Comparison of dendroclimatic relationships using multiple tree-ring indicators (tree-ring width and δ ¹³C) from...

Area of Science:

• Dendrochronology and Climate Science
• Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Tree-ring width (TRW) and stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) are proxies for past climate conditions.
• Understanding climate sensitivity of different wood components is crucial for accurate paleoclimate reconstructions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the climate drivers affecting tree-ring width and δ¹³C in Masson pine from subtropical China.
• To compare the dendroclimatic potential of TRW and δ¹³C series from various wood components.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of tree-ring width (total ring, earlywood, latewood) and δ¹³C in whole wood, α-cellulose, and holocellulose.
• Statistical correlation analysis to determine climate-tree growth and isotope relationships.
• Assessment of temporal and spatial climate-growth/isotope responses.

Main Results:

• Tree-ring width parameters showed limited additional climate information beyond total ring width.
• δ¹³C series from all wood components strongly correlated with July-September relative humidity (r up to -0.792).
• Moisture (summer/autumn) significantly impacted both TRW and δ¹³C, but with differing responses.

Conclusions:

• δ¹³C series of Masson pine are more representative climate proxies than TRW parameters for subtropical China.
• Intra-annual TRW variations offer minimal added climate information.
• δ¹³C from different wood components exhibit similar dendroclimatic relationships.