Gypsy moth-induced growth decline of Larix sibirica in a forest-steppe ecotone

Effects of a gypsy moth attack on the productivity of Larix sibirica on tree-ring width were analyzed in a case study of a mountain site in the western Khentey in the northern Mongolian forest-steppe ecotone. A major aim of the study was to assess whether reduced productivity by gypsy moth herbivory could contribute to fluctuations of the forest edge to the steppe in larch-dominated woodlands. In the year of the infestation, larch trees at the forest edge lost 90% of their needles and latewood formation was strongly reduced. However, earlywood formation was widely completed before the gypsy moth attack and, therefore, total tree-ring width was not below the average of the five years prior to infestation. In the two years following the gypsy moth invasion, annual stem increment was strongly reduced. Trees growing 30–100 m inside the forest showed a much weaker response of tree-ring widths to the gypsy moth infestation consistent with significantly higher defoliation at forest edge than in the forest interior. Old trees exhibited a stronger growth decline than middle-aged trees, indicating higher infestation of dominant, exposed trees, which are thought to be better accessible to the wind-dispersed gypsy moth larvae hatching in the early growing season on the steppe. Under the current climate, occasional growth reductions are thought to be of little effect on the performance of L. sibirica, as fast-growing competitors of other tree species, which are not or hardly affected by gypsy moth, are absent.     

European beech in its northeasternmost stands in Europe: Varying climate-growth relationships among generations and diameter classes

Age, genetics and social status of trees affect their sensitivity to environmental factors, and information about such effects is needed for comprehensive assessment of growth potential. Climatic sensitivity of radial increment (i.e., tree-ring width) of introduced European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) of different generations and social status, growing in its northeasternmost stands in Europe, was studied by dendroclimatological methods. At present, the studied stands occur outside of the natural distribution area of the species, providing opportunity to study adaptability and potential growth of beech in novel environments under changing climate. The sensitivity of radial growth to climatic factors was modulated by the generation and social status (size) of trees. The first generation trees, which were propagated from the material transferred from the northern Germany, were highly sensitive to climatic factors and showed wide spectrum of responses. The dominant trees were particularly sensitive to June precipitation, indicating sensitivity to water deficit in summer. The suppressed trees were mainly sensitive to temperature in the dormant period. Tree-ring width of the second generation trees, which were propagated from the first generation stands, was mainly affected by water deficit in summer, yet the local factors, modulated the mechanisms of response. In one stand, tree-ring width was affected by conditions during the formation of tree-ring, indicating direct influence of weather conditions on xylogenesis. In the other stand, tree-ring width was correlated to weather conditions in the preceding year, suggesting influence via carbohydrate reserves. The effect of social status on climatic sensitivity in the second generation stands was considerably weaker, likely due to the natural and anthropogenic selection of the material best adapted for local conditions. The effect of climatic factors on radial growth of beech has shifted during the 20th century. The effect of autumn temperature has weakened, likely due to warming; the effect of factors related to water deficit in summer has intensified that could be related to both, changes in climate and ageing. The observed climate-growth relationships suggested that conditions in winter have become suitable for beech, yet careful selection of sites/regions with appropriate hydrological conditions appear necessary to counteract the increasing effect of water deficit, hence to ensure productivity of future beech sites in Latvia.     

Impact of the leaf miner Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and bleeding canker disease on horse‐chestnut: direct effects and interaction

