Distribution of Cd and Zn in annual xylem rings of young spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] grown in contaminated soil

Concentrations and total amounts of Cd and Zn in individual annual xylem increments of 5-year-old spruce trees (Picea abies) were investigated after one growing season in contaminated soils. The plants had been potted in soils amended with different concentrations of Cd and Zn and kept in open air conditions. In the outer xylem rings formed during the treatment period lowest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found. In inner rings concentrations of both elements increased and were highest at the pith. Total amounts of both elements showed reversed distribution patterns with highest values in the outermost rings. The observed increase of total dry matter of the rings from pith towards the outer rings was stronger than the parallel increase in total element amounts in the rings. Thus, concentrations dropped in younger rings. The time of the soil contamination event cannot be inferred from element concentrations in annual rings. The results challenge the concept of monitoring historical trends in trace element pollution using analytical data of tree rings of conifers.     

Investigating the potential for Southern Hemisphere climate reconstruction using stable isotopes in Tasmanian tree rings

Few annually dated stable isotope records exist across Oceania. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios have the potential to enhance climate reconstructions currently reliant on tree ring width chronologies. The purpose of this study is to explore the sources of variability in a stable oxygen isotope chronology derived from A. selaginoides from Mount Read, Tasmania. This high elevation site receives abundant rainfall throughout the year and is ∼130 km from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) site at Cape Grim. We crossdated 10 new tree core samples against an existing ring width chronology (954–2011 CE) and analyzed the δ¹⁸O from the individual rings for the period 1960–2018. Using high resolution (0.25 degrees) climate data and ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis data, we disentangled the effects of local climate and source region on the isotopic signatures recorded in the annual rings. In addition, we used HYSPLIT backward trajectory analysis to characterize the source region of precipitation to Mount Read and whether the source region has influence over the δ¹⁸O_TR series. Median δ¹⁸O_TR (n = 10) is correlated with local temperature and vapor pressure deficit in the early growing season. In addition, spatial correlations reveal that median δ¹⁸O_TR is positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with precipitation in the source region. However, measurements of δ¹⁸O_TR exhibit high inter-tree variation, particularly between 1960 and 1990. Our results indicate that this δ¹⁸O_TR proxy may provide additional information about past moisture conditions during the growing season, potentially contributing to more robust reconstructions of the Southern Hemisphere climate dynamics; however, additional sampling may be necessary to resolve inter-tree variation in δ¹⁸O_TR.     

运用油松年轮提示承德市硫及重金属污染的历史

本文利用油松年轮研究了承德市自1800年以来大气污染的历史过程,结果表明：避暑山庄油松年轮内S含量自本世纪初开始升高,比19世纪初增加1—2倍,至70—80年代达3—5倍,而在最近8—10年则达到10倍以上。 其中碧峰门古松木质部年轮内S含量由40—50μg·g-1达到目前的572.9μg·g-1,从而指示出承德市大气SO2浓度由城市化初期的<0.1 mg·m-3增加到目前的30mg·m-3,这一历史过程主要与城市化过程尤其是近50年来工业化的出现并加剧有密切的关系。随着1927—1945年大庙铁矿的开采,年轮内Fe明显增高。Mn在整个历史时期表现为增加趋势,由1840—1850年的4.1μg·g-1增加到1980—1990年的10.4μg·g-1。Pb在1980年前的含量增加不明显,但在最近10年内形成的木质部中,Pb含量明显增加,超过1920—1930年的560%。Cu、Zn、Ni含量的变化不表现线性增加,除个别点的某些时期变化较大外,基本上很平缓。19世纪初油松年轮内S及重金属含量最低,可视为油松内元素自然背景值,与该值比较,1980—1990年这10年内年轮S含量增加了10倍,Fe,2.4倍;Pb,1.8倍;Mn,1.5倍;Ni,1.0倍;Zn,0.8倍。 日益加剧的大气污染尤其是SO2的污染,造成承德市大气质量严重下降,同时危及古松的生存,造成古松大量死亡,必须引起高度重视。     

Developing tree-ring chronologies from New Zealand matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia) and miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea) for archaeological dating: Progress and problems

