Growth variation in Abies georgei var. smithii along altitudinal gradients in the Sygera Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau |
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Authors: | Eryuan Liang Yafeng Wang Yan Xu Bo Liu Xuemei Shao |
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Institution: | (1) Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes (TEL), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. O. Box 2871, 100085 Beijing, China;(2) Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China |
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Abstract: | A network of nine Smith fir (Abies georgei var. smithii) ring-width chronologies was constructed from sites ranging in elevation from 3,550 to 4,390 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in
the Sygera Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. High-elevation trees had lower growth rates than did low-elevation trees.
The mean tree-ring series intercorrelation (RBAR) increased with elevation. Principal component analysis identified three
elevation zones (around 3,600, 3,800, and >4,200 m a.s.l.) with distinctive tree-ring growth patterns. Five chronologies with
elevation >4,200 m a.s.l. were highly correlated. Overall, the initiation of tree-ring growth in Smith fir is controlled by
common climatic signals, such as July minimum temperature, across a broad altitudinal range. Precipitation was not a growth-limiting
factor across stands. Regardless of differences in stand elevation, topographical aspect, and tree age, the radial growth
of Smith fir trees was markedly similar in response to common climatic signals, perhaps as a result of the relatively high-elevation
of these forests (above 3,550 m a.s.l.) and the abundant summer monsoon rainfall. In addition, radial tree growth along the
altitudinal gradients was indicative of a recent warming trend on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. |
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