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北亚热带马尾松年轮宽度与NDVI的关系

北亚热带地处暖温带向亚热带的过渡地区,对环境变化较为敏感。因此,研究北亚热带马尾松年轮宽度与森林NDVI的关系对于揭示陆地生态系统对全球气候变化的响应具有重要意义。以马尾松自然分布北界的南郑县和河南省鸡公山自然保护区为研究地点,利用北亚热带马尾松年轮宽度指数和1982-2006年逐月NOAA/AVHRR的归一化植被指数(NDVI)数据及气候数据,在分析年轮宽度及NDVI与气候因子关系的基础上,重点讨论了北亚热带马尾松径向生长与NDVI之间的关系。结果表明:北亚热带NDVI受水热条件的共同控制,其中与月均温相关性较强,且以正相关为主,与月降水量和干旱度指数多负相关;马尾松的径向生长与上一生长季的温度呈正相关,降水和干旱度指数为负相关,当年生长季内的温度和降水以促进作用为主,而与干旱度指数的关系在两地区内相反;南郑县和鸡公山地区年轮宽度与NDVI年值之间关系均不显著(P>0.05)。单月来讲,南郑县3、4、12月NDVI值与年表显著相关,鸡公山地区9月份的NDVI值与差值年表RES相关性最大;南郑县树木生长受温度影响最大,而鸡公山地区受温度和降水的综合作用。因此,在北亚热带地区,长时间序列的年轮宽度数据并不能很好反应NDVI的长期变化,利用树轮宽度指数来重建北亚热带地区NDVI需要进一步研究。     

Impact of the leaf miner <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cameraria ohridella</Emphasis> on whole-plant photosynthetic productivity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aesculus hippocastanum</Emphasis>: insights from a model

The leaf miner Cameraria ohridella causes premature defoliation of Aesculus hippocastanum trees. In order to assess the whole-plant loss of productivity caused by the parasite, we monitored seasonal changes of leaf gas exchange and leaf area losses in horse chestnut trees freely infested or chemically treated to prevent moth infestation (controls). Data were integrated in a model and the annual loss of net primary productivity (NPP) was calculated for infested trees with respect to controls. Measurements showed marked vertical stratification of C. ohridella attacks, with lower crown strata being more infested than higher ones. Leaf gas exchange was maximum between May and early June, but it strongly decreased starting from mid-June even in controls. Model calculations showed that NPP loss of infested trees was about 30% on an annual basis (when the first moth attack is recorded at the end of April). Model simulations showed that postponing the start day of attack would have important positive effects on plants NPP. For example, if the start day of attack was postponed to 20 May, the annual loss of NPP would be about 15%. Our study suggests that A. hippocastanum trees attacked by C. ohridella are not facing serious risks of decline, especially if methods are adopted to postpone the start day of attack (e.g. removal of fallen leaves in autumn). Our data do not support the view that plants need to be totally protected from the parasite by application of insecticides.     

Climate response of Picea schrenkiana based on tree-ring width and maximum density

The effect of global warming on alpine forests is complex. It is crucial, therefore, to investigate the effects of climate change on the radial growth of trees at different altitudes. The tree growth–climate relationship remains poorly understood at large spatial scales in the Tianshan Mountains, China. Schrenk spruce (P. schrenkiana) is a unique tree species to this area. In this study, we collected tree-ring width and maximum density data from nine plots along an altitudinal gradient. Results showed that altitude affected both tree-ring width and maximum density. At high altitudes, tree-ring width was positively correlated with temperature in February of the current year. Tree-ring width was also positively correlated with precipitation in July of the previous year, and January and July of the current year, and negatively correlated with the monthly diurnal temperature range (DTR). At low altitudes, tree-ring width was negatively correlated with temperature in the early growing season and the growing season. Tree-ring width was positively correlated with precipitation in June and September of the previous year, and May of the current year. The tree-ring maximum density was positively correlated with temperature and the DTR of the growing season, and negatively correlated with precipitation in winter and growing season. Moving correlation analysis showed that the positive response of tree-ring width to precipitation in the growing season was enhanced over time at high altitudes. In the low-altitude trees, the negative response of tree-ring width to temperature in the growing season was reduced, while the positive response to precipitation in the growing season was enhanced. The positive response relationship between tree-ring maximum density and the temperature in July weakened over time. At low altitudes, the negative response of tree-ring maximum density to winter precipitation was strengthened, and a stable negative response to July precipitation was observed. As the climate becomes wetter and warmer in the Tianshan Mountains, our results suggest that the radial growth of trees may benefit at elevations above 2400 m a.s.l. There was no obvious elevation limit for the increase in tree-ring maximum density. These findings provide a basis for sustainable forest management under global climate change.     

