Abstract. This paper describes the complex relationships between climate variables, normalized
difference vegetation index (NDVI) and annual tree growth patterns in Samur Yalama National Park
in Azerbaijan. Using dendrochronology, Landsat remote sensing imagery, and statistical analysis,
the study examines the growth dynamics of English oak (Quercus robur subsp. pedunculiflora) and
chestnut oak (Quercus castaneifolia). Methodologically, tree-ring width orders were analysed, utilizing
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation studies to discern the complex
associations between climate factors (temperature, precipitation) and annual radial growth. The
investigation also explored the linkages between NDVI and the radial growth of selected tree species
in response to varying climatic conditions. Findings revealed distinct temperature-growth correlations
across specific months, with positive associations in colder months stimulating growth and
inverse relationships during warmer periods indicating differing growth responses. Precipitation
analysis identified positive correlations during warmer months stimulating tree growth, contrasting
with negative associations in transitional periods. Integration of NDVI data with tree-ring width
indices uncovered subtle yet significant relationships, emphasizing NDVI’s potential as a vegetation
response indicator to climatic shifts. This study provides comprehensive insights into the profound
impact of climate fluctuations and NDVI on tree growth dynamics, contributing to a foundational
understanding of ecosystem resilience in Samur-Yalama National Park.

INTERCONNECTIONS OF CLIMATE, VEGETATION INDEX, AND TREE GROWTH: INSIGHTS INTO SAMUR-YALAMA NATIONAL PARK, AZERBAIJAN

JOURNAL ARTICLE published 2023 in Acta Botanica Caucasica

https://doi.org/10.30546/abc.2023.2.1.21.