Croissance radiale du chêne-liège et climat en Tunisie
Author(s)	Ennajah A, Guibal F, Hanchi B, Mouillot F, Garchi S
Year	2010
Journal	Sécheresse
Volume	21 (1) : 34-41
Languages	French
Study area	Tunisia
Species	Quercus suber L.
Components	1
Pilot Sites	Barbara, Chréa, Maamora, Siliana
Keywords	Climate; Cork oak; Dendrochronology; Forestry; Growth; Tunisia
Abstract	Cork oak (Quercus suber) stands represent most of the forest areas in northwest Tunisia. The preservation of these forests, constantly degraded for several years, constitutes an outstanding ecological issue. Dendrochronological study of five cork oak populations in western Tunisia aims at identifying climate parameters which influence cork oak radial growth. Cross-dating of tree-ring series is made difficult by the high number of scars caused by cork removal. Ring width to climate relations are therefore analysed by means of statistical model (response function) highlighting the acute sensitivity of cork oak to climate effects. Wide variability appears in the relationships between different cork oak populations and the climate. Precipitation is of major importance during the period preceding the growing season and varies according to the site. Temperatures play a minor role even for elevated sites. Moving response function profiles indicate an increased reaction to precipitation in the late 20th century.