Age structure and climate sensitivity of a high Andean relict forest of Polylepis rodolfo-vasquezii in central Peru

For a better understanding of forest ecology, tree-ring studies can provide information on climate sensitivity, tree growth patterns and population age structure that can inform about stand dynamics such as recruitment of new individuals, and other interspecific interactions related to competition and facilitation. Little is known about the ecology of the recently identified high Andean tree species Polylepis rodolfo-vasquezii. Here, we analyzed the relationship between tree size and age of two P. rodolfo-vasquezii forest stands located in the central Peruvian Andes at 11°S in latitude, and compared their growth patterns and climate sensitivity. We measured the height and diameter of each individual tree and collected tree core samples of living trees and cross sections of dead standing trees to generate two centennial tree-ring chronology at Toldopampa (1825–2015 CE) and at Pomamanta (1824–2014 CE) sites. The dendrochronological dates were evaluated by ¹⁴C analysis using the bomb-pulse methods analyzing a total of 9 calendar years that confirm the annual periodicity of this tree species. At the Toldopampa stand most trees ranged from 70 to 80 years old, with a 190-year old individual, being an older and better preserve forest than Pomamanta, with younger trees, probably because more human disturbances due to closer village proximity. No significant relationships were found between tree age and size in the oldest stand alerting that tree diameter should not be used as a metric for estimating tree ages as a general rule. The distinct growth patterns and the size-age relationship observed at the two forests may reflect distinct histories regarding human activities such as fire and logging. Nevertheless, both the Toldopampa and the Pomamanta tree-ring width chronologies exhibited common growth patterns and shared a similar positive response to temperature of the current growing season. Overall, our study confirmed the annual radial growth periodicity in P. rodofolfo-vasquezii trees using an independent method such as ¹⁴C analyses and a strong climate sensitivity of this tree species. These findings encourage the development of an extensive P. rodolfo-vasquezii tree-ring network for ecological and paleoclimate studies in the tropical Andes in South America.     

利用树木年轮重建赣南地区1890年以来 2-3月份温度的变化

采用树木年轮气候学方法,利用江西赣南地区马尾松(Pinus massoniana)的年轮宽度资料,分析了马尾松径向生长与气候要素变化的相关及响应关系,结果表明赣南地区马尾松径向生长与当年2—3月份的平均温度相关性最高。在响应分析的基础上,重建了江西赣南地区1890年以来2—3月份温度的变化历史。重建序列显示在过去119a中研究区存在3个较为明显的冷期(1892—1906年、1918—1922年、1944—1957年)和3个明显的暖期(1909—1917年、1959—1968年和1998—2008年)。     

祁连山东部青海云杉死亡和存活个体径向生长对气候变化的响应差异

研究建立了祁连山东部青海云杉(Picea crassifolia)存活个体与死亡个体的树轮宽度年表和断面生长增量(BAI)序列,对青海云杉存活个体与死亡个体的径向生长特征及其对气候要素的响应关系进行了比较,尝试厘清青海云杉径向生长与气候要素之间的响应机制。结果表明:青海云杉死亡个体的径向生长速率明显低于存活个体(P ＜ 0.001),尤其是在20世纪80年代快速升温后,这一差距进一步加大,青海云杉死亡率也大幅增加。在1951-1986年期间,青海云杉径向生长主要受生长季前(上一年9月到当年2月)干湿状况的影响;而在1987-2020年期间,青海云杉径向生长则更多受生长季(当年6-8月)干湿状况的影响。并且与活树相比,死树对区域干湿状况表现出更高的敏感性,对气温的负响应也更强。随着气候变暖加剧,高温及其带来的干旱胁迫已成为区域内限制青海云杉径向生长的主要气候因素,青海云杉的死亡率可能会继续升高。     

Climate controls act at different scales on the seasonal pattern of Quercus ilex L. stem radial increments in NE Spain

