Response of radial growth of Larix potaninii var. macrocarpa to climate change at upper distributional limits on Northwestern Yunnan Plateau, China.

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201709.011

Abstract

Abstract: Based on dendrochronological methods, we established residual chronologies of Larix potaninii var. macrocarpa by using its radial growth records at upper distributional limits of three mountains (Yulong, Haba and Potatso), in order to study the growth response variation to climate change among three sites and to identity the key climatic factors that affected the radial growth of L. potaninii var. macrocarpa in Northwestern Yunnan Plateau, China. The results showed that the temperature during current early growing season (May and June) was the main factor influencing the radial growth of L. potaninii var. macrocarpa, as indicated by a significant positive correlation between them at the three sampling sites. The radial growth of L. potaninii var. macrocarpa at Potatso National Park was also affected by temperature before growing season, presenting a significant negative correlation with temperature in previous July, and a significantly positive correlation with temperature in previous November, respectively. The radial growth responses of L. potaninii var. macrocarpa to precipitation varied among the three sites, showing a pattern from a negative correlation to a positive correlation with the increase of latitude. The radial growth showed a significant negative correlation with precipitation in current early growing season in Yulong Snow Mountain (the most southern part), a significant negative correlation with precipitation in current September in Haba Snow Mountain (the middle of the latitudinal gradient), and a significant positive correlation with precipitation in current March in Potatso National Park (the most northern part), respectively. Additionally, the radial growth of L. potaninii var. macrocarpa in Yulong Snow Mountain was also positively affected by precipitation in current July. According to the prediction of climate models, the changing pattern and the degree of response of radial growth to temperature and precipitation, the future climate change would probably benefit the growth of L. potaninii var. macrocarpa in Northwestern Yunnan Plateau.

ZHANG Yun, YIN Ding-cai, TIAN Kun, XIAO De-rong, SUN Mei, WANG Hang, ZHANG Wei-guo. Response of radial growth of Larix potaninii var. macrocarpa to climate change at upper distributional limits on Northwestern Yunnan Plateau, China.[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2017, 28(9): 2805-2812.

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