trace 2016 proceedings

Transcription

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the Tree Rings in Archaeology, Climatology and
Ecology 2016 conference in the Białowieża Forest, eastern Poland. TRACE arrives in Poland for the
second time this year organized by the University of Silesia in cooperation with the Silesian
Botanical Garden, University of Wrocław, Forest Research Institute, Białowieża National Park and
the Association for Tree-Ring Research.
TRACE 2016 is held in the heart of the Białowieża Forest. This is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and Biosphere Reserve, the last natural forest in the European Lowlands which retains its
primeval character, not to mention the largest free-living population of European bison, the
biggest European land mammal. We therefore welcome you to this beautiful area, a perfect venue
for conference focused on dendrochronology.
TRACE 2016 seeks to strengthen the networking and scientific exchange of scientists and
students involved in the study of tree-rings. Its aim is to present and discuss new discoveries and
approaches in tree-ring science. The scope of the meeting includes all fields of dendrochronology
and its application in archaeology, climatology, geomorphology, glaciology, fire history, forest
dynamics, ecology, plant anatomy, hydrology and physiology, including the use of stable isotopes.
This annual meeting has the reputation as a friendly, sociable and intimate gathering that
promotes the visibility of postgraduate and early career researchers, and we are looking forward
to continuing that tradition.
We offer you an excellent scientific programme of both oral and poster presentations
brought to Białowieża by 147 participants from 25 countries all over the world. In addition, we
have a pre-conference field trip for those interested in wooden architecture and natural heritage
of north-eastern Poland, mid-conference excursion to the Białowieża National Park, two short
courses focused on wood anatomy and growth disturbances, ice-breaker reception and
conference dinner with delicious dishes of regional cuisine.
Ireneusz Malik, Chair – University of Silesia (PL)
Paweł Kojs, Chair – Silesian Botanical Garden (PL)
Achim Bräuning, Chair – ATR, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (D)
We would like to thank various organisations and companies for their partnership and
sponsorship of the conference:
Leading National Research Centre (KNOW): Centre for Polar Studies,
University of Silesia
Białowieża Biodiversity Academy
Hotel Białowieski
Conference, Wellness & SPA
Technical School of Forestry in
Białowieża
SOME PRACTICAL INFO
 There are 15 minutes for each oral presentation, including questions and discussion.
 Posters should not be bigger than 70x100 cm, portrait orientation.
 Please bring your poster to the conference desk upon registration. Conference staff will
mount posters on Wednesday evening. Please remove your poster on Friday evening, before
conference diner. Afterwards it will be removed by conference staff and will be returned to you
on Saturday at the conference desk.
 The pick-up point for pre-conference excursion (10. 05. 2016, 8 am), mid-conference excursion
(13. 05. 2016, 6 am and 8 am), short courses (11. 05. 2016, 8:45 am) and return bus to Warsaw
Chopin airport (15. 05. 2016, 7:30 am) is at the entrence to the conference centre and
guesthouse (Białowieża National Park main building).
 There are two options for the mid-conference excursion: early morning, longer options (15
km/6 hours walk, starting at 6 am) and late morning, shorter option (7 km/4 hours walk,
starting at 8 am). The number of places for the early option is limited and the list of participants
is now closed. Any free places will be announced during the conference. Should you wish to
change from early to late option please inform us in advance at the conference desk. The late
option is open for every participant.
 When attending the mid-conference excursion please be prepared for a hiking trip in the
forest. Good, water-resistant boots and rain gear could be useful.
 Please mind that ice-breaker (11. 05. 2016, 19 pm) is an outdoor reception and it may be chilly
in the evening.
 Ice-breaker venue is the former railway station “Białowieża-Pałac” with entrance from the
Kolejowa street.
 Conference diner venue is “Białowieski” Hotel Conference, Wellness & SPA, 219, Waszkiewicza
street, 2,5 km away from the conference centre and guesthouse.
 Two restaurants in Białowieża offer a 10% discount for food based on your conference ID
badge: Pokusa (15, Grabiec street) and Białowieski Hotel (219, Waszkiewicza street).
 Check-in at the Białowieża National Park Guesthouse, “Gawra” Hotel and “Pokoje Ireny”
accommodation is from 14:00 pm and check-out time is noon. Guesthouse address is Park
Pałacowy 11, 17-230 Białowieża.
 Lunches for all participants and breakfasts for participants staying in the guesthouse and
“Pokoje Ireny” accommodation are served at the “Parkowa Restaurant” (located in the
conference centre, see map on the previous page). Breakfasts for participants staying in the
“Gawra” hotel are served at the hotel.
 Please mind that the Palace Park in which conference centre and guesthouse are located is a
quiet zone as a part of the Białowieża National Park.
 The yard in front of the Białowieża National Park main building (conference centre and
guesthouse) is a non-smoking zone.
 Please check maps on the previous pages for the location of shops, cash machine, currency
exchange and other facilities. You can also withdraw cash at the post office. Small grocery
market is located by the road entering Białowieża from Hajnówka (3, Grudkowska street).
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
08:00-18:30
pre-conference field trip
Wednesday, 11 May 2016
08:00-09:00
09:00-16:00
16:00-19:00
19:00-23:00
registration for short courses
short courses (including lunch 12:15-14:00)
registration
ice-breaker reception (outdoor reception, please mind that it may be chilly in the evening)
Thursday, 12 May 2016
KEYNOTE
07:00-08:30
08:30-08:45
08:45-09:15
09:15-09:30
09:30-09:45
archaeology
KEYNOTE
dendroclimatology I
KEYNOTE
registration
conference opening
Dieter Eckstein
Thomas Frank
Valentino Marini
Govigli
09:45-10:00
Mayya Sidorova
10:00-10:15
10:15-10:45
10:45-11:15
Julia Weidemüller
coffee break
Kurt Nicolussi
11:15-11:30
Daniel Balanzategui
11:30-11:45
11:45-12:00
Allan Buras
Claudia Hartl-Meier
12:00-12:15
Veronica Kuznetsova
12:15-14:00
14:00-14:30
lunch
Ewa Zin
Dendrochronology - looking back on amazing 50 years of its recent past
Dendrochronology of Early Neolithic water wells in the Rhineland, Germany
Evidence from tree rings and forest history of sacred groves in Northern Greece
Architecture and tree-ring dating of historical monuments in the open air museum “Starina Sibirskaya” in
Western Siberia
Transport of timber in the Dark Ages
Tree rings, glacier variability and climate in the Alps – the long-term view
A winter-early spring temperature reconstruction from AD 1169 for the northern Poland lowlands
developed from tree-ring widths of living and historical Pinus sylvestris trees
Shrubs shed light on 20th century Greenland Ice Sheet melting
Millennial-scale temperature coherence in proxy reconstructions and climate models
Climatic signals in early and latewood of coniferous in the Volga region - possibilities and restrictions of
climatic reconstructions
Białowieża Forest - disturbance history and forest dynamics in past and ongoing scientific research
14:30-14:45
Daniele Castagneri
14:45-15:00
Monika Franek
Edurne Martinez del
Castillo
15:00-15:15
dendroecology I
wood
anatomy and
methods I
poster session
15:15-15:30
Norbert Szymański
15:30-15:45
Bogdan Wertz
15:45-16:00
Valentina Vitali
16:00-16:30
coffee break
16:30-16:45
Philipp Hochreuther
16:45-17:00
17:00-17:15
17:15-17:30
17:30-17:45
17:45-18:00
18:00-19:30
19:30-20:30
Karolina Janecka
Oliver Konter
Jiří Lehejček
Margarita Popkova
Georg von Arx
Xylem anatomy indicates different strategies of two deciduous oak species to face drought in the SouthEastern Mediterranean Basin
Dendrochronological record of terrain subsidence caused by underground mining (Silesian Upland)
Does European beech and Scots pine adapt equally to Mediterranean conditions? A xylogenesis approach
Adaptation of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) of selected Polish provenances under climatic conditions
of the Kielecka Upland (central Poland)
Differences of the incremental response of main coniferous species in southern Poland in the pollution
period
The influence of drought-stress on radial growth in Norway spruce, Silver fir, and Douglas fir in the Black
Forest
Is linear correlation analysis a feasible tool for analysing climate-proxy relationships? The application of
wavelet coherence analysis for interpreting macroclimatic imprints on tree-ring δ18O in monsoonal
southeast Tibet
Does compression wood affect the climatic signal in carbon and oxygen isotopes of Norway spruce?
Age-related changes of the climate sensitivity of boreal tree-rings
A new tool for paleoclimate reconstructions in the Arctic – Wood-anatomy of Juniperus communis
Time identification of cell production in the growth season
Quantifying xylem anatomy in angiosperms and conifers – live demonstration of ROXAS!
ATR meeting
Friday, 13 May 2016
06:00-12:00
08:00-12:00
12:15-14:00
14:00-14:15
14:15-14:30
climategrowth
relationships
14:30-14:45
14:45-15:00
15:00-15:15
15:15-15:30
mid-conference field trip (early option)
mid-conference field trip (late option)
lunch
Wolfgang Beck
Temporally changing climate/growth relationships found on long-term forest sample plots
Katrin Böhm
Intra-seasonal growth variability of Juniperus semiglobosa from the Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan
Eyob Gebrehiwot
Precipitation as the main driver responsible for the radial growth of Cupressus lusitanica (Mill) at Wondo
Gebregeorgis
Genet, Ethiopia
Shankar Panthi
Recent climate warming has induced a declining growth of Himalayan spruce in the central Himalaya, Nepal
Ryszard Kaczka
The effect of wood preparation on results of Blue Intensity measurements
Václav Treml
Growth-climate relationships of trees at different treeline forms
dendroclimatology II
dendroclimatology II
poster session
15:30-15:45
Matthew Meko
15:45-16:00
Andrei Mursa
16:00-16:30
16:30-16:45
coffee break
Magdalena Opała
16:45-17:00
Tobias Scharnweber
17:00-17:15
Ernesto Tejedor Vargas
17:15-17:30
Achyut Tiwari
17:30-17:45
Jan Tumajer
17:45-18:00
18:00-19:30
19:30-24:00
Chuixiang Yi
Multi-parameter dendrochronology in sub-saharan Africa
A 400-year long summer temperature reconstruction based on maximum density in Pinus cembra L. tree
rings, in the Eastern Carpathian Mts., Romania
Millennia-long dendroclimatic records for the Pamir-Alay region - perspectives and limitations
A snapshot from 1000 years ago - Beech growth during medieval times compared to today with a focus on
summer drought
410-years of temperature reconstruction for the Iberian Peninsula based on tree-ring records
500-year tree ring-width based spring precipitation (March-May) variability in trans-Himalayan zone of
central Nepal
Different response of floodplain Quercus robur L. tree-ring width and vessel lumen area to changing
hydroclimatic conditions
Dendrochronology indicates a dryness tipping point for increased regional tree mortality
conference dinner
Saturday, 14 May 2016
dendroecology II
08:30-08:45
Francesco Giammarchi
08:45-09:00
Paweł Matulewski
09:00-09:15
Elena Pellizzari
09:15-09:30
Alma Piermattei
09:30-09:45
09:45-10:00
10:00-10:15
10:15-10:45
Seyedehmasoumeh
Saderi
Alina Samusevich
Maria Tabakova
coffee break
Disentangling climate and ontogenetic effects on the growth potential and intrinsic water-use efficiency of
two Alpine Norway spruce chronosequences
Radial growth changes in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) root systems subjected to trampling erosion within
on a hiking trail in Brodnica Lakeland, NE Poland
A juniper tree-ring network across the Alpine range
Disentangling the effect of climatic and genetic factors contributing to Abies alba tree-ring growth variation
along the Italian peninsula
Measuring the adaptive potential of larch to climatic changes using wood formation monitoring along an
altitudinal gradient in the French Alps
Earlywood and latewood sensitivity to air pollution on the example of Norway spruce in the Ore Mountains
Tree growth response along an altitudinal transect in the North of Central Siberia
isotopes in
dendrochronology
10:45-11:00
11:00-11:15
11:15-11:30
Achim Bräuning
Zeynab Foroozan
Stefan Klesse
11:30-11:45
Viorica Nagavciuc
11:45-12:00
12:15-14:00
Annika Oertel
Malin Michelle
Ziehmer
lunch
14:00-14:15
Peter Prislan
14:15-14:30
Jesper Björklund
14:30-14:45
Jianmin Jiang
14:45-15:00
Irina Sviderskaya
15:00-15:15
Ewa Zin
15:15-15:30
Małgorzata Danek
15:30-15:45
15:45-16:15
Henryk Dąbrowski
conference closing
12:00-12:15
wood
anatomy and
methods II
dendroecology IV
Stable isotope series in tropical trees - how much is enough to represent a robust signal?
Climatic signals in stable carbon isotope ratios of Juniper and Oak tree rings in northern Iran
Oxygen isotopes in tree rings are less sensitive to tree size and stand dynamics than carbon isotopes
Correlation between daily climatic data and oxygen isotope composition in the cellulose of Pinus cembra L.
tree rings (Călimani Mts., Romania)
Environmental signals in tree ring δ18O from a temperate catchment in Switzerland
Alpine Holocene tree ring isotope records - The chance and challenge of establishing multi-proxy records
from tree rings for the past 9000 years
Intra-specific plasticity of seasonal dynamics of xylem formation and wood structure in beech at two sites in
Slovenia
Seasonally interchangeable property relationships in Boreal conifers - key to decipher wood density for
dendroclimatology
Change-points of multiscale subperiod trends in tree-ring series over 8000 years in the Southwest of USA
Functional characteristics of conifer tracheids and annual rings: model estimates by lumen diameter and
wall thickness
Cross dating using pointer years and fire scars - examples from temperate and boreal Pinus sylvestris treering-fire history studies
The influence of masting on tree-ring growth of European larch in eastern part of the Polish Carpathian
Mountains
The origin of driftwood found on the western coast of Spitsbergen - dendrochronological study
Quantifying xylem anatomy in angiosperms and conifers – live demonstration of
ROXAS!
von Arx G.
([email protected])
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Tree-ring anatomical features such as conduit size, density and cell-wall thickness are nowadays
recognized as valuable archives for past growth conditions. Compared to ring width that integrates
conditions over an entire growing season, tree-ring anatomy, i.e. the analysis of anatomical
features in time series of decades to centuries, can provide information about past growth
conditions with an intra-annual resolution. Despite these promising perspectives, the wide use of
tree-ring anatomy has been mostly limited by technical constraints, because measuring
anatomical features is often very cumbersome and time consuming. This is why time series of
wood anatomical features have been either short or based on a small subset of the sample such as
a few radial files.
In this live demonstration I will present ROXAS: a specialized image-analysis tool that has been
developed to overcome many of the previous constraints. ROXAS can be used for angiosperms and
conifers, for (circular) branch and root samples as well as (linear) tree cores. It is designed to
process large images of large samples and produce an output for all conduits, even in conifers (up
to 1,000,000 tracheids per sample). After automatic recognition of conduits and ring borders, the
user can efficiently improve the automatic output directly in the image. Besides the ring width and
lumen area and the position of the conduits, data output includes many additional parameters
such as size distribution of conduits, mean hydraulic diameter (Dh), position within the ring,
theoretical hydraulic conductivity, conduit grouping (angiosperms), cell-wall thickness for all
conduits (conifers) and Mork’s index. ROXAS can be obtained at www.wsl.ch/roxas at no charge
within the scope of the user policy, but depends on the commercial software Image-Pro Plus.