Long-term data on radial increment dynamics in Mediterranean species may identify which climatic variables are the main constraints for radial growth and at which temporal scales they act. To this end, we examined stem radial fluctuations in Quercus ilex L., the dominant evergreen oak species in the Western Mediterranean Basin, over a period of 11 years (1994–2004) at a coastal site in north-eastern Spain. We used manual band dendrometers to record girth changes in trees on north- and south-facing slopes. Annual increments measured by dendrometers showed good agreement with annual tree-ring width. North-facing trees showed a lower long-term cumulative radial increment than south-facing trees. The seasonal radial increment pattern of Q. ilex was bimodal, being characterized by a greater increase in May and a lesser, more variable increase peak in September. Both phases corresponded to warm and moist climatic conditions, whereas radial increase of stems stopped in winter and occasionally in summer. Considering the whole year, mean maximum air temperature was the main factor positively affecting radial increment of Q. ilex from short- (5 days) to- long (30 days) time scales, whereas the accumulated precipitation exerted a similar effect at longer (30 days) scales, but only on south-facing trees. In summer, all trees were positively correlated with precipitation at long-time scales (30 days); however, only stem increment of south-facing trees showed a significant relation to the temperature at short-time scales (10 days). We confirmed the dominant role of temperature as the major constraint on radial increment at short time scales, despite most previous studies were mostly biased towards precipitation effects at monthly scales.     

黄土高原健康和衰退刺槐林径向生长对气候的响应

全球气候变化导致的区域森林生长衰退和死亡普遍发生,并对森林生态系统结构和组成以及主要生态系统服务功能产生重要影响,然而相关研究在国内还显偏少。根据黄土高原延安羊圈沟小流域人工刺槐林健康和衰退个体分别构建了刺槐健康和衰退树轮年表,并对人工刺槐林健康和衰退年表特征及对气候响应敏感性进行了对比分析。结果表明刺槐衰退年表质量较低,其年表统计参量,包括平均敏感度、样芯间相关系数、信噪比和样本群体代表系数均要低于刺槐健康年表。刺槐衰退年表在生活史早期（1985-2007年）与生长健康年表的波动趋势相类似,而在生活史晚期（2008-2016年）与健康年表指数出现生长分离现象,生长速率明显偏低。年表与气候要素响应分析表明刺槐生长衰退年表对气候要素响应敏感性要低于刺槐生长健康年表,但是两者均含有干旱胁迫气候信号,主要体现在与温度呈负相关关系,与降雨和干旱指数的正相关关系。年表与极端气候年份的时序叠加分析表明,生长健康和衰退年表对极端干旱年份响应敏感性均较高,表明极端干旱胁迫条件对刺槐生长健康和衰退个体均有抑制性影响;生长健康年表对极端湿润年份响应敏感性明显高于衰退年表,表明刺槐健康个体比衰退个体更能有效利用湿润年份有利条件,而具有较高的生长速率。研究揭示出黄土高原健康和衰退刺槐个体生长趋势变化及对气候响应敏感性均存在明显差异性,将为气候变化背景下人工刺槐林生长衰退和死亡预测模型建立提供科学依据,因而对黄土高原人工刺槐林生态恢复和保护及可持续经营具有科学价值。     

Effects of defoliation by horse chestnut leafminer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cameraria ohridella</Emphasis>) on reproduction in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Aesculus hippocastanum</Emphasis>

In large parts of Europe horse chestnut trees ( Aesculus hippocastanum) suffer from severe defoliation by an alien invasive species, the specialist leaf mining moth Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera; Gracillariidae). Heavily infested trees have a drastically shortened period for photosynthesis. We quantified the effect of moth infestation on reproduction of horse chestnut trees in two different cities in central Europe, Bern and Munich. C. ohridella negatively affected seed and fruit weight of A. hippocastanum at both locations. In Munich, seed weight of heavily damaged trees was reduced by almost half. However, the number of seeds per fruit, the number of fruits per inflorescence, and the number of inflorescences per tree did not change due to herbivory. We conclude that C. ohridella mining affects seed quality but not seed quantity. The reduced seed weight may severely impair growth and survival of horse chestnut seedlings and thus may endanger the long-term persistence of A. hippocastanum in its endemic forests in south-east Europe.     

