Spatial and temporal variations of the responses of radial growth of Larix gmelinii to climate in the Daxing'anling Mountains of Northeast China

Abstract

Following the distribution characteristics of Larix gmelinii in Daxing'anling Mountains, nine sampling sites along a latitude gradient were set up to analyze the spatial difference and temporal dynamic in the responses of radial growth of L. gmelinii to climate. Overall, the radial growth of L. gmelinii was positively correlated with the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) in summer (June to August), summer precipitation, February SPEI, and February preci-pitation, but was negatively correlated with the March temperature. Spatially, in the southern area of the region with higher annual average temperature, the radial growth of L. gmelinii had a significant positive correlation with February SPEI. In the northern area with lower annual average tempera-ture, the radial growth of L. gmelinii was negatively correlated with the temperature in March. Temporally, the growth-climate relationship for L. gmelinii was unstable. In the area with higher annual average temperature, the positive effects of SPEI and precipitation, as well as the negative effects of temperature in summer on growth significantly enhanced with climate warming. In the area with lower annual average temperature, the negative response of growth to March temperature enhanced more obviously. Such a result indicated that climate change would alter growth-climate relationship, with great spatial variations. Our results suggested that radial growth of L. gmelinii would be limited in the future climate of warm and dry in the Daxing'anling Mountains. The growth of L. gmelinii might obviously decline in south due to summer water deficit and winter drought, and might be inhibited in north because of warm and dry winter.