贡嗄山海螺沟林线附近峨眉冷杉种群的结构与动态

通过对贡嗄山海螺沟海拔3580m处1.0hm^2峨眉冷杉（Abies fabri Crabi）林的定位调查,分析了峨眉冷杉的个体生长、种群结构与动态、干扰及更新特征。结果表明：1）林线附近的环境胁迫影响了个体的形态发育和高、径生长,但对其更新繁殖无明显影响;2）静态生命表和种群生存曲线反映了20a以前的60-140a分别经历的强烈环境筛选和竞争自疏,以及后期与环境变化相关的死亡率波动,峨眉冷杉寿命极限为400a左右。3）林线种群遭受高频率、小规模的林隙干扰。尽管86.4%的林隙由多木形成,但死亡的峨眉冷杉在枯立为主导致林隙较小;病害、冰雪和死树的打压是林隙形成的重要因素,而风不是这里林线环境的主要自然干扰。4）峨眉冷杉的幼苗表现了相当的耐荫性,尽管其更新依赖林隙的存在,但更新格局存在多尺度的成因。     

贡嘎山雅家埂峨眉冷杉林线种群的时空动态

通过对贡嘎山雅家埂峨眉冷杉种群林线附近6个3000 m2样地(阴阳坡各3个)中峨眉冷杉(Abies fabri Craib)种群的定位调查,分析了过去100a间该区峨眉冷杉种群的时间-空间动态。结果表明:1)雅家埂林线附近峨眉冷杉种群密度在过去100 a(主要是近50 a)有显著的升高,但树线的海拔位置并无明显的爬升;2)阴阳坡林线格局存在显著的坡向分异:阴坡林线和树线的海拔高度显著高于阳坡(分别比阳坡高152.5 m和135.8 m),阳坡林线附近峨眉冷杉早期的生长速率在大于阴坡,但后期的生长速率却低于阴坡;3)热量(温度)控制假说不能完全解释雅家埂目前的树线格局,除气候因素之外,其它因素也限制了雅家梗地区树线位置的变化。     

峨眉山冷杉种群研究

依据 5 1个 2 0 m× 2 0 m冷杉乔木层样方和 1 0 2个 4 m× 4 m灌木层样方有关冷杉种群的调查资料和典型区域内冷杉种群的年龄和生长指标的测定 ,对峨眉山冷杉种群配置、重要参数、更新与生长状况进行了研究 ,揭示了当地冷杉种群及其所组成的森林的现状与演替趋势。指出 ,峨眉山冷杉种群的径级配置与海拔高度为主导的环境要素变化相关 ,2 80 0 m以下的冷杉种群缺乏胸径 5～ 2 0 cm的小径个体 ;尤其是在“混交”状的冷杉林下株高小于 5 m的幼龄个体稀少且其年龄与应有的生长量相差甚远 ,由此作者认为该海拔段以下的冷杉种群正面临衰退 ,其构成的冷杉森林正处于退化演替的过程之中 ,并有可能在今后 5 0 a或许更短的时间内显现严重后果。同时 ,本研究表明冷杉主要通过林窗和林缘更新。通过对冷杉 -箭竹 -泥炭藓森林群落中冷杉种群状况的研究 ,阐述了冷杉种群在特定的逆境条件下生殖策略由 K选择向 r选择方向的转化趋势 ,讨论了冷杉种群在泥炭藓发育的局部沼泽化的环境中得以生存的机制 ;本文还就冷杉种群在林内自然更新和迹地更新条件下的胸径生长规律作了比较研究 ,说明密度制约机制对冷杉种群更新具有重要作用 ;并就更新情况相对较好的冷杉 -箭竹 +金顶杜鹃 -草类林、冷杉 -箭竹 -藓类林和冷杉 -峨眉玉山     