Biocontrol of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cameraria ohridella</Emphasis> by insectivorous birds in different landscape contexts

The horse chestnut leaf miner (HCLM) Cameraria ohridella Deschka and Dimic (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) is a novel but significant pest in Europe. Current control measures are either inefficient or environmentally harmful. Tits (Parus spp.) open the mines and prey on HCLM, but the biocontrol efficiency of this behaviour has not yet been quantified. We installed bird nesting-boxes in a biennial field study on four sites close to Brunswick (Germany). On the same sites, we counted HCLM pupae, larvae, opened and closed mines, and parasitised larvae and pupae in leaves collected from horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Hippocastanaceae) trees with and without bird exclusion. In both years, the HCLM number and the proportion of closed mines were higher in bird exclusion trees, particularly on sites with high abundance of tits. Hence, we suggest including the facilitation of birds, particularly tits, in future HCLM biocontrol strategies.     

Tree-ring distinctness,dating potential and climatic sensitivity of laurel forest tree species in Tenerife Island

Macaronesian laurel forests are the only remnants of a subtropical palaeoecosystem dominant during the Tertiary in Europe and northern Africa. These biodiverse ecosystems are restricted to cloudy and temperate insular environments in the North Atlantic Ocean. Due to their reduced distribution area, these forests are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances and changes in climatic conditions. The assessment of laurel forest trees’ response to climate variation by dendrochronological methods is limited because it was assumed that the lack of marked seasonality would prevent the formation of distinct annual tree rings. The aims of this study were to identify the presence of annual growth rings and to assess the dendrochronological potential of the most representative tree species from laurel forests in Tenerife, Canary Islands. We sampled increment cores from 498 trees of 12 species in two well-preserved forests in Tenerife Island. We evaluated tree-ring boundary distinctness, dating potential, and sensitivity of tree-ring growth to climate and, particularly, to drought occurrence. Eight species showed clear tree-ring boundaries, but synchronic annual tree rings and robust tree-ring chronologies were only obtained for Laurus novocanariensis, Ilex perado subsp. platyphylla, Persea indica and Picconia excelsa, a third of the studied species. Tree-ring width depended on water balance and drought occurrence, showing sharp reductions in growth in the face of decreased water availability, a response that was consistent among species and sites. Inter-annual tree-ring width variation was directly dependent on rainfall input in the humid period, from previous October to current April. The four negative pointer years 1995, 1999, 2008 and 2012 corresponded to severe drought events in the study area. This study gives the first assessment of dendrochronological potential and tree-ring climate sensitivity of tree species from the Tenerife laurel forest, which opens new research avenues for dendroecological studies in Macaronesian laurel forests.     

Tree-ring growth of Gmelin larch under contrasting local conditions in the north of Central Siberia

While the forest-tundra zone in Siberia, Russia has been dendroclimatologically well-studied in recent decades, much less emphasis has been given to a wide belt of northern taiga larch forests located to the south. In this study, climate and local site conditions are explored to trace their influence on radial growth of Gmelin larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) trees developed on permafrost soils in the northern taiga. Three dendrochronological sites characterized by great differences in thermo-hydrological regime of soils were established along a short (ca. 100 m long) transect: on a river bank (RB), at riparian zone of a stream (RZ) and on a terrace (TER). Comparative analysis of the rate and year-to-year dynamics of tree radial growth among sites revealed considerable difference in both raw and standardized tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies obtained for the RZ site, characterized by shallow soil active layer depth and saturated soils. Results of dendroclimatic analysis indicated that tree-ring growth at all the sites is mostly defined by climatic conditions of a previous year and precipitation has stronger effect on TRW chronologies in comparison to the air temperatures. Remarkably, a great difference in the climatic response of TRW chronologies has been obtained for trees growing within a very short distance from each other. The positive relation of tree-ring growth with precipitation, and negative to temperature was observed in the dry site RB. In contrary, precipitation negatively and temperature positively influenced tree radial growth of larch at the water saturated RZ. Thus, a complicate response of northern Siberian larch forest productivity to the possible climate changes is expected due to great mosaic of site conditions and variability of environmental factors controlling tree-ring growth at different sites. Our study demonstrates the new possibilities for the future dendroclimatic research in the region, as various climatic parameters can be reconstructed from tree-ring chronologies obtained for different sites.     

