Fourteen local tree-ring chronologies of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) from different sites in Slovenia, elevations 300-1,415 m a.s.l., were constructed. Basic statistics of the chronologies (raw, standard and residual), climatic influence on tree growth, and growth variability among the sites are presented in the article. Dendroclimatological analysis showed that summer (particularly June) temperatures have negative and precipitation positive effect on tree-ring widths of beech on eleven sites in central, SE and SW Slovenia. The beech from highly elevated site in the Julian Alps above Tolmin (elevation 1200-1,450 m) showed positive response to summer temperatures. The whole variability in studied beech chronologies can be resumed in three sources of variation (principal components - PC): (PC_1) response of trees to June climate, (PC_2) altitude, and (PC_3) biogeographical differences.
|