Efeito de ondas de calor no crescimento e desenvolvimento das árvores: uma abordagem sistemática

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize prolonged heat periods in the municipality of Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, located in a humid subtropical climate, using a historical meteorological database from 2007 to 2024, as well as to evaluate the suitability of standard heat wave identification models, systematically review the literature on their effects on tree population dynamics, and discuss potential influences of increasing temperature trends on tree growth. The research was motivated by the global rise in extreme thermal events and the need to understand how such variations affect regional ecosystems. Criteria established by the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were applied, allowing a comparison of methodological sensitivities under subtropical conditions. Results indicated a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves from the 2010s onward, with hourly data providing greater accuracy in detecting short-term variations. Both identification models proved suitable for the regional climate, although differing in sensitivity to shorter or more intense events. The literature review revealed a marked growth in studies addressing heat waves and tree physiology, but also exposed substantial geographic gaps, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions such as South America. Overall, the findings suggest that rising temperatures and the intensification of extreme heat events may affect physiological processes and population dynamics of tree species, reinforcing the need for continuous monitoring, integration of climatic and biological data, and expansion of research to other regions of Paraná and Brazil.