岷江上游林线附近岷江冷杉种群的生存分析

 岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)林是青藏高原东南缘亚高山暗针叶林的主要类型之一,在岷江上游地区,岷江冷杉林一般在2 800～3 800 m之间呈带状分布并且在阴坡形成林线。为了对岷江上游林线地段的岷江冷杉种群进行生存分析,在岷江上游林线附近弓杠岭(33°02′39″ N,103°43′11″ E)设置了10个样地,使用侧生轮枝计数或WinDENDRO系统对个体年龄进行确定。调查数据经匀滑技术处理,编制了岷江冷杉种群特定时间生命表,绘制了岷江冷杉种群的存活曲线、死亡率曲线和消失率曲线。结果表明：1）岷江上游林线地段岷江冷杉种群存活曲线趋于Deevey-Ⅲ型。2）林线地段岷江冷杉种群生存率呈单调下降趋势,生存率下降趋势前期高于后期,说明岷江冷杉种群幼苗死亡率高,种群后期比较稳定。3）林线地段岷江冷杉林整个生长期中出现了两个死亡高峰期,一个出现在幼苗向幼树过渡时期（0 ～40年）,另一个出现在中龄时期（180年）。岷江上游林线地段岷江冷杉种群幼苗死亡率较高的原因可能和林线地段的温度较低、积雪厚度、风向、水分等环境条件有关。     

西藏色季拉山林线冷杉种群结构与动态

急尖长苞冷杉(Abies georgei var.smithii)是西藏东南部地区高山林线森林群落的主要建群树种,主要分布在色季拉山海拔3600～4400m区域,并成为阴坡高山林线的优势树种。通过对色季拉山林线群落交错区域的定位调查,分析了急尖长苞冷杉的个体生长、种群结构与动态以及林线特征。分析结果表明:(1)西藏色季拉山海拔4320m处为森林郁闭上限,该区域存在两种类型的高山林线,阳坡为渐变型林线,林线树种为方枝柏(Sabina saltuaria);阴坡为急变型林线,林线树种为急尖长苞冷杉。阳坡与阴坡林线分布海拔上限分别为4570m和4390m,阳坡高于阴坡180m;阳坡与阴坡林线群落交错区垂直宽度分别为250m和70m,阳坡比阴坡宽180m。(2)阴坡海拔3700～3800m属急尖长苞冷杉分布的最适范围,种群径级结构表现为典型的反"J"型,种群密度约380株/hm2;种群年龄结构表现为"金字塔"型,属于扩展型种群。(3)静态生命表和种群存活曲线反映了急尖长苞冷杉种群在形成初期的20a和生长发育的60～160a分别经历了强烈的环境筛选和竞争自疏,以及后期与环境变化相关的死亡波动,200a左右为急尖长苞冷杉的生理寿命,种群后期基本稳定,400a左右为极限寿命。     

大熊猫栖息地亚高山针叶林结构和动态特征

亚高山针叶林是大熊猫适宜的栖息环境 ,其结构和动态规律严重影响大熊猫的生存和繁衍及其进化潜力的维持 ,是恢复退化大熊猫栖息地的唯一科学依据。通过样方法和中心点四分法调查了大熊猫栖息地 4个亚高山针叶林样地和该样地所在森林的 6 2个林窗 ,研究了该类森林的结构及其更新与大熊猫主食竹生长、林窗干扰的关系 ,以期揭示亚高山针叶林的动态规律 ,为大熊猫栖息地的恢复提供科学依据。研究结果表明 :岷江冷杉 Abies faxoniana和紫果云杉 Picea purpurea是亚高山针叶林的主体 ,其所构成的森林是大熊猫重要的栖息环境。岷江冷杉种群年龄呈现连续分布格局 ,而紫果云杉种群年龄呈间歇性分布 ,其在 2 5 0～ 5 0 0 a之间没有更新。该类森林中普遍存在着林窗干扰和更新现象 ,90 %的林窗下分布有岷江冷杉和紫果云杉更新的幼苗、幼树和大树。但林窗内不同树种更新密度不同 :岷江冷杉更新幼苗、幼树和大树占所有更新树种的 82 .5 % ,而紫果云杉和糙皮桦的更新幼苗、幼树和大树占 11.3%。岷江冷杉和紫果云杉的更新同时受林下大熊猫主食竹生长状况的影响 :主食竹盖度高 ,更新树种幼苗、幼树的密度低 ,即主食竹的生长抑制了岷江冷杉和紫果云杉的更新。     

