Climatic control of radial growth of Cedrela montana in a humid mountain rainforest in southern Ecuador

Bräuning A, Volland F, Burchardt I, Ganzhi Tacuri JO, Nauss T, Peters T (2009)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2009

Journal

Erdkunde Geographisches Institut Bonn

Book Volume: 63

Pages Range: 337-345

Journal Issue: 4

URI: https://www.erdkunde.uni-bonn.de/archive/2009/climatic-control-of-radial-growth-of-cedrela-montana-in-a-humid-mountain-rainforest-in-southern-ecuador

DOI: 10.3112/erdkunde.2009.04.04

Open Access Link: https://www.erdkunde.uni-bonn.de/archive/2009/climatic-control-of-radial-growth-of-cedrela-montana-in-a-humid-mountain-rainforest-in-southern-ecuador/at_download/attachment

Abstract

Cedrela montana is a deciduous broad-leaved tree species growing in the humid mountain rainforests of southern Ecuador. High-resolution dendrometer data indicate a regular seasonal growth rhythm with cambial activity during January to April. Amplitudes of daily radial stem diameter variations are correlated with the amount of the maximum daily vapour pressure deficit. During humid periods, daily stem diameter variations are considerably smaller than during drier periods. This indicates that cambial activity is limited by available moisture even in such a very humid mountain climate. Wood ana-tomical studies on microcores show the formation of a marginal parenchyma band at the beginning of the growth period. This parenchyma band can be used to delineate annual growth rings. We were able to establish the first ring-width chronol-ogy from Cedrela montana which covers the time until 1840. However, the chronology is presently statistically robust back to 1910 only. Correlation functions calculated with NCEP/NCAR data indicate a significantly positive relationship of tree growth with temperatures during the growth period during January to April. However, only 8% of the growth variance is explained by this climatic factor. In the future, this relationship may be useful to reconstruct past temperature conditions of the study area.

Authors with CRIS profile

Achim Bräuning Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie) Franziska Volland Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie) Iris Burchardt Institut für Geographie Thorsten Peters Institut für Geographie

Involved external institutions

Philipps-Universität Marburg DE Germany (DE) Universidad Nacional de Loja (UNL) EC Ecuador (EC)

How to cite

APA:

Bräuning, A., Volland, F., Burchardt, I., Ganzhi Tacuri, J.O., Nauss, T., & Peters, T. (2009). Climatic control of radial growth of Cedrela montana in a humid mountain rainforest in southern Ecuador. Erdkunde, 63(4), 337-345. https://dx.doi.org/10.3112/erdkunde.2009.04.04

MLA:

Bräuning, Achim, et al. "Climatic control of radial growth of Cedrela montana in a humid mountain rainforest in southern Ecuador." Erdkunde 63.4 (2009): 337-345.

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