The variations of stable-carbon isotope ratios in Qilian juniper in northwestern China

Abstract

This is the first study of δ13C values that considers elevational influences of the Qilian mountains of China. The δ13C values of different parts of the Qilian juniper (Sabina przewalskii Kom.) at different elevations of the Qilian mountains, China, were measured. Relatively constant differences in δ13C values existed between the tree leaves and the trunk wood. No strong dependency of δ13C values on elevation was found. The temporal changes of wood δ13C values with directions, elevations and height in the tree showed general similarity. These results suggest that the isotopic effects of environmental factors expressed initially at the site of photosynthesis, i.e., the leaves could be contained in the trunks of a tree. Regardless of elevation, direction or height in the tree, wood δ13C values have been decreasing during the past 60 years. A composite 600-year δ13C chronology developed from four trees showed that δ13C values remain relatively constant before 1800. After 1800 AD, however, δ13C values became significantly more negative. The trend in wood δ13C values was consistent with that obtained for δ13C values in atmospheric CO2. The results showed that for Qilian juniper, tree-ring δ13C chronology could be established to ascertain fluctuations of the atmospheric δ13C.