Abies spectabilis shows stable growth relations to temperature, but changing response to moisture conditions along an elevation gradient in the central Himalaya

Gaire NP, Fan ZX, Bräuning A, Panthi S, Rana P, Shrestha A, Bhuju DR (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Dendrochronologia Elsevier

Book Volume: 60

Article Number: 125675

DOI: 10.1016/j.dendro.2020.125675

Abstract

A better understanding of growth-climate responses of high-elevation tree species across their distribution range is essential to devise an appropriate forest management and conservation strategies against adverse impacts of climate change. The present study evaluates how radial growth of Himalayan fir (Abies spectabilis D. Don) and its relation to climate varies with elevation in the Manaslu Mountain range in the central Himalaya. We developed tree-ring width chronologies of Himalayan fir from three elevational belts at the species'upper distribution limit (3750−3900 m), in the middle range (3500−3600 m), and at the lower distribution limit (3200−3300 m), and analyzed their associations with climatic factors. Tree growth of Himalayan fir varied synchronously across elevational belts, with recent growth increases observed at all elevations. Across the elevation gradient, radial growth correlated positively (negatively) with temperature (precipitation and standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index, SPEI-03) during the summer (July to September) season. However, the importance of summer (July to September) temperatures on radial growth decreased with elevation, whereas correlations with winter (previous November to current January) temperatures increased. Correlations with spring precipitation and SPEI-03 changed from positive to negative from low to high elevations. Moving correlation analysis revealed a persistent response of tree growth to May and August temperatures. However, growth response to spring moisture availability has strongly increased in recent decades, indicating that intensified spring drought may reduce growth rates of Himalayan fir at lower elevations. Under sufficient moisture conditions, increasing summer temperature might be beneficial for fir trees growing at all elevations, while trees growing at the upper treeline will take additional benefit from winter warming.

Authors with CRIS profile

Achim Bräuning Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie)

Involved external institutions

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) CN China (CN) Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) NP Nepal (NP)

How to cite

APA:

Gaire, N.P., Fan, Z.X., Bräuning, A., Panthi, S., Rana, P., Shrestha, A., & Bhuju, D.R. (2020). Abies spectabilis shows stable growth relations to temperature, but changing response to moisture conditions along an elevation gradient in the central Himalaya. Dendrochronologia, 60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dendro.2020.125675

MLA:

Gaire, Narayan Prasad, et al. "Abies spectabilis shows stable growth relations to temperature, but changing response to moisture conditions along an elevation gradient in the central Himalaya." Dendrochronologia 60 (2020).

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