Dendroclimatic analysis of central Appalachian red spruce in West Virginia

Abstract

We conducted dendroclimatic analyses and constructed future growth projections for red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) throughout the central Appalachians in the state of West Virginia. This study involved field sampling of 18 sites across red spruce’s range throughout Monongahela National Forest in 6 regions based on pairwise combinations of three latitudinal groups (north, central, and southern latitudes) with two aspects (north and south aspect). Each combination of latitudinal group and aspect was referred to as a landscape cluster. Growth was negatively impacted by high summer temperature stress, but responded favorably to high fall temperatures. The results also suggested that red spruce was likely impacted by the degree of winter harshness in all landscape clusters. In the northern latitudinal landscape clusters, red spruce responded favorably to warm spring temperatures by allowing an early start to the growing season. Growth projections under a future climate change scenario show that future expected increases in mean and maximum monthly temperatures will have negative effects on future spruce growth. The forecasting results suggested that red spruce in northern latitudes on south aspects or central latitudes on north aspects are the landscape clusters that will likely be the most resilient to future climate change. Dendroclimatic results and future growth projections can assist with identifying locations that are most suitable for future red spruce restoration activities.

Sustainable Management of Central Appalachian Red Spruce

“…Dendroclimatic results also allow us to make estimates on how the species of interest could potentially respond to future predicted climate values. Yetter et al [43] used dendroclimatology to characterize the seasonal climatic factors influencing radial growth of central Appalachian red spruce. Yetter et al [43] reported that growth was negatively impacted by high summer temperature stress, but responded favorably to high fall temperatures; furthermore, growth was associated with the degree of winter harshness, and responded favorably to warm spring temperatures.…”

Reference Curves for Central Appalachian Red Spruce

“…There are increased efforts to better understand the species and its life history specific to the Central Appalachian region. Regeneration, disturbance, climate change, and many other factors all play a large role in dictating the role of red spruce in high-elevation forest communities [7,[12][13][14][15][16][17].…”