Altitudinal Difference of Growth–Climate Response Models in the Coniferous Forests of Southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China

Autor: Shanshan Xu, Chaogang Zheng, Zhigang Zhang, Zhiyuan Shang, Xinggong Kong, Zhijun Zhao
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Forests, Vol 15, Iss 7, p 1265 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1999-4907
DOI: 10.3390/f15071265
Popis: Characterized as a climatologically sensitive region, the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (STP) is an ideal location for dendrochronological research. Here, five tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies were developed: three for Picea likiangensis along altitudinal gradients from 3600 to 4400 m a.s.l. and two for Sabina saltuaria and Abies squamata from 4200 m a.s.l. Significant differences in the growth rates and age composition of Picea likiangensis were observed at various elevation gradients. The chronology statistics (mean sensitivity, etc.) fluctuated with the elevation gradient. Picea likiangensis showed distinct growth patterns in response to climatic variability along the altitude gradient: the minimum temperature influenced tree growth at lower and middle altitudes, while higher altitudes were affected by precipitation. The radial growth of different tree species growing in the same region is controlled by the same climatic factors. Sabina saltuaria and Abies squamata exhibited similar growth responses to Picea likiangensis. Stand conditions (wind speeds, slope, and elevation) and biotic factors (the depth of root, forest type, tree age, and sensitivity) can partially explain why the ring width–climate relationships change with altitude.
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