Integrative Biology Journals

JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH ›› 2023, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6): 1669-1681.DOI: 10.1007/s11676-023-01629-y

• Original Paper • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatial and temporal patterns of the sensitivity of radial growth response by Picea schrenkiana to regional climate change in the Tianshan Mountains

Zhongtong Peng1, Yuandong Zhang1,b, Liangjun Zhu2, Mingming Guo3, Qingao Lu1, Kun Xu1, Hui Shao1, Qifeng Mo4, Shirong Liu1   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, 100091, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
    2 National Engineering Laboratory for Applied Technology of Forestry and Ecology in South China, College of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, 410004, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
    3 College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, 071000, Baoding, People’s Republic of China
    4 Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
  • Received:2022-08-01 Accepted:2022-10-31 Online:2024-10-16
  • Contact: Yuandong Zhang

Abstract:

Climate change significantly impacts forest ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions. However, spatiotemporal patterns of climate-sensitive changes in individual tree growth under increased climate warming and precipitation in north–west China is unclear. The dendrochronological method was used to study climate response sensitivity of radial growth of Picea schrenkiana from 158 trees at six sites during 1990–2020. The results show that climate warming and increased precipitation significantly promoted the growth of trees. The response to temperature first increased, then decreased. However, the response to increased precipitation and the self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) increased significantly. In most areas of the Tianshan Mountains, the proportion of trees under increased precipitation and scPDSI positive response was relatively high. Over time, small-diameter trees were strongly affected by drought stress. It is predicted that under continuous warming and increased precipitation, trees in most areas of the Tianshan Mountains, especially those with small diameters, will be more affected by precipitation.

Key words: Regional climate change, Picea schrenkiana, Climate response sensitivity, Spatiotemporal patterns, Tianshan mountains