Meta-analysis of climate effects on radial growth of Qinghai spruce in northwestern China
Gao C, Yang B, Wang F, Li G, Ljungqvist FC, Bräuning A, Belokopytova LV, Vaganov EA (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 36
Article Number: 92
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1007/s11676-025-01884-1
Abstract
Radial growth of trees is highly sensitive to environmental changes, but the effect of climate on tree rings in Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia), a widely distributed endemic conifer in western China, is more complex than in many other conifers. A comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal climatic responses of its rings is needed to develop theoretical basis for designing strategies for its conservation and management. Here, our synthesis of the literature on responses of radial growth of Qinghai spruce to monthly climate variables in different environmental conditions by meta-analysis showed that precipitation and drought severity are the main limiting factors for Qinghai spruce radial growth in the semiarid region of northwestern China. In warmer and drier areas, radial growth of Qinghai spruce is mainly limited by drought. In the areas north of the 600-mm annual precipitation isoline, the tree-ring width (TRW) was significantly positively correlated with precipitation and significantly negatively correlated with temperature during the growing season (June–August). The limiting effect of drought on Qinghai spruce is also gradually increasing from southeast to northwest, to the west of 103° E and within 37° N–39° N.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) / 中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院
China (CN)
University of Iowa
United States (USA) (US)
Stockholm University / Stockholms universitet
Sweden (SE)
Siberian Federal University (SibFU) / Сибирский федеральный университет
Russian Federation (RU)
China (CN)
University of Iowa
United States (USA) (US)
Stockholm University / Stockholms universitet
Sweden (SE)
Siberian Federal University (SibFU) / Сибирский федеральный университет
Russian Federation (RU)
How to cite
APA:
Gao, C., Yang, B., Wang, F., Li, G., Ljungqvist, F.C., Bräuning, A.,... Vaganov, E.A. (2025). Meta-analysis of climate effects on radial growth of Qinghai spruce in northwestern China. Journal of Forestry Research, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-025-01884-1
MLA:
Gao, Caihong, et al. "Meta-analysis of climate effects on radial growth of Qinghai spruce in northwestern China." Journal of Forestry Research 36.1 (2025).
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