This paper describes attempts to develop tree-ring chronologies from New Zealand matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia) and miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea). These tree species have been recovered from Māori archaeological contexts, including as objects such as canoes and palisade posts. Dendrochronology offers the potential to establish accurate and precise calendar dates for wooden objects but relies on cultural use of species that are also suitable for tree-ring analysis, and the availability of calendar-dated reference chronologies for crossdating wood of unknown age. We used archived cross-section and core samples from seven sites in central North Island, and nineteen core samples collected in 2019 from matai and miro trees at Pureora Forest Park for our analysis. Some of these samples came from long lived trees, with ring counts indicating ages up to 800 years old. We found that both matai and miro exhibit considerable variability in ring clarity and ring width. They also have ring anomalies affecting the reliability of ring-width series. Miro was very challenging, and no tree sequences were built for this species. Tree-ring sequences were built for several matai samples but no secure inter-tree matches were identified. Further analysis of matai samples is required to establish reliable tree ring patterns for inter-tree and inter-site crossmatching.     

Application of Dendrochronological and Dendrochemical Methods for Dating Contamination Events of the Saint-François and Massawippi Riverbanks (Québec,Canada)

Soils contaminated with hydrocarbons and others contaminants (heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs) were recently discovered in the banks of the Saint-François and Massawippi rivers. The aim of this study is to attempt to date the contamination events using dendrochronological and dendrochemical methods. For this study, dendrochronology is used to indicate the age of trees, identify the morphological growth anomalies, and provide the geochemical profile timeframe, with dendrochemistry used specifically to identify metal element concentrations in the growth rings of the selected specimens. Sampling for the two types of analysis was done on the banks of the Saint-François River in Windsor and Richmond, where the level of hydrocarbon contamination in the soil profiles is among the highest. Core samples were taken from three red ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) and dendrochemical analyses were done on the tree rings (191 samples). Dendrochemistry was successfully used to determine that there were heavy metals in the rings, and also to estimate the date of the contamination events by using tree-ring wood. Several contamination events were identified through the presence of lead and other metal trace elements (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in the xylem of the trees analyzed at the selected sites. This suggests that various contaminants were transported by the river on several occasions and deposited on floodplains during successive floods. The atmospheric fallout must also be considered as the other source of pollutants recorded in the trees.     

Variation in stem radial growth of the Australian conifer, Callitris columellaris, across the world’s driest and least fertile vegetated continent

Climate change could alter the biogeography of many tree species. However, there have been few studies of tree growth across climatic gradients at a continental scale. Callitris columellaris is a widespread conifer that spans many climates and landscape positions across Australia. Our aim was to determine how stem radial growth of C. columellaris varies with tree size and with the biogeographic factors of rainfall, temperature, soil fertility and inter-tree competition. We sampled cores from trees at 85 sites in biomes ranging from tropical savanna to arid desert and temperate forest, and measured widths of the 100 outermost growth rings. We analysed ring width in relation to changes in tree age and diameter, and also evaluated the influence of the biogeographic factors on the width of the ten most recently formed rings. The average width of outermost rings varied only slightly with stem diameter, because the decrease in ring width with age and diameter within trees is offset by an increase with diameter among trees. Our analyses thus explain the weak, inconsistent relationships often observed between stem diameter and growth rate amongst trees. The most important biogeographic factors were the climatic ones: across Australia, ring width increased with both mean annual rainfall and mean annual temperature. These relationships were largely driven by continental scale differences between the tropical and the southern (arid plus temperate) sites, while relationships within climate zones were comparatively weak. Ring width decreased with intense inter-tree competition but showed little correlation with available soil nitrogen or phosphorus.     

��13C signature of tree rings and radial increment of Fagus sylvatica trees as dependent on tree neighborhood and climate

We conducted dendroecological analyses in 80-year-long tree ring chronologies to detect neighborhood effects (competition intensity, species identity) on the δ¹³C signature of tree rings and radial stem increment of Fagus sylvatica trees growing either in monospecific or mixed patches of a temperate forest. We hypothesized that tree ring δ¹³C is a more sensitive indicator of neighborhood effects and the impact of climate variability on growth than is ring width. We found a closer correlation of summer precipitation to δ¹³C than to ring width. While the ring width showed a decline over the test period (1926–2005), the mean curve of δ¹³C increased until the mid of the 1970s, remained high until about 1990, and markedly decreased thereafter. Possible explanations related to ontogeny and environmental change (‘age effect’ due to canopy closure; elevated atmospheric SO₂ concentrations in the 1960s–1980s) are discussed. Beech target trees surrounded by many allospecific trees had a significantly lower mean δ¹³C in the period 1926–1975 than beech with predominantly or exclusively conspecific neighborhood, possibly indicating a more favorable water supply of beech in diverse stands. Contrary to expectation, trees subject to more intense competition by neighboring trees (measured by Hegyi’s competition index) had lower δ¹³C values in their tree rings, which is thought to reflect denser canopies being linked to increased shading. We conclude that tree ring δ¹³C time series represent combined archives of climate variability, stand history and neighborhood effects on tree physiology and growth that may add valuable information to that obtained from conventional tree ring analysis.     

