Stand characteristics modulate secondary growth responses to drought and gross primary production in Pinus halepensis afforestation

Abstract Impacts of climate warming on forests vigour are forecasted to increase in magnitude. Yet it remains unclear how stand characteristics and competition modulate the relationship between tree growth gross primary production with drought. Here, we studied spatial variation density, basal area height modulates (Basal Area Increment, BAI growth), summer NDVI, as well their responses drought (Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index, SPEI) 56 Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis Mill.) planted located Northeast Spain. Long-term SPEI were strongly determined by suggesting that Along this, NDVI also displayed strong associations SPEI. was mostly related growth, canopy densification drives pattern trends. Short-term severe droughts mainly independent characteristics. In region, is a universal factor limiting secondary greening. However, results suggest density long-term, reducing densest stands. Denser stands larger trees ones present higher values, activity depends more coverage than rate its response these Mediterranean pines, temporally coupled but spatially decoupled.