Growth in stem diameter of Larix principis-rupprechtii and its response to meteorological factors in the south of Liupan Mountain, China

Research related to daily and seasonal pattern of stem growth of Larix principis-rupprechtii was carried out with the help of a dendrometer from June to September in 2005 in the Liupan Mountain, Ningxia, Northwestern China. The results indicated that daily fluctuation of stem diameter was rhythmic and it could be divided into three continuous phases: contraction, expansion and stem diameter growth when daily rainfall < 10 mm during the measurement period. Comparatively, it showed a different pattern compared with the former when daily rainfall ≥10 mm and in the subsequent days. Based on the work done by Deslauriers et al. a modified method was designed to calculate daily and cumulative stem growth, and it showed that seasonal pattern of cumulative stem growth was similar among five sample trees. From June and July, stem growth rate was quick and the values were in the range 27.0–44.2 μm per day. Relatively, they took on a slow growth rate from August to September, and the values were under 10 μm per day. And it also showed that there existed a significant difference in stem growth among sample trees, which could be as a result of the difference in tree domain and their positions in the stand. The relationship between daily stem growth and meteorological factors was studied by principle component analysis and partial correlation analysis, and the result indicated that the daily rainfall, daily minimum temperature, daily average solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit were four significant factors which determined the daily stem growth.