Divergent Seasonal Patterns of Qinghai Spruce Growth with Elevation in Northwestern China

编号 010033501

推送时间 20220321

研究领域 森林生态 

年份 2022 

类型 期刊 

语种 英语

标题 Divergent Seasonal Patterns of Qinghai Spruce Growth with Elevation in Northwestern China

来源期刊 forest

期 第335期

发表时间 20220226

关键词 Picea crassifolia;  tree growth;  seasonal pattern;  environmental factors;  elevation gradient; 

摘要 Dryland montane forests are important agents for soil and water resource conservation. The growth of these forests under climate warming is strongly affected by local environmental factors. However, how environmental factors impact intra-annual stem growth dynamics across environmental gradients in these regions remains unclear. This work focused on assessing seasonal patterns of stem growth across different elevations and how environmental factors impact stem growth in the Qilian Mountains, northwestern China. The stem growth of 50 Qinghai spruce trees was monitored for two years across an elevation gradient from 2500 m to 3300 m above sea level (a.s.l.). We found that growth initiation occurred later as the elevation increased, and growth commenced when elevation-specific temperature thresholds were reached. However, growth cessation presented large elevational differences: cessation occurred much earlier at low elevations (2500 m and 2700 m a.s.l.). Exceptionally early growth cessation occurred predominantly at 2700 m a.s.l., which was correlated with seasonal drought/insufficient rainfall and low soil moisture occurring since mid-July 2015. Temperature and soil moisture were the key factors governing the daily rate of stem growth in the beginning, rapid growth, and end stages. Overall, due to effects of seasonal drought and low temperature on growth cessation and growth rate, the annual growth of Qinghai spruce was rather low at both low (2500–2700 m a.s.l.) and high (3100–3300 m a.s.l.) elevations; middle elevations (approximately 2900 m a.s.l.) might be the most favorable Qinghai spruce growth. Our results implied that tree growth will likely decline at low elevations and that the optimal elevation for Qinghai spruce growth in northwestern China is expected to shift upward under future climate warming. View Full-Text

服务人员 王璐

服务院士 蒋有绪

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