Response of Pinus koraiensis and Picea jezoensis var. komarovii to climate in the transition zone of Changbai Mountain,China

Abstract

Aims Our objective was to reveal the climate sensitivity of Pinus koraiensis and Picea jezoensis var.komarovii.Methods We used dendroecological methods to analyze growth characteristics and responses to climate of Pinus koraiensis and Picea jezoensis var.komarovii,dominant species in the transition of broad-leaved Korean pine forest and dark coniferous forest in Changbai Mountain,China,to reveal their climate sensitivity.Important findings Radial growth of both species was significantly correlated with the age.Maximum annual growth occurred earlier in Pinus koraiensis than Picea jezoensis var.komarovii.Annual growth rate was signifi-cantly higher in Pinus koraiensis than Picea jezoensis var.komarovii (p 0.001).Response to climate also dif-fered.Radial growth of Pinus koraiensis was significantly positively correlated with monthly mean temperature in July and precipitation in September (p 0.05).However,radial growth in Picea jezoensis var.komarovii was sig-nificantly positively related to monthly mean and maximum temperature in May and was negatively related to May precipitation.Results from response surface analysis suggested that radial growth was mainly controlled by the temperature and precipitation of the growing season,but precipitation during the early growing season was the most important factor for growth of Picea jezoensis var.komarovii.Global warming will favor radial growth of Pinus koraiensis,and this species will be able to extend to higher elevation.