Growth strategy of Juniperus tibetica ancient clusters under high-altitude and cold conditions in western Xizang, China.

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202605.003

Abstract

Abstract: To understand how trees maintain longevity under extreme stress, we examined four clusters of ancient Juniperus tibetica) growing under high-elevation and cold conditions in western Xizang. The growth history of 64 ancient trees during A.D. 1855-2024 (170 years) was quantified using dendrochronological methods to analyze the growth strategies of ancient-tree clusters under alpine climatic conditions. The results showed that all the 64 juniper trees were over 100 years old, with the oldest reaching 438 years. The radial growth of trees was negatively correlated with temperature in June to September, positively correlated with total precipitation in the same season and the standard precipitation-evaporation indices (SPEI) in August. The average of ring widths across all samples in the period 1855-2024 was 0.87 mm, with apparent growth difference among individual trees, and standard deviation was 0.66 mm. The resistance and resilience of trees to six events of extreme narrow rings (1914, 1958, 1966, 1983, 2010, and 2016) also showed high variability among individuals. Slow and diverse growth are the strategy of ancient-tree clusters to maintain longevity under extreme adversity.

Key words: ancient tree, Juniperus tibetica, disturbance, ecological resilience

DANZENG Ouzhu, YU Wu, PAN Gang, TENG Hongfen, MU Yumei. Growth strategy of Juniperus tibetica ancient clusters under high-altitude and cold conditions in western Xizang, China.[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2026, 37(5): 1459-1465.

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