Studying the Effect of Precipitation Changes, Intensity and Frequency of Droughts on Radial Increment of Pinusbrutia Ten. Grown in Heir Brafa Forest – Tartus - Syria

Brutia pine tree grows radially and gives one ring per year, the width of this ring is determined by environmental conditions especially by climatic ones. Dendroclimatology concerns with studying the response of tree rings to climatic conditions. In order to study the radial growth of brutia pine planted 1975 in Heir Brafa, Tartous, Syria.

Studying the Influence of Climatic Factors on Radial Increment of Brutia Pine pinus brutia.Ten Grown in Kfarfo Forest – Tartus - Syria

Dendrochronology methods are used to study the response of tree rings to environmental factors, where tree rings width are strongly influenced by environmental factors especially climatic ones. In order to study tree rings of brutia pine in Kfarfo forest – Tartus, 12 dominant trees were selected, using increment drill two perpendicular core samples at breast height from each tree were extracted. After treatment, the core samples were cross dated. Tree-rings widths were measured to the nearest 0.01 mm. Consequently, a series of 31 tree rings covering the period 1983-2013 was obtained. Results showed that, tree rings of the years: 1998-1999, 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 were clearly narrow; while rings of the years: 1985-1986, 1991-1992, and 2002-2003 were obviously wide. Whereas, rings of the years: 1986-1987, 1994-1995, 1996 and 1997 were absent. Finally, results reveal that, as precipitation decreased corresponding with temperature increase in the growing season; narrow rings were recorded. While, increasing winter precipitation corresponding with temperature decrease leaded to increase in ring width.