Mediterranean Zone Research Articles

Dynamic Rupture Modeling of Large Earthquake Scenarios at the Hellenic Arc Toward Physics‐Based Seismic and Tsunami Hazard Assessment

AbstractThe Mediterranean Hellenic Arc subduction zone (HASZ) has generated several 8 earthquakes and tsunamis. Seismic‐probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment typically utilizes uniform or stochastic earthquake models, which may not represent dynamic rupture and tsunami generation complexity. We present an ensemble of ten 3D dynamic rupture earthquake scenarios for the HASZ, utilizing a realistic slab geometry. Our simplest models use uniform along‐arc pre‐stresses or a single circular initial stress asperity. We then introduce progressively more complex models varying initial shear stress along‐arc, multiple asperities based on scale‐dependent critical slip weakening distance, and a most complex model blending all aforementioned heterogeneities. Thereby, regional initial conditions are constrained without relying on detailed geodetic locking models. Varying epicentral locations in the simplest, homogeneous model leads to different rupture speeds and moment magnitudes. We observe dynamic fault slip penetrating the shallow slip‐strengthening region and affecting seafloor uplift. Off‐fault plastic deformation can double vertical seafloor uplift. A single‐asperity model generates a 8 scenario resembling the 1303 Crete earthquake. Using along‐strike varying initial stresses results in 8.0–8.5 dynamic rupture scenarios with diverse slip rates and uplift patterns. The model with the most heterogeneous initial conditions yields a 7.5 scenario. Dynamic rupture complexity in prestress and fracture energy tends to lower earthquake magnitude but enhances tsunamigenic displacements. Our results offer insights into the dynamics of potential large Hellenic Arc megathrust earthquakes and may inform future physics‐based joint seismic and tsunami hazard assessments.

When environment meets culture in the arid margin of the Southern Levant

Research in the arid margins of the Southern Levant has revealed a series of cultural entities related to and interacting with analogues in the more mesic Mediterranean zone. These terminal Pleistocene (Epipalaeolithic) and early Holocene (Pre-Pottery Neolithic) foraging entities display clearly local traits reflecting restricted networking and adaptations at times when environmental conditions deteriorated, and the connections with contemporaneous cultural entities farther afield weakened, combined with connections with the wider pan-regional cultural entities. By examining the specific example of the short-lived Late Epipalaeolithic Harifian culture we attempt to illustrate the manner in which local social behaviours in the landscapes of the arid margins may have contributed to maximizing and prolonging cultural adaptations there especially during periods of variable, yet generally challenging environmental conditions during the Younger Dryas (YD), with a greater degree of isolation from the 'sown land'. Ultimately, a threshold was reached towards the end of the YD, and the Harifian adaptation ceased to be viable, so they had little choice but to abandon their former territories in the Negev and northern Sinai to more favourable environmental conditions, near and, perhaps, far. Speculatively, having to merge with different groups as conditions there were not improving and 'packing' was tight, may have contributed to the emergence of large-scale 'archaic' villages of the PPNA.

Long-Term Trends in Significant Wave Heights in The Mediterranean as an Indicator of Climate Change

The Mediterranean coastal zones, particularly along the Nile Delta, are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This study examines the historical changes in the significant wave height along the Nile Delta coast over the past 84 years (1940-2023) at a depth of 20 meters. By synthesizing a comprehensive long-term wave data series using ERA5 reanalysis data and the MIKE21-SW model, the study establishes a robust foundation for analysis. To ensure accuracy, the observed wind data were contrasted against ERA5 data, and they were found to be similar to a great extent. Furthermore, the model's accuracy was rigorously validated against the observational data, ensuring the reliability of the results. Three methods were used to obtain the trends for the maximum wave height to ensure robust and reliable trend assessments (i.e., linear regression, Theil-Sen, and ElasticNet). The results were obtained and analyzed, revealing a statistically significant increase in the maximum wave heights during the study period. Particularly, seasonal analysis revealed a positive trend in maximum wave heights during winter and spring (0.15 to 0.67 cm/year respectively). Furthermore, the monthly analysis showed a positive trend in the wave heights for all months except July, August, and September. Specifically, there were notable increases from September to December, ranging from 0.24 to 0.92 cm/year. These findings are consistent with the global trends of increasing wave heights due to climate change. It is essential for developing adaptive coastal management strategies and designing resilient structures. Consequently, the results will assist coastal authorities in mitigating the impacts of climate change on coastal zones.