A winter–early spring temperature reconstruction from AD 1169 for the Northern
Poland lowlands developed from tree–ring widths of living and historical Pinus
sylvestris trees
Balanzategui D.*1,2, Heinrich I1,2, Knorr A1, Heußner K.U.3, Wazny T.4, Slowinski M.5, Helle G.1,
Wilmking M.6, Scharnweber T.6, Brauer A.1
* corresponding author ([email protected])
1
– German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 5.2: Climate Dynamics and
Landscape
Evolution, Potsdam, Germany
2 – Humboldt University, Geography Department, Berlin, Germany
3 – German Archaeological Institute, Berlin, Germany
4 – University of Arizona, Tree-Ring Laboratory, Tucson, USA
5 –
Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards, Poland
6 – University of Greifswald, Landscape Ecology, Greifswald, Germany
Pinus sylvestris is a commonly used species in European dendroclimatology due to its wide
distribution across much of the continent. Almost all studies find radial growth strongly related to
summer temperature, a result attributed to site selection at high latitude/altitude environments
where trees grow at their ecophysiological limits. Due to the amount of attention spent on these
sites there is a geographical and seasonal bias in temperature reconstructions among tree-ring
proxies in Europe. To overcome the limited availability of tree-ring proxies within the European
temperate lowlands, we present a northern Poland ring-width chronology developed from living
and historical P. sylvestris that shows a strong and robust common growth signal back to AD 1169.
Investigations into the climate-growth relationship find year-to-year ring-width variability to be
more strongly correlated to winter and early-spring temperature (TdJFMA) than summer
temperature data from the nearby Kościerzyna station from 1952 to 2010. The reconstruction
statistics suggest that the regression model used to estimate temperature back in time has good
predictive skills with reduction of error and coefficient of efficiency of 0.389 and 0.164,
respectively. The reconstructed TdJFMA reveals 1198, 1199 and 1949 as the warmest (+4.9 to 5°C,
2σ = +/-0.19 to 0.26°C) and 1868 the coolest TdJFMA on record (-1.61°C, 2σ = +/- 0.17). The lowfrequency reconstruction indicates that warm and cool phases last from 50 to 100 years with the
coolest period occurring from 1830 to 1910 and the warmest period from 1910 to 2010.
Comparisons with other recently published temperature reconstructions from tree-rings, icecores, and instrumental and observation data yielded similarities and differences in the lowfrequency variability most likely attributed to the proxy used and the reconstruction target
period.
Temporally changing climate/growth relationships found on long-term forest
sample plots
Beck W.*1, Panka S.2
1
2
– Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems, Eberswalde, Germany
– Eberswalde forestry state center of excellence (LFE), Eberswalde, Germany
The Eberswalde forest yield science (department of the LFE) runs a comprehensive network of
long-term forest sample plots. A number of theses plots were established by Schwappach (1851 1932) for studying the growth course of indigenous and foreign tree species (Thuja plicata, Pinus
ponderosa, Pinus strobus, Pseudotsuga menziesii). Other sample plots with stands of Pinus
sylvestris, Quercus petraea und Fagus sylvatica are part of the intensive and continuous
Monitoring of Forest Ecosystems (Level II). All Level II-stands and a number of plots with foreign
tree species were investigated by tree-ring research methods. Relative deviations of radial
increment between 2003 and 2014 were calculated by comparison with the 10-year long
reference period from 1993 to 2002. Increment deviations of Scots pine forests amounted to +7%
in younger forests and up to -10% in older stands. All pine forest show a significant decrease of the
first order autocorrelation and a considerable increase of sensitivity of the ring-width series.
Most of the pine stands, affected by a more extreme climate, show an increase of variations in
basal area increment (BAI) after 1980. The most extreme changes happened in common beech
forests, where increment losses amount up to -24%. Here, the highest sensitivity (up to 0.6 from
2000 – 2014), a dropping down of AR(1) and a rapid increase of BAI-variations were observed.
Sessile oak stands showed only slight changes. The sensitivity of tree-ring index series is not
equally distributed across time. All Scots pine forests show consistently high sensitivities in the
1970s and after 1990. In the 1960s and 1980s, the sensitivity as the effect of climatic impact is
obviously lower. Coinciding results on temporal courses of sensitivity were obtained for Douglas fir
stands. Climate/growth relationships, discovered by the application of the CLIMTREG program, will
be presented.
Seasonally interchangeable property relationships in boreal conifers – key to
decipher wood density for dendroclimatology
Björklund J.*, Seftigen K., Schweingruber F., Fonti P., von Arx G., Frank D.C.
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Efforts within tree-ring research during the last decades have led to the assembly of globally
distributed ring width (TRW) datasets (>3000 chronologies in the ITRDB). Also, maximum latewood
density (MXD) in tree rings are archived (ca. 600 datasets). Despite the diversity, having also
additional ring width and density parameters in the ITRDB, it is almost exclusively TRW and/or
MXD that are utilized, often in single-variable studies. In this study we provide the first
comprehensive hemispheric overview of how all the annual and sub-annual tree-ring properties
relate to each other and to key components of climate. Primary broad-scale features in
relationships among wood properties of different seasons include negative correlations between
earlywood densities and widths and positive correlations between latewood densities and widths.
Since the early- and latewood widths are highly correlated to each other, this indicates that the
early- and latewood densities contain slightly different signals. We show that this difference is due
to the fact that the inter-annual variability in the earlywood density is dominated by tracheid size
while the latewood density is dominated by the amount of cell-wall material. This circumstance
can then also explain why in the earlywood density we observe a negative temperature signal in
high summer while latewood density has a positive temperature signal: favorable conditions lead
to large tracheids and yield low density, but also to thick cell walls that yield high density. By
providing this hemispheric overview, considering all available radial and densitometric tree-ring
variables, this study promotes a deeper mechanistic understanding of the climatic limitations upon
wood formation, especially for the widely used MXD variable, but it also contributes to the
identification and interpretation of widespread biogeographic variability in these patterns of wood
properties, contrasted most prominently by the genera Picea and Larix.
Intra-seasonal growth variability of Juniperus semiglobosa from the Tien Shan,
Kyrgyzstan
Böhm K.*1,2, Esper J.1, Helle G.2
1–
Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
– Helmholtz-Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience, Section 5.2 Climate
Dynamics and Landscape Evolution, Potsdam, Germany
2
As a part of the “Global Change Observatory Central Asian” Project funded by the Helmholtz
Centre Potsdam, a dendroecological monitoring of juniper and spruce has established
southwestern Kyrgyzstan in the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve (41°47'55" N, 71°56'36" E, 1500 m
asl.). The climate in this region is characterized by hot and dry summers and cold and wet winters
with annual temperatures and sums of precipitation reaching 9 °C and ~1000 mm, respectively
(Beer et al. 2007). Previous studies on tree growth revealed uniform long-term trends, however,
tree-ring/climate responses are difficult to evaluate due to short and incomplete instrumental
data and changing conditions with elevation and season (ESPER et al. 2003; 2007). Here we
analyze the association between tree growth and cambial activity by investigating cross-sectional
cell structures and annual density fluctuations (IADF) of juniper trees and compare these with
climate data. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between tree-ring width (TRW)
data and summer precipitation, but no correlation between TRW and IADF frequency, nor
between IADF frequency and monthly climate data. These findings question a connection between
climate stress factors and the formation of IADFs that is commonly documented in the literature.
We find evidence, that Juniperus semiglobosa from the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve develops a
bimodal growth pattern, triggered by a break of growth during the hot and dry summer months,
and a subsequent restart of growth with precipitation in early autumn.
References
Beer, R., Tinner, W., Carraro, G., Grisa, E., 2007. Pollen representation in surface samples of the
Juniperus, Picea and Juglans forest belts of Kyrgyzstan, central Asia. The Holocene 17, 599–611.
Esper, J., Frank, D.C., Wilson, R.J.S., Büntgen, U., Treydte, K., 2007. Uniform growth trends among
central Asian low and high elevation juniper tree sites. Trees 21, 141-150.
Esper, J., Shiyatov, S.G., Mazepa, V.S., Wilson, R.J.S., Graybill, D.A., Funkhouser, G., 2003.
Temperature-sensitive Tien Shan tree-ring chronologies show multi-centennial growth trends.
Climate Dynamics 8, 699-706.
Stable isotope series in tropical trees – how much is enough to represent a robust
signal?
Bräuning A.*, Bachmann S.C., Volland F., Pucha D.
Institute of Geography, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
Stable oxygen isotopes in tree-ring cellulose are a frequently used climate proxy and a reliable
indicator of hydroclimate variables. In many cases, 18O series show higher inter-tree correlations
than ring-width series of the same trees, hence a lower number of trees is requested to obtain a
reliable chronology signal. Usual numbers of individual trees included in non-pooled 18O
chronologies range between 4 to 6, being also constrained by the considerable technical and
financial efforts needed for stable isotope analyses. However, the inter-tree variability of
individual 18O series can vary considerably, this concerns individual mean fractionation levels of
individual trees, but also the inter-annual sensitivity of 18O series.
We studied the inter-annual variations of 18O in tree-ring cellulose of 15 Cedrela montana
individuals growing in a tropical mountain rainforest in Southern Ecuador. To our knowledge, this
represents the highest number of isotope series measured in a tropical forest ecosystem. The
mean isotope chronology is significantly correlated with seasonal precipitation (January to April),
frequency of wet days, and cloud cover over the Andean Cordillera Real, and also contains a strong
regional signal which is common to other stable isotope series from the Amazon lowland and
Andean ice cores. We evaluated correlation matrices between individual trees and found that
several trees do not fit to the common population signal, but correlate significantly to each other
and hence represent a different isotope chronology. To evaluate the influence of the steep
topography of the study area on the isotope variations, GIS analyses were conducted, considering
various variables, including distance of each tree to the next stream channel, elevation, slope
angle and curvature, and tree density. We present results of the causal analysis for inter-tree 18O
variability and provide recommendations about the minimum number of individual tree series
required to obtain a stable chronology signal.
Shrubs shed light on 20th century Greenland Ice Sheet melting
Buras A.*1,2, Lehejček3 J., Michalová Z.3, Morrisey R.3, Wilmking M.2
1
– Ecoclimatology, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
– Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics, Institute for Botany and Landscape Ecology,
University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
3 – Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Science, Czech University of Life
Sciences in Prague, Prague, the Czech Republic
2
Due to its various influences on global climate, the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is given special
attention in the context of climate change. One globally important influence of GrIS is the release
of freshwater into the North Atlantic Ocean due to summer melting. Model simulations have
shown that substantially large meltwater inputs may slow down or temporally interrupt the
thermohaline circulation (THC). A slowdown of THC strongly affects the North Atlantic current,
resulting in decreased temperatures and different circulation patterns across the Northern
hemisphere and particularly in Europe. Therefore, the increased GrIS melt of the past two decades
raises the question of how likely a recent THC slowdown is.
To address this question, records of GrIS melting are needed as they allow for quantifying whether
recent melting rates are unprecedented. In this context, the warm-spell of the 1920s-1930s across
Greenland is of particular interest, as summer temperatures - a dominant but not the sole melt
driver - then were possibly comparable to recent ones. However, satellite based GrIS melting
records only reach back until 1979 and climate-based reconstructions of GrIS melting differ among
each other due to the complexity and spatio-temporal variability of GrIS melt dynamics.
We present a new and independent reconstruction of the Southwestern GrIS melting based on a
cell-wall thickness master chronology (CWT) derived from 21 Juniperus nana specimens sampled
in Southwest Greenland. We found a strong negative correlation (-0.67) and high
“Gegenlaeufigkeit” (0.79) with southwestern GrIS melt, indicating common drivers behind melting
rates and CWT. A respective transfer function (r² = 0.44) passed cross-calibration-verification tests
(RE, CE > 0) and allowed for reconstruction of GrIS melt rates back to 1897 (subsample-signalstrength > 0.85). Comparing the reconstructed with recent melting rates indicated a strong melt in
the early 20th century and partly contrasts climate-based melt reconstructions.
References
Buras, A., Hallinger, M., and Wilmking, M. 2012. Can shrubs help to reconstruct historical glacier
retreats? Environmental research letters, 7 (2012), 8 pp.
Chylek, P., Dubey, M.K., and Lesins, G., 2006: Greenland warming of 1920-1930 and 1995-2005.
Geophysical Research Letters, 33, 5 pp.
Driesschaert, E., Fichefet, T., Goosse, H., Huybrechts, P., Janssens, I., Mouchet, A., Munhoven, G.,
Brovkin, V., and Weber, S.L., 2007: Modeling the influence of Greenland ice sheet melting on the
Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the next millennia. Geophysical Research
Letters, 34, 5 pp.
Hanna, E., Huybrechts, P., Steffen, K., Cappelen, J., Huff, R., Shuman, C., Irvine-Finn, T., Wise, S.,
and Griffiths, M., 2008: Increased Runoff from Melt from the Greenland Ice Sheet: A Response to
Global Warming. Journal of Climate, 21, 331-341.
Hanna, E., Huybrechts, P., Cappelen, J., Steffen, K., Bales, R.C., Burgess, E., McConnell, J.R.,
Steffensen, J.P., Van den Broeke, M., Wake, L., Bigg, G., Griffiths, M., and Savas, D., 2011:
Greenland Ice Sheet surface mass balance 1870 to 2010 based on Twentieth Century Reanalysis,
and links with global climate forcing. Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, 20 pp.
Wake, L.M., Huybrechts, P., Box, J.E., Hanna, E., Janssens, I., and Milne, G.A., 2009: Surface massbalance changes of the Greenland ice sheet since 1866. Annuals of Glaciology, 50, 178-184.
Weijer, W., Maltrud, M.E., Hecht, M.W., Dijkstra, H.A., and Kliphuis M.A., 2012: Response of the
Atlantic Ocean circulation to Greenland Ice Sheet melting in a strongly-eddying ocean model.
Geophysical Research Letters, 39, 6 pp.
Xylem anatomy indicates different strategies of two deciduous oak species to face
drought in the South-Eastern Mediterranean Basin
Castagneri D.*1, Regev L.2, Carrer M.1, Boaretto E.2
1
2
– University of Padua, Padua, Italy
– Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation in the Mediterranean area could have
dramatic consequences for the survival and distribution of tree species. The genus Quercus is
certainly among the best suited to withstand increasing drought in the area. However, the large
majority of studies have been conducted in the Northern and Western Mediterranean basin, while
information on Quercus response to climate in the South-Eastern Mediterranean is scarce, and
virtually nothing is known on climate influence on the xylem structure. This would be of key
importance to assess future vegetation scenarios, as hydraulic failure is a major physiological
cause of Mediterranean tree species dieback.
We analysed tree-ring anatomy in two deciduous oak species, Q. ithaburensis and Q. boissieri, in
Northern Israel. On 12 trees per species, we assessed ten anatomical parameters related to the
vessel number per ring, size and intra-ring distribution. Correlations with monthly and seasonal
temperature and precipitation were computed from 1941-2013 (Q. ithaburensis) and 1974-2013
(Q. boissieri). Besides, we assessed the response of anatomical parameters to unusual dry and
warm years, and their recovery capacity.
Radial growth (ring width) of both the species was strongly related to the precipitation sum in the
wet season. However, climate influence on the anatomical parameters partly differed. In Q.
ithaburensis, the yearly vessel area was related to precipitation during the wet season. Vessel size
and number were strongly reduced during dry years, but showed a completely recovery in the
following year. Conversely, the first row of cells in Q. boissieri was associated to the previous-year
ring features, and later-formed vessels were related to climate during late winter and late spring.
Moreover, anatomical parameters just slightly decreased during dry years.
Despite different xylem response to climate highlighting different ecophysiological behaviour,
both the species seem well adapted to drought, and likely able to tolerate future warmer
conditions.
