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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2022, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (11): 2881-2888.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202211.004

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Intra-annual radial growth of Abies georgei and Larix potaninii and its responses to environmental factors in the Baima Snow Mountain, Northwest Yunnan, China.

ZHANG Hui1,2, FU Pei-li1, LIN You-xing1, GE Sang3, YANG Jian-qiang4, GE-RONG Qu-zha4, FAN Ze-xin1*   

  1. 1CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, Yunnan, China;
    2University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
    3Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve Authority in Yunnan, Shangrila 674400, Yunnan, China;
    4Quzonggong Management Office, Deqin Branch of Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve Authority in Yunnan, Deqin 674500, Yunnan, China
  • Received:2022-05-10 Revised:2022-06-07 Online:2022-11-15 Published:2023-05-15

Abstract: Using high-resolution dendrometers, we monitored the intra-annual stem radial variations of Abies georgei and Larix potaninii in the subalpine coniferous forest in Baima Snow Mountain, Northwest Yunnan Province. The seasonal dynamics of stem radial growth of both species and their responses to environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that the stem radial growth of A. georgei and L. potaninii mainly occurred during April to August, with the maximum growth rate in June. Compared with A. georgei, L. potaninii showed an earlier start but later cessation of stem radial growth, resulting in longer growth duration. Annual radial growth and maximum radial growth rates of L. potaninii were slightly higher than those of A. georgei. Daily growth rate of A. georgei was positively correlated with precipitation, but negatively correlated with vapor pressure deficit and air temperature. Daily growth rate of L. potaninii was positively correlated with precipitation, but negatively correlated with soil volume water content and vapor pressure deficit. Radial growth of A. georgei and L. potaninii was limited by water availability, with L. potaninii being more sensitive to moisture. Under the background of global warming, the increase of plant transpiration and soil evaporation might further aggravate soil water loss and reduce water availability for plants, which would make A. georgei and L. potaninii more vulnerable to drought stress.

Key words: radial growth, tree water deficit, growth-climate response, subalpine coniferous forest