We investigated tree growth in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations at Ansai in Shaanxi Province and at Ji-xian in Shanxi Province by comparing the tree-ring width, basal area increase (BAI), δ13C value, intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), and stomatal regulation. We quantified the responses of tree growth and iWUE to climatic factors at each site. The tree-ring width at Ansai and Jixian decreased with stand age, whereas the BAI at Ansai increased, and that at Jixian decreased after the BAI peaked. The δ13C value and iWUE of trees at Jixian were higher than those at Ansai. The iWUE of trees at both sites was similar to the constant intercellular CO2 concentration/atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca) scenario, indicating that the Ci of trees was elevated with increasing Ca, while the stomata remained open. The BAI at Ansai was significantly positively correlated with highest temperature in May, relative humidity in June, precipitation in August, relative humidity in September, and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) in September and October of current year, but negatively correlated with temperature in June. The BAI at Jixian was significantly positively correlated with SPEI in June and July, and lowest temperature in October of current year. The iWUE of trees at Ansai was significantly positively correlated with relative humidity and precipitation in June of the current year, but negatively correlated with minimum temperature in May, relative humidity in June, and temperature and maximum temperature in July of current year. A significant positive correlation between iWUE of trees at Jixian and lowest temperature in June of current year was detected. At the annual scale, the BAI of trees at Ansai was positively correlated with precipitation and SPEI, but no significant relationship was observed for trees at Jixian. However, the iWUE of trees at both sites was significantly affected by precipitation. Path analysis showed that SPEI and minimum temperature had a direct effect on BAI and iWUE of trees at Ansai, whereas precipitation and average temperature indirectly affected BAI and iWUE through SPEI. The highest temperature had a direct effect on tree growth at Jixian, whereas precipitation, minimum temperature, and average temperature had direct effects on iWUE. These results suggested that SPEI was the main climatic factor that affected the growth of R. pseudoacacia, while Ci was an important physiological factor. Our results could provide reference for the protection and management of R. pseudoacacia plantations under climate change.
本研究调查了陕西安塞和山西吉县刺槐人工林生长状况,比较了刺槐年轮宽度、胸高断面积增量(BAI)、δ13C、内在水分利用效率(iWUE)和气孔调节方面的差异,量化了刺槐生长和内在水分利用效率对气候因子的响应。结果表明: 随林龄增加,安塞和吉县刺槐年际轮宽均呈下降趋势,安塞刺槐BAI呈增加趋势,但吉县刺槐BAI达到峰值后下降。吉县刺槐δ13C和iWUE均高于安塞刺槐,安塞和吉县刺槐的iWUE实测值更偏向于恒定胞间CO2浓度/大气CO2浓度(Ci/Ca)情景,表明刺槐Ci随Ca增加而增加,气孔保持开放。Pearson相关性分析显示,安塞刺槐BAI与5月最高气温、6月相对湿度、8月降水、9月相对湿度和9、10月干旱指数(SPEI)呈显著正相关,与6月气温呈负相关;而吉县刺槐BAI与6、7月SPEI和10月最低气温呈显著正相关。安塞刺槐iWUE与6月相对湿度和降水呈显著正相关,与5月最低气温、6月相对湿度、7月气温、最高气温呈负相关;吉县刺槐iWUE与6月最低气温呈显著正相关。年尺度上,安塞刺槐BAI与降水和SPEI呈显著正相关,吉县刺槐则相关不显著。两地刺槐iWUE均受到降水的显著影响。路径分析结果表明,SPEI和最低气温对安塞刺槐BAI和iWUE有直接效应,降水和均温通过SPEI间接影响BAI和iWUE,最高气温对吉县刺槐生长有直接效应,而降水、最低气温和均温对iWUE有直接效应。量化结果显示,SPEI是影响刺槐生长的主要气候因子,而Ci是重要的生理因子。本研究结果可为气候变化背景下刺槐人工林的保护管理提供参考。.
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