Can elemental composition data of crop leaves be used to estimate radionuclide transfer to tree leaves?

Estimation of radionuclide concentrations in trees may be required to estimate their radiation exposure. However, concentration ratios of radionuclides from soil to tree species are limited for many radionuclide-tree combinations. To fill this gap, it is investigated in the present paper whether stable element concentration data for leafy vegetables are representative of those for wild tree leaves, and consequently, if these stable element data for leafy vegetables can be used as analogues to describe radionuclides transfer from soil to trees. Data for stable elements in leafy vegetables collected in Japan were compared with those in leaves of about 20 tree species worldwide. The correlation coefficients of element concentrations between leafy vegetables and tree leaves were higher than 0.90 with p < 0.001 by Student’s t test, and geometric means of concentration data for most elements were within the range of data for leafy vegetables. Thus, transfer parameters derived from stable element data for leafy vegetables could generally be used to estimate concentrations in tree leaves if data for the latter are not available. However, some trees accumulate a few elements (e.g., Al, Co, Mn and Si) in their leaves to higher concentrations than observed for leafy vegetables.     

Changes in wood and foliar δ13C in sugar maple at Gatineau Park,Quebec, Canada

Leaf samples and tree rings formed between the mid‐1960s and mid‐1990s from sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) at Gatineau Park (45°30′ N, 75°54′ W), Quebec were analysed for δ¹³C. Leaf samples were collected at ground level (1–2 m above ground) at monthly intervals during the summer, whereas tree cores were extracted from the largest trees (d.b.h. > 30 cm) in the young deciduous forest in August 1998. Significant linear decreases in δ¹³C over time were found in foliage and tree rings, but the decrease in δ¹³C was significantly greater in foliage than in the wood. The apparent isotopic discrimination (Δ) of tree rings varied insignificantly around a mean of 18‰, whereas foliar Δ increased significantly from 19‰ in the 1960s to around 23‰ by the mid 1990s, likely as a result of an increasing canopy effect as the forest matured. Using models of carbon discrimination and Δ‐values of the tree rings, we calculate that the intrinsic water use efficiency of mature sugar maple has increased by approximately 4% over the study period.     

Structural heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation in a natural mature Pinus sylvestris dominated forest

The tree species composition, vertical stratification and patterns of spatial autocorrelation at the tree and quadrate (25 × 25 m) scales were studied in a natural mature PinuS sylvestris dominated forest in eastern Finland. For the analyses we mapped the locations and dimensions of trees taller than 10 m in a 9 ha (300 × 300 m) area, and within this area we mapped all trees taller than 0.3 m on a core plot of 4 ha (200 × 200 m). The overall tree size distribution was bimodal. the dominant layer and the understory forming the peak frequencies. Pinus sylvestris dominated the main canopy, together with scattered Betula pendula and Picea abies. Alnus incana, Populus tremula, Salix caprea, Sorbus aucuparia and Juniperus communis occurred only in the under- and middlestories. Autocorrelation analysis (semivarianee) of tree size variation revealed spatial patterns, which were strongly dependent on the size of trees included in the analysis. When all living trees, including the understory regeneration, were taken into account, the autocorrelation pattern ranged up to 35 m inter-tree distances, reflecting the spatial scale of understory regeneration patches. Competitive interaction among middle- and upperstory trees (height>10 m) had contrasting effects on autocorrelation pattern depending on spatial scale. At the fine scale, dominant trees suppressed their smaller close neighbors (asymmetric competition), which was shown as increased tree size variation at small inter-tree distances (<2 m). At slightly larger inter-tree distances, specifically among large trees of similar size, competition was more symmetrical, which resulted in decreased tree size variation at these inter-tree distances (3–4 m). This effect was seen most clearly in the dominant trees, there being a clear autocorrelation pattern in tree size up to inter-tree distances of ～4 m. At the quadrate scale (25 × 25 m) the analysis revealed high local variation in structural characteristics such as tree height diversity (THD), tree species diversity (H) and autocorrelation of tree height. The analysis suggests that naturally developed P. sylvestris forests exhibit complex small-scale patterns of structural heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation in tree size. These patterns may be important for stand-scale habitat diversity and can have aggregated effects on ecosystem dynamics at larger spatial scales though their influence on the spread of disturbance and regeneration after disturbance.     

