Quercus pubescens is one of the dominant native tree species in the Karst region, which is characterized by rather harsh winters and frequent dry and hot summer drought periods that greatly impact the functioning of plants and the ecosystem. Because of its plasticity of radial growth patterns, the pubescent oak is ecologically important as it grows in forests that prevent degradation of vulnerable, shallow and erosion-prone soil. For that reason we investigate various mechanisms and adaptations that allows Q. pubescens to survive droughts events which will become more frequent and severe as predicted from climate change models.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4968614