The influence of masting on tree-ring growth of European larch in the eastern part
of the Polish Carpathian Mountains
Danek M.*1, Chuchro M.2, Klisz M.3, Kantorowicz W.3
1
– AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental
Protection, Department of Environmental Analysis, Mapping and Economic Geology, Krakow,
Poland
2 – AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental
Protection, Department of Geoinformatics and Applied Computer Sciences, Krakow, Poland
3 – Department of Silviculture and Forest Tree Genetics, Forest Research Institute, Raszyn, Poland
Masting (“mast seeding”), a reproductive strategy defined as a synchronous and intermittent seed
crop production by a population of plants, can be observed in many tree species. This
phenomenon can influence the tree-ring growth as a result of the trade-off between vegetative
and reproduction growth. To check if the effect of masting can be seen in the tree-ring growth of
larches in the eastern part of the Polish Carpathian Mountains, we analysed tree-ring data from
fourteen 100-year old larch stands and data on seed and cone crops for forest districts and the
Regional Directorate of State Forest in Krosno, covering the study area (database available in the
Forest Research Institute). Data for forest districts were incomplete and short (from 1987-2014),
whereas the data for the Regional Directorate were continuous and longer (1952-2014), but much
more generalized. In this study, pointer year analysis, Kendal and cross-lagged correlation analysis
were used. We found that in general, years with a most intense seed production are synchronized
with decreasing tree-ring width and negative pointer years, what suggests that masting negatively
affected the tree-ring growth of larches. This can especially be seen for the last period (after
1980). In the presentation, we discuss the results, including the possible influence of the
interaction between climatic conditions and seed production for the observed decreasing in treering width. The possible influence of the data structure on the results is also presented.
The study was supported
2014/13/B/ST10/02529.
by
the
National
Science
Centre,
Poland,
project
no
The origin of driftwood found on the western coast of Spitsbergen –
dendrochronological study
Dąbrowski H. P.*1, Krąpiec M.2
1
2
– Archaeological Museum in Biskupin, Poland
– AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland
219 driftwood samples on the Sarstangen Peninsula, north-western Spitsbergen were collected.
Based on their wood anatomy, we identified their tree species as follow: 149 samples of pine, 57
of spruce, 12 of larch, and 1 of poplar. Two pine (1729-1971 AD and 1720-1980 AD) and one
spruce (1692-1982 AD) tree-ring chronologies were constructed and later used for the
dendrochronological dating of 180 logs. Three source areas of driftwood were found: 1) upper and
middle Yenisei River and Angara River basins, 2) White Sea and Pechora Sea shores, and 3) Kolyma
River basin for 71, 106, and 3 logs, respectively.
Dendrochronology - looking back on amazing 50 years of its recent past
Eckstein D.
([email protected])
University of Hamburg, Centre of Wood Sciences, Division Wood Biology, Germany
The recent 50 years of dendrochronlogy are marked by its transition from pre-computer time into
the digital age, by an increasing permeation of technology into it and by its diversification into
numerous sub-disciplines. Today, these facts are taken for granted without realizing that they did
not appear from nowhere but had their “headwaters” somewhere and sometime along a
challenging way of evolution.
I will remind the audience, particularly the younger generation, that more than 50 years ago,
around 1965, two 1000-year long oak tree-ring chronologies have been assembled and used for
manually (and correctly) dating farm houses, churches, monasteries, and the like in Central
Europe, not to mention all the dendrochronological dating of Indian cliff dwellings in the American
South-West. We even can find early evidence for dendroclimatology and dendroecology although
these terms had not been used yet, and there are early studies on wood anatomical variables in
tree-ring research.
Last but not least, I will remind the audience of the early days of tree-ring research in Poland with
reference to names and achievements.
Climatic signals in stable carbon isotope ratios of juniper and oak tree rings in
northern Iran
Foroozan Z.*1, Pourtahmasi K.2, Bräuning A.1
1
– Institute of Geography, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen,
Germany
2 – Department of Wood and Paper Science & Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University
of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Stable isotope ratios in tree rings are increasingly used as palaeoclimatic and ecophysiological
archive. The stable carbon isotope ratios in the cellulose of tree rings have been proposed as a
reliable proxy indicator of past climate. We used annually cross-dated stable carbon isotope series
of tree-ring α-cellulose from two tree species belonging to different functional types, i.e. the
evergreen conifer Juniperus polycarpus and the deciduous broadleaved Quercus macranthera
collected from Chaharbagh Gorgon forest in northern Iran to examine their relationship with
climatic parameters and to test their potential for palaeoclimate reconstructions.
We found significant and negative relationships between δ13C values of cellulose in oak and
juniper tree rings and monthly and seasonal precipitation in April and whole spring. The δ13C series
shows a higher correlation with precipitation in oak than in juniper. Even though the species differ
in their physiological performance, our results showed no significant correlation of tree-ring δ13C
with temperature. Instead, stomatal conductance controlled by moisture stress (soil moisture and
relative air humidity) controls the carbon isotope values in both oak and juniper.
According to our findings, δ13C values in both species reflect the combined influence of climate
and of local site conditions. The interplay between climatic conditions and species behavior
determines the inter-annual δ13C patterns of oak and juniper. The results demonstrate the potential
of δ13C in tree rings to reflect physiological responses.
Dendrochronological record of terrain subsidence caused by underground mining
(Silesian Upland)
Franek M.*, Wistuba M., Malik I.
Department of Reconstructing Environmental Change, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of
Silesia in Katowice, Poland
Underground hard coal mining in the Silesian Upland has been carried out since the 1750s. In the
area, mining often creates human-induced relief features such as subsidence depressions and
sinkholes. Such landforms were also observed on the study site (at the southern border of
Katowice), where they are covered with mixed forest of pine (Pinus sylvestris) and pedunculate
oak (Quercus robur). We have observed that tree stems tilt towards the centre of depressions,
probably due to slow but constant ground subsidence. We have studied the impact of changes of
the terrain slope and habitat moisture conditions on the radial growth of trees. Since now
dendrochronological methods have been widely used for studying diverse geomorphological
processes, yet, they have not been used for dating mining subsidence. We have analysed samples
taken from 20 pines and oaks growing in the depressions under study. Eccentric growth, reaction
wood and tree-ring reductions were identified and dated. Tree-ring eccentricity is the most
frequent growth disturbance in studied sampled: we found 183 signals of eccentric growth in
total. We have determined two periods with an increased appearance of eccentricity and reaction
wood which correspond with periods of heavy exploitation of hard coal in the region.
Dendrochronology of Early Neolithic water wells in the Rhineland, Germany
Frank T.
([email protected])
University of Cologne, Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology, Laboratory of Dendroarchaeology,
Cologne, Germany
Offside the circum-alpine lake-dwellings, Neolithic wooden relics are rare and lucky chances in
European archaeology. This is especially true for the period of the Early Neolithic Linear Pottery
Culture (LBK, 5500 to 5000 cal BC) whose settlements are predominantly on loess soils. In the
Rhineland (western Germany) the remains of wooden well sheetings from that time have been
excavated at three sites in a radius of 15 km (n=no. of timbers studied): Erkelenz-Kückhoven (EK,
n=86), Merzenich-Morschenich (MM, n=24) and Arnoldsweiler (AW, n=36). These objects are
dendrochronologically dated (Schmidt et al. 1998 [EK]; Gaitzsch et al. 2012 [MM]; Frank 2014
[AW]). The felling dates of the youngest trees among the sampled boards are 5090 BC (EK, waneyedge), 5097±10 BC (AW, sapwood, preliminary date) and 5052±5 BC (MM, sapwood).
Nearly all boards of the linings are made of oak (Quercus spp.). Archaeological features,
dendrochronological dating and a local tree-ring chronology from 5419 to 5072 BC are basic
aspects of this extraordinary findings.
For dendroarchaeological purposes, we want more than to calculate how many cubic metres of
wood were obstructed. We also want to identify how many trees can be detected in the wooden
remains. Therefore we need failsafe and timesaving procedures to assign timbers to their origin
trees (Frank 2016, in press).
The examination of stable carbon and oxygen isotope-ratios from the dated construction boards
(5319−5087 BC) opens the field of climatic reconstructions (Frank/Helle 2016) which will be
completed by the many Saxon LBK-water wells one day.
References
Frank 2016: Th. Frank, Which Tree are you from? — Approaches to Achieve a High Probability in
Assigning Timbers to Their Origin Trees. In: T. Kerig / K. Novak / G. Roth (eds.), Alles was zählt...
Festschrift für Andreas Zimmermann zum 65. Geburtstag. Universitätsforschungen zur
Prähistorischen Archäologie (Bonn: Habelt 2016), in press.
Frank/Helle 2015: Frank, Thomas; Helle, Gerd: Dendroklimatologie–Die einzige Methode zur
Gewinnung jahrgenauer Klimadaten. In: Thomas Otten/Jürgen Kunow/Michael M. Rind/Marcus
Trier (Hrsg.), Revolution Jungsteinzeit. Archäologische Landesausstellung Nordrhein Westfalen.
Schriften zur Bodendenkmalpflege in Nordrhein-Westfalen, 11,1 (Darmstadt 2015), 119.
Frank 2014: Th. Frank, Die dendrochronologische Untersuchung des hölzernen Brunnenkastens. In:
Erwin Cziesla, Thomas Ibeling (Hg.), Autobahn A4. Fundplatz der Extraklasse - Archäologie unter
der neuen Bundesautobahn bei Arnoldsweiler. Langenweissbach 2014, 119-124.
Gaitzsch et al. 2012: W. Gaitzsch/J. Janssens/Th. Frank/E. Höfs, Der tiefste neolithische Brunnen
Europas. 25 Jahre Archäologie im Rheinland 1987-2011 (2012), 60-64.
Schmidt et al. 1998: B. Schmidt/E. Höfs/M. Khalessi/P. Schemainda, Dendrochronologische
Befunde zur Datierung des Brunnens von Erkelenz-Kückhoven in das Jahr 5090 v. Chr. In: H.
Koschik (ed.), Brunnen der Jungsteinzeit. Internationales Symposium in Erkelenz 27.-29.10. 1997.
Materialien zur Bodendenkmalpflege im Rheinland 11 (Bonn 1998), 279-289.
Precipitation as the main driver responsible for the radial growth of Cupressus
lusitanica (Mill) at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia
Gebrehiwot E*1,2, Eshetu Z.3, Zewdie S.4, Koprowski M.1, Robertson I.5, Wils T.6
1
– Chair of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Nicolaus
Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
2 – School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Hawassa University, Wondo Genet
College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Ethiopia
3 – Addis Ababa University, College of Life Science, Climate Science Center and department of
Earth Science, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
4 – Ministry of Environment and Forest, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
5 – Department of Geography, College of Science, Swansea University, United Kinngdom
6 – Department of Geography, Institute for Teacher Training, Rotterdam University of Applied
sciences, The Netherlands
To figure out the causes of recurrent droughts affecting Ethiopia, it is necessary to look at the
climatic history of the area. Thus, we need to get climatic proxy data from the best proxy available,
i.e. tree rings. Our study is aimed at checking the presence of clearly visible annual growth rings of
Cupressus lusitanica (Mill) and at evaluating their relation with the climate data at Wondo Genet.
Using simple random sampling, twelve samples were collected from twelve trees from a
plantation forest at Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources (WGCFNRs) and their
ring widths measured. Then, the indexed ring-width series correlated and regressed with the
temperature and rainfall data of three stations (12-30 years). The growth rings are annual and
their width correlated with the amount of rainfall at Wondo Genet. It can be concluded that there
is a distinct seasonality, that the ring widths are highly influenced by rainfall and that temperature
is not a growth-limiting factor in this area. We recommend that further dendrochronological
studies should be conducted using older and various tree species covering a wider area.
Disentangling climate and ontogenetic effects on the growth potential and
intrinsic water-use efficiency of two Alpine Norway spruce chronosequences
Giammarchi F.1, Cherubini P.², Pretzsch H.³, Tonon G.1,4
1
– Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
– WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
3 – Chair for Forest Growth and Yield, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany.
4 – MountFor Project Centre, European Forest Institute, San Michele allÀdige, Italy
2
An increase in European forest productivity has been widely reported, though its causal
relationships with climate change are still far to be fully unravelled. They are however crucial to
understand the mitigation potential and growth dynamics of forests in the light of future climate
scenarios.
In two Alpine Norway spruce chronosequences we firstly reconstructed the patterns of forest
productivity by means of stem analyses. Afterwards, we performed a multi-stable isotope analysis
of δ13C and δ18O in tree rings of different age classes and then inferred iWUE trends. The role of
several environmental drivers, such as atmospheric CO2 levels, temperature and precipitation
regimes was also evaluated on the above-mentioned intrinsic water-use efficiency trends.
By this innovative approach, we were able to separate environmental and age/size related factors
on intrinsic water-use efficiency changes.
Our results showed an increase in forest productivity on both sites, paralleled by a significant
increase in iWUE. This was mainly triggered by a CO2 and temperaturedriven increase in the
photosynthetic capacity and to a lesser extent to a decrease in stomatal conductance, again driven
by CO2 rather than by VPD changes. On the other hand, the effect of size/age of trees on iWUE
temporal changes resulted to be less defining than that of climate change.
Millennial-scale temperature coherence in proxy reconstructions and climate
models
Hartl-Meier C.*1, Büntgen U.2, Smerdon J.3, Krusic P.J.4, Ljungqvist F.C.5,6, Zorita E.7, Esper J.1
1
– Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
– Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
3 – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York, USA
4 – Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, Stockholm,
Sweden
5 – Department of History, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
6 – Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
7 – Institute for Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Geesthacht, Germany
2
Inter-continental temperature variability over the past millennium has been reported to be more
coherent in climate model simulations compared to multi-proxy-based reconstructions, a finding
that questions the representation of spatial patterns in either of these approaches. We here
assess the coherence of summer temperatures among Northern Hemisphere continents by
comparing tree-ring based climate reconstructions with state-of-the-art model simulations over
the past millennium. We find inter-continental temperature coherency to be larger in treerings
only compared to multi-proxy reconstructions, narrowing the gap between the proxy- and modelbased spatial representations. A detailed comparison of simulated temperatures reveals
substantial spread among the models though. Over the past 1000 years, inter-continental
temperature correlations are driven by the cooling of large volcanic eruptions in 1257, 1452, 1601,
and 1815. These synchronizing events appear to be elevated in some climate simulations
suggesting that these models overestimate the role of volcanic forcing at large spatial scales.
Is linear correlation analysis a feasible tool for analysing climate-proxy
relationships? The application of wavelet coherence analysis for interpreting
macroclimatic imprints on tree-ring δ18O in monsoonal southeast Tibet
Hochreuther P.*1, Wernicke J.1, Grießinger J.1, Mölg T.1, Zhu H.2, Wang L.3, Bräuning A.1
1
– Institute of Geography, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
– Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of
Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
3 – Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resource Research, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing, China
2
The relationships between tree-ring proxies and climate are generally described by applying linear
correlation analysis, and using the best correlated climate variable(s) to explain the annual
variations of the respective parameter. Though being physically and analytically sound, this
procedure may ignore additional information that is present in our proxies. We analysed a newly
developed, 328-year long annually resolved tree-ring cellulose δ18O chronology from the Sikkim
larch (Larix griffithii) on the south-eastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) with regards to local and regional
climate. The spatio-temporal comparisons revealed high correlation values in accordance with the
Craig-Gordon model, proving the chronology to be a reliable proxy for monsoonal conditions
during the last centuries. Instead of performing a ‘traditional’ climate reconstruction with the
highest correlating climate variable, we focused on relationships with macroclimatic phenomena
influencing the Indian Summer Monsoon. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), proven to have a major
influence on monsoonal strength and duration, was only weakly and insignificantly correlated to
our δ18O series. To discover hidden frequencies in both datasets, we applied running correlation-,
wavelet transform- and wavelet coherence analyses. While running correlation suggested a 30year wave linking both time series, wavelet coherence provided evidence that the correlation
coefficient is actually dependent on the frequency with which positive IOD events occur. We thus
were able to detect a major influence of the macroclimatic phenomenon on tree-ring δ18O in spite
of low linear correlation values.
Does compression wood affect the climatic signal in carbon and oxygen isotopes of
Norway spruce?