Heavy metal contamination of soil and tree-ring in urban forest around highway in Shanghai,China

The heavy metal (HM) pollution of forest soil has been known as one of the most challenging pollution issues due to their characteristics. In order to know the HM pollution condition in urban forest, identify the possible source of HM, 102 sub-samples of soil in 34 sites and 39 tree rings sub-samples in 7 sites were collected in the outer-ring greenbelt (ORG) in Shanghai, China. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in soil and tree rings were analyzed, and the soil properties pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and organic matter were analyzed too. Geo-accumulation index and potential ecological risk index were used for assessing the contamination level of HMs. Nonparametric tests, one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis were applied. The results showed that: (1) concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd in soil were significantly higher than their corresponding background values of Shanghai (BVs); concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb in tree rings increased gradually in the past 10 years; (2) Zn and Cd were in unpolluted to moderately polluted level, Cd has moderate degree potential ecological risk; (3) vehicle exhausts and abrasion of vehicle parts of tires and historical agricultural activities were the main sources of HM contamination; (4) Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. has the potential to reconstruct the change of Cu, Zn, and Pb as a bioindicator. In conclusion, Cd should be considered as a priority control component. The relationship between plant and soil should take further focus and more studies of the behavior of HMs in soil and plants are required.     

Does the trace element composition of brown trout Salmo trutta eggs remain unchanged in spawning redds?

The temporal stability of trace element concentrations in fertilized, artificially incubated anadromous brown trout Salmo trutta eggs and newly hatched fry was investigated. The anadromous status of the parental fish was confirmed using strontium isotopic analysis of otoliths. Whilst manganese concentrations in eggs varied over time, concentrations of aluminium, potassium, magnesium, strontium, barium and calcium were all unchanged 1 week and 6 weeks post‐fertilization as well as in recently hatched larvae. The results clearly suggest that the distinctive trace element signature present in the eggs and newly hatched larvae of anadromous S. trutta (typically characterized by high strontium, low barium) is stable over time. Therefore analysis of the trace element composition of eggs is concluded to be a cost‐effective and reliable method for determining the spatial and temporal extent of upstream spawning migration by anadromous salmonids. The temporal variability of at least one element in this study suggests the stability of untested multi‐element signatures cannot automatically be assumed.     

Trace element contamination in feather and tissue samples from Anna’s hummingbirds

Trace element contamination (17 elements; Be, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Ba, Hg, Tl, and Pb) of live (feather samples only) and deceased (feather and tissue samples) Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna) was evaluated. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS; 17 elements) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Hg only). Mean plus one standard deviation (SD) was considered the benchmark, and concentrations above the mean + 1 SD were considered elevated above normal. Contour feathers were sampled from live birds of varying age, sex, and California locations. In order to reduce thermal impacts, minimal feathers were taken from live birds, therefore a novel method was developed for preparation of low mass feather samples for ICP-MS analysis. The study found that the novel feather preparation method enabled small mass feather samples to be analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS. For feather samples from live birds, all trace elements, with the exception of beryllium, had concentrations above the mean + 1 SD. Important risk factors for elevated trace element concentrations in feathers of live birds were age for iron, zinc, and arsenic, and location for iron, manganese, zinc, and selenium. For samples from deceased birds, ICP-MS results from body and tail feathers were correlated for Fe, Zn, and Pb, and feather concentrations were correlated with renal (Fe, Zn, Pb) or hepatic (Hg) tissue concentrations. Results for AA spectrophotometry analyzed samples from deceased birds further supported the ICP-MS findings where a strong correlation between mercury concentrations in feather and tissue (pectoral muscle) samples was found. These study results support that sampling feathers from live free-ranging hummingbirds might be a useful, non-lethal sampling method for evaluating trace element exposure and provides a sampling alternative since their small body size limits traditional sampling of blood and tissues. The results from this study provide a benchmark for the distribution of trace element concentrations in feather and tissue samples from hummingbirds and suggests a reference mark for exceeding normal. Lastly, pollinating avian species are minimally represented in the literature as bioindicators for environmental trace element contamination. Given that trace elements can move through food chains by a variety of routes, our study indicates that hummingbirds are possible bioindicators of environmental trace element contamination.     

