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Consistent negative temperature sensitivity and positive influence of precipitation on growth of floodplain in Interior Alaska.
- Source :
-
Canadian Journal of Forest Research . Mar2012, Vol. 42 Issue 3, p561-573. 13p. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- This paper calibrates climate controls over radial growth of floodplain white spruce ( (Moench) Voss) and examines whether growth in these populations responds similarly to climate as upland trees in Interior Alaska. Floodplain white spruce trees hold previously unrecognized potential for long-term climate reconstruction because they are the source of driftwood that becomes frozen in coastal deposits, where archeological timbers and beach logs represent well-preserved datable material. We compared ring width chronologies for 135 trees in six stands on the Yukon Flats and Tanana River with temperature and precipitation at Fairbanks from 1912-2001. Our sample contains a stable common signal representing a strong negative relationship between summer temperature and tree growth. We developed a floodplain temperature index (FPTI), which explains half of the variability of the composite chronology, and a supplemental precipitation index (SPI) based on correlation of monthly precipitation with the residual of the temperature-based prediction of growth. We then combined FPTI and SPI into a climate favorability index (CFI) in which above-normal precipitation partially compensates for temperature-induced drought reduction of growth and vice versa. CFI and growth have been particularly low since 1969. Our results provide a basis for building longer chronologies based on archeological wood and for projecting future growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00455067
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Canadian Journal of Forest Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 72246329
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1139/x2012-008