Janecka K.*1,3, Kaczka R.J. 1, Gärtner H.2, Treydte K.2
1
– Faculty of Earth Science, University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland
– Landscape Dynamics, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
3 – Centre for Polar Studies KNOW (Leading National Research Centre), Faculty of Earth Science,
University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland
2
Compression wood is a special tissue in branches, roots and trunks of mechanically stressed
coniferous trees. The main role of compression wood is to increase the mechanical strength and
regain the vertical orientation of a leaning stem or to stabilize the angle of inclination of branches.
The anatomical structure of compression wood is characterized by (i) rounded tracheids causing
intercellular spaces, (ii) a thickened secondary wall (S2 layer) showing helical cavities and (iii) a lack
of a tertiary cell wall (S3 layer).
The aim of our study was to test if and how the presence of compression wood of different
intensity influences the climatic signal in stable carbon and oxygen isotopes (δ13C and δ18O) from
tree-ring cellulose of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Four trees growing in the montane
zone of the Western Tatra Mountains were selected, and two radii per tree were taken, one with
compression wood (CW) and one from the opposite side of the trunk (OW). Four reference trees
(REF) without compression wood were sampled from the same valley, however, from a slightly
different location. All analyses were performed for the period 1935-1954 with CW present in all
trees.
The strength of the common variation between individual trees expressed by EPS was similar for
all three chronologies (CW, OW, REF), however, with generally weaker EPS values for δ 13C than for
δ18O. In general, correlations between CW and OW chronologies were highly significant (p<0.05)
for both δ13C and δ18O, however, the correlations to REF were lower. The mean values of δ13C and
δ18O CW, OW and REF series were compared. The statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were
present between δ13C OW and REF and between δ18O CW and OW series. The response patterns
of δ13C in CW, OW and REF chronologies to climate were quite similar with strongest correlations
to temperature, cloud cover and precipitation during summer (Jul-Aug) and to SPEI during late
summer - early autumn (Aug-Sep). The correlations between the same climate variables and δ18O
of CW, and OW chronologies, respectively, revealed quite similar response patterns with strongest
correlations to temperature, cloud cover and precipitation during summer months (Jul-Aug) and to
SPEI during late summer - early autumn (Aug-Sep).
Overall, we conclude that the climatic signal in δ13C and δ18O CW and OW chronologies is not
significantly altered by the occurrence of compression wood in the tree rings of Norway spruce.
Change-points of multiscale subperiod trends in tree-ring series over 8000 years in
the Southwest of USA
Jiang J.*1, Gu X.2
1
2
– China Meteorological Administration Training Center, Beijing ,10008, China.
– Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
This work applies the scanning F-test to detect multiscale sub-period trend changes in tree-ring
series over 8000 years-. The F-test is run under the assumptions of independence and normal
probability distribution of the series. So firstly, a normalization algorithm in the quantile technique
was employed to the series of precipitation reconstructed from treerings for Nevada, USA, and
normalized series were produced. Then, the scanning Fmax-test was applied to the normalized
series with corrections for the series non-independence. Nine significant change-points were
detected to reveal 10 subperiod trend-changes in regressive models on multi-time scales.
Furthermore, a curve of the Gaussion weighted moving-mean and the scanning t-test of subseries
levels were carried out for verification and comparison with discussions.
The effect of wood preparation on results of Blue Intensity measurements
Kaczka R.J.*1, Janecka K.1, Spyt B.1, Musioł R.2
1
2
– Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland
– Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Among the physical properties of the annual increment, the tree-ring width (TRW), wood density
(MXD) and Blue Intensity (BI) are widely used as climate proxies. The TRW is the most frequent,
whereas the MXD is recognized as the most robust proxy. The BI as a relatively new tree-ring
proxy has already been proven to be a good tool to capture climatic signal. Respecting all known
limitations of each proxy, a reliable and grand (in case of temporal and spatial scales) climate
reconstruction was derived. Surprisingly one standardized protocol of sample preparation for BI
analyses does not exist. The basic requirements for sample preparation for measuring of ringwidth are known as well as several detailed protocols for wood processing before density
analyses. Such commonly employed methodology of BI measurements is emerging/has emerged
lately. The BI is obtained from the surface of wood by optical RGB scanning using a calibrated
device. The process should take place in a dark room or dark room conditions. The BI
measurements and analyses are usually done using dedicated software (CooRecorder, Windendro
etc). The measuring of the blue spectrum of light reflected from wood strongly depends on the
color of the surface. The biochemical substances such as resin locally change the color and
therefore the results of BI. This is most important while analysing species with distinct difference
between heartwood and sapwood (e.g. pine, larch, juniper, yew). The aim of this study was to
examine how the use of different extraction parameters influences the results of BI. The samples
of two common coniferous species Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies L. Karst were employed to test
four different solvents including ethanol and acetone. The samples were treated for 48 hours
using a Soxhlet apparatus and BI were measured. To accommodate the comparison, the four sets
of samples originate from the same pieces of wood. Additionally, the importance of time of the
extraction was examined. The same samples were treated by acetone for eighth 6-hours long
extractions and the BI was measured after each run.
The project has been financed from the funds of the National Centre of Science within the project no.
2013/11/B/ST10/04764.
Oxygen isotopes in tree rings are less sensitive to tree size and stand dynamics
than carbon isotopes
Klesse, S.*1,2, Weigt, R.3, Treydte, K.1, Saurer, M.3, Siegwolf, R.3, Frank, D.C. 1,2
1
– Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
– Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, Bern, Switzerland
3 – Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
2
Stable isotopes in tree rings have become an increasingly important proxy to extend the space for
climate reconstructions to temperate regions where tree-ring width and maximum latewood
density do not contain strong climate signals. However, temperate forests are often characterized
by heterogenic stand structures and there exist only few studies about the effects of stand
dynamics on carbon (13C) and oxygen (18O) isotopes in tree rings. Traditionally, stable isotope
chronologies have not been detrended assuming negligible age-trends. More recent studies,
however, recommend detrending for both 13C and 18O. In this study we investigated long-term
trends and offsets in 18O and 13C of Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica in relation to tree age, size
and distance to the upper canopy at eight temperate sites across Europe.
We observed systematic offsets in 13C between small and large individuals, with up to 3.0‰
lower values in small trees. We found that the distance of the individuals to the upper canopy
explains most of the trends in 13C. Both findings together highlight the influence of light
attenuation on 13C in shade tolerant species. A common biological age detrending of 13C
(regional curve standardization) seems satisfactory in open stands and for shade intolerant
species. In dense stands, however, the selection of appropriate detrending procedures is more
13C trends are caused by a complex of co-occurring influences of
difficult, since longphotosynthetic adjustments and stomatal regulation in relation to tree size and relative position in
the canopy.
We detected also significant positive trends in 18O with increasing tree size. However, firstly, the
observed slopes are less steep and secondly, any systematic differences between suppressed and
dominant trees can be corrected for via size/age detrending. This should render 18O a superior
proxy for climate reconstructions in temperate zones when relying on material from shade
tolerant tree species.
Age-related changes of the climate sensitivity of boreal tree-rings
Konter O.*1, Büntgen U.2,3,4, Carrer M.5, Timonen M.6, Esper J.1
1
– Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
– Swiss Federal Research Institute, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
3 – Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, Bern, Switzerland
4 – Global Change Research Centre AS CR, Brno, Czech Republic
5 – Dipartimento TeSAF, Università degli Studi di Padova, Agripolis, Legnaro (PD), Italy
6 – Rovaniemi Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, 96301 Rovaniemi, Finland
2
We analyse climate signal age effects (CSAE) in a network of 692 Pinus sylvestris L. TRW and MXD
series in northern Fennoscandia. Although the summer temperature sensitivity of TRW (r=0.48)
ranges below that of MXD (r=0.76), it declines for both parameters as cambial age increases. The
assessment of CSAE for individual series reveals decreasing correlation values as a function of
time. This declining signal strength remains temporally robust and negative for MXD, while agerelated trends in TRW exhibit resilient meanderings of positive and negative trends. Although
CSAE are significant and temporally variable in both tree-ring parameters, MXD is more suitable
for the development of climate reconstructions. Our results indicate that sampling of young and
old trees, and testing for CSAE, should become routine for TRW and MXD data prior to any
paleoclimatic endeavor.
Climatic signals in early- and latewood of conifers in the Volga region - possibilities
and restrictions of climatic reconstructions
Kuznetsova V.
([email protected])
Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation
The evaluation of the sensitivity of conifers for climate change in the Volga region using
dendrochronology is an actual scientific problem due to the absence of tree-ringdata. There are
few findings related to earlywood and late-wood sensitivity to climatic parameters in that area.
Our particular interest is to examine the reaction of seasonally formed wood to the variability of
contemporaneous meteorological parameters such as temperature, precipitation, etc.
Dendrochronology helped us to determine the relationship between the ring widths of conifers
and specified seasonal climate for each year (the tree-ring chronologies are , at maxiumum,
around 250-300-year long). We cored more than 240 living trees (pines, spruces) and built highquality dendrochronological regional scales in areas where trees are ofhighest age; we also
defined climatic characteristics that potentially can be used for climatic reconstructions for the
Volga region. This study is fundamental for detecting the reaction of the wood to droughts and
other extreme natural hazard based on historical data and tree-rings data. The results can be
applied in agriculture and forestry for the analysis of ecosystem dynamics and relationships
between tree species. They also can be used for predicting different scales of environmental
changings.
A new tool for paleoclimate reconstructions in the Arctic – Wood-anatomy of
Juniperus communis
Lehejček J.*1, Buras A.2, Svoboda M.1, Wilmking M.2
1
– Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Science, Czech University of Life
Sciences in Prague, Prague, the Czech Republic
2 – Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics, Institute for Botany and Landscape Ecology,
University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
The Arctic is considered one of the most sensitive areas worldwide with respect to climate change.
Impacts of climate change are evident throughout arctic ecosystems and they influence other
climate zones as well. To interpret current and projected climate change in a paleo-climatic/environmental context, knowledge of past conditions is needed, which can be obtained using
proxy archives such as tree rings. In this context, wood anatomical parameters were often shown
to react sensitively to environmental conditions, this qualifying them as suitable proxies. However,
per definition trees are absent in the Arctic, wherefore shrub-growth parameters are frequently
used as a substitute. Yet, the use of shrub wood anatomical parameters as environmental proxies
is a rarely studied field.
To overcome this research gap, we examined wood anatomical parameters of the long-lived,
circumpolar, and widespread arctic tundra shrub Juniperus communis L. Annual ring-widths and
cell-anatomical parameters of 18 individuals from southwest Greenland were measured to test for
age--related trends in the proxy time series and to correlate them with climate records. We
documented a clear age trend in all parameters investigated indicating the necessity for
detrending the respective time series prior to possible transfer function development.
Interestingly, shrub-wood anatomy deviates from many tree species by lacking a general trend of
an exponential widening of conduits during ontogeny. Of the investigated growth parameters,
detrended cell-wall thickness (CWT) and ring-width index series showed strong and stable
correlations with the standardised precipitation evapotranspiration index integrated over 24
months (SPEI 24). A multivariate linear regression using both proxies to model SPEI 24 resulted in
a higher explained variance (r² = 0.45, p < 0.001), indicating that shrub-wood anatomy has the
potential to increase our knowledge on past environmental conditions in the Arctic.
Evidence from tree rings and forest history of sacred groves in Northern Greece
Marini Govigli V.*1, Wong J.L.G2, Healey J.R.3, Halley J.M.1
1
– Department of Biological applications and technologies, University of Ioannina, Ioannina,
Greece
2 – Wild Resources Limited, Bangor, United Kingdom
3 – School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor
University, Bangor, United Kingdom
Understanding forest history is a key exercise to appreciate complex socio-ecological landscape
dynamics. This is particularly important in our research on long term socio-ecological systems of
Northern Greece sacred groves which are forest elements in a wider cultural landscape.
Historical and anthropological data, oral histories, observations and expert opinions suggest that
the sacred groves are the recent product of specific management practices. The purpose of this
study is to use tree ring measurements to reconstruct the origin and devolvement of the groves,
and verify if the ecological data support the social and historical hypotheses.
We performed systematic forest inventories and extracted wood cores for local dominant canopy
species (Quercus spp., P. nigra and F. sylvatica) in five sacred groves. Tree population analysis and
age-diameter regression, were utilized to identify generation of trees, by inferring an estimated
age and identifying prominent growth patterns among tree cohorts.
Our preliminary results shows that the sites share two main cohorts of trees: a dominant layer of
veteran trees, estimated to be around 300-350 years old, and a large population of medium size
trees estimated to date from around 1910. Such insights give us a clearer perspective on the socioecological evolution of sacred groves and shed light on the role that management and
demographic dynamics might have on the forest succession processes. Assessing the impact of
such changes is paramount in such multifunctional cultural landscapes.
Does European beech and Scots pine adapt equally to Mediterranean conditions?
A xylogenesis approach
Martinez del Castillo E.*1, Longares L.A.1, Gričar J.2, Prislan P.2, Gil-Pelegrín E.3, Čufar K.4, de Luis
M.1
1
– Department of Geography and Spatial Management, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna
12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
2 – Department of Yield and Silviculture, Department of Forest Techniques and Economics,
Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
3 – Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA). Avd. Montañana 930, 50059
Zaragoza, Spain
4 – Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana,
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The dynamics of wood formation and cambial activity in species growing at the southernmost area
of their distribution range are still poorly understood. This study analyses the xylogenesis of
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing under
Mediterranean conditions in the Iberian Range (Spain). In addition, we evaluate the xylem
phenology along an altitudinal gradient in this mountain area.
The study was performed during three growing seasons at two altitudes (1180 and 1580 m a.s.l.)
matching with the lower and upper limits of the European beech forest. Microcores (containing
phloem, cambium and xylem) were collected bi-weekly from twenty-four trees from the beginning
of March to the end of November to assess different phases of the wood-formation process.
Several critical dates were calculated, i.e. onset and end of cell production, onset and end of
secondary wall formation, onset of cell maturation and duration of xylogenesis.
Our findings reveal that the temporal dynamics of wood formation widely differed among years,
altitudes and tree species. This indicates a high species-specific plasticity for adapting to the
changing Mediterranean climate conditions. The beginning of cell division in European beech
occurred in the second half of May and ended around mid-August, whereas in Scots pine the onset
of cell enlargement occurred between the last week of March and the first week of April and
xylogenesis process ended by November. The total duration of the xylogenesis of European beech
was significantly shorter than in Scots pine. Compared with similar studies performed over Europe,
Scots pine showed the longest xylogenesis duration recorded to date. Moreover, the shortest
xylogenesis duration for F. sylvatica was also captured on this mountain region.
Radial growth changes in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) root systems subjected to
trampling erosion on a hiking trail in Brodnica Lakeland, NE Poland
Matulewski P.*1, Buchwał A.1,2, Wrońska-Wałach D.3, Gärtner H.4
1
– Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
– Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska, Anchorage, USA
3 – Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
4 – Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
2
Tourism impact, such as trampling erosion in protected forested areas, is one of the main
concerns for land managers. The impact by trampling is easily visible at locations of highly
concentrated tourist traffic, such as on hiking trails. Trampling activity together with natural
geomorphic processes is responsible for the exposure of roots on trail surfaces. Both exposed and
buried segments of tree roots can be used for dendrogeomorphological analysis. Wood
anatomical changes in the morphology of exposed roots offer a great opportunity to determine
the time of their exposure, due to abrupt erosion or to continuous denudational processes.
The goal of our study was to detect changes in radial growth within a root system of Scots pine
subjected to tourism pressure on a heavily used hiking trail in the Brodnica Lakeland (NE Poland).
During the dendrogeomorphological analyses of the roots we faced significant dating problems
with missing and wedging rings. To avoid an age underestimation of the roots, radial growth
measurements were performed on complete cross-sectional cuts obtained from various parts of
the root system. Specifically, root specimens were taken from designated root zones: 1) roots
exposed due to trampling and 2) two buried roots zones. We studied the distribution and
measured the width of annual growth rings. In order to identify radial growth changes, as well
to perform a precise dating of the root system a stepwise cross-dating procedure was conducted,
including growth curves from different parts of the root system, as well from the stem and from a
local chronology.
