Tree-Ring Studies in India Past Appraisal, Present Status and Future Prospects

Bhattacharyya, Amitava; Shah, Sameena

doi:10.1163/22941932-90000224

Cited by 42 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, there is increasing evidence suggesting that growth response of treeline trees to climate change and variability is spatiotemporally differentiated, species-specific, and not unidirectional. In general, tree-ring growth in the E Himalaya is less sensitive to climate variation compared to W Himalayan sites and trees (Bhattacharyya and Shah, 2009), and most studies reported radial growth of treeline conifers to be more responsive to temperature than precipitation change, with western and central Himalayan conifers being more responsive to winter and pre-monsoon temperatures and E Himalayan conifers often being more responsive to summer temperatures.…”

Section: Tree Physiognomy and Growth Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Himalayan treelines respond to recent climate change? An evaluation of sensitivity indicators

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Climate warming is expected to induce treelines to advance to higher elevations. Empirical studies in diverse mountain ranges, however, give evidence of both advancing alpine treelines and rather insignificant responses. The inconsistency of findings suggests distinct differences in the sensitivity of global treelines to recent climate change. It is still unclear where Himalayan treeline ecotones are located along the response gradient from rapid dynamics to apparently complete inertia. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding sensitivity and response of Himalayan treelines to climate warming, based on extensive field observations, published results in the widely scattered literature, and novel data from ongoing research of the present authors.Several sensitivity indicators such as treeline type, treeline form, seed-based regeneration, and growth patterns are evaluated. Since most Himalayan treelines are anthropogenically depressed, observed advances are largely the result of land use change. Near-natural treelines are usually krummholz treelines, which are relatively unresponsive to climate change. Nevertheless, intense recruitment of treeline trees suggests a great potential for future treeline advance. Competitive abilities of seedlings within krummholz thickets and dwarf scrub heaths will be a major source of variation in treeline dynamics. Tree growth-climate relationships show mature treeline trees to be responsive to temperature change, in particular in winter and pre-monsoon seasons. High pre-monsoon temperature trends will most likely drive tree growth performance in the western and central Himalaya. Ecological niche modelling suggests that bioclimatic conditions for a range expansion of treeline trees will be created during coming decades.

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Section: Tree Physiognomy and Growth Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do Himalayan treelines respond to recent climate change? An evaluation of sensitivity indicators

et al. 2015

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“…Jacoby 1989, Fritts 1976, Priya & Bhat 1997, Pant 2003. Ring width is also considered a good anatomical indicator of age (Priya & Bhat 1998, Bhat et al 2001, and T. grandis is one of the tropical species that shows clear growth rings and suitable for climatic analysis (Chowdhury 1964, Détienne 1989, Bhattacharyya & Shah 2009.…”

Section: Growth Rate and Ring Width Variability Of Teak Tectona Granmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth rate and ring width variability of teak, <i>Tectona grandis</i> (Verbenaceae) in an unmanaged forest in East Timor.

Sousa¹,

Cardoso²,

Quilhó

et al. 2012

RBT

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Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of the most valuable timbers in international trade and an important species for tropical forestry. Teak is found on the island of East Timor but no information is available on teak growth from this region. A pure stand planted in 1940-50 in the North of East Timor and left unmanaged was studied. Fifteen trees were sampled in October-November 2003 and stem discs taken at three height levels of its height (1.7m, 9.5m and 18.7m), and cores were collected at DBH. Transverse surfaces of the discs and cores were polished for ring identification. Core cross sections were first digitized and disc cross sections were observed under the microscope. Three randomly selected radii were analyzed in each disc. Ring width measurement and ring counting were done using image analysis software. The distinction between heartwood and sapwood was performed macroscopically by colour difference, and heartwood radius and sapwood width were measured. The relationship between stem and heartwood radius was studied for each disc and heartwood percentage by radius was determined. Radial ring width curves are presented for the different axial positions within the stem, and ring width variability was analyzed. Growth rates were calculated and age-radius relationships were estimated using cumulative growth curves. Growth rings were large and well defined in the juvenile phase, reflecting the specie's fast-growing character. The year-to-year variation of ring width showed a similar pattern among trees. Mean ring width ranged between 4.3-7.3mm for the first 20 years and 3.3-5.1mm for 30 to 45 years. Pith eccentricity was evident in the lower part of the stem and ring wedging occurred. On average, heartwood represented 84% of the radius and sapwood contained 6 to 11 rings. The age-related variation of ring width and the occurrence in the lower part of the tree stems of eccentricity and wedging rings, highlights the importance of appropriate stand management, particularly regarding basal density distribution over time, whenever optimized timber production is envisaged. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (1): 483-494. Epub 2012 March 01.

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“…In comparison with subalpine forests, little is known about the growth response of subtropical and tropical forests to climate change in the central Himalayas. Several studies in the Himalayas revealed that subtropical and tropical tree species showed dendrochronological potentials [17][18][19] As a dominant tree (with total stem volume 11.62 m 3 /ha and total biomass 9.9 t/ha) across the Himalayan subtropical zone [20], Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) is a representative species for investigating impacts of climate change in recent decades on the subtropical forest ecosystem. However, its dendrochronological potential has not yet been fully explored [21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moisture-Limited Tree Growth for a Subtropical Himalayan Conifer Forest in Western Nepal

Sigdel

Dawadi

Camarero

et al. 2018

Forests

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Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) is a common tree species with ecological and economic importance across the subtropical forests of the central Himalayas. However, little is known about its growth response to the recent warming and drying trends observed in this region. Here, we developed a 268-year-long ring-width chronology (1743-2010) from western Nepal to investigate its growth response to climate. Based on nearby available meteorological records, growth was positively correlated with winter (November to February; r = 0.39, p < 0.05) as well as March to April (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) precipitation. Growth also showed a strong positive correlation with the sum of precipitation from November of the previous year to April of the current year (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). In contrast, a negative relationship with the mean temperature in March to April (r = −0.48, p < 0.05) suggests the influence of warming-induced evapotranspiration on tree growth. Spring droughts lasting 4-6 months constrain Chir pine growth. These results are supported by the synchronization between droughts and very narrow or locally missing rings. Warming and drying tendencies during winter and spring will reduce forest growth and resilience and make Chir pine forests more vulnerable and at higher risk of growth decline and dieback.

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Tree-Ring Studies in India Past Appraisal, Present Status and Future Prospects

Cited by 42 publications

References 26 publications

Do Himalayan treelines respond to recent climate change? An evaluation of sensitivity indicators

Do Himalayan treelines respond to recent climate change? An evaluation of sensitivity indicators

Growth rate and ring width variability of teak, <i>Tectona grandis</i> (Verbenaceae) in an unmanaged forest in East Timor.

Moisture-Limited Tree Growth for a Subtropical Himalayan Conifer Forest in Western Nepal

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