Timescale Effects of Radial Growth Responses of Two Dominant Coniferous Trees on Climate Change in the Eastern Qilian Mountains

Abstract

To explore the difference in the response of the radial growth of Pinus tabulaeformis and Picea crassifolia on different timescales to climate factors in the eastern part of Qilian Mountains, we used dendrochronology to select four different timescales (day, pentad (5 days), dekad (10 days), and month) for exploration. The primary conclusions were as follows: (1) According to an investigation of the dynamic correlations between radial growth and climate conditions, drought during the growing season has been the dominant limiting factor for radial growth across both species in recent decades; (2) climate data at the dekad scale are best for examining the correlations between radial growth and climate variables; and (3) based on basal area increment, P. tabuliformis in the study area showed a trend of first an increase and then a decrease, while P. crassifolia showed a trend of continuous increase (BAI). As the climate continues to warm in the future, forest ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas will be more susceptible to severe drought, which will lead to a decline in tree growth, death, and community deterioration. As a result, it is critical to implement appropriate management approaches for various species based on the peculiarities of their climate change responses.

Forest Functioning under Climate Warming and Future Perspectives on Forest Disturbances

“…Their results indicated a reduction in highly suitable areas under future climate conditions and acknowledged the importance of identifying viable habitats to conserve vulnerable species and prevent local extinctions. Other papers published in this Special Issue have shown that climate changes affect vegetation phenology [12], tree growth [13] and stand productivity [14] but also the reproductivity rate [15] or stand regeneration [16]. Using remote sensing data, such as MODIS together with vegetation indices and vegetation gross primary productivity [12,14], allows the identification of changes in vegetation changes and the link to climate change.…”

“…Using dendrochronological methods, Qi et al [13] attempted to determine the main climate factors that influence the radial growth of two coniferous tree species. The study showed the growth response is species-specific and the drought during the growing season is a decisive negative factor.…”

Conifer Biotechnology: An Overview

“…It is highly likely that, as the climate continues to warm, forest ecosystems will increase their susceptibility to severe drought, leading to community deterioration, death, or reduced growth of individuals. It is, therefore, essential to conduct different studies that assess the response peculiarities of different conifer species [21].…”

“…Diseases and pests [14] Habitat deterioration [18] Drought [19][20][21] Climate change and human pressure [22] Biotechnology would have a strong impact on conifer breeding, propagation programs, and their adaptation to the environmental settings that support their development, such as soils, light, or temperature. New biotechnological tools, such as genomic, micropropagation, and genetic engineering, would also offer the possibility to overcome these problems.…”