甘南高山林线岷江冷杉—杜鹃种群结构与动态

高山林线是一种典型的生态交错带,是对气候反映最敏感的地区之一。甘肃南部高山林线区域主要以原始岷江冷杉种群和杜鹃种群为优势种,通过对岷江冷杉和杜鹃种群建立静态生命表,绘制存活曲线描述其结构特征,利用种群数量动态预测时间序列分析定量研究未来的发展趋势。结果显示:(1)岷江冷杉种群幼苗比较丰富,能很好的维持种群个体的自疏死亡,存活曲线呈Deevey-Ⅲ型;杜鹃种群幼苗缺乏,存活曲线趋向于Deevey-Ⅰ型;死亡曲线和危险率曲线都随着龄级的增加而增加,杜鹃种群的死亡率在各个龄级一直大于岷江冷杉种群,危险率在Ⅱ龄级以后杜鹃种群也始终大于岷江冷杉种群。(2)岷江冷杉种群结构动态变化指数Vpi大于修正后的种群结构动态变化指数V′pi且大于0,而杜鹃种群结构动态变化指数Vpi小于修正后的种群结构动态变化指数V′pi且小于0,则岷江冷杉种群属于增长型,杜鹃种群属于衰退型,岷江冷杉、杜鹃随机干扰极大值分别为0.027、0.011,说明二者对外界干扰均比较敏感。(3)杜鹃种群时间序列预测为前期幼苗比较缺乏,中期稳定,后期衰退的动态特征,而岷江冷杉种群表现出各龄级时间变化较小,幼苗个体数较多,种群为稳定增长型,岷江冷杉更能适应甘肃南部高山林线区域当前环境。     

林隙干扰和升温对小兴安岭红松和臭冷杉径向生长的影响

通过建立小兴安岭阔叶红松(Pinus koraiensis)林内林隙与非林隙红松、臭冷杉(Abies nephrolepis)轮宽年表,分析林隙干扰(微环境差异)和1980年后显著升温对树木径向生长的影响。结果表明:升温减缓了非林隙红松生长,却加快了林隙红松生长;升温后,非林隙红松受温度影响减弱,而林隙红松则增强,林隙和非林隙红松径向生长与帕默尔干旱指数(Palmer drought severity index,PDSI)均由负相关变为正相关;林隙干扰导致臭冷杉径向生长减缓,升温导致林隙与非林隙臭冷杉年生长量均下降了约50%,非林隙木对温度的负响应要高于林隙木;升温后,5—10月温度对非林隙木抑制作用明显,非生长季(1—5月)降水对非林隙臭冷杉的抑制作用加强,而对林隙臭冷杉则由抑制变为促进;PDSI与非林隙臭冷杉由升温前的负相关变为升温后的正相关,而林隙臭冷杉则负相关更显著;林隙干扰减少耐荫喜湿树木径向生长,而对阳性树种影响不大或略有增加;林隙木比非林隙木更易受外界环境变化的影响,林隙干扰可使喜湿耐荫树种提前适应暖干环境,以提高了对升温适应性;升温导致林隙木与非林隙木年轮气候响应差异变大。     