Spatial patterns and infestation processes in the horse chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella: a tale of two cities

Spatial patterns of the horse chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) population density was analysed in the cities of Bern and Brussels in order to explore its spatial population dynamics. The surveys were carried out in Bern in 1998 and 2000 and in Brussels in 2001 to assess population density in relation to local characteristics. In Brussels, population density was also measured using pheromone traps distributed over the city and collected twice per moth generation. A quantitative relationship was found between local population density (measured by pheromone traps and survey observations) and the amount of leaves left on the ground the previous fall. Several other factors were related to observed infestation levels: the occurrence of the pathogen Guignardia aesculi was inversely related to infestation by C. ohridella in Bern in 1998 and 2000, the number of horse chestnut trees within 800 m distance was positively related to infestation level in Bern in 2000, and the proportion of green areas within 100 m and the number of other horse chestnut trees within 2000 m were positively related to infestation levels in the 2001 Brussels survey. The pattern of infestation levels as a function of distance to potential population reservoirs suggested that C. ohridella re‐invades areas where overwintering leaves have been cleaned from refuge areas such as parks or urban forests. Our results indicate that the removal of leaves is a feasible first aid control measure to reduce moth population densities. However, leaf removal may not reduce moth densities when done improperly. In places where proper leaf removal is not feasible, other control measures are needed.     

Recent growth increase in endemic Juglans boliviana from the tropical Andes

The spatial coverage of tree-ring chronologies in tropical South America is low compared to the extratropics, particularly in remote regions. Tree-ring dating from such tropical sites is limited by the generally weak temperature seasonality, complex coloration, and indistinct anatomical morphology in some tree species. As a result, there is a need to complement traditional methods of dendrochronology with innovative and independent approaches. Here, we supplement traditional tree-ring methods via the use of radiocarbon analyses to detect partial missing rings and/or false rings, and wood anatomical techniques to precisely delineate tree-ring boundaries. In so doing we present and confirm the annual periodicity of the first tree-ring width (TRW) chronology spanning from 1814 to 2017 for Juglans boliviana (‘nogal’), a tree species growing in a mid-elevation tropical moist forest in northern Bolivia. We collected 25 core samples and 4 cross-sections from living and recently harvested canopy-dominant trees, respectively. The sampled trees were growing in the Madidi National Park and had a mean age of 115 years old, with certain trees growing for over 200 years. Comparison of (residual and standard) TRW chronologies to monthly climate variables shows significant negative relationships to prior year May-August maximum temperatures (r = −0.54, p < 0.05) and positive relationships to dry season May-October precipitation (r = 0.60, p < 0.05) before the current year growing season. Additionally, the radial growth of Juglans boliviana shows a significant positive trend since 1979. Our findings describe a new and promising tree species for dendrochronology due to its longevity and highlight interdisciplinary techniques that can be used to expand the current tree-ring network in Bolivia and the greater South American tropics.     

Growth trends and climate responses of Norway spruce along elevational gradients in East-Central Europe

Key message

Decadal growth variability of Norway spruce increases with elevation. Recent temperature sensitivity and growth enhancement are limited to trees growing in the zone adjacent to timberline.

Abstract

Growth trends and climate responses of forest trees along elevational gradients are not fully understood. A deeper insight is, however, fundamental for predicting ecosystem functioning and productivity under future climate change. Supplementary to the effects of elevation and regional provenance on tree growth are sample depth, uneven representation of sample age and varying site conditions. Furthermore, there is only a limited number of studies addressing growth changes along elevational gradients, while at the same time applying tree-ring standardization methods that are sensitive to trend preservation. Here, we introduce 12 novel tree-ring width chronologies of Norway spruce (Picea abies[L.] Karst.) from four elevational belts encompassing montane forests and the local timberline in three regions in East-Central Europe between 15° and 19°E. Each chronology is characterized by sufficient sample replication and a comparable age structure between 1906 and 2010. Tree growth near timberline revealed substantial medium-frequency variability and sharply increasing ring widths since the 1980s. Medium-frequency growth variability of lower elevation trees was, however, relatively small, and growth rates over the last decade were either stable or even decreased. During the last four decades, Norway spruce from higher elevations exhibited a reduced response to autumn temperatures preceding ring formation. In contrast, trees from the lower-montane zone increased their sensitivity to drought during the same time. Our results emphasize not only different but also instable growth trends and climate responses of forest trees along altitudinal gradients, which should be considered in future forest management strategies.

