Dendroecologial analysis of Pinus mugo Turra on the Maiella Mountains

Abstract

Only two chronologies have been developed for Pinus mugo Turra. The first, centuries old in length, focuses on the area of the Carpathian mountains (Kolishchuk, 1966); the second, twenty- seven years in length, on the area of the Dolomites. Mast years are not yet demonstrated for the species, at least on the whole of its range and to the point to be a «noice» for the dendrochronological curve. To provide varied dendrochronological information, also concerning mast years, a site chronologie was obteined from the Maiella mountains (Abruzzo-Italy), were the species is present as a tertiary relict. Stepwise multiple regression analysis suggests that annual growth is due primarily to early high spring temperatures. The significative relationship with sun spots until 1944 seems to indicate an ancient good agreement with growth of the Carpathian populations of the species. However site-chronology doesn’t show clear evidence of mast years.