Cross-dating between different parts in the same root system revealed discrepancies in the
number and widths of annual growth rings in different sections of the root system. None of the
cross-sections have shown a complete sequence of annual growth rings. Numerous missing and
wedging rings were detected both in exposed and buried roots. The largest variation in ring widths
was visible in the exposed part of the root subjected to an intense mechanical pressure due
to trampling. The results obtained indicated a pressing need for a careful growth-ring study within
the root system subjected to exposure. Recommendations for future dendrogeomorphological
analyses of roots include: 1) identification of growth rings on an entire root cross-section
performed on thin-sections, 2) sampling of both buried and exposed parts of the root in order to
trace missing and wedging rings, as well 3) a stepwise cross-dating between growth curves of the
roots obtained from different parts of the root system and the growth curve of the stem and a site
chronology.
Multi-parameter dendrochronology in sub-saharan Africa
Meko M.*1, Khamisi Z.H.1, Belmecheri S.1, Therrell M.2, Trouet V.1
1
2
– University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Tucson, United States
– University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States
With its seasonally dry climate and extensive forest cover, sub-Saharan Africa provides many
opportunities to extract paleoclimate information from tree-ring archives, but they remain largely
unexploited. With the development of new tree-ring parameters and methods, these
opportunities continue to multiply. We here revisit two sub-Saharan species that have shown
promise for African dendrochronology, Widdringtonia cedarbergensis and Brachystegia
spiciformis, and present results of an exploration of the dendroclimatic potential of multiple treering parameters: carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios and blue light intensity measured from
W. cedarbergensis growing in the Cape region of South Africa, and also new ring-width series
measured from B. spiciformis collected in Mozambique and Tanzania.
A 400-year long summer temperature reconstruction based on maximum density
in Pinus cembra L. tree rings, in the Eastern Carpathian Mts., Romania
Mursa A.*1, Nagavciuc V.1,3,4, Roibu C.C.1, Popa I.2, Cotos M.G.1
1
– Forest Biometrics and Tree Rings Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, Ștefan cel Mare University,
Suceava, Romania
2 – National Research and Development Institute for Silviculture Marin Dracea, Campulung
Moldovenesc, Romania
3 – Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth
Sciences MTA, Budapest, Hungary
4 – Stable Isotope Laboratory, Stefan cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
Tree rings represents a high potential for paleoclimatic studies. Using tree-ring climate proxies
(TRW, MXD, stable isotopes, ) it is possible to develop long chronologies which can be applied for
reconstructing main climatic components, necessary for understanding past climate variations.
MXD chronologies are strongly correlated with climatic parameters, even when TRW exhibits little
variations.
The aim of this study is to make a climatic reconstruction for the last 400 years, based on
maximum latewood density in Pinus cembra L. tree rings. The aftermath of this study is to
compare the new MXD reconstruction with the TRW-based reconstruction for the same area
(Popa & Kern, 2009).
MXD and TRW chronology were developed from living and dead trees Pinus cembra L. (Swiss stone
pine) from the Călimani Mts. (North-Eastern Carpathian, Romania). Density analyses were made
with WinDendro software on high resolution radiographic images obtained with an Itrax
Multiscanner.
The preliminary raw data showed a strong positive correlation with mean air temperature for June
(r=0.27), July (r=0.50), August (r=0.66), JJ (r=0.47) and JJA (r=0.64), and negative correlation with
the amount of precipitation for June (r=-0.16), July (r=-0.34) and August (r=-0.18), while the
correlations with tree-ring widths were around 0.4.
The new reconstruction based on MXD, suggests that cold periods occurred during the Little Ice
Age (LIA); a warm period extends from 1980 until present, with maximum values in the 21st
century.
Thanks to CLIMFOR 18SEE.
Correlation between daily climatic data and oxygen isotope composition in the
cellulose of Pinus cembra L. tree rings (Călimani Mts., Romania)
Nagavciuc V.*1,3,4, Popa I.2, Kern, Z.3, Perșoiu, A.4,5
1
– Faculty of Forestry, Ștefan cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
– National Research and Development Institute for Silviculture Marin Dracea, Campulung
5 – Emil Racoviță Institute of Speleology, Cluj Napoca, Romania
2
Stables isotopes of δ18O in tree rings are frequently used for paleoclimatic reconstructions, due to
the annual resolution and strong correlation with main climatic parameters. The relationship
between the stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen and climatic parameters was established from
several studies suggesting the highest correlation for summer months. However, these results
might be biased by the coarse (monthly) resolution of the climate record. Unfortunately, lack of
daily data did not allow a more detailed analysis of the correlation between tree rings and climatic
parameters. The aim of this study is to correlate daily climatic data with oxygen and carbon
isotope composition in the cellulose of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) on the Călimani Mts. in
NE Romania, for 1961-2013, to determine the optimal response interval with the highest
correlation coefficient, to increase the accuracy of paleoclimatic reconstructions by eliminating
non-climatic factors that influence them, and correlated with TRW from the same study area. The
isotopic composition of oxygen in cellulose of the annual increments of the past century from
three living stone pine trees were analysed ring-by-ring (i.e., non-pooled), using a hightemperature pyrolysis system (Thermo Quest TC-EA) coupled to an isotope ratio mass
spectrometer (Thermo Finningan Delta V). The tree-ring cellulose δ18O values showed a strong
positive correlation with maximum air temperature from 17 May-25 August (r = 0.61), mean air
temperature from 11 April-2 August (r = 0.6), and sunshine duration from 1 May-25 August (r =
0.69), and negatively correlated with precipitation from 7 April -25 August (r = -0.5) and nebulosity
from 7 May-25 August (r = 0.6), while correlations with tree-ring widths were always less than 0.4,
thus showing the superior potential of tree-ring cellulose δ18O.
Based on these data, we suggest that δ18O is a better indicator proxy for paleoclimatic May 15–
August 15 for maximum air temperature, sunshine duration, and nebulosity, and from April 11 –
August 25 for precipitation and mean air temperature.
Thanks to LP2012-27/2012 and CLIMFOR 18SEE.
Tree rings, glacier variability and climate in the Alps – the long-term view
Nicolussi K.
([email protected])
Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Tree rings and glaciers are both important climate archives for the reconstruction of the Holocene
climate development. Mountain glaciers react with distinct length and extent changes to mid- to
long-term climate variability. Tree-ring analysis and dating of wood remains found in glacier
forefields and buried during past glacier advances are crucial for the chronologically accurate
reconstruction of the Holocene glacier history. In the Alps, the Eastern Alpine Conifer Chronology
covering the last 10,000 years to date was initially established for this dating purpose. E.g., it
enabled the establishment of a calendar date for a pronounced advance of the Mont Miné glacier,
Switzerland, related to the 8.2 ka event. Moreover, several dendrochronologically dated wood
remains from different glaciers, i.e. Gepatschferner, Great Aletsch Glacier, Mer de Glace, prove a
clear synchronicity of major glacier advances during the last 4000 years.
In the Alps, width and density variability of tree rings from high-elevated sites as well as glacier
development are mainly triggered by summer season climate. I.e., the currently observable strong
glacier retreat is in agreement with a pronounced increase in summer temperature which can also
be reproduced with tree-ring data. These observations allow the comparison of tree-ring based
summer temperature reconstructions with past glacier variability. The longest temperature
reconstruction from Alps covers the last 2500 years so far. Basically, such comparisons enable the
integration of an event date, i.e. a glacier advance date, into a long-term context of climate
variability. However, the advantage of tree-ring variables is the short- to mid-term variability in
respect of climate reconstructions whereas the reconstruction of the long-term climate evolution
remains challenging.
Cross dating using pointer years and fire scars – examples from temperate and
boreal Pinus sylvestris tree-ring-fire history studies
Niklasson M.1, Zin E.*1,2
1
– Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre,
Alnarp, Sweden
2 – Forest Research Institute (IBL), Department of Natural Forests, Białowieża, Poland
Cross dating “on the wood” (also called: visual dating, memory dating) is based on the regular
occurrence of very conspicuous tree rings – pointer years (marker years/diagnostic years), a wellknown phenomenon in dendrochronology. In dating past fires from fire scarred trees, this method
is particularly powerful and time efficient for several reasons. Fire-influenced trees often show
strongly disturbed growth due to depressions and/or releases resulting from the fire disturbance
itself, so measuring and statistical dating is often difficult if not outright impossible. Fire scars
themselves are extremely useful as pointer years as they occur in many trees simultaneously over
large area (101–103 hectares). Additionally they often appear inside the annual ring as a result of
fire damage during the season of cambial division (i.e., in the early, mid or late portion of the
earlywood, in latewood or at the ring boundary, representing the season of cambial dormancy)
which for many tree species offers an additional dating support. In Pinus sylvestris tree rings from
southern Scandinavia and Central Europe dry summers and occasional wet/warm summers show
up as very useful pointer years whereas in northern Scandinavia pale rings (indicating cold
summers) and tree rings with dark and wide latewood (indicating warm summers) are broadly
applicable for cross dating. Here we show some useful peculiarities of wood cross dating by
pointer years in combination with fire scars, with examples from tree- ring-fire history
reconstructions done in temperate and boreal Europe (1695, 1760, 1762, 1811, 1902, 1940, 1976).
Environmental signals in tree ring δ18O from a temperate catchment in Switzerland
Oertel A.*1, Treydte K.2, Michel D.1, Kahmen A.3,Frank D.2, Seneviratne S.I.1
1
– ETH, Zürich, Switzerland
– WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
3 – Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
2
Oxygen isotopes (δ18O) in tree rings are a valuable proxy for past environmental conditions. Yet,
the contribution of the source water δ18O versus signals generated at the leaf level remains
uncertain.
To address this topic, we conducted a study at a catchment research site in northeast Switzerland
(Rietholzbach). Its unique long-term dataset allowed for bi-weekly samples of δ18O data of
precipitation, creek and lysimeter water for the time from 2002 to 2014. Furthermore, four ash
trees (Fraxinus sp.) growing at a creek and four on a nearby steep slope were selected for the δ18O
measurements of cellulose.
We calculated correlations to environmental variables and applied the Péclet-modified-CraigGordon model to simulate δ18O cellulose values while varying parameterization of physiological
and environmental variables.
Mean inter-series correlations between the tree-level δ18O time series are similarly high at the
slope and the creek locations, and both site-chronologies are tightly correlated (r=0.9). However,
the δ18O values are by 0.9‰ on average higher at the slope site compared to the creek site.
Both chronologies contain a similarly strong summer VPD/RH signal, but we found that the
correlations to source water δ18O are just as high. This suggests that i) both leaf level and source
water signals are imprinted in the cellulose δ18O, and ii) in addition to leaf-level evaporative
enrichment the VPD signal at least partly results from its correlation to source water δ 18O.
We found the Péclet-modified-Craig-Gordon model captured the overall behaviour in the δ18O
time series well. With basic assumptions we can conclude that i) modelled leaf temperature needs
to be higher than air temperature, ii) it is unlikely (although not impossible) that the difference in
source water δ18O (precipitation vs creek water) causes the 0.9‰ offset between both sites alone,
iii) the Péclet effect is a main driver for this offset presuming a higher transpiration rate of the
trees at the creek.
Millennia-long dendroclimatic records for the Pamir-Alay region - perspectives and
limitations
Opała M.1, Niedźwiedź T.1, Rahmonov O.1, Owczarek P.2, Małarzewski Ł.1, Mendecki M.1
1
2
– University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland
– University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
Millennia-long tree-ring records are crucial for a better understanding of the temperature and
hydroclimatic variability over the globe. Dendroclimatological studies in High Asia are of special
interest due to their immense potential for developing millennia-long climate records. On the
other hand, the response of trees to climate is spatially rather different and not yet completely
understood. Furthermore, despite the fact that a number of tree-ring studies have been carried
out in the Himalayas, Karakorum, Tien Shan and the Tibetan Plateau, dendrochronological
analyses from semi-arid and arid regions of Central Asia are largely missing. The lack of tree-ring
records from the Pamir Mountains is due to several reasons, among which restricted access due to
civil war operations, logisticdifficulties and also the spatial distribution of old-growth forest
ecosystems should be mentioned.
During our field studies in 2014 and 2015 about 500 samples of living and relict wood were
collected from different sites in western Tajikistan. The analyses conducted so far enabled the
development of 1200-year long tree-ring-width chronologies of Juniperus seravshanica and J.
semiglobosa. Timber from village structures as well as from relict logs, incorporated in the long
chronology from living trees, have strengthened the oldest part of the record (10 th-13th c.). Climate
response analyses showed precipitation and temperature signals which can be associated with
elevation and exposition. The winter precipitation signal was found to be the most pronounced
and suitable for further dendroclimatic reconstructions. We also point to the influence of different
non-climatic factors, among them the effect of seismic activity on tree growth which is particularly
evident in this region. Perspectives and limitations of the further development of
dendrochronological research in Tajikistan are discussed.
This research was supported by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) grant number
2013/09/B/ST10/00634.
Recent climate warming has induced a declining growth of Himalayan spruce in
the central Himalaya, Nepal
Panthi S.*, ZeXin Fan
Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese
Academy of Science, Menglun, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China
The growth of high elevation Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana) forests is sensitive to interannual
climatic variations. We used tree-ring analysis to assess the climate/growth response and the longterm growth trends of Himalayan spruce under changing climate. We constructed a tree ringwidth and a basal area increment (BAI) chronology from Himalayan spruce in the Rara National
Park, located in the northwestern part of Nepal. The individual ring-width series were detrended
and standardized and then assembled to a dimensionless ring-width indices (RWI) chronology to
preserve climatic variations. To estimate real tree-growth trends, BAI was calculated from the ringwidth series, assuming that the radial increment is uniform along each ring. Climate/growth
relationships were determined by correlations and response functions with bootstrapped
confidence intervals between the standardized residual RWI chronology and monthly climate data
(temperature and precipitation). The RWI series showed that variation in tree growth was
negatively correlated with February-September (early growing and growing season) and Previous
July and August (previous growing season) temperature, and positively correlated with selfcalibrated Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI) of previous October to current September
(throughout the year), precipitation of March (p<0.05). The response function analysis showed
tree growth has most strongly negatively correlated with temperature and positively correlated
with precipitation and scPDSI of March (p<0.05). Tree-ring records (both RWI and BAI) indicate an
unprecedented recent growth decline after 1960s. This is very likely is due to a warming-induced,
stronger spring moisture/drought stress. Forests are becoming increasingly vulnerable to
warming-induced growth declines in the central Himalaya, north-western Nepal. Future efforts
should be considered for improving the spatial coverage of historical climate reconstructions from
P. smithiana.
A juniper tree-ring network across the Alpine range
Pellizzari E.*1, Paola N.2, Carrer M.1
1
2
– Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi AgroForestali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy
– Dipartimento Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy
Common juniper (Juniperus communis L.) is one of the most widespread conifer in the northern
hemisphere but even if it has been proved to be sensitive to climate, it is still not widely used for
dendrochronological purposes. This is likely due to the crossdating difficulties related to the
irregular growth form and the high frequency of erratic and outer missing rings. Nonetheless, we
selected this creeping shrub to create a network across the Alps in order to i) check the presence
and consistency of the climatic signal in its tree-ring width series, and ii) compare its tree-ring
pattern with climatic data and with the tree-ring patterns of trees species growing at similar
altitudes.
