Mixed Response of Decadal Variability in Larch Tree-Ring Chronologies from Upper Tree-Lines of the Russian Altai

Abstract

We developed a network of tree-ring width chronologies of larch (Larix sibirica Led.) from upper tree-lines of the southeast Altai Mountains, South Siberia. Annual tree-ring variability of chronologies since A.D. 1710 was compared using factor analysis. The factor analysis clustered eight tree-ring chronologies into two groups that were used for compositing chronologies. One resulting composite chronology (A.D. 1582-1994) averaged sites from upper tree-lines in glacier-free areas and another chronology (A.D. 1090-1999) captured the sites at upper tree-lines in valleys of the Korumdu, Aktru, Yan-Karasu and Kizil-Tash Glaciers (North-Chuya Range). There is no significant difference in the estimated strength of temperature signals (June and July) of the composite chronologies. However, we observed a remarkable contrast in the decadal variability of larch growth between upper tree-lines of glacier-free areas and glacier valleys. The tree-ring growth of larch was coherent among the chronologies for the period A.D. 1582-1725. Suddenly, low-frequency similarity declined around A.D. 1730. The magnitude of differences became more pronounced after A.D. 1775 indicating three periods with opposite growth tendency (1775-1850, 1900-1915 and 1960-1994) that alternated with short periods of coherent growth. We assume that the low-frequency signal in the glacier valley larch chronology accommodates oscillations of both summer temperature and glacier dynamics. The periods of low-frequency departures are consistent with the 19th Century advance and tremendous 20th Century retreat of the glaciers. We argue that expanded glaciers enhance harmful impacts of katabatic wind on larch growth. It appears that employing tree rings from upper tree-lines of glaciated areas for estimation of decadal and centennial variability climatic proxies should be selected with great caution.

Early summer temperature changes in the southern Altai Mountains of Central Asia during the past 300 years

“…Since then, many dendroclimatological studies have been performed in the western , middle (Sidorova et al, 2012), and eastern (Davi et al, 2009) Altai Mountains. Most of these studies have focused on the development of tree-ring chronologies and the response of tree growth to climate (Panyushkina et al, 2005;Zhang et al, 2007;Shang et al, 2010a;Hu et al, 2011;Li et al, 2011;Myglana et al, 2012;Chen et al, 2012a). However, these studies have primarily concentrated on reconstruction of the local paleoclimate (Zhang et al, 2008;Shang et al, 2010bShang et al, , 2011Hu et al, 2012a).…”

Spatial Heterogeneity of Climate Change Effects on Dominant Height of Larch Plantations in Northern and Northeastern China

“…Similar to precipitation, a positive effect was found for the response of dominant height to temperature. Although temperature is also a key factor in forest growth [48,49], the correlation between temperature and forest growth was inconsistent in previous studies, even for larch in China. Shen et al [30] found an opposite result to the present study, i.e., that temperature showed a negative effect on site index of Larix olgensis in Jilin, China.…”

Floating Larch Tree-Ring Chronologies from Archaeological Timbers in the Russian Altai Between about 800 BC and AD 800

“…Several 14 C dates were developed to control overlaps between tree-ring width chronologies of tombs and sites. A 1586-yr tree-ring width chronology of larch (AD 420-2005) from 10 upper tree-line sites of southeastern Altai was used as a reference curve for tree-ring crossdating where possible (extended tree-ring chronology from Panyushkina et al [2005]). …”