Climatic response of various tree ring parameters of fir (Abies pindrow) from Chandanwadi in Jammu and Kashmir, western Himalaya, India

Abstract

Total ring width (TRW) and earlywood width (ERW) of fir ( Abies pindrow ) compared to latewood width (LRW) are strongly correlated with Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) during summer season (March to October). Correlation coefficients for the period 1876-1948 between PDSI and TRW as well as ERW are 0.43 and 0.50 respectively, which is found to be significant at 0.01% level. Thereafter, their relationship weakened as temperature changed over the region, whereas maximum latewood density (MXD) reveals significant negative association with PDSI during summer season. Moreover, monthly mean, maximum and minimum temperatures during August to September of the region indicate significant positive response with MXD. Correlation coefficients of MXD with mean, maximum and minimum temperatures are 0.60, 0.61 and 0.51 respectively, which is significant at 0.01% level. There is also high temporal stability in the relationship between MXD and temperature from 1916 onwards over the region.