阈值温度和积温对川西高原林线岷江冷杉径向生长的影响

高山林线的形成机理一直是高山生态学讨论的一个焦点问题,其中林线树木生长的阈值温度一直是研究热点。利用川西高原九寨沟弓杠岭林线岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)树木径向生长数据,通过树轮宽度-气候因子关系分析,探讨阈值温度和积温对林线岷江冷杉径向生长的影响。结果表明:林线岷江冷杉径向生长主要受到温度限制,其中林线岷江冷杉径向生长与当年生长季(7、8和9月)、冬季(12、1和2)及上一年9、10月温度显著正相关(P0.05),但与降水的相关性较弱。林线岷江冷杉径向生长与不同起始温度的初日负相关,与不同起始温度的终日正相关,且与9.5℃阈值温度的初日负相关最强(P0.05),与6.5℃阈值温度的终日正相关最强(P0.05)。林线岷江冷杉径向生长还与7—9.5℃的积温及9.5℃持续天数显著正相关(P0.05),说明7—9.5℃可能是形成层活动的阈值温度,尤其7℃可能是林线岷江冷杉生长的起始温度。林线岷江冷杉生长期从4月中旬开始到10月初结束,随着1980年后温度的显著升高,生长期活动积温开始增加,生长期初日提前(4.6d/10a,r~2=0.19,P=0.01),生长期终日延后(1.8 d/10a),使得生长期延长(6.4 d/10a),进而对林线岷江冷杉径向生长有显著的促进作用。未来气候变暖可能会使川西林线树木生长增加,林线可能会上移。     

植物群落类型和围栏封育对高山林线岷江冷杉幼苗成活的影响

林线树种幼苗的生长紧密关系着高山林线的形成。通过室内发芽实验测定了岷江冷杉种子萌发能力。2015年春,在川西巴郎山岷江冷杉林线之上的高山林线交错带,通过播种处理(播种和不播种),研究了不同植物群落类型(灌木和草地群落)和围栏处理(围栏和不围栏)对岷江冷杉幼苗成活率的影响,以期为进一步探讨高山林线形成机制提供科学参考。结果表明:(1)岷江冷杉室内发芽率31.4%,成活率随时间下降。(2)灌木群落的全年日平均空气温湿度显著高于草本群落,而两群落的全年日平均土壤温度无显著差异。(3)未播种样地没有发现岷江冷杉幼苗,说明林线交错带缺乏岷江冷杉种子。(4)与不围栏样地相比,围栏封育分别显著提高了岷江冷杉幼苗成活率2.0%(2015年)和2.2%(2016年);与灌木群落相比,草本群落中岷江冷杉幼苗成活率显著提高0.8%(2015年)和1.2%(2016年),说明灌木对林线交错带幼苗更新具有更强的竞争作用。围栏处理下,草本群落中岷江冷杉幼苗成活率显著高于灌木群落;不围栏处理下,草本群落中岷江冷杉幼苗成活率显著低于灌木群落,2017年在不围栏样地没有幼苗存活,说明动物干扰对林线交错带森林更新有阻碍作用。研究表明,高山林线交错带森林更新,受种子、植物竞争和动物干扰(例如,放牧)等多方面因素的共同影响,可以通过播种、植物剔除(去除竞争)和围栏等促进幼苗更新和成活。     

卧龙自然保护区针阔混交林林隙更新规律

 卧龙自然保护区五一棚大熊猫野外观测站周围的针阔混交林由于历史原因破坏严重,长期以来自然恢复较差。为调查该区林隙更新的现状及其影响因素,作者采用林隙样线调查方法研究了该区针阔混交林林隙更新规律。结果显示,历史上的自然干扰与人为干扰共同影响着该区林隙更新的格局和特征,林隙天然更新受环境因素制约,更新规律表现为：更新幼苗的种类较形成木的种类丰富,更新乔木幼苗的优势度排序与形成木不同;林隙主要树种的更新受各类环境因子的影响而存在差异,桦木（Betula spp.）更新受地形影响较大,岷江冷杉（Abies faxoniana）受土壤因素影响显著,杜鹃（Rhododendron spp.）更新则受地形因子和林隙形成木的特征影响显著;更新物种的多样性指数均表现出受土壤因子的影响显著。由此推测,林隙大小并非影响该区林隙更新的关键因素,而土壤因素可能是制约优势树种天然更新和更新物种多样性的重要原因之一。     

