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

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.