Pollarded forests of narrow-leaved ash trees constitute silvopastoral systems of important cultural and environmental interest and configure landscapes with great conservation values in Central Spain. In a recent study, we reconstructed the historical patterns of pruning management since the 18th century by identifying sudden growth changes and anatomical markers through dendrochronological analysis. Tree-ring growth revealed […]
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Can large-scale climatic patterns serve to predict tree growth in pine species? Insights from the rear edge
It was during the XV century when Leonardo da Vinci (1452 — 1519) mentioned that “trees form rings annually and their thickness is determined by the conditions under which they grew”. Since then, the relationship between climate and tree growth is a matter of great interest for dendrochronologists. Most attention has been focused on the […]
The late-medieval demographic crisis induced a widespread rewilding in Mediterranean mountain forests
Subalpine ecosystems are natural laboratories to study the evolution of global warming, since their dynamics are particularly sensitive to temperature changes. However, the alpine and subalpine environments also count on a long history of human use. In a recent study, we analysed the contribution of climate-human interactions to historical forest recruitment dynamics. In this new […]
Discovering missing parts in an island ecosystem
Canary Islands are not only one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. These subtropical islands also harbor a rich biodiversity, with astonishing ecosystem variety from barren deserts to lush subtropical forests. This diversity is very fragile and sensitive to the impact of invasive species, climate changes and human pressure. We have worked […]
