The Dry and the Wet Case: Tree Growth Response in Climatologically Contrasting Years on the Island of Corsica

Stem radial variations of Corsican Black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. laricio Maire) and Maritime pinaster Aiton) were monitored to quantify the impact two meteorologically contrasting consecutive years. On French island Corsica, in western Mediterranean basin, year 2017 was extremely dry, while 2018 exceptionally wet. We attached electric band dendrometers 36 pines along an east–west transect, spanning central mountain range, set up automated weather stations at all five sites, ranging from 10 m asl 1600 asl. (SRV) separated into irreversible growth (GRO) tree water deficit (TWD) periods. During drought 2017, most severe deficits occurred part island, whereas trees higher elevations more affected than lower elevations. A prolonged decrease SRV, even close line, suggests bimodal reveals high plasticity patterns both pines. correlated significantly with precipitation temperature. The positive correlations GRO negative TWD temperature imply that evapotranspiration led intense period 2017. novel approach used further investigate growth/climate relationship by including synoptic-scale pressure situations. This revealed elevation gradient per pattern only present wet rarely occurring can have a substantial on growth. provides comprehensive insight meteorological drivers incorporating different scales climatic system.