Gap dynamics and regeneration strategies in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus-Laurus</Emphasis> forests of the Azores Islands

We asked the following questions regarding gap dynamics and regeneration strategies in Juniperus-Laurus forests: How important are gaps for the maintenance of tree diversity? What are the regeneration strategies of the tree species? Thirty canopy openings were randomly selected in the forest and in each the expanded gap area was delimited. Inside expanded gaps the distinction was made between gap and transition zone. In the 30 expanded gaps a plot, enclosing the gap and transition zone, was placed. In order to evaluate the differences in regeneration and size structure of tree species between forest and expanded gaps, 30 control plots were also delimited in the forest, near each expanded gap. In the 60 plots the number of seedlings, saplings, basal sprouts and adults of tree species were registered. Canopy height and width of adult individuals were also measured. The areas of the 30 gaps and expanded gaps were measured and the gap-maker identified. Juniperus-Laurus forests have a gap dynamic associated with small scale disturbances that cause the death, on average, of two trees, mainly of Juniperus brevifolia. Gap and expanded gap average dimensions are 8 and 25 m², respectively. Gaps are of major importance for the maintenance of tree diversity since they are fundamental for the regeneration of all species, with the exception of Ilex azorica. Three types of regeneration behaviour and five regeneration strategies were identified: (1) Juniperus brevifolia and Erica azorica are pioneer species that regenerate in gaps from seedlings recruited after gap formation. However, Juniperus brevifolia is a pioneer persistent species capable of maintaining it self in the forest due to a high longevity and biomass; (2) Laurus azorica and Frangula azorica are primary species that regenerate in gaps from seedlings or saplings recruited before gap formation but Laurus azorica is able to maintain it self in the forest through asexual regeneration thus being considered a primary persistent species; (3) Ilex azorica is a mature species that regenerates in the forest.     

Treefall Gaps and Regeneration Composition in the Laurel Forest of Anaga (Tenerife): a Matter of Size?

The size of treefall gaps is an important determinant of regeneration composition in tropical and temperate forests. Preliminary studies in the laurel forest of Tenerife have shown that small gaps (<100 m²) were the most numerous. However, due to this small size, no significant differences were found between regeneration in gaps and regeneration below the canopy. Because infrequent large gaps (>100 m²) are present in the laurel forest, we analyzed the regeneration in these large uncommon gaps, considering their potentially important role in the dynamics of the system. Our main hypothesis is that large gaps are important disturbance to ensure the regeneration and stablishment of shade intolerant species. Only five gaps larger than 100 m² (ranging from 125–268 m²) were found in the study area. Data from a further 20 small gaps (<100 m²), analysed in a previous study, was also included. Control plots were examined close to the gaps in order to determine regeneration below the closed canopy. We did not find a significant difference between regeneration density in the gaps (<100 m²) and regeneration below the canopy in the control plots. Contrary to our expectations, regeneration was lower in the large gaps than under the canopy. The open canopy in the large gaps increases light intensity, and has a negative effect on the germination and growth of shade-tolerant tree species like Viburnum tinus (although non-statistically significant); however, the increase in light intensity is not sufficient to stimulate the germination of shade-intolerant tree species. The effects of treefall gaps in the dynamics of the laurel forest of Anaga should be not considered as significant in comparison to other factors such as human disturbances or infrequent disturbances (land slides or hurricanes).     