We selected seven sites in the whole Alpine range (44°37’- 46°45’ N, 7°05’- 13°27’ E) from 1800 to
2400 m altitude, where we sampled almost 300 junipers and 250 trees. On all sites we were able
to successfully build chronologies longer than 150 years. Juniper growth has been proved to be
consistently negatively correlated to winter precipitation, i.e. to snow cover. On the contrary, tree
growth showed positive correlations with summer temperatures but no winter precipitation
association. Comparing both chronologies of shrubs and trees and their responses to climate, we
found an evident decupling between the two growth forms: shrubs seem more sensitive to snow
accumulation and soil conditions, while trees are more coupled to the atmosphere and air
temperatures.
This work highlights the potential of common juniper as a valuable natural archive. Its winter
precipitation sensitivity, well documented across the whole alpine range can be considered a good
starting point for a potential reconstruction of past winter precipitation or snow accumulation in
this region.
Disentangling the effect of climatic and genetic factors contributing to Abies alba
tree-ring growth variation along the Italian peninsula
Piermattei A.*1,2, Carrer M.3, Nola P.4, Motta R.5 Brunetti M.6, Piotti A.7, Leonarduzzi C.7,
Vendramin G.G.7, Urbinati C.2
1
– Swiss Federal Research Institute (WSL), Birmensdorf, Switzerland
– Dept. of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (D3A), Università Politecnica delle
Marche, Ancona, Italy
3 – Dept. TeSAF, Università di Padova, Legnaro, Italy
4 – Dept. Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
5 – Dept. Agroselviter, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
6 – Institute of Atmosphere and Climate Sciences-National Research Council, Bologna, Italy
7 – Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino,
Firenze, Italy
2
Silver fir (Abies alba) is an indigenous tree species present on several central and southern
European mountain ranges. Its fragmented distribution along the Italian peninsula, where climatic
conditions are expected to markedly change, brought both population geneticists and
dendrochronologists to investigate the adaptive responses of silver fir in terms of growth
dynamics.
We used a dataset based on 62 site chronologies, built on about 1300 trees, to cover the entire
distribution range of silver fir in Italy. Half of the sites were also genetically characterized by
nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers.
Principal component analyses of the tree-ring width site chronologies and of climate-growth
correlation functions were applied: i) to extract common variability in annual radial growth among
the chronologies and climate zones, and to ii) assess the climate-growth relationships of the site
chronologies.
Dendrochronological and climatic responses reveal a clear distinction between the western and
the eastern sectors of the Alps. In the Apennines, the northern sites are similar to the eastern Alps
sites, and differ from the central and southern ones. These results were generally consistent with
the biogeographical patterns detected by using clustering of genetic data, with the noteworthy
exception of the central Apennines populations, showing genetic similarity with the northern
Apennines ones. Despite the highly fragmented distribution of silver fir populations along the
Italian peninsula, a genetic drift has apparently eroded neither in genetic variation nor in the
genetic signature of post-glacial recolonization dynamics on their spatial genetic structure.
Our results suggest a combined effect of climate and genetic population structure to explain the
different geographical responses. The spatially different responses of silver fir tree-ring growth
and climate sensitivity between eastern and western Alps and northern, central and southern
Apennines could be related to both post-glacial recolonization dynamics and strong local selective
pressures particularly in specific areas of the Apennines.
Time identification of cell production in the growth season
Popkova M.I.*1, Babushkina E.A.2, Tychkov I.I.1, Shishov V.V.1, Vaganov E.A.1
1
– Siberian Federal University, Math Methods and IT Department, Krasnoyarsk, Russian
Federation
2 – Khakasian subdivision , Siberian Federal University, Abakan, Russian Federation
The annual increase in dendrochronological information leads to develop methods and
corresponding software for identifying and structuring different kinds of environmental
information from the data structure of tree rings, as well as a comparative analysis of the results.
Analysis of simulated and observed cell production of tree rings will allow to separate the climate
component from other local effects (e.g., fire or insects), which can be seen in the tree-ring profile.
The distribution of the radial cell sizes in the growth season is one of the main indicators of the
tree-ring structure.
This work describes a new block of process-based tree-ring models (VS-model) which allows to
estimate the cell production in tree rings and to transfer it into time scale, based on simulated
seasonal growth rates daily based of the VS-model. The obtained detailed approach with a time
moment estimation of each cell formation improves significantly the date accuracy of new cell
formation in the growing season. As a result for each cell in the tree ring we estimate the temporal
moment of the cell production corresponding to the seasonal growth rate in the same time scale.
The approach was applied and tested for the cell measurements obtained for Scots pine (Pinus
sylvestris) for the period 1964-2013 in the Malaya Minusa river (Khakassia, South Siberia).
The work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF project # 14-14-00219).
Intra-specific plasticity of seasonal dynamics of xylem formation and wood
structure in beech at two sites in Slovenia
Prislan P.*1, Gričar J.1, Čufar K.2
1
– Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
– Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana,
Ljubljana, Slovenia
2
High intra-specific plasticity in common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees growing in favourable, yet
different climatic conditions in Slovenia were observed in our previous studies (e.g. Prislan et al.
2013). It is suggested that temperature before the occurrence of most of the observed
phenological phases significantly differed in trees from different locations. To evaluate how beech
trees adjust their xylem structure to changing environmental regimes the dynamics of xylem
differentiation processes as well as vascular characteristics were investigated in the current study.
Analyses were performed on micro-cores collected at weekly intervals at Menina planina (ME –
1200 m a.s.l.) and Panska reka (PA – 400 m a.s.l.) between the 2008–2011 growth seasons. Time
intervals between major cell differentiation steps were investigated in the initial and terminal
parts of the xylem increments, i.e., onset/end of (i) cell expansion (PC), (ii) wall thickening and
lignification (SW), and (iii) fully matured cells (MT). In addition, vessel characteristics (density,
diameter, mean area, and total conductivity area) were analysed in the first and last quarters of
the growth rings.
Results showed that although the duration of the growing seasons was much longer at PA than at
ME, the time differences between first observed PC and SW cells as well as between first SW and
MT cells were similar at both sites. At the end of the growing seasons the time intervals between
the cessation of PC and MT phases significantly differed between sites. We observed differences in
xylem differentiation dynamics in the initial and terminal part of the growth rings which are partly
reflected in differences of vessel features in beech. Vessel density was the only vessel
characteristics that significantly differed between sites and was therefore suggested to be a
promising climatic proxy, whereas other vessel features seemed to be predominantly intrinsically
controlled.
References
Prislan et al. (2013) published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 180, 142-151.
Measuring the adaptive potential of larch to climatic changes using wood
formation monitoring along an altitudinal gradient in the French Alps
Saderi S.*1, Rathgeber C.1, Fournier M.2
1
– INRA, UMR1092, Laboratoire d Etude des Ressources Foret Bois (LERFoB), Centre INRA de
Nancy, F-54280 Champenoux, France
2 – AgroParisTech, UMR1092, Laboratoire d Etude des Ressources Foret Bois (LERFoB), ENGREF, 14
rue Girardet, F-54000 Nancy, France
Long-term emission of greenhouse gases will result in lots of long-lasting changes in all
components of the climate systems. Each of the last three decades has been significantly warmer
than any preceding decade since 1850 as reported by the International Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) in 2014. In Europe, mountain ranges and coastal areas are among the most vulnerable
regions facing climate change and subsequent increased temperature. Tree species in mountain
forests are among those threatened by global climate changes. Monitoring wood formation at
cellular level is one of the ways to see how tree species are responding to substantial
environmental factors affecting their growth. Wood formation studies have been well developed
for different species in recent years. It has been proved that the duration and rate of wood
formation will affect the final properties of the wood produced. Temperature increase with
affecting the length of the growing season can lead to changes in the quality of wood.
Temperature is among those ecological factors showing an altitudinal trend. Therefore, trees
growing along mountain forests can provide very unique data about the adaptation of tree species
to the recent environmental changes in future. In this study, larch, Larix decidua Mill., growing
along altitudinal gradients in the French Alps was selected for xylem formation monitoring. Fifteen
trees have been selected at each altitude of 1350, 1700, 2000, 2300 m and sampling was
performed with the micro-coring technique in 2013. The number of cells, from the dormant
cambium through the enlarging cells, wall thickening up to mature cells, were counted along three
radial files in each sample. The critical dates of beginning and end of each phase of cambial activity
were computed using the R-package CaviaR (Rathgeber, 2011).
The results showed that the cambial activity first occurred on the bottom sites and with a onemonth delay on the top site. A linear trend was observed for the start of the growing season with
increasing altitude (DOY=8.5T+134) which can be translated into 3 days/100 m altitude. The
temperature analysis showed a decrease of 0.6 °C per 100 m increase of altitude on this site. No
linear trend was observed for the ending of cambial activity which can be related to other factors
limiting the end of the growing season, such as precipitation. The results also showed a difference
in the timing of the growing season in larch trees growing at different altitudes. The xylem
formation analysis showed also that at the altitude of 1700 m there were optimum conditions for
the growth of larch trees in this region. Temperature and water availability can be limiting factors
at the top and bottom altitudes, respectively. These shifting in the phenology of cambial activity in
larch trees reflects the effect of climate change and resulting global warming on changing the
status of forest trees in this part of the French-Alps in future.
Earlywood and latewood sensitivity to air pollution on the example of Norway
spruce in the Ore Mountains
Samusevich A.*1, Zeidler A.1, Vejpustková M.2, Altman J.3
1
– Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Czech Republic
– Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Czech Republic
3 – Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic
2
The aim of our research is to evaluate the sensitiveness of earlywood and latewood anatomy to
the combined influence of pollution and low temperatures.
Our study is carried out in the Ore Mountains (Czech Republic). Sites are located along a gradient
of forest damage after the 1995/1996 cold winter (heavily, medium and slightly damaged sites).
The extreme winter time 1995/1996 was characterized by a sudden temperature decrease in
November 1995, followed by heavy frosts and long-term inversion, resulted in an extreme frost
and in intense air pollutant. All stands are pure spruce stands with 50-60-year old trees. The
demarcation between earlywood and latewood was made using Mork’s index and densitometry
analyses.
Our analyses showed the effect of stressors on radial lumen width of earlywood and latewood
tracheids and cell-wall thickness of latewood cells. Both parameters decreased significantly in
stress years. The number of tracheids was shown to be the most sensible parameter to air
pollution. A significant decrease of cell numbers was observed for both earlywood and latewood
zones. The difference in reaction dynamics between individual parameters was recorded. The
length of regeneration of the stands was shown to be from 1 to 3 years depending on the
pollution rate. At heavy polluted sites, a 1-year lag in growth reaction to stress was observed,
while at slightly damaged sites the growth was suppressed immediately after the stress event.
Proportion of latewood did not show any significant trend at sites of all types.
A snapshot from 1000 years ago - Beech growth during medieval times compared
to today with a focus on summer drought
Scharnweber T.*1, Heußner K.U.2, Heinrich I.3, Wilmking M.1
1
2
– University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
– German Archaeological Institute (DAI), Berlin, Germany
3
– German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Potsdam, Germany
Irrespective of site conditions (wet/dry), beech with its rather superficial root system shows a
consistent and temporally stable drought signal over the period of instrumental data in its ringwidth pattern (r>0.7 with summer PDSI). It can be assumed that in contrast to oak or other species
frequently used as timber, beech wood was available locally and not traded over long distances.
Its ring-width pattern found in archaeological wood thus shows a locally defined signal
predisposing this species for a regional reconstruction of forest history and trends in summer
moisture conditions.
Here, we present a new millennia-long drought reconstruction based on a unique dataset of tree
rings from historical and modern beech wood from the northeastern European lowlands. In
addition, the excellent sample replication with more than 600 series from 1000 to 1300 AD
facilitates a direct comparison with the equally well replicated modern period.
In the historical part, absolute growth rates were lower than today, likely indicating todays
influence of nitrogen fertilization or generally denser forests and thus higher competition in
historical times. At the same time, the inter-annual growth variability was higher and
autocorrelation lower in the earlier period. Many trees showed phases of release and suppression.
This suggests strong human influences on forests already during Slavonic times, right before the
most active periods of German east colonization and town foundations. In addition, our drought
reconstruction points at rather dry conditions during the warm medieval climate anomaly.
Architecture and tree-ring dating of historical monuments in the open air museum
“Starina Sibirskaya” in Western Siberia
Sidorova M.O.*1,2, Zharnikov Z.Yu.1, Myglan V.S.1
1
2
– Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
– Siberian State Technological University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Traditionally, constructions have been dated by information from historical sources. But these are
not numerous in Siberia hence data about the building of wooden architectural monuments are
often missing. Architectural traditions help to determine the approximate ages of monuments.
Currently, the task of determining of date construction dates could be successfully accomplished
with the help of dendrochronology which allows the identification of cutting date of trees.
We investigated the architectural monuments in the open air museum “Starina Sibirskaya”.
According to historical data the “Kopyev coachman house” was built in the middle of the 19th
century, although the dendrochronological analysis has shown that the cutting date was in 1888.
We also determined the cutting dates for three wooden architectural monuments – “the
beekeeper house”, “the old-timer house” and “the Cossack Sotnik house”, being 1883, 1857 and
1850 respectively. There had been no historical information available for them.
The dating of the brick “kerosene shop” was the most complicated. Samples were selected from
wooden elements (window-frames, door-frames), in which the outer rings (with bark) were
missing. The date of the outer rings was 1828. However, considering the number of missing rings
(removed during woodworking) it is clear that the building was constructed later, i.e., in the
second half of the 19th century which is in line with housebuilding architectural traditions.
As a result, we defined construction dates for five architectural monuments, which are a striking
example of pre-revolutionary wooden and brick housebuildings in Western Siberia in the 19th
century. The calendar dates allow including them in the Russian Unified State Register of Cultural
Heritage.
This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (№ 15-14-30011).
Seasonal cambial activity and annual growth-ring formation of Cryptomeria
japonica D. Don in relation to climate in subtropical moist forests of north eastern
India
Singh N.D.*1, Venugopal N.2, Singh Th.B.1, Devi Ch. S.1
1
– Centre of Advanced Study in Life Sciences, Manipur University, Imphal-795003,India
– Centre for Advanced Study in Botany, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong-22,
India
2
Forest coverage in the north eastern region of India is under immense pressure due to
anthropogenic change. Deforestation and degradation of forests, particularly in the tropical and
subtropical regions, are significant contributors to global green house gas emissions, biodiversity
loss and climate change. As the climate change takes place, it is an important issue to know the
tree-response behaviour along with the change in climate so as to mitigate climate change
through management and conservation of the forests. The present study deals with the seasonal
pattern of cambial activity and annual growth-ring formation of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don in
relation to climatic factors in subtropical moist forests in the north eastern region of India. It was
evident from multiple partial correlation analysis that the annual course of average temperature
plays an important role for the reactivation of vascular cambium after dormancy. The mean
sensitivity of the standardized chronology was 0.19. A common interval analysis for the
standardized chronology shows a signal-to-noise ratio of 2.09 in agreement with the population
chronology (0.66) and a variance due to the first eigenvector (26.64%). A response function
analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between ring width and climate, suggesting that the
tree growth sensitive to climate. The tree-ring formation responded to April – May temperature
rather than to precipitation. Thus, trees serve as a good source for climate reconstructions though
the species is introduced in this region. It is suggested that further work with longer chronologies
in this region can give more light for past climate regimes.
Functional characteristics of conifer tracheids and annual rings: model estimates
by lumen diameter and wall thickness
Sviderskaya I.*, Fedotov D., Bazutov M.
Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Functional characteristics of annual rings can help to clear up the mechanisms of tree growth
response to changing climate. It is not yet possible to experimentally measure hydraulic
parameters of individual rings or tracheids. The only way is to use a mathematical model based on
up-to-date knowledge of water transport mechanism and xylem microanatomy.
We have elaborated the model calculating the water conductivity of individual rings and tracheids
by data on lumen diameter and wall thickness. The model tree ring is its mean tracheidogram. The
total ring conductivity is the sum of individual tracheid conductivities. The conductivity of a
tracheid is the reciprocal of its resistivity which is the sum of the resistivities of the lumen and pits.