Evaluation of Yield and Quality Characteristics of Some Drying Red Pepper Lines in Antakya Conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the yield and quality performance of 12 S4-generation genotypes and 4 registered pepper varieties, developed through selection from the Kahramanmaraş pepper population by the East Mediterranean Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute, under the conditions of Antakya. The plant materials used were the genotypes 83, 331, 368, 373, 361, 378, 439, 449, 454, 472, 521, and 69, along with the varieties Sena, Dila, Bozok, and Yesemek. The results revealed that the highest fresh yield was obtained from genotype 83 with 1106 g plant-1, while the highest dry yield was recorded in genotype 472 with 270 g plant-1. The genotype 361 stood out with a total soluble solid content (SSC) of 13.30%, and the highest drying efficiency was observed in genotype 454 at 32.5%. In terms of fruit number, genotype 439 had the highest value with 127.33 fruits plant-1, while genotype 472 showed the highest fruit weight of 10.60 g fruit-1 and genotype 449 had the longest fruit length at 7.82 cm. The highest seed count was observed in genotype 378 with 347 seeds fruit-1, while Dila had the largest fruit width at 23.65 mm. According to the capsaicinoid (pungency) analysis, genotype 472 exhibited the highest pungency level with 147,483 scoville heat units (SHU), highlighting it as a notable quality trait. Furthermore, the lowest fruit flesh thickness was recorded in genotype 378 with 0.75 mm, and the highest 1000-seed weight was observed in genotype 373 with 6.50 g. Overall, considering the key criteria for dried pepper production, particularly dry yield and pungency, genotype 472 demonstrated superior performance due to its high dry yield and pungency levels. These findings suggest that the Antakya region is well-suited for the cultivation of high-yielding and high-quality pepper lines. Additionally, these genotypes hold significant potential for commercial production.

Anatomical Responses of Two Species under Controlled Water Restriction.

Quillay (Quillaja saponaria Molina) and peumo (Cryptocarya alba [Molina] Looser) are two tree species endemic to Chile that grow in Mediterranean climate zones, characterized by a summer season with high temperatures, high solar radiation, and low soil water availability. A study was conducted with 2-year-old Q. saponaria and C. alba plants and two substrate water conditions: well-watered and controlled water restriction. At the end of the study, anatomical leaf modifications were analyzed. The tissues were anatomically described in transverse sections of juvenile and adult leaves, measuring leaf thickness, cuticle thickness, and cell density of the mesophyll parenchymal tissues. In the young leaves of Q. saponaria plants undergoing water restriction treatment, an increase in cuticle and leaf thickness and a decrease in the density of the palisade and spongy parenchyma were observed. In contrast, a significant reduction in leaf thickness was observed in adult leaves of both species with water restriction treatment. The anatomical changes in the leaves of Q. saponaria and C. alba suggest an adaptation to adverse environmental conditions, such as water restriction.

Genome-wide differentiation corresponds to climatic niches in two species of lichen-forming fungi.

Lichens can withstand fluctuating environmental conditions such as hydration-desiccation cycles. Many species distribute across climate zones, suggesting population-level adaptations to conditions such as freezing and drought. Here, we aim to understand how climate affects population genomic patterns in lichenized fungi. We analysed population structure along elevational gradients in closely related Umbilicaria phaea (North American; two gradients) and Umbilicaria pustulata (European; three gradients). All gradients showed clear genomic breaks splitting populations into low-elevation (Mediterranean zone) and high-elevation (cold temperate zone). A total of 3301 SNPs in U. phaea and 138 SNPs in U. pustulata were driven to fixation between the two ends of the gradients. The difference between the species is likely due to differences in recombination rate: the sexually reproducing U. phaea has a higher recombination rate than the primarily asexually reproducing U. pustulata. Cline analysis revealed allele frequency transitions along all gradients at approximately 0°C, coinciding with the transition between the Mediterranean and cold temperate zones, suggesting freezing is a strong driver of population differentiation. Genomic scans further confirmed temperature-related selection targets. Both species showed similar differentiation patterns overall, but different selected alleles indicate convergent adaptation to freezing. Our results enrich our knowledge of fungal genomic functions related to temperature and climate, fungal population genomics, and species responses to environmental heterogeneity.