瓦屋山中亚热带湿性常绿阔叶林的林窗形成特征

调查了瓦屋山原生和次生的中亚热带性常绿阔叶林的林窗形成特征,并对林窗形成特征,林窗制造者的死亡方式和原因进行了探讨,结果表明,次生常绿阔叶林林窗面积均＜10m^2,1hm^2仅9个,林下更新不明显,原生林林窗密度为1hm^215个,＜40m^2的林窗占56％,＞100m^2的林窗只有4个,林窗平均面积59m^2,扩展林窗平均面积105m^2,林窗和扩展林窗总面积占被调查林分的比例分别为11．1％和19．8％,林窗大小分布表现出负指数分布,即小林窗多,大林窗少,林窗形状的变异较大,大多数因边界木的多少而成不规则的多边形,大多数林窗是多个林木死亡事件的结果,因而大多数林窗有两个或两个以上的林窗制造者,各林窗年龄大多数在10a以上,最近形成的林窗极少,估计林窗表成率是0.01.a^-1,采用样地投影调查方法可提高测定精度,便于不同调查林分结果的有效比较,常绿阔叶林林窗形成原因较为复杂,小径木的死亡是竞争被压所致,而大径的较高冠层木的死亡则可能是树木生长发育以及与地形,风等自然因子相互作用的结果。     

长江上游峨眉冷杉林结构特征的研究

通过对长江上游贡嘎山不同演替阶段峨眉冷杉（Abies fabri）林的野外调查和对比分析,探讨了峨眉冷杉林的结构特征。结果表明,成熟峨眉冷杉林下有丰富的峨眉冷杉种源,小于20年的峨眉冷杉更新幼树幼苗数量少,但却为唯一的优势更新树种,在冬瓜杨、峨眉冷杉混交林中,冬瓜杨、桦木等树种在最初30年高生长非常迅速并能很快占据优势地位。峨眉冷杉是一耐荫性很强的树种,幼龄期生长缓慢,但将更替其它树种形成稳定群落。贡嘎山海拔2900－3400m地区大规模泥石流为100多年发生一次,在泥石流发生地,川滇柳、冬瓜杨、桦树等树种首先出现在迹地并占据优势,在自然条件下恢复峨眉冷杉林将需要较长时间,可通过人为干预措施加以促进和调控。     

云南兰坪云南红豆杉种群年龄结构与空间分布格局分析

利用点格局分析法对滇西北兰坪县4个云南红豆杉(Taxus yunnanensis)种群的年龄结构、不同生长阶段空间分布格局及其关联性进行分析。结果表明:(1)林窗与人为干扰影响4个云南红豆杉种群的龄级结构,小林窗的种群呈稳定型;较大林窗的种群呈进展型;群落结构完整未出现林窗和有较大人为干扰的种群年龄结构均呈衰退型,幼苗、幼树与小树个体缺乏,种群存在一定程度的更新困难,林窗的大小是种群更新的重要因素。(2)人为干扰、自然生境与本身生物学特性影响4个种群空间分布格局,种群1整体及其不同生长阶段个体均呈聚集分布;种群2和种群4在小尺度呈聚集分布,而在大尺度上呈随机分布;种群3随着空间尺度增大分布格局表现为聚集→随机→聚集趋势。(3)种群2中幼苗、小树和中树在小尺度下表现为聚集分布,其他尺度下表现为随机分布;种群3的小树阶段聚集分布和随机分布皆有出现,中树与大树在不同尺度上表现为聚集分布;种群4聚集分布的强度随生长阶段的增加在减弱。(4)4个种群各发育阶段间皆呈或接近显著正相关,种内竞争弱,有利于种群维持。     

Potential causes of arrested succession in Kibale National Park, Uganda: growth and mortality of seedlings