The lumen resistivity is calculated with the Hagen-Poiseuille equation by the lumen hydraulic
diameter. The resistivity of pits depends on their number and individual pit resistivity. The pit
resistivity depends on the sizes of the pits. We suppose the sizes of torus, aperture, and canal
length to be linear functions of lumen radial size and wall thickness.
The modeled conductivity of latewood tracheids is 10–15 times less than of earlywood ones.
Conductivity of earlywood tracheids is limited by lumen diameter while conductivity of latewood
tracheids is limited by pits. Earlywood tracheids are responsible for about 95% of the total ring
conductance.
In general, the total ring conductivity correlates well with the mean cell number per radial file.
However, we found out the rings which differ substantially by their hydraulic characteristics but do
not differ by their width or number of cells per radial file. The difference is explained by the
difference in cellular structure: more tracheids of less radial diameter or the same number of
tracheids with thicker walls and smaller lumens.
The research was carried out with the financial support from Ministry of Education of Russian
Federation, (project 784), and Russian Scientific Foundation (project 15-14-30011).
Adaptation of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) of selected Polish provenances
under climatic conditions of the Kielecka Upland (central Poland)
Szymański N.*1, Wilczyński S.1, Wertz B.2
1
– Department of Forest Protection Climatology and Enthomology, Faculty of Forestry, University
of Agriculture, Krakow, Poland
2 – Department of Biometry and Forest Productivity, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture,
Krakow, Poland
The study evaluated the sensitivity of two provenances of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) to
thermo-pluvial conditions of the provenance trial in Bliżyn near Kielce. The larches originated from
Skarżysko-Kamienna (Kielecka Upland) and Prószków (Dolnośląska Lowland). The trees from
Prószków come from different climatic regions The local Skarżysko provenance had the highest
breeding value from among 23 provenances tested on the plot, whereas the Prószków provenance
had the lowest value (Matras i in. 2006). 20 trees of each provenance were cored. The tree-ring
widths were measured on each core using the Coorecorder and CDendro program. The rings
widths in each year were then transformed into annual sensitivity indices (Douglass 1920). Each
tree was represented by a series of annual sensitivity indices. 20 tree series per provenance were
averaged to create a chronology of the provenance. A principal component analysis (PCA)of the
sensitivity series indicted that the larch provenances have different annual rhythms of their radial
increments. A PCA of the sensitivity series identified the climatic elements which unified and
differentiated the incremental rhythms. The results of the response function analysis (Fritts 1976)
for the scores of principal components, the sensitivity chronologies and monthly temperature and
precipitation have shown that the trees of both provenances had a similar sensitivity to the pluvial
conditions in the previous November as well as the thermal conditions from January-March and
inJuly and September and the pluvial conditions in February, June-August of the year of tree-ring
formation. The larches from the Skarżysko and Prószków provenance had a different sensitivity to
the thermal conditions in the previous October and to the precipitation in February and May of
the year of tree-ring formation. This could indicate their different resistance to early frosts and
process of lignification of shoots, and resistance to water shortage in spring.
Tree growth response along an altitudinal transect in the North of Central Siberia
Tabakova M.A*1, Kirdyanov A.V.2, Prokushkin A.S.2
1
– Siberian Federal University, pr. Svobodniy 79, Krasnoyarsk 660041, Russian Federation
– V.N. Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS, Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russian
Federation
2
The recent climatic warming has been implicated as a driver in the shifts of ecological processes of
plants worldwide (Parmesan, 2006) and has led to an uncertainty about the ability of some trees
to keep pace with their changing environment with unknown consequences for future forest
composition (McLachlan et al. 2005; Visser 2008). Therefore, it is crucial to understand tree
response in different environmental and topographic conditions under increasing environment
pressure.
Here we identified and evaluated the response of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr, growing along an
altitudinal transect using standard dendrochronological techniques. The study area is located in
Northern Central Siberia (65° 25’N, 97° 35’E), where the ecosystems are supposed to be sensitive
even to small changes.
Fourteen sites were selected along two elevational transects at both north- and south-facing
slopes. The set of conditions, observed along the transects, covered a wide range of conditions
typical for the region, representing the maximum of adaptive variability of larch in this area.
Our preliminary results show that there is a sufficient effect of the site conditions on radial growth
of L. gmelinii, indicating that climate conditions along the gradient modulate the response of
individuals. These results are crucial for improvements of the forecast of tree survival under the
climate changes pressure.
The study was financed by RNF 14-14-00295.
410-years of temperature reconstruction for the Iberian Peninsula based on treering records
Tejedor E.*1,2,3, Saz M.A.1,2, Cuadrat J.M.1,2, Esper J.3, de Luis M.1,2
1
– University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
– Environmental Sciences Institute of the University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
3 – Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
2
Tree rings are an important proxy to understand the natural drivers of climate variability in the
Mediterranean basin and hence to improve future climate scenarios in a vulnerable region. In this
communication, we combine 316 samples from three different sources from the eastern Iberian
Peninsula extending back from the Little Ice Age (1465) to present (2012). We apply a new
standardization method based on the trunk basal area instead of the tree cambial age to develop a
regional chronology which not only preserves high to low frequency variability but it also
maximizes the regional climate signal. A new reconstruction for the 1602-2012 period correlates at
-0.78 with observational September temperatures with a cumulative mean of the 21 previous
months over the 1945-2012 calibration period. The new IR2Tmax reconstruction is spatially
representative for the Iberian Peninsula and captures the full range of past Iberian Range
temperature variability. Reconstructed long-term temperature variations match reasonably well
with solar irradiance changes since warm and cold phases correspond with high and low solar
activity, respectively. In addition, some annual temperatures downturns coincide with volcanic
eruptions with a three year lag.
500-year tree ring-width based spring precipitation (March-May) variability in the
trans-Himalayan zone of central Nepal
Tiwari A*1,2, Zexin F.1, Zhe-kun Z.1
1
– Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Yunnan 666303, China
2 – Depart of Botany Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University Kathmandu Nepal
Tree-ring width indices have been widely used for historical climate reconstruction as they are one
of the most reliable proxies due to their high time resolution and precise dating. We constructed
an annually resolved and dated ring-width chronology spanning 515 years with Picea smithiana
(Wall.) Boiss tree cores from the semi-arid trans-Himalayan zone of central Himalaya (Mustang,
Nepal). The ring-width indices were correlated with the instrumental data (1970-2013 AD) from
the nearest climate station to observe the climate/growth response. March-May precipitation was
found to be highly significantly correlated with tree ring-width indices, thus March-May
precipitation was reconstructed with predicator values accounting for variance in precipitation
data from climate station. Global climate models disagree on predicting precipitation intensity and
seasonality in the coming decades, but more extreme precipitation events are likely worldwide
(IPCC 2013). Despite of no detectable trend in precipitation in the Himalayan zone in the recent
decades, there is an improvement in spring precipitation in the trans-Himalayan zone, although
the trend is not significant.
Growth-climate relationships of trees at different treeline forms
Treml V.*1, Veblen T.T.2
1
2
– Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
– University of Colorado, Department of Geography, Boulder, USA
Treeline ecotones are predicted to advance upward or poleward in consequence of temperature
increase. A lot of treelines indeed follow climate warming, whereas a large body of treelines do
not. To explain the varying reactions of treelines to warming, it has been hypothesized that only
the existence of trees at diffuse treelines is strictly growth-limited by low temperatures and thus
sensitive to warming, whereas trees at abrupt or krummholz treelines are limited by
establishment constraints or biomass loss, respectively. To test this hypothesis, we examined
growth-climate responses of trees growing at different treeline forms. We developed tree-ring
width (TRW) chronologies from seven sites covering diffuse, abrupt and krummholz treelines and
two conifer species – Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii in the Colorado Front Range, U.S.A.
These chronologies were correlated with climatic variables and inspected in terms of growth
trends. Our results show that the variance in TRW chronologies is attributed to tree species the
most and then to treeline form, of which the krummholz treelines had particularly distinct growth
patterns. Tree growth at krummholz sites was limited by the length of the growing season, trees at
abrupt treelines showed, besides of temperature, also a strong drought signal in their tree rings.
The growth-climate response of diffuse treelines differed by sites and trees either showed a mixed
climatic signal or were strongly affected by temperature in the growing season. Trees limited by
the growing season length or by the growing season temperatures were characterized by
increasing growth rates during the last three decades, whereas trees limited by other factors
displayed ambiguous growth trends. We exemplified that in the warm-temperate mountain range
characterized by a strong thermic continental climate, growth-climate relationships differ
according to the treeline form and tree species and only a part of treeline trees react to the recent
temperature increase by radial growth enhancement.
Different response of floodplain Quercus robur L. tree-ring width and vessel lumen
area to changing hydroclimatic conditions
Tumajer J.*, Treml V.
Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Department of Physical Geography and
Geoecology; Albertov 6; 12843 Prague; Czech Republic
Both productivity and wood anatomy of floodplain trees could be altered due to increasing
temperatures and variability in river discharge observed recently in Central Europe. To predict
responses of floodplain forests to climate change, climatic controls of tree productivity and
transpiration should be determined. In lowlands of central Czechia, we analysed the responses of
tree-ring width (TRW) and vessel lumen area (VLA) chronologies of floodplain oak, Quercus robur
L., to hydroclimatic conditions represented by temperatures, scPDSI, river discharge, groundwater
level as well as the occurrence of extreme events (floods, droughts). Site chronologies were built
both for floodplain and reference sites. In total, 138 trees were analysed. Our results show that
TRW of floodplain trees is particularly influenced by temperature during the growing season with a
secondary effect of the preceding year summer temperature; on the other hand, radial growth is
mainly drought-limited on a reference site. VLA chronologies from both floodplain and reference
sites share a common positive temperature signal from January to April. The effect of water
availability on VLA is negative for floodplain trees and insignificant for reference trees. Floods and
groundwater level changes are reflected in VLA and TRW in the same way as scPDSI fluctuations.
Years with extreme reductions in VLA commonly coincide with flood events, however, as the
reduction of VLA is usually significant in both reference and floodplain chronologies, the effect of
high soil water saturation in humid years is probably responsible. The analysis of chronology
trends evidences that radial growth of floodplain trees responds positively to a recent
temperature increase; on the other hand, drought can become a serious problem affecting the
productivity of trees growing in more distal parts of the lowland with low groundwater levels. The
average vessel size also tends to increase with recently increasing temperatures, making xylem
more effective in water conductivity, however, also more cavitation vulnerable.
The influence of drought-stress on radial growth in Norway spruce, Silver fir, and
Douglas fir in the Black Forest
Vitali V.1, Büntgen U.2, Bauhus J.1
1
– Chair of Silviculture, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4,
79106 Freiburg, Germany
2 – Landscape Dynamics, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903
Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Norway spruce (Picea abies) is the most widely cultivated tree species in southern Germany.
Climate projections, however, foresee an increase of drought occurrences, to which spruce has
been demonstrated to be particularly susceptible. It is therefore anticipated that this species will
disappear in the long run from less favourable, dry and warm sites. To maintain a viable forestry
and forest products industry, alternative conifer species are sought to replace spruce. Here, we
assessed the performance of presumably more drought tolerant species such as Douglas fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Silver fir (Abies alba).
The radial growth of these three species and their responses to climate variability were analysed
within mixed stands in the Black Forest. Tree cores were collected from 18 sampling sites located
within three altitudinal gradients ranging from 400 to 1 200 m a.s.l. on the western slopes of the
southern and central Black Forest. These sites were equally distributed on north- and south-facing
slopes.
Resistance, resilience and recovery of radial tree growth have been calculated in relation to the
extreme drought events of 1976 and 2003. Contrary to our expectations, the altitudinal variation,
which also represents a strong gradient in precipitation, had little effect on the growth responses
to drought. Lower sites appeared to be only slightly more susceptible than higher elevation sites.
Norway spruce was the least drought-resistant species. On average, when considering mean radial
growth of the last 30 years, while Douglas fir remains the fasted growing species, radial growth in
Silver fir appears to be continuously increasing, whereas for Spruce it has been a trend of
decreasing radial growth. Further analysis will be carried out, considering a mixed stand structure,
in order to quantify how resilience and resistance to drought may be modified by
complementarity effects among tree species.
Transport of timber in the Dark Ages
Weidemueller J.
([email protected])
University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
With the decline of the Roman Empire and the diminishing population densities in its wake, the
Rhaetian forests had sufficient time to recover and reconquer large estates in the Upper Isar area.
The timbers used in Merovingian times (500-750 AD) were made of mature local oak trees of up to
400 years of age. A drastic change happened in the early 9th century. Harvesting leapt
exponentially. In a few decades the old oak forests vanished. The preserved wood samples include
fast grown oak as well as other species like beech, elm and spruce. The question is: Where did
these timbers come from? Is it possible that sub-montane to montane levels were exploited? In
the recent past, the river Isar was known for rafting and there are also records of log drifting in
Roman times, much in contrast, there is no such evidence for the Dark Ages (500-1000 AD).
To determine whether wood transport has taken place, all archaeological wooden samples found
in the Upper Isar Valley were investigated. The first step was to provenance the samples. In
addition to comprehensive regional chronologies throughout Bavaria, growth curves relating to
certain areas for every type of tree have been created (Weidemueller/Herzig 2012). According to
its topographical arrangement, Bavaria is divided into 15 forestal growth areas. A comparison of
the data and chronologies provide a first localization of the origin of the wood. To specify the
results, a non-linear regression model will be used (Eissing, 2011), which enables us to estimate
the elevation of the growing site, and filter imported timber. Confirmation will be achieved
through isotope analysis of representative samples.
Initial results show that the conifers used originate most likely from higher elevation sites. For the
Upper Isar area this could be the Bavarian Forest, the Tertiary Hills or the Bavarian Upper Moraine
and Molasse Foreland.
References
Eissing, T., 2011. Timber transport and dendro-provenancing in Thuringia and Bavaria. Scientia
Artis, 7, 137-149.
Weidemueller, J./Herzig, F., 2012. Developing and Restructuring Bavarian Chronologies.
Academia.edu. Web. 29. February 2016.
<http://www.academia.edu/9136517/Developing_and_Restructuring_Bavarian_Chronologies>
Differences of the incremental response of main coniferous species in southern
Poland in the pollution period
Wertz B.*1, Wilczyński S.2, Szymański N.2
1
– Department of Biometry and Forest Productivity, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture,
Krakow, Poland
2 – Department of Forest Protection Climatology and Entomology, Faculty of Forestry, University of
Agriculture, Krakow, Poland
The changes of the radial growth of trees over time can be treated as a indicator of the impact of
various environmental factors. Substantial changes of the amount of air pollution observed in
Europe during last decades were identified as one of the most important factor, which often
heavily influences the growth of trees. Our study concentrates mainly on describing the
differences of the reactions of two important coniferous species in Poland - Scots pine and Silver
fir, which are vulnerable to changes of the level air pollutions.
On the basis of selected indicators, describing not only the medium-term changes of absolute
growth, but also taking into consideration the homogeneity of incremental reactions, it was shown
that at the same time when trees reacted with a significantly absolute decrease of rings widths,
the directions of the year-to-year changes were very mixed among all trees. As a result, trees
became less vulnerable to factors, which determine the year-to-year reactions, such as
meteorological conditions. Once the trees have released from severe impacts of pollutants, the
tree-ring widths started to increase substantially, moreover trees regained sensitiveness to
meteorological factors and thus their year-to-year rhythm of directional changes. However the
standard deviation of indices also increased, so the reaction of trees for improving environment
conditions was very uneven. The changes described were more apparent for fir, while pine
showed moderate reactions.
Dendrochronology indicates a dryness tipping point for increased regional tree
mortality
Yi Ch.*1,2, Huang K.1, Mu G.1, Hendry G.1,2
1
– School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College, City University of New York, New
York 11367, USA.