Dune elongation and hunting strategy during the Terminal Pleistocene (Ramonian): Insights from Mizpor Ashalim, northwestern Negev dunefield margins, Israel

The Middle Epipalaeolithic Ramonian culture, endemic to the Negev-Sinai desert, incorporates highland occupations alongside lowland dune-associated localities. The lowland sites, dominated by microlithic tools, have been hypothesized to be prime hunting settings. Here we investigate this hypothesis based on the data from Mizpor Ashalim - a new Ramonian site located upon a falling dune overlooking the central Besor Valley. The study incorporates analysis of projectile damage on microlithic tools, geomorphology, portable OSL profiling, and OSL ages of the dune deposits, as well as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) investigation. GIS mapping of relevant sites alongside the ancient dune-dammed water bodies constitutes an additional methodological tool newly applied in the current study.The results support the hypothesis and suggest that Ramonian hunting strategy was associated with dune-dammed, medium-sized basins that formed ecological niches following winter floods. The study sheds new light on adaptations developed by different cultural entities occupying the region during the Terminal Pleistocene and their connection with changing environmental settings. At the same time, it emphasizes technological continuity throughout the cultural sequence in the arid environments of the Southern Levant, expressed in microliths production and projectile design. This continuity, not observed in the Mediterranean climate zone, underscores the importance of understanding the social and economic dynamics in the desert areas of the Southern Levant to comprehend the processes that led to sedentism and food production in the region.

Comparison of the Energy Contributions of Different Types of Ground Heat Exchangers Related to Cost in a Working Ground Source Heat Pump System

Geothermal systems face adoption challenges due to their high initial investment cost. Accurate cost analyses and a more precise understanding of updated prices could assist geothermal industry projects in obtaining investment financing and better money management with the right equipment. As the cost of geothermal installations can vary widely depending on case and location, it seems essential to clarify the factors and parameters that determine the cost of the system. These include the type of loop system, the ground conditions, the type of heat pump, the system size, and the geographical location. The scope of this study is to compare the operation of various types of ground heat exchangers (GHEs) present in a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system installed in the coastal area of the Mediterranean climate zone of Cyprus. The highlight of this work is that it presents real installation cost data as well as recorded total energy contributed by the GHEs to the GSHP system of a HP cooling and heating capacities of 101 kW and 117 kW, respectively. The input contribution from the GHEs to the HP is 85,650 kWh (308,340 MJ) in summer and 25,880 kWh (93,168 MJ) in winter. It is shown that, among the three groups of GHEs investigated, the open-well GHE complex has the lowest cost per kWh ratio (0.32 EUR/kWh), followed by the vertical GHE complex (1.05 EUR/kWh), and lastly by the helical coil GHE (2.77 EUR/kWh). This clearly suggests that when underground water is available, the open-well GHE is much more favorable than other GHE types.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Bosnia and Herzegovina: distribution, ecology and environmental preferences

Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are the principal vectors for the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and for phleboviruses. The sand fly fauna on the Balkan Peninsula, including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), is diverse and the circulation of Leishmania infantum as well as phleboviruses has been proven. However, recent data on the sand fly fauna in BIH are scarce. In this study, we surveyed understudied regions in central and northeastern BIH to update the sand fly distribution and gain insights into the ecological and environmental factors shaping their appearance. CDC light trapping was conducted in 2022 and 2023 and a combination of morphological and molecular methods (cytochrome oxidase I barcoding) was performed for species identifications. We mapped the currently known distribution, modelled climatic suitability patterns and performed environmental analyses by applying machine learning methods. In addition, we analyzed blood meals by host gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping and screened for Leishmania spp. DNA and Phlebovirus RNA.Altogether, 591 sand flies of four species were trapped, predominantly Phlebotomus neglectus (97 %), but also Ph. balcanicus, Ph. mascittii, and Ph. papatasi. Records of seven sand fly species known to be endemic were plotted onto distribution maps based on 101 datapoints, identifying Ph. neglectus as the overall predominant species. The environmental analyses of sand fly species indicated variation in altitudinal, thermal, and precipitation conditions across the sand fly-positive sites. Phlebotomus simici, Phlebotomus tobbi, and Sergentomyia minuta are typically found exclusively in Mediterranean and subtropical climate zones, whereas other species typically inhabit continental regions. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation of sand fly species numbers and Shannon entropy values suggested the southeastern coastal region of BIH as a primary focus for sand fly occurrence. This finding was corroborated by modeled average climatic suitability patterns for sand flies, depicting four distinct meso-regions for sand fly occurrence. The results of the ensemble method highlight the importance of annual precipitation to distinguish between positive and negative sand fly trapping sites in BIH. In total, 55 blood meals of two sand fly species, Ph. neglectus and Ph. balcanicus, were analyzed and five host species identified.Our comprehensive assessment of ecological and environmental preferences of sand flies in BIH may support further entomological surveys and help to better understand and evaluate potential hot spots of disease transmission in the country.