Recent studies suggest that regeneration following large-scale disturbance in Kibale National Park, Uganda, is slow or possibly arrested. Here, data is provided on the growth and mortality of seedlings in the forest understory, treefall gaps, and in large gaps that suggest that this pattern of arrested succession can be attributed partially to the fact that this East African community lacks aggressive colonizing tree species. Growth and mortality rates were contrasted for seedlings of six tree species planted in the understory, small gaps, and large gaps for 36 months. Data suggest that species are adapted to gaps of particular sizes. For example, Uvariopsis congensis grew faster in the understory than in small gaps, whereas Warburgia ugandensis had the lowest mortality rate and highest growth rate in large gaps. Seedlings (n=170) of 15 species were transplanted to assess the response of the tree community to large gap conditions. The limited survival of seedlings in large gaps relative to the understory suggests that only a small proportion of the tree community in this forest regenerates best in gaps larger than those created by the collapse of a single tree. These findings differ from a number of studies conducted in other geographical regions, and suggests that tree communities differ with respect to the proportion of tree species adapted to gaps of particular sizes. This may relate to variation among regions in their history of disturbance and thus frequency of gap formation, size of gaps, and the duration of periods of release. Such variation could imply the existence of a corresponding pattern among tropical forests of differential vulnerability to human disturbance, which tends to create many large gaps.     

Structure and regeneration of canopy species in an old-growth evergreen broad-leaved forest in Aya district,southwestern Japan

The population structure and regeneration of canopy species were studied in a 4 ha plot in an old-growth evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Aya district of southwestern Japan. The 200 m × 200 m plot contained 50 tree species, including 22 canopy species, 3,904 trees (dbh5 cm) and a total basal area of 48.3 m²/ha. Forty one gaps occurred within the plot, and both the average gap size (67.3 m²) and the total area of gap to plot area (6.9%) were small. Species found in the canopy in the plot were divided into three groups (A, B, C) based on size and spatial distribution patterns, and density in each tree size. Group A (typical species: Distylium racemosum, Persea japonica) showed a high density, nearly random distribution and an inverse J-shaped size distribution. Species in group B (Quercus salicina, Quercus acuta, Quercus gilva) were distributed contagiously with conspicuous concentration of small trees (<5 cm dbh) around gaps. However, the species in this group included few trees likely to reach the canopy in the near future. Group C included fast-growing pioneer and shade intolerant species (e.g. Cornus controversa, Carpinus tschonoskii, Fagara ailanthoides), which formed large clumps. Most gaps were not characterized by successful regeneration of group B and C but did appear to accelerate the growth of group A. Group B species appear to require long-lived or large gaps while group C species require large, catastrophic disturbances, such as landslides, for regeneration.     

Response of radial growth to climate change for Larix olgensis along an altitudinal gradient on the eastern slope of Changbai Mountain,Northeast China

AimsTo further understand the sensitivity of tree growth to climate change and its variation with altitude, particularly the growth-climate relationship near the timberline, the radial growth of Larix olgensis in an oldgrowth forest along an altitudinal gradient on the eastern slope of Changbai Mountain was investigated. MethodsThe relationships between climate factors and tree-ring index were determined using bootstrapped response functions analysis with the software DENDROCLIM2002. Redundancy analysis, a multivariate “direct” gradient analysis, and its ordination axes were constrained to represent linear combinations with meteorological elements. The analysis was used to clarify the relationship between tree-ring width indexes at different elevations and climate factors during the period 1959-2009.Important findings indicated: (1) Tree ring chronologies from high altitudes were more superior than other samples in terms of growth-climate relationship, revealing that trees at high altitudes are more sensitive to climate variation than at low sites, (2) Tree growth was mainly affected by temperatures of from before and through growing season in previous year, especially in June and August. In comparison, tree growth in the low elevation was regulated by the combination of precipitation of August and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) of September in current year, (3) Trees growing below timberline appeared to be more sensitive to climate warming; small extents of habitat heterogeneity or disturbance events beyond timberline may have masked the response, hence the optimal sites for examining growth trends as a function of climate variation are considered to be just below timberline, and (4) Redundancy analysis between the three chronologies and climate factors showed the same results as that of the correlation analysis and response function analysis, and this is in support of previous conclusion that redundancy analysis is also effective in quantifying the relationship between tree-ring indexes and climate factors.