Abstract
Cork rings have been extensively used in dendroecological studies of the Mediterranean evergreen cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Through measurements of cork-ring width only, strong relationships have been found between cork-ring widths and climate parameters. To our knowledge, cork-ring density, which is an important cork quality attribute, has never been used in any dendroecological study to explore physiological responses of the cork oak to climate change. In this study, we measured cork-ring width and density over 50 years (1962–2013), corresponding to five consecutive cork harvests, and analyzed their inter-annual fluctuations in eight trees from two different sites, a wetter peneplain area (Benavente) and a drier mountainous area (Grândola). Our results revealed a statistically significant correlation between cork-ring width and density (p < 0.05) at both sites; however, it was negative (r =− 0.261) and relatively weaker at Benavente, and positive at Grândola (r = 0.410). Moreover, a direct relationship between cork density and spring–summer temperature was found only at Grândola. Here, cork growth sensitivity to inter-annual variability of precipitation and temperature in summer-autumn of the current growth year (p < 0.01) was the highest and, respectively, positive and negative. We conclude that in drier Mediterranean environments, summer drought stress might negatively affect both cork growth and density, by changing tree physiological processes involved in cork formation, resulting in narrower and denser cork rings. Considering scenarios of future climate change effects in Southern Europe, in particular the longer drought periods and rising temperatures, it seems that both cork yield and cork density will be affected, with implications on cork quality.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Companhia das Lezírias, S.A. (CL, Benavente) and Herdade de Barradas da Serra (BS, Grândola) for allowing tree selection and cork sampling in their cork oak woodlands. Furthermore, the authors thank Graça Oliveira for her valuable support in improving the English reading of the manuscript. The authors gratefully thank the comments and suggestions of three anonymous reviewers on this manuscript.
Funding
Project IsoCork—climate effects on cork growth assessed by isotope fingerprinting (Ref: EXPL/AGR-FOR/1220/2012) supported by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT); Project “Cork oak radial growth—Seasonal patterns and trends: the relative role of environmental conditions” supported by the National Protocol INIAV, I.P. and Companhia das Lezírias S.A.; Project UID/AMB/04085/2013 and UIDB/00239/2020 supported by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (CENSE—FCT); Project “Cork-ring detection and measurement—development of new techniques” (Ref: COST-STSM-FP1202-15045) supported by European Cooperation in Science and Technology funds; Augusta Costa work was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): Post-doctoral Grant (Ref: SFRH/BPD/97166/2013); and Contract for Assistant Researcher (Ref: CEEINST/00012/2018—ENGFL).
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Data will be shared upon reasonable request.
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AC conceived the study as Principal Investigator of the research project IsoCork—climate effects on cork growth assessed by isotope fingerprinting. AC developed the concept of the paper, wrote the paper, and, together with IB, performed the cork-ring analysis. AC, JG, and HS provided laboratory facilities and coordinated the laboratory resources for the cork sample’s analysis. All authors discussed and commented on the obtained results. All authors contributed to the final writing—review and editing of the manuscript.
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Costa, A., Graça, J., Barbosa, I. et al. Effect of climate on cork-ring width and density of Quercus suber L. in Southern Portugal. Trees 36, 1711–1720 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-022-02321-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-022-02321-0