Changes in erosion susceptibility of a Chromic Haplustert pasture soil by some polymers under simulated rainfall

Due to the climate change that has become evident especially in the last ten years, ecosystems such as forests and pastures in the Mediterranean climate zone have become even more vulnerable to degradation. High erosive precipitation increases the amount of erosion in these soils with increasing their erodibility. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent some polymers, such as polyacrylamide and polyvinylalcohol, can prevent runoff and soil loss from erosion pans where a pasture soil was placed. For this purpose, aggregates of soil samples <8 mm from the A horizon of a Chromic Haplustert were used. Polyacrylamide and polyvinylalcohol solutions at different doses (0, 3.5, 7.0 and 14.0 kg ha-1) were applied to the aggregates by spraying. Erosion pans with slopes of 9% and 15% were exposed to simulated rainfall produced by a drop former rainfall simulator for one hour. The simulation trial was planned as 2 replications according to the randomized plots trial design. During simulated rainfall, runoff water and sediment from pans were collected at 10-minute intervals. Transported soils were expressed as dry weight, and runoff waters were expressed as volumetric. According to the results obtained, the highest runoff occurred from a 15% inclined soil pan (11.06 mm) without polymer applied (control). After one hour of simulated rainfall, runoff did not occur from some pans with high-doses of applied polymer. The amount of soil transported from the control pan by runoff and by splashing to the sides is 362 and 4241 kg ha-1, respectively. The pan, in which the least soil is carried by splashing, was the one with a 9% slope and the highest dose of polyacrylamide (97 kg ha-1). Statistical results show that polyvinylalcohol was  more successful than polyacrylamide in reducing soil and water losses especially on 15% slope. These results indicate that the application of polymer to pasture soils can be a valid way to combat erosion, but the treatments should be carried out by choosing the right dose, taking into account factors such as the slope of the land, the erodibility of the soil and the erosivity of rainfall. 

Unraveling climate trends in the mediterranean: a hybrid machine learning and statistical approach

This study presents a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of sea surface temperatures (SST) and surface air temperatures (TAS) across 15 Mediterranean coastal stations, leveraging centennial-scale data to analyze regional climate dynamics. The modeling framework integrates three sequential phases: data preprocessing, statistical analysis, and advanced machine learning techniques, creating a robust analytical pipeline. The data preprocessing phase harmonizes diverse datasets, addresses missing values, and applies transformations to ensure analytical consistency. The statistical modeling employs the Pettitt test for change point detection and linear trend analysis to unveil underlying patterns. The machine learning phase utilizes K-means clustering for climate regime classification and implements tailored Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for cluster-specific future climate anomaly projections. Results unveil a marked anthropogenic climate signal, with contemporary observations consistently surpassing historical baselines. Breakpoint analyses and linear trend assessments reveal heterogeneous climatic shifts, with pronounced warming in the northern Mediterranean. Notably, Nice and Ajaccio exhibit the highest SST increases (0.0119 and 0.0113 °C/decade, respectively), contrasting with more modest trends in Alexandria (0.0052 °C/decade) and Antalya (0.0047 °C/decade) in the eastern Mediterranean. The application of clustering and CNN projections provides granular insights into differential warming trajectories. By 2050, cooler northwestern Mediterranean zones are projected to experience dramatic SST anomalies of approximately 3 °C above the average, with corresponding TAS increases of 2.5 °C. In contrast, warmer eastern and southern regions display more subdued warming patterns, with projected SST and TAS increases of 1.5–2.5 °C by mid-century. This research’s importance is highlighted by its potential to inform tailored adaptation strategies and contribute to the theoretical understanding of climate dynamics, advancing climate modeling and analysis efforts.

