Improved method of obtaining micro-core paraffin sections in dendroecological research

Abstract

Aims Despite numerous dendroclimatological and dendroecological studies conducted over many regions around the world, associated research on the mechanism of how tree species respond to climate change rarely have been reported. In order to explore the climate-growth patterns in detail, observations of cambial activities have been widely used for physiological and ecological insights.Methods By investigating seasonal dynamics of cambial activities of five different tree species like Sabina przewalskii, Betula albo-sinensis, Pinus tabuliformis, Picea crassifolia, and Picea wilsonii, we improved the pre-existing technique using plant paraffin sections.Important findings We considered the process of softening and the timing control of dehydration, cleaning,wax-dipping and staining to improve cambial slices and thereby a provide reliable foundation of paraffin sections of lignified samples useful to the domains of dendroclimatology, dendroecology and wood anatomy.