Correlation of tree ring growths of four major species with climate changes in South Korea

Abstract

Annual tree rings of Pinus densiflora, Quercus variabilis, Larix leptolepis, and Cryptomeria japonica were analyzed to examine the correlations of annual ring growth of these species with environmental variables. In all four species, annual ring area was increased over time and affected by integration of climate changes and atmospheric pollutants in the forest ecosystem. C. japonica ring growth was larger than that of other species. The annual growth rings of P. densiflora and C. japonica increased with increasing temperature (p < 0.05). The significant impacts of NO2 concentration on annual ring growth of C. japonica (p < 0.05) might reflect the nitrogen deposition. The relation of CO2 concentration with annual ring growth of C. japonica (p < 0.001) could suggest that annual ring growth of C. japonica decreased with increasing CO2 concentration, probably due to stomatal closure. The effects of SO2 concentration on annual ring area of P. densiflora, L. leptolepis, and C. japonica (p < 0.05) along with the correlation of O3 concentration with ring growth of P. densiflora (p < 0.05) could be due to acid deposition. The relationships of precipitation pH with annual ring growth of P. densiflora (p < 0.05) and Q. variabilis (p < 0.01) might reflect the change of nutrient cycles in the forest ecosystem. Therefore, annual ring growths of four tree species depended on environmental factors in the study area. Integrated effects of climate change and atmosphere pollutants on tree growth in the study might reflect the problem of acidification in the forest ecosystem.