Drought and Wildfire Trends in Native Forests of South-Central Chile in the 21st Century

Over the last decades, Chile has experienced a long-term drought with significant consequences for water availability, forest productivity, and soil degradation, ultimately dramatically increasing the surface of burned area. Here, we quantify the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) to ascertain the extent of “moisture deficiency” across the central-southern region of Chile from 2000 to 2023 to assess the drought’s relationship with the frequency of wildfires focusing on the impact of native forests. Our methodology quantifies the PDSI from the burned area data using MODIS MCD64A1 satellite imagery, validated by in situ wildfire occurrence records. The findings indicate that 85.2% of fires occurred under moderate to severe drought conditions. We identified 407,561 ha showing varying degrees of degradation due to wildfires, highlighting the critical areas for targeted conservation efforts. A significant increase in both the frequency of wildfires and the extent of the affected area in native forests was observed with the intensification of drought conditions in the 21st century within mesic to humid Mediterranean climatic zones where drought explains up to 41% of the variability in the burned area (r2 = 0.41; p < 0.05). This study highlights the relationship between drought conditions and wildfire frequency, showing the paramount need to adopt comprehensive wildfire mitigation management in native forests.

The Results of a Pre-study to Determine The Effects of Zinc and Iron Foliar Fertilizer on Canola (Brassica napus L.)

Increasing canola yield, a winter oil crop, is important for its cultivation in the product pattern of the Mediterranean climate zone. Therefore, a study was planned to determine the impact of foliar application zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and Zn + Fe combination on the yield and quality of canola. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Zinc (3.0% v/v), iron (7.5% w/w), and their combination were foliar sprayed at rosette and flowering stages. The highest number of siliques per plant, number of seeds per silique, seed index, and seed yield were recorded in the Fe application. Zn + Fe combination significantly increased the oil and protein content, whereas Zn application exhibited higher oil and protein yield performance. It was concluded that using iron and zinc separately regarding yield and quality is economically beneficial.

DETERMINATION OF FEED QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME SILAGE MAIZE (Zea mays L.) HYBRIDS CULTIVATED IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN CONDITIONS

The research was carried out in Kahramanmaras Eastern Mediterranean Transition Zone Agricultural Research Institute (DAGTEM) in the main crop growing season of 2019 and 2020, in a randomized blocks trial design with three replications to determine the silage quality characteristics of 20 different silage maize hybrids (Macha, Ranger, Simon, AS160, Dracma, DS0224, DKC6442, Colonia, Inove, Antex, Everest, Torro, 73may81, Kilowaatt, Klips, PR31Y43, 30B74, DKC7240, C955, and Gladius). The study showed that silage quality varied significantly for maize hybrids and the region's climatic conditions in different years. According to the two-year average results, the dry matter content (T60), dry matter recovery, crude protein content, crude ash content, starch content, NDF content, ADF content, and ADL content were between 28.43-32.59%, 90.11-97.69%, 6.01-7.44%, 4.93-7.52%, 18.88-27.04%, 44.28-54.69%, 23.85-30.30%, and 2.00-3.62%, respectively, and C955, Everest, and PR31Y43 were the hybrids that potential silage nutritional value of them was prominent.

Adaptation of rural residential buildings in a Mediterranean climate to climate change: A case study of La Rioja (Spain)

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the building sector and rural areas in particular should be prioritised due to their special characteristics. In this work, ways to adapt rural residential buildings in a Mediterranean climate to climate change via energy renovation were studied, taking La Rioja (Spain) as a case study. Different energy renovation solutions were evaluated under different climate change scenarios considering the possible evolution of the climate zones. The energy and economic impacts of these energy-renovated buildings were compared to those of existing buildings. Nearly zero-energy buildings were achieved by changing the thermal envelopes and their corresponding interior partitions. The study discovered that, on the one hand, the heating energy demand was reduced while the cooling energy demand was increased, thus reducing the total energy demand; on the other hand, the best energy renovation solution entails compliance by nearly zero-energy buildings with current building thermal regulation for the current climate zone. This work can serve as a guide to establish and promote energy renovation policies that are effective in addressing climate change and are economically viable. Furthermore, the methodology developed and the results obtained can be extrapolated to other cold Mediterranean climate zones.