The history of pollution elements in Zhengzhou,China recorded by tree rings

Several tree ring samples in Zhengzhou, China, were collected to research the pollution elements variation history and the application of dendrochemistry in urban environmental pollution research. Bark and soil samples were also collected in the study area. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyse the concentrations of pollution elements in Cedrus deodara (Roxb.). The results indicated that the variations in pollution elements concentrations in the tree rings were roughly consistent with the history of the Zhengzhou No. 3 cotton mill (GM3). The autocorrelation coefficients determined for the element concentrations indicated that Zn and Pb were translocated within tree rings to a certain degree, especially Zn, and that Cu was not translocated within tree rings. We also found that the accumulation of Pb in the bark was extremely high, which indicated that trees are prone to Pb absorption from the atmosphere, not soil. This research reveals the history of different pollution elements in the environment and demonstrates that dendrochemical methods represent an effective component in an environmental monitoring programme.     

Assessing temporal and spatial trends in estuarine nutrient dynamics using a multi-species stable isotope approach

Coastal urbanisation can alter estuarine nutrient dynamics through the input of point-source and diffuse pollutants, and nutrient concentrations can be highly influenced by seasonal and episodic rainfall and river flow. Understanding of both the spatial and temporal variability of nutrient dynamics is therefore critical to managing these estuaries. This can be achieved by periodically analysing the stable isotopes a range of aquatic taxa with variable nutrient turnover rates, mobility and distribution within the estuary. In two subtropical urban estuaries with different land use patterns, we analysed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of phytoplankton, shrimp, prawns and fish at various proximities to pollution sources in dry and wet seasons. The fast nutrient turnover rates and ubiquity of phytoplankton in the estuary resulted in stable isotopes varying over fine-scale spatial scales, particularly in relation to proximity to point-source pollution. The slower nutrient turnover rates and localised habitat use of prawns, resulted in stable isotopes varying over larger spatial (between pollution sources) and temporal (seasonal) scales. The much slower nutrient turnover rates and high mobility throughout the estuary of fish resulted in stable isotopes varying over very large-scale spatial scales (between estuaries). These results illustrate a wide range of spatial and temporal changes to estuarine nutrient dynamics in subtropical urban estuaries in relation to rainfall conditions and nutrient inputs. This research also highlights the application of stable isotopes in assessing estuarine trophodynamics, and provides direction on the types of organisms that should be used to assess different spatial and temporal trends.     

Deciduous tree leaves in trace elements biomonitoring: A contribution to methodology

Air quality biomonitoring using plant leaves has been widely applied to assess the effects of atmospheric pollution. Although practiced for many years, it has not given completely satisfactory data, due to different and even opposing results. This study comprises an investigation on the content of some trace elements (Al, As, Ba, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Pb) in leaves of four tree species common for the urban area of Belgrade (Serbia). The assay took place in July 2009 when the selected trees (Acer platanoides, Aesculus hippocastanum, Betula pendula, Tilia cordata) were in the maximum of physiological activity during the vegetation season. Among the investigated species, leaves of A. platanoides contained the highest concentrations of the measured elements. The assumption that a large green area in the Belgrade city periphery would be a suitable control site appeared to be disputable due to the substantial load of the elements obtained in the leaves. It was shown that even a short rinse with bidistilled water (3–5 s), applied twice to the leaves prior to chemical analysis, led to a significant decrease of some element concentrations (most pronounced for Al, Fe and Pb in all species, but also evident for Cu, Cr, Co and Zn for some of them). However, by washing leaves, the representativeness of leaf samples per studied site could be improved due to removal of some superficial loosely adhered impurities and so diminished large variability of element concentrations among leaf subsamples providing more representative information on the element content in leaves per site, and the area, respectively.     

Discrete versus continuous analysis of anatomical and δ13C variability in tree rings with intra-annual density fluctuations

Intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) are anomalies of tree rings where wood density is abruptly altered after sudden changes in environmental conditions. Their characterisation can provide information about the relationship between environmental factors and eco-physiological processes during tree growth. This paper reports about the variability of anatomical traits and stable carbon isotopic composition along tree rings as resulting from the application of two different methodological approaches: (a) the separation of each ring into different regions (earlywood, latewood and IADF) and the comparison of anatomical and isotopic parameters measured in those specific sectors and (b) the analysis of such features in continuum along ring width. Moreover, different parameters of vessels (i.e. ecd—equivalent circle diameter, elongation, sphericity and convexity of vessel lumen) were considered to identify those more appropriate for the representation of intra-annual anatomical variations. The analysis was conducted on Arbutus unedo L. growing on the Elba Island (Italy); tree rings of this species form IADFs with features clearly responsive to the environmental conditions experienced during plant growth. Results showed that the first approach, although more suitable to obtain data for subsequent statistical comparisons and for the calculation of correlations with environmental parameters, suffers from elements of subjectivity due to the size and position of the selected tree-ring regions. The in continuum method allows a clearer identification of the variation of tree-ring properties along ring width. Regarding anatomical parameters, shape indexes were not suitable indicators of intra-annual variability. The overall analysis suggested that using both methodologies in synergy helps to gain complete information and avoid misleading interpretations of IADFs in tree rings.     

Temporal population variability in local forest communities has mixed effects on tree species richness across a latitudinal gradient

Among the local processes that determine species diversity in ecological communities, fluctuation‐dependent mechanisms that are mediated by temporal variability in the abundances of species populations have received significant attention. Higher temporal variability in the abundances of species populations can increase the strength of temporal niche partitioning but can also increase the risk of species extinctions, such that the net effect on species coexistence is not clear. We quantified this temporal population variability for tree species in 21 large forest plots and found much greater variability for higher latitude plots with fewer tree species. A fitted mechanistic model showed that among the forest plots, the net effect of temporal population variability on tree species coexistence was usually negative, but sometimes positive or negligible. Therefore, our results suggest that temporal variability in the abundances of species populations has no clear negative or positive contribution to the latitudinal gradient in tree species richness.     

Are there seasonal variations of trace element concentrations (Cd,Pb, Zn) in wood of Fagus trees in Germany?

Concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were determined in stem wood of beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) from 3 sites in northern Germany. Distinct radial distribution patterns of the elements were observed in the xylem. Concentrations of Cd and Pb increased from the youngest, outermost annual rings towards the center of the stem. With Zn intermediate concentrations were observed in the sapwood and higher levels at the center of the stem.Temporal and spatial stability of such distribution patterns in the trunks was investigated. Wood samples taken from the same individual tree in different months of the year were analysed. Marked seasonal variations of mineral concentrations were observed. Also the shape of the distribution patterns of the elements varied with the season. Such variations were larger than those observed with samples taken simultaneously from different sides of the trunk. Furthermore, Pb concentrations in the stem showed variations with height above ground.The results indicate, that radial distribution patterns of Cd, Pb and Zn in xylem rings of beech are not stable. Biomonitoring trace element pollution levels by analysis of beech wood is, thus, questionable. To obtain a reliable historical record of pollution from tree rings, the distribution patterns should be stable over a long period of time. This basic requirement of the dendroanalytical method does not hold for the examined beech. Still, with other tree species and under more favourable conditions the dendroanalytical biomonitoring method may prove valuable.Presented as symposium paper at the V International Congress of Ecology, Yokohama, August 23–30, 1990.     

A tree-ring perspective on the terrestrial carbon cycle

Tree-ring records can provide valuable information to advance our understanding of contemporary terrestrial carbon cycling and to reconstruct key metrics in the decades preceding monitoring data. The growing use of tree rings in carbon-cycle research is being facilitated by increasing recognition of reciprocal benefits among research communities. Yet, basic questions persist regarding what tree rings represent at the ecosystem level, how to optimally integrate them with other data streams, and what related challenges need to be overcome. It is also apparent that considerable unexplored potential exists for tree rings to refine assessments of terrestrial carbon cycling across a range of temporal and spatial domains. Here, we summarize recent advances and highlight promising paths of investigation with respect to (1) growth phenology, (2) forest productivity trends and variability, (3) CO₂ fertilization and water-use efficiency, (4) forest disturbances, and (5) comparisons between observational and computational forest productivity estimates. We encourage the integration of tree-ring data: with eddy-covariance measurements to investigate carbon allocation patterns and water-use efficiency; with remotely sensed observations to distinguish the timing of cambial growth and leaf phenology; and with forest inventories to develop continuous, annually-resolved and long-term carbon budgets. In addition, we note the potential of tree-ring records and derivatives thereof to help evaluate the performance of earth system models regarding the simulated magnitude and dynamics of forest carbon uptake, and inform these models about growth responses to (non-)climatic drivers. Such efforts are expected to improve our understanding of forest carbon cycling and place current developments into a long-term perspective.