Radial Growth Characteristics and Climate on the East and West Banks of the Nestos River, Greece: Vegetation Strategic Management Insights

In Greece, water scarcity is a key factor limiting forest growth, with a strong correlation observed between water availability and tree ring growth in Mediterranean forests. The LIFE-PRIMED project in the Nestos Delta, northeastern Greece, studied tree growth patterns on both riverbanks, noting significant fluctuations towards the east and varying increases towards the west. The drought index revealed a decrease in drought over time, and no clear link between tree growth and drought conditions was found. Severe droughts and dam-induced flooding appear to affect tree growth by altering hydrological patterns. Years of significant decline with notable growth deviations include 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007, and 2017 in the eastern region, and 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2017 in the western region. Significant droughts in 1990, 1993, and 2001 had limited immediate impact but may have affected growth in subsequent years. Further research is needed to understand the impact of climatic conditions and prolonged floods on tree growth to improve management decisions.