Influences of climate on the radial growth of lodgepole pine in Alberta

Abstract

We examined a network of 17 lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) sites in Alberta in the cordilleran forests along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and in western Cypress Hills, using a dendrochronological approach to identify the principal climatic factors that have influenced the historical, regional-scale pattern of radial growth of lodgepole pine. Correlation and regression analysis of the regional growth–climate relationships showed that radial growth was negatively associated with late-summer temperatures, and positively related to the late-summer precipitation totals from the previous growth season. Radial growth also responded positively to winter and spring temperatures, and was negatively related to late winter–early spring precipitation. The results suggested that the lag in response to heat and moisture stress, cold and snowy winters, and the length of the current growing season are important determinants of the radial growth of lodgepole pine in Alberta.