[Effects of warming on radial growth of Picea crassifolia in the eastern Qilian Mountains, China]

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2021 Oct;32(10):3576-3584. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202110.019.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Tree-rings of Picea crassifolia from high (3000 m), middle (2750 m) and low (2500 m) altitudes were collected from the Xiying River basin in the eastern Qilian Mountains, with the standard chronology being established using dendrochronological methods. Results of the correlation analysis between tree-ring width index and temperature and precipitation during different periods showed that radial growth of P. crassifolia at different altitudes responded differently to climate warming in the eastern Qilian Mountains. Water and heat availability were the main limiting factors for the radial growth of P. crassifolia in the eastern part of Qilian Mountains. The growth limiting factors at different altitudes were generally the same. Before the prominent warming (1961-1986), radial growth of P. crassifolia at the three sampling altitudes was significantly negatively correlated with mean maximum temperature in July-August of the previous year and August of the current year, and significantly positively correlated with the relative humidity in June of the current year. After the prominent warming period (1986-2014), tree growth at high, middle, and low altitudes remained significantly negatively correlated with air temperature, changed from non-significantly negative to significantly positive correlation with relative humidity in February of the current year, and changed from significantly positive to non-significantly negative correlation with precipitation and relative humidity in June. Warming caused a slowing growth of P. crassifolia tree-ring at all altitudes, with the highest altitude being the most sensitive. Drought stress caused by climate warming might be the main reason for the changes of radial growth of P. crassifolia.

在祁连山东部西营河流域不同海拔采集年轮样品,利用树木年代学方法建立高海拔(3000 m)、中海拔(2750 m)、低海拔(2500 m)青海云杉标准化年表,将年轮宽度指数与不同时段气温和降水分别进行相关分析,研究祁连山东部不同海拔青海云杉径向生长对气候变暖的响应。结果表明: 水热是祁连山东部青海云杉径向生长的主要限制因子,不同海拔树木的生长限制因子基本一致。在显著升温之前(1961—1986年),低、中、高海拔3个样点的青海云杉径向生长均与上一年7—8月和当年8月平均最高温呈显著负相关,与当年6月相对湿度呈显著正相关。显著升温之后(1986—2014年),高、中、低海拔树木生长与气温仍呈显著负相关,而与当年2月的相对湿度由升温前的不显著负相关转为显著正相关,与6月降水和相对湿度由升温前的显著正相关转为不显著的负相关。升温导致祁连山东部各海拔青海云杉树轮生长变慢,其中高海拔所受影响最大。气候变暖导致的干旱胁迫可能是青海云杉径向生长发生变化的主要原因。.

Keywords: Picea crassifolia; Qilian Mountains; altitude; climate warming; tree ring.

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • China
  • Climate
  • Picea*
  • Trees