Dynamics of stem radial growth of Picea meyeri during the growing season at the treeline of Luya Mountain, China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2012.00956

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims As an important ecological boundary, treeline ecotone is sensitive and vulnerable to external environ- mental changes, and tree growth at treeline is strongly constrained by the harsh environment. Our objectives were to analyze the characteristics of the stem radial growth of Picea meyeri during the growing season at the treeline of Luya Mountain, Shanxi, China and investigate the main environmental factors affecting radial growth.
Methods From May to September 2009, an automatic point dendrometer was used to continuously monitor stem radial growth of P. meyeri. Environmental factors were measured by instruments synchronously.
Important findings The daily variation pattern, i.e., reversible stem shrinking (day) and swelling (night), was controlled by the daily course of tree transpiration. The cumulative radial variation of P. meyeri during the growing season could be divided into three distinct periods: 1) stem rehydration, 2) stem rapid growth, and 3) stem dehydration contraction. During different growth periods, the major environmental factors controlling the stem radial growth were different. Soil water content, soil temperature, soil temperature and water content were the main environmental factors corresponding to the above mentioned three growth periods, respectively. Soil temperature determined the initiation of stem radial growth of P. meyeri. Photoperiod could act as the constricting factor for the growth rate of P. meyeri at the treeline. The maximum growth rate of P. meyeri occurred in late June, around the time of maximum day length (summer solstice), which may be a survival strategy to avoid frost damage during cold winter conditions at treeline.

Key words: dendrometer, growing season, Picea meyeri, stem radial growth, treeline

DONG Man-Yu, JIANG Yuan, YANG Hao-Chun, WANG Ming-Chang, ZHANG Wen-Tao, GUO Yuan-Yuan. Dynamics of stem radial growth of Picea meyeri during the growing season at the treeline of Luya Mountain, China[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2012, 36(9): 956-964.

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Figures/Tables 6

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样树编号 Sample tree number	树高 Tree height (m)	胸径 Diameter at breast height (cm)	冠幅 Crown dia- meter (m)
1#	6.0	30	3.7
2#	4.5	14	1.5
3#	4.0	18	1.6
4#	6.0	25	3.7

样树编号 Sample tree number	树高 Tree height (m)	胸径 Diameter at breast height (cm)	冠幅 Crown dia- meter (m)
1#	6.0	30	3.7
2#	4.5	14	1.5
3#	4.0	18	1.6
4#	6.0	25	3.7

生长时段 Growth period		空气相对湿度 Air relative humidity	气温 Air temperature	降水量 Precipitation	土壤温度 Soil temperature	土壤含水量 Soil water content	水汽压差 Vapour pressure deficit
茎干水分恢复 Stem rehydration	Pearson相关系数 Pearson correlation coefficient	0.800^**	0.576	0.167	0.884^***	0.949^***	-0.630^*
茎干水分恢复 Stem rehydration	通径系数 Path coefficient	0.045	0.412	0.046	-0.045	0.663^*	-0.201
茎干快速生长 Stem rapid growth	Pearson相关系数 Pearson correlation coefficient	0.498^***	0.401^***	0.336^***	0.918^***	0.312^***	-0.376^***
茎干快速生长 Stem rapid growth	通径系数 Path coefficient	-0.016	-0.014	0.071^**	0.891^***	0.254^***	-0.018
茎干脱水收缩 Stem dehydration contraction	Pearson相关系数 Pearson correlation coefficient	0.106	0.033	0.456^**	0.739^***	0.707^***	-0.144
茎干脱水收缩 Stem dehydration contraction	通径系数 Path coefficient	-0.775	-0.050	-0.008	0.818^***	0.368^**	-0.801

生长时段 Growth period		空气相对湿度 Air relative humidity	气温 Air temperature	降水量 Precipitation	土壤温度 Soil temperature	土壤含水量 Soil water content	水汽压差 Vapour pressure deficit
茎干水分恢复 Stem rehydration	Pearson相关系数 Pearson correlation coefficient	0.800^**	0.576	0.167	0.884^***	0.949^***	-0.630^*
茎干水分恢复 Stem rehydration	通径系数 Path coefficient	0.045	0.412	0.046	-0.045	0.663^*	-0.201
茎干快速生长 Stem rapid growth	Pearson相关系数 Pearson correlation coefficient	0.498^***	0.401^***	0.336^***	0.918^***	0.312^***	-0.376^***
茎干快速生长 Stem rapid growth	通径系数 Path coefficient	-0.016	-0.014	0.071^**	0.891^***	0.254^***	-0.018
茎干脱水收缩 Stem dehydration contraction	Pearson相关系数 Pearson correlation coefficient	0.106	0.033	0.456^**	0.739^***	0.707^***	-0.144
茎干脱水收缩 Stem dehydration contraction	通径系数 Path coefficient	-0.775	-0.050	-0.008	0.818^***	0.368^**	-0.801

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