observed in different health departments. ConclusionsWe have not found temporal variations in incidence of parapneumonic effusion despite the implementation of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The unexplained disparity in incidence between close departments is noteworthy.

A Longitudinal Study of Bacteriophages as Indicators of Norovirus Contamination of Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Their Overlying Waters

Sewage pollution leads to the contamination of bivalve shellfish by pathogenic microorganisms. Bacterial indicators support the management of risks associated with the consumption of shellfish; however, they often fail to indicate adequately the potential hazard to human health posed by certain human enteric viruses. Bacteriophages have been proposed as alternative indicators that may more effectively predict the presence of enteric viral pathogens. This study explored the relationships between bacterial indicators (Escherichia coli (E. coli), faecal coliforms (FC) and intestinal enterococci (IE)), phages (somatic (SOMPH), F-specific RNA (F + PH) and human-specific Bacteroides GB-124 phages (GB124PH)) and Norovirus (NoV) (GI/GII) in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and their overlying waters. The bioaccumulation of these indicators and Norovirus in shellfish matrices (e.g., flesh, digestive gland) was investigated bimonthly over a 12-month period in an English estuary. The findings revealed a marked seasonality in the distribution of all organisms, with the highest levels occurring during the autumn/winter months. The levels of all phages in shellfish and their overlying waters correlated better with the levels of Norovirus than with those of bacterial indicators. Somatic coliphages were the indicator that exhibited the strongest correlations with NoV (rho = 0.929). This study suggests that relatively low-cost culture-based phage enumeration appears to offer a more accurate indication of the likely presence of Norovirus in mussels than traditional bacterial indicators.

Cerambycid Beetle Communities in Caatinga Dry Forests Are Structured by Seasonal Species Turnover

Dry forests in the Caatinga biome of Brazil are seasonal ecosystems where diversity is driven by water availability. Understanding how the distribution of communities is driven by temporal climate changes has intrigued researchers for decades. However, temporal diversity patterns should be more evident in dry environments, since seasonality is characterized by being highly limiting to insect activities. Cerambycid beetles are considered good ecological indicators because they respond well to impacts of environmental changes. Thus, we asked two questions: (i) How do climatic changes affect the diversity of these insects across seasons? (ii) Are diversity components correlated with increasing air humidity, rainfall, and temperature? Our results showed a marked seasonality of cerambycid beetles, with higher abundance and richness in the wet season. The mean temperature and relative humidity were predictors of the composition of beetle assemblages. However, the variation of cerambycid assemblages between seasons is related mainly to species turnover. Our study demonstrates that the combined effect of temperature and humidity drives the temporal distribution of the cerambycids in dry forests. Although thermal sensitivity was low, the decrease in air moisture during the dry season was the limiting factor for these insects. Species turnover increased continuously with air moisture and temperature rise, creating temporal segregation among cerambycid species and maintaining the stability of the assemblage. Thus, our results are consistent with mechanisms invoking activity patterns, desiccation resistance, and physiologic constraints that predict a decrease in richness and abundance of the cerambycids from warmer and moister to colder and drier conditions.

Ecosystem Productivity and Evapotranspiration Dynamics of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest of the Yucatan Peninsula

AbstractTropical forests are among the most threatened ecosystems despite their important role in the global carbon and water cycles. In Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) hosts near to 30% of these ecosystems. We established an ecohydrological monitoring site in a relatively pristine tropical dry forest (TDF) within “El Palmar” state reserve at the northwest of the YP, to study the seasonal dynamics of its carbon and water fluxes and to evaluate their main controls as they respond to climatic variability. Spatio‐temporal analyses using Bio‐meteorological data from an Eddy Covariance station (from January 2017 to August 2019) and remotely sensed data (from 2001 to 2019), reveal the inter and intra‐annual dynamics of carbon and water fluxes between this ecosystem and the atmosphere. The TDF's greenness, net exchange of carbon, gross primary production, ecosystem respiration, and evapotranspiration are strongly controlled by the seasonality in precipitation pulses and their legacy from recharged moisture in the shallow aquifer observed through three marked seasons: dry, rainy, and post‐rainy. The study site continuously behaves like a carbon sink with annual rates ranging between −1.09 and −7.06 , whose performance responds to a precipitation threshold above which its productivity declines. Differences in the ecosystem productivity among years result from a combination of water and energy availability during the growing season and variable access to groundwater during the post‐rainy and dry seasons. This highlights the ecosystem sensitivity to rainfall modulation of energy and water availability throughout the year and its impact on the ecosystem's functioning and resilience.

Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets Provide Only Protection Against Malaria for a Single Year in an African Highland Setting With Marked Malaria Seasonality

Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets Provide Only Protection Against Malaria for a Single Year in an African Highland Setting With Marked Malaria Seasonality

A time series projection model of online seasonal demand for American wine and potential disruption in the supply channels due to COVID-19

PurposeThis study statistically examines the shifting distribution channels in the American wine industry based on the growth trajectory of sales, seasonality and disruption due to consumers switching to online platforms. The purpose of this paper is to design a model that will have general applicability beyond the wine industry.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses regression-based additive decomposition of time series data to predict the trajectory of the market share for the digital distribution channel. The study develops a statistical prediction model using time series data between 2007 and 2020, inclusive, sourced from US Annual Wine Reports and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms databases.FindingsThe results show an increasing trajectory of wine sales through the online distribution channel with predictable seasonality. The disruptive effects of consumer switching behavior point to a steady increase in sales due both to increasing demand and accelerating switching. Nevertheless, the model shows that bricks and mortar purchases will remain strong and continue to account for the bulk of wine sales. COVID-19 has caused a step function increase in online sales but this should moderate after the crisis subsides and can be tested further.Originality/valueThis study is original in developing a model for an industry where bricks and mortar sales are growing and are expected to remain strong while there is still identifiable switching to online sales. The wine industry presents a classic case of accelerating switching behavior where there is still a strong franchise for in-store purchases. The model should have general applicability to distribution channels beyond the wine industry where steady growth, marked seasonality and disruptive consumer switching are in evidence.

Global Potential Distribution of the South American Cutworm Pest Agrotis robusta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Invasive pest species can represent significant losses to the agricultural economy of a country. Assessing the potential distribution of known pest species could be an important tool to evaluate possible invasive threats globally. Agrotis robusta (Blanchard) is an endemic species of temperate areas of South America considered an important pest of seedlings of sunflower, dry bean, and potatoes. The polyphagous habit of A. robusta, along with its regional importance and history of misidentifications, makes it a species of concern for other regions of the world. In this work, we assessed the potential distribution of A. robusta with Maxent based on occurrence data and variables related to climate and soil. The bioclimate profile of the species showed a marked seasonality and medium average monthly temperature, coinciding with the temperate climate of the Köppen-Geiger classification. Other important variables related to the species distribution included average solar radiation and soil pH. Suitable conditions were identified in North America, Central America, Europe, Southern Africa, Asia, and Australia. High suitable places overlapped with some of the most important countries of production of host crops of A. robusta. Our conclusions highlight the importance of taking this species into account when importing goods from countries with the presence of A. robusta, especially for countries that are important producers of host crops.

Seasonal trends of Cyclospora cayetanensis infections in a community of Falcon State, Northwestern Venezuela.

Cyclosporiasis has a marked seasonality. Few community-based studies have addressed this issue and there are no reports from Venezuela. A study was conducted to determine the seasonal variation of infection in a community from Falcon State, Venezuela. A sample of 732 individuals was collected for 1 y. Stools were examined with modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of ethyl acetate-formalin concentrates and ultraviolet epiflorescence of wet mounts. Cyclospora prevalence was 9.9% (73/732) with monthly variation from 0% to 35.3%. A trend of increased infections coinciding with the rainy time was observed (p<0.001). Cyclosporiasis is common in this area with high endemicity during the rainy periods.

Dendrochronological potential of the Azorean endemic gymnosperm Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine

Tree-ring inter-annual pattern variation is crucial in dendrochronology, allowing the identification of possible limiting factors on growth. Thus, trees exposed to subtropical or tropical climates without a marked seasonality may show a low degree of interannual variation, impeding a straightforward dendroclimatological approach. Meanwhile, subtropical regions, and areas in transitional climates such as the Azores archipelago, are widely unexplored in terms of dendroclimatology, providing opportunities to work with endemic trees, including the dominant Azorean tree Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine. To evaluate the dendrochronological potential of J. brevifolia, we analyzed tree-ring patterns, crossdating capabilities, and correlation with climate parameters. We sampled 48 individual trees from two natural populations (São Miguel and Terceira islands) using an increment borer. Besides, a Trephor tool was used to obtain wood microcores for micro-anatomical analysis. Although the transition between early and latewood was evident, partially indistinct ring boundaries and wedging rings were present in some cases, affecting the crossdating process, but not impeding the establishment of reliable ring-width chronologies. Following detrending, master chronologies were built and correlated with monthly temperature and precipitation data using the treeclim R package. The climate-growth relationships indicated negative correlations with late summer temperature in both populations. Considering our results and the importance of J. brevifolia as a dominant tree in the Azores natural forests, we conclude that it shows an acceptable potential for dendrochronological research. Thus, this study provides baseline information to help fill the knowledge gap regarding the climate-growth relationship of Azorean trees.