The radial growth of pine stands in changing environmental conditions

Abstract

Männipuistute radiaalkasvust muutuvates keskkonnatingimustes The changes in the radial growth in two consecutive generations of pine stands was investigated. Two pure pine stands were selected for this study. The both stands were represented by two consecutive generations growing at the same location and in the same site conditions. For determining the differences in the radial growth of successive stand generations the constant cambial age method was used. In analysis the average tree ring widths of stands at age of 30, 40 and 50 years was compared. The analysis showed that the radial growth of the younger stands at present exceeded that of the stands of old age when young. The increased N deposition and elevated CO2 level during the second half of the last century may have some positive influence for the growth of the studied young stands. The average temperature of the winter months in 1950-2000 has increased by 1 °C compared to that in 1850-1900. Therefore it may be assumed that long-term continuous warming may cause the altered growth response of pines.