Dendroclimatic reconstruction of summer temperatures in Southern Carpathians

Abstract

A significant summer temperature warming trend and little or no change in precipitation variation have been observed in the southern part of the Carpathians after 1980. In this paper we seek to find similar past climatic conditions using a dendroclimatic reconstruction of summer temperatures. Regional dendroclimatic reconstruction has been conducted in four different massifs (Bucegi, Piatra Craiului, Făgăraş and Parâng Massifs) belonging to the Southern Carpathians. The four sampling sites are located nearby the upper timberline, the forest stands being here dominated by Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L) Karst). A tree-ring width (TRW) chronology of P. abies has been used here to reconstruct summer temperatures back to the end of 19^th century. Results indicate that during the considered period, the decadal periods characterized by cold summers alternate with those with warm summer temperatures