Long-term increase of March temperature has no negative impact on tree rings of European larch (Larix decidua) in lowland Poland

Marcin Koprowski

doi:10.1007/s00468-012-0758-8

Abstract

European larch trees grown outside their natural range were intensively studied in terms of their adaptability to increased late winter temperature. A total of 264 cores of larch were taken from 12 sites throughout northern Poland at sites outside of its natural range. Clustering of de-trended chronologies reveal that research sites are grouped geographically. The mean ring widths, however, are similar amongst the four regions. In total, 21 % of the single correlations for all months for tree-ring widths were significant at the 5 % error level. For earlywood and latewood, the figures are 18 and 19 %, respectively. A generally positive precipitation effect was found, however, no significant negative effect was observed. Temperature had mixed effects on ring width. Higher temperatures in late winter and early spring increased ring width in region 2. High summer temperatures in both the previous and the current year, on the other hand, generally had a negative impact on tree-ring width during the growing season. On most of the sites, the observed long-term trend for increasing temperatures in March had no significant negative influence on tree growth. The visual condition of European larch together with the lack of any negative response of tree rings to observed March temperature increase suggest that it may be beneficial to introduce this species into new areas.

Highlights

The changes in climate have been well documented recently
For Norway spruce growing within its natural range in the south-eastern part of Poland, March temperature seems to be one of the most important factors in determining tree growth
The longest chronology for the selected regions was derived from region 1 and covers the years 1814–2009 (Table 2), the oldest trees grow in a natural reserve in the Łopuchowko forest inspectorate

Summary

Introduction

The changes in climate have been well documented recently. At a global scale, warming and widespread changes in land use have been established (Solomon et al 2007). A significant increase in March temperature has been shown in Poland (Koz_uchowski and Degirmendzic 2005), and in addition, other factors related to vegetation have been changed. The dendroclimatological research in northern Poland using Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) emphasised that February and March air temperature is the most important factor limiting pine growth (Zielski et al 2010). The impact of temperature during February and March is so important that long-term chronologies are used to reconstruct the climate in the area of North (Koprowski et al 2012) and South Poland (Szychowska-Krapiec 2010). For Norway spruce growing within its natural range in the south-eastern part of Poland, March temperature seems to be one of the most important factors in determining tree growth

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Discussion

Conclusion