Tree-Ring Growth of Siberian Larch at the Upper Treeline in the Altai Republic

Abstract

Results of spatial-temporal analysis of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ldb.) tree-ring width chronologies for several sites (Kokcy, Chind, Ak-ha, Jelo, Tute, Tara, and Sukor) at the upper treeline in the Altai Republic are presented. Tree-ring growth for all chronologies (for the sites laid at ≥2200 m above sea level) is interrelated. The calculation of the response function between the growth rate of tree-ring chronologies and mean monthly surface air temperatures revealed that June–July temperature was the main climatic factor infl uencing radial tree-ring width growth. The built tree-ring chronologies have high correlation coeffi cients with the chronologies found in the neighboring region (the Tyva Republic – chronology Mongun; Mongolia – chronology Khalzam Khamar), i.e., they contain strong interregional climatic signal and could be used to build regional tree-ring chronologies. Tree-ring chronologies Koksu and Ak-ha are the most promising for building millennial tree-ring chronology and June–July temperature reconstructions.