Tree growth at the limits: the response of multiple conifers to opposing climatic constraints along an elevational gradient in the Alps

Nikolaus Obojes, Serena Buscarini, A. Meurer, E. Tasser, W. Oberhuber, Stefan Mayr, Ulrike Tappeiner
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Abstract

Climate change affects the vitality of mountain forests through increasing temperatures and decreasing water availability due to changing precipitation patterns, earlier snowmelt, and increasing evaporative demand. Depending on species characteristics, tree growth might therefore increase in cold habitats near the forest line but decrease in water-limited conditions at low elevation.We analyzed the tree-ring widths of five conifers (Picea abies, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra, and Pinus cembra) along an elevational gradient from 1,000 m to 2,320 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in Vinschgau/Val Venosta Valley in Northern Italy, one of the driest regions of the Alps (mean annual precipitation of 682 mm at 1,310 m a.s.l.).Our aim was to estimate the species-specific growth response to changing climate conditions along an elevational gradient. At low elevations, we observed a significant response to water availability not only during the actual growing season but also throughout the previous autumn for all species present. At mid-elevation, the correlation coefficients to precipitation and drought indices (SPEI) were highest for Picea abies. At high elevations, the positive correlation of growth with temperature was smaller than expected for Pinus cembra. In contrast, Larix decidua responded positively to temperature and grew faster in recent decades.Considering that a further increase in temperatures will reduce plant water availability during the growing season, our space-for-time approach provides an outlook on future growth conditions of conifers in larger regions of the European Alps. Water limitation will affect tree growth and vitality not only at low elevation in the valleys but also at mid elevation on mountain slopes, potentially impacting timber production and protective and recreative functions of forests. Near the forest line, the different capabilities of tree species to benefit from higher temperatures might lead to changes in species composition.
树木生长的极限:阿尔卑斯山海拔梯度上多种针叶树对相反气候限制的反应
气候变化会影响山区森林的生命力,因为气温会升高,而降水模式的改变、融雪期的提前以及蒸发需求的增加会导致水分供应减少。我们分析了海拔 1,000 米至 2,320 米(a. s.l.)海拔梯度上的五种针叶树(桤木、腊梅、欧洲赤松、黑松和美洲赤松)的树环宽度。我们的目的是评估物种在海拔梯度上对气候条件变化的生长反应。在低海拔地区,我们观察到所有物种不仅在实际生长季节,而且在之前的整个秋季都对水分供应做出了显著反应。在中海拔地区,黑松与降水和干旱指数(SPEI)的相关系数最高。在高海拔地区,欧洲赤松的生长与温度的正相关性比预期的要小。考虑到气温进一步升高将减少植物在生长季节的水分供应,我们的时间空间方法为欧洲阿尔卑斯山较大地区针叶树的未来生长条件提供了展望。水分限制不仅会影响低海拔山谷树木的生长和活力,也会影响中海拔山坡树木的生长和活力,从而可能影响木材产量以及森林的保护和休闲功能。在森林线附近,树种从较高温度中获益的能力不同,可能会导致树种组成发生变化。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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