Idiosyncratic phenology of greenhouse gas emissions in a Mediterranean reservoir

AbstractExtreme hydrological and thermal regimes characterize the Mediterranean zone and can influence the phenology of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in reservoirs. Our study examined the seasonal changes in GHG emissions of a shallow, eutrophic, hardwater reservoir in Spain. We observed distinctive seasonal patterns for each gas. CH4 emissions substantially increased during stratification, influenced predominantly by the increase in water temperature, net ecosystem production, and the decline in reservoir mean depth. N2O emissions mirrored CH4's seasonal trend, significantly correlating to water temperature, wind speed, and gross primary production. Conversely, CO2 emissions decreased during stratification and displayed a quadratic, rather than a linear relationship with water temperature—an unexpected deviation from CH4 and N2O emission patterns—likely associated with photosynthetic uptake of bicarbonate and formation of intracellular calcite that might be exported to sediments. This investigation highlights the imperative of integrating these idiosyncratic patterns into GHG emissions models, enhancing their predictive power.

Life-history evolution in the orange-tailed skink populations living in different climates.

The life-history traits of ectothermic animals can be influenced by many abiotic factors, including climate. As an ectothermic species, we questioned whether the life-history characteristics of the orange-tailed skink (Eumeces schneiderii) populations differ between two different environments/climates. Our findings showed that the average body size of lizards living in the Mediterranean climate zone was higher than those in the continental climate zone. However, although Mediterranean population had higher mean values regarding average age, there was no discernible difference between the two climate zone populations. When considering all populations collectively, it has been discovered that the species' maximum lifespan is 18 years. Body size notably increased with age in both populations. Through the utilization of the von Bertalanffy equation, the anticipated growth parameters portrayed a highly accurate connection between age and snout-vent length. In conclusion, lizards living in habitats characterized by milder Mediterranean climates were found to have larger body sizes than continental populations, but both populations were comparable in terms of mean age. This difference can be explained by several factors, including activation time, temperature, precipitation, food abundance, and the presence of predators.

Establishment of local caprine population genetic improvement plans to ensure environmental integration in Mediterranean arid zones

Establishment of local caprine population genetic improvement plans to ensure environmental integration in Mediterranean arid zones

Short-term responses of growth and leaf physiology of the sclerophyllous Cryptocarya alba (Molina) seed sources to water restriction

ABSTRACT There are concerns about the vulnerability of some dominant sclerophyllous species in Mediterranean zones to water restriction, especially at outplanting, and much of the efforts for active restoration are on identifying proper seed sources. This study aimed to determine the short-term responses of growth, biomass partitioning, and leaf-physiological traits of Cryptocarya alba provenances to water restriction in nursery conditions. Three seed sources from xeric sites (northern distribution) and one from a more mesic site (southern distribution) were subjected to water restriction for three months and then evaluated in increments in root collar diameter and height, biomass components (leaves, shoots, roots), gas-exchange and fluorescence parameters, and carbon (Δ13) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic ratios. Water restriction decreased growth and leaf biomass as a short-term response, but this effect was not expressed in stem and root biomass. Similarly, water restriction decreased the photosynthetic rate (Asat), stomatal conductance (gs), and maximum efficiency of PSII. Moreover, water restriction also increased the intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEint), but it had no effect on Δ13 or δ18O. Seed sources did not differ in any traits except in stem and total biomass. The results did not confirm a better performance of seed sources from xeric than mesic origin sites to water restriction.

Changes in extreme precipitation indices across Algeria climate zones

AbstractExtreme precipitation events can have a significant impact on the environment, agriculture, economy and safety, making close monitoring of their short‐ and long‐term trends essential for the development of effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. In this study, we analysed 16 in situ observation datasets from four different climate zones in Algeria, spanning from 1969 to 2021. The trend analysis was conducted using the original Mann–Kendall test and seven modified tests to eliminate the effects of short‐term persistence. Our findings reveal a significant increasing trend of extreme precipitation variability for most stations in the Warm Mediterranean climate zone, except for the Consecutive dry days index, which showed a negative trend for the same zone, while stations in the Cold/Warm semi‐arid climate and Cold desert climate (Bwk) zones showed a decreasing trend. Additionally, all index series with significant long‐term trends were affected by a significant shift in their means, which was confirmed by both the Lombard and Pettitt tests. However, when we used the modified MPT and the test eliminating the effects of long‐term persistence, the significance of the shifts and the trend decreased. Our results suggest that while extreme precipitation events have been increasing in some parts of Algeria; the trend may not be statistically significant in the long‐run, indicating the necessity of revisiting and refreshing the findings of previous studies for a more current perspective.