     

Assessing cross-datable distinct annual growth rings in non-native Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Zambia

The response of non-native forest plantation trees to climate change remains poorly understood.We hypothesized that precipitation and temperature modulate tree-ring width chronology at each site and that higher tree growth is exhibited at remote sites than sites near copper mines. This study investigates if the annual tree-ring boundaries in non-native Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Zambia are distinct, cross-datable, and coherent with climate signal. We collected increment cores from live trees and climate data near and further away from emission sources and developed site tree-ring width chronologies. Based on cross-dating and chronology building statistics (i.e., ESP > 0.85; Glk > 0.6 and series inter-correlation > 0.4), P. kesiya posses cross-datable distinct annual growth ring boundaries that exhibited a high climate signal at both sites. The tree-ring width chronology was positively modulated by precipitation and negatively by solar radiation and temperature. The dry season precipitation was the limiting factor for the growth of P. kesiya. The predicted decrease in dry season precipitation and increase in temperature and solar radiation may reduce tree growth of P. kesiya, reduce productivity, and extend the rotation age. The mean ring width in P. kesiya was not significantly (p = 0.296) different between sites. However, the mean basal area increment at the site near the emission source (Ichimpe) was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than at the remote site (Chati), suggesting site-specific influences that require investigation. We recommend evaluating the causes and consequences of tree growth variation between sites and their relation to environmental variation, including microclimate, soils, and pollution. In this regard, an assessment of site-specific ring-width chronology and tree growth variation in this study directly contributes to an improved understanding of non-native P. kesiya ecology, and it offers the potential to study trees' responses to edaphic and climatic factors. Knowing these responses deepens our understanding of non-native pine tree growth in the face of climate change, given the significant role of tropical forests in the global carbon cycle.     

Short photoperiod reduces the temperature sensitivity of leaf‐out in saplings of Fagus sylvatica but not in horse chestnut

Leaf phenology is one of the most reliable bioindicators of ongoing global warming in temperate and boreal zones because it is highly sensitive to temperature variation. A large number of studies have reported advanced spring leaf‐out due to global warming, yet the temperature sensitivity of leaf‐out has significantly decreased in temperate deciduous tree species over the past three decades. One of the possible mechanisms is that photoperiod is limiting further advance to protect the leaves against potential damaging frosts. However, the “photoperiod limitation” hypothesis remains poorly investigated and experimentally tested. Here, we conducted a photoperiod‐ and temperature‐manipulation experiment in climate chambers on two common deciduous species in Europe: Fagus sylvatica (European beech, a typically late flushing species) and Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut, a typically early flushing species). In agreement with previous studies, we found that the warming significantly advanced the leaf‐out dates by 4.3 and 3.7 days/°C for beech and horse chestnut saplings, respectively. However, shorter photoperiod significantly reduced the temperature sensitivity of beech only (3.0 days/°C) by substantially increasing the heat requirement to avoid leafing‐out too early. Interestingly, the photoperiod limitation only occurs below a certain daylength (photoperiod threshold) when the warming increased above 4°C for beech trees. In contrast, for chestnut, no photoperiod threshold was found even when the ambient air temperature was warmed by 5°C. Given the species‐specific photoperiod effect on leaf phenology, the sequence of the leaf‐out timing among forest tree species may change under future climate warming conditions. Nonphotoperiodic species may benefit from warmer springs by starting the growing season earlier than photoperiodic sensitive species, modifying forest ecosystem structure and functions, but this photoperiod limitation needs to be further investigated experimentally in numerous species.