2 – The Earth and Environmental Sciences Program, the Graduate Center, City University of New
York, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Climate changes are resulting in higher temperatures and drying of ecosystems in some regions.
How dry is dry enough to approach the tipping point of a widespread increase of tree mortality
rates? We investigated this question using tree-ring data and meteorological data. The tree-ring
width is the end product of numerous physiological processes that are limited by drought. We
hypothesize that when annual tree-ring growth is zero, trees are dying or struggling to survive, and
that this is the dendrochronological indicator of a tipping point for a climate-driven forest dieback.
First, we verified this hypothesis using tree-ring data from the International Tree-Ring Data Bank
for two dominant tree species in the South-western US (SWUS), ponderosa pine and pinyon pine.
We evaluated a drought index with temporally corresponding tree rings using a standardized
precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), which is precipitation minus potential
evapotranspiration. We found that the tipping point value of SPEI for tree mortality is -1.64, near
and beyond which a robust linear relationship between the binned averages of the ring-width
index (RWI) and the SPEI was found. Under wetter conditions, the correlation between the RWI
and SPEI became weaker. Second, we analysed the photosynthetic relationship of the RWI with
light by an empirical model. Finally, we applied a non-linear dynamics theory to understand the
bifurcation behaviour around the tipping point of drought.
This research was supported by PSC-CUNY CIRG- 80209-08 22.
Alpine Holocene tree ring isotope records – The chance and challenge of
establishing multi-proxy records from tree rings for the past 9000 years
Ziehmer M.M.*1,2, Nicolussi K.3, Schlüchter C.4, Leuenberger M.1,2
1
– Climate and Environmental Physics, Physics Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
– Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
3 – Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
4 – Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
2
Recent finds of wood remains from glacier forefields and peat bogs in the Alps represent an
extremely unique high-frequency archive allowing the reconstruction of climate variability over
the entire Holocene. We use a multi-proxy approach which combines tree-ring width and multiple
stable isotope records from calendar-dated wood covering the past 9000 years.
We collected samples in glacier forefields but used also wood material from peat bogs and small
lakes in the Alps covering a large SW-NE transect. In addition, living trees were cored at three key
sites near the glacier sites in order to provide a connection from Holocene samples to the present.
The spread of the various sample locations allows the analysis of climatic conditions along a SWNE transect characterized by a change from an Atlantic to a more continental driven climate.
The individual measurement series exhibit certain effects such as offsets and trends due to
different sampling sites, tree species, growth trends, potential degree of decay and cellulose
content influencing the tree-ring width, and the stable isotope series. These effects offer an
additional insight into tree growth and stand behaviour of trees in the Early and Mid-Holocene.
But for a robust regional comparison, these local and individual effects have to be eliminated. We
try to overcome these various effects and offsets by measures of standardization and establish
environmental records for which the low frequency signal is kept as much as possible.
The stable isotope records reveal interesting low-frequency variability during the Early and MidHolocene. Further, cold events such as the 8.2 ka BP and the 6.3 ka BP event and their
representation in the proxy time series as well as the Holocene optimum phase can be
investigated in these high-resolution records. Finally, an estimation of the temperature change
over the Holocene optimum phase can be proposed.
Białowieża Forest – disturbance history and forest dynamics in past and ongoing
scientific research
Zin E.*1,2, Niklasson M.2
1
– Forest Research Institute (IBL), Department of Natural Forests, Park Dyrekcyjny 6, 17-230
Białowieża, Poland
2 – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre,
P.O. Box 49, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
Due to its preserved character Białowieża Forest, NE Poland and W Belarus, is often used as a
reference point for natural forests in temperate Europe. Despite long history of research, its longterm disturbance and tree population dynamics are not completely recognized. On permanent
plots, changes in tree species composition have recently been recorded, including lack of Pinus
sylvestris regeneration and substantial increase of late-successional species like Carpinus betulus
and Tilia cordata and the decrease of Picea abies. Several explanations have been suggested for
these changes, e.g. herbivore browsing, climate change, past human utilization or changes in soil
chemistry. Until now, forest fires have rarely been addressed in this context. We hypothesize that
fires were important in much of Białowieża Forest, in particular in stands with P. sylvestris. We
apply dendroecological methods to test this. By cross dating of increment cores and cross sections
from P. sylvestris trees and stumps located in conifer-dominated sites across the Polish and
Belarussian sections of Białowieża Forest we were able to reconstruct tree ring fire history
spanning over the last four centuries (1600-2015). We recorded remarkably uniform patterns
across studied sites, including very high (1-15 yrs) fire frequencies until the half of the 19th
century. We conclude that there is a need to explore deeper the role of fire in the dynamics of this
forest ecosystem as a factor of major importance.
Disturbance history of old-growth mixed beech-fir-spruce forests in the Western
Carpathians
Adamus M., Szewczyk J.
University of Agriculture, Kraków, Poland
The frequency and severity of disturbances in old-growth mixed forests in the Western
Carpathians were analyzed using the boundary-line method. The study plots (1 ha each) were
located in strictly protected areas of three Polish National Parks: Babia Gora, Tatra Mountains and
Gorce. On every plot, cores were extracted from 30 trees of the three main tree species: Fagus
sylvatica, Abies alba and Picea abies. In total 270 cores were measured. The oldest beeches and
firs were over 300 years old, while the oldest spruce trees did not exceed 275 years. Significant
differences in the age structures of beech, fir and spruce were found on all three plots. There were
no signs of stand-replacing disturbances in any of the three plots during last 200-250 years. The
disturbance chronologies showed a very low percentage of major releases , and the frequency of
moderate disturbances varied over time. Many trees showed signs of significant and synchronous
growth releases in the last 20-30 years. This peak in the disturbance chronologies was the result of
high-frequency disturbances of low severity, initiated by dieback of several single fir trees in the
second half of the 20th century, resulting in the creation of many small gaps.
Growth-climate relations derived from a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) treering chronology in Eastern Hungary
Árvai, M.*1, Morgós, A.2, Kern Z.3
1
– Dept. of Physical Geography, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
– Consart Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
2
The main climatic risk in low altitude regions of Eastern Hungary is the frequency and intensity of
drought. The spatial variability of the climatic response of oak tree-ring chronologies presents
information on the sensitivity of one of the main forest species to climate variability. Based on
samples from 26 living trees and from 4 dead stems, collected between 2001 and 2009 around the
city of Debrecen, a 220-year long oak chronology has been developed covering the time from 1789
to 2009 A.D. The raw tree-ring width series were detrended with a data adaptive approach (cubic
spline with 50% frequency cut-off at two-thirds of the series length), however besides the
traditional version a signal-free variant was developed. Tree-ring indices were derived as ratio and
the variance has been stabilized in the final chronology. We expected that the signal-free
approach can improve the medium-frequency variance.
Both indices were entered into a correlation analysis. Monthly precipitation and temperature data
were available from the nearest meteorological station in Debrecen, and SPEI 3,4, and 6 were also
used. A significant (p<0.01) positive correlation was found between tree-ring width and summer
precipitation (May-August, r=0.36), whereas no significant response was found to the monthly
temperature data. The highest correlation was observed between July SPEI 3 (r=0.4) and the
traditional 67% spline detrended record. These results provided tree-ring based evidence that for
oak drought/precipitation is the main growth driving factor over the eastern part of the Great
Hungarian Plain.
Thanks to LP2012-27/2012
Using growth anomalies of Larix siberica in the Altay-Sayan Mountains to
reconstruct climatic extremes over the past three centuries
Barinov V.V.*1,2, Taynik A.V.1,2, Oidupaa O.Ch. 3, Myglan V.S.1
1
– Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
– Siberian State Technological University, 660049 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
3 – Tuva State University, 667000 Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva, Russian Federation
2
Dendrochronological and especially wood anatomical studies are rare in the Altai-Sayan region. At
the same time, this part of Central Asia is characterized by a general lack of long meteorological
measurements. Tree ring series formed near the upper treeline, however, may represent an
annually resolved and absolutely dated proxy archive to provide important climatological
information for the pre-instrumental period. Here we analysed both inter and intra-annual growth
characteristics of 355 cores from Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ldb). All material, collected between
2009 and 2014 on 13 sites at several high altitudes within the Russian Altay-Sayan Mountains, is
expected to reflect distinct summer temperature variability. The total amount of anomalies, we
detected, consists of 240 frost rings, 69 light rings, 57 intra-annual density fluctuations, 67 cracks
and 666 rings missing. Two or more such anomalies correspond to extreme events on a site, if they
belong to the same year. Extreme events in more than half of the sites allow to determine the
dates of the most crucial climatic events. According to our results, these dates are 1783, 1784,
1788, 1812, 1814 and 1884. The extreme events of these years are most likely linked to volcanic
eruptions (Grimsvotn and Lakagigar, Etna, Mayon, Krakatau Soufriere St. Vincent, Krakatau). These
years verified historical data about strangely low-temperatures, with snow even falling during
summer in some locations; widespread crop-failures and famines; and the accompanying
geopolitical problems in these years in South Siberia may have also resulted from volcanic events.
This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (№ 15-14-30011)
Dendrochronological analysis of sub-fossil oak wood from the Rucianka raised bog
(NE Poland)
Barniak J.*1, Krąpiec M.1
1
– AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland
Sub-fossil oak wood excavated from the Rucianka raised peat bog (NE Poland) was
dendrochronologically analyzed. The aim was to construct a standard tree-ring chronology for oak.
Samples in the form of 47 discswere acquired from heaps of excavated timbers lnear peat
harvesting sites using a chain saw. The collected parts of stems were well preserved, two of them
even with sapwood. A dendrochronological standard tree-ring chronology, covering 355 years, has
been constructed based on the tree-ring width measurements of 39 discs. Radiocarbon dating
indicates that the oak wood comes from between 1600 – 1300 BC.
Towards an international benchmarking of wood density and Blue Intensity
measurements for dendroclimatological research
Wood Densitometry Consortium represented by Jesper Björklund
([email protected])
Swiss Federal Research Institute, Birmensdorf (WSL)
In global change science, the maximum latewood density (MXD) of coniferous tree rings is the
most reliable measurement to reconstruct growing-season temperatures. Continuing
technological advances have led to numerous alternatives to measure intra-annual wood density:
Walesch electronics, ITRAX, SilviScan, X-ray Computed Tomography, High Frequency densitometry,
quantitative wood anatomical density (QWA) and blue intensity/reflectance (BI). These research
trends are ideally yielding improvements of the existing techniques, yet have also been
demonstrated to result in inconsistent and biased estimates. This hinders the potential to
integrate datasets produced in different labs and to subsequently develop large-scale climate
reconstructions. It is thus a timely and necessary endeavor to benchmark currently available
methods and systematically compare measurements from different laboratories. In the spring of
2015, an initiative was launched tocompare wood density measurements produced with different
methodologies. Sufficiently large tree logs of Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) from Northern Finland
were acquired so that samples could be made for numerous laboratories. It has been proposed
that for each methodology and laboratory, measurements should be conducted on a unique
sample subset consisting of 3 radii from each of > 25 logs. A remarkable interest in this project was
expressed. 18 laboratories in 11 countries have expressed an initial interest to measure 22 unique
datasets comprising 6 techniques. At the time of writing, we have obtained data from ten
laboratories, where 5 have measured BI and 5 have measured X-ray density using either the
Walesch system or the ITRAX system. By the time of the conference, we anticipate that this
number has increased, and the records will then be compared to each other.
Spatial relationships in the growth dynamics of the upper subalpine zone spruce
observed in the Sudetes Mts., Poland
Błaś M.1, Godek M.*1, Sobik M.1, Szymanowski M.2, Owczarek P.3, Ojrzyńska H.1
1
– Department of Climatology and Atmosphere Protection, University of Wrocław, Poland
– Department of Geoinformatics & Cartography, University of Wrocław, Poland
3 – Department of Physical Geography, University of Wrocław, Poland
2
Although the so-called "ecological disaster" of the mid-European, upper subalpine spruce ended
about 25 years ago, no factor that could explain its spatial differentiation was indicated. An
answer to this question is largely the outcome of our research project.
Approx. 2000 Norway spruce trees were sampled, using increment borers. The sampling sites were
located in different altitudinal zones in the Sudetes Mts. All the cores have been subjected to
standard dendrochronological procedures, using COFECHA, ARSTAN and WINDENDRO tools.
Based on data from 75 sites located throughout the Sudetes, a spatial model was prepared
showing the distribution of growth reductions of trees in 1980-1995. For this purpose, a set of
determinants were selected that are related to the processes associated with the pollutant
dispersion and with meteorological factors, especially in the context of their modification by the
terrain.
It has been shown that strong local contrasts in the growth of spruce in the upper subalpine zone,
visiblein most Polish mountain ranges from 1980-1995, are largely due to the varying deposition of
atmospheric pollutants. The largest reduction of growth rate (> 50%) was observed where a larger
acid fog turnout was recorded, associated with low-hanging clouds. This applies extremely to the
W and NW edge of the Sudetes (Jizera Mts., Western Giant Mts.). On the other hand, where the
cloud bases rarely covered the upper subalpine zone, reductions of the annual increments of trees
in a multi-year period 1980-1995 were small (<30%) and are to associated mainly with wet
pollutant depositions. Analysis of the tree-growth reaction shows a small reduction also on the
slopes of an opposite exposure to the prevailing direction of circulation (E-SE).
Spatial and temporal variation in Pinus heldreichii growth at tree line locations in
Kosovo
Bojaxhi F.*1, Toromani E.2
1
2
– Kosovo Forest Agency, Zenel Saliu street 1/A, Kosovo
– Agricutural University of Tirana, Department of Forestry, 1029 Koder-Kamez, Albania
The present study aims at evaluating the spatial and temporal patterns of the radial growth of
Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian pine)over its tree line locations in Kosovo and at finding how these
patterns are related to precipitation and temperature variations. Our study comprises three highelevation sites between 20° 15’ and 20° 57’ longitude and an elevation range from 1815 - 1945 m
above sea level. At each site, two cores from 30 to 38 living trees were collected using a Pressler
increment borer. The cores were processed, and the tree-ring widths measured, using standard
dendrochronlogical procedures. Final chronologies were built for each site and compared with
instrumental records of temperature and precipitation .
The Bosnian pine chronologies showed a mixed climate signal of winter and summer temperatures
and precipitation. Despite local differences, the decrease in tree-line elevation is associated with a
stronger effect of summer precipitation on the radial growth. Tree growth in the southernmost
regions showed positive correlations with current January and February and negative correlations
with June temperatures. The closer the sites are, the more similar is the relationship between tree
growth and climate data. Our findings indicate that temperature has a spatially larger control on
Bosnian pine growth than precipitation.Further investigations of Bosnian pine growth patterns and
their relationship to climate will improve the understanding of climate oscillations during the last
two to three centuries and their relationships to climate change at spatial and temporal scales.
Dendrochronological methods to characterise the conditions of reference forest
stands and their ability to respond to environmental conditions
Borowski Z.1, Rykowski K.1, Gil W.1, Dobrowolska D.1, Zub K.2, Wójcicki A.*1
1
– Forest Research Institute, Sękocin Stary, Poland
Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
2–
Creating reference forest stands is quite a new trend in Poland. For this project twelve reference
forest stands have been created. They are located in so called Forest Promotional Complexes –
characteristic forest complexes for specific regions of the country. The forest management within
those stands has been completely stopped. Near the reference stands control stands have been
created – they have identical conditions (vegetation species, habitat, soil properties, etc.) and a
similar area, but the forest management within them is still functioning.
One of the project objectives, apart from many others, was to analyse, how the trees from both
types of stands react to environmental conditions in the future. To be more specific, how will the
annual increment of the stems respond to such conditions as annual precipitation or annual
temperature within reference stands compared with the control stands. We are especially
interested in determining, how the trees under reference and control conditions react on specific
phenomena of indicator years (significantly high or low precipitation, long and frosty winters, etc.).
The first step of this project – description of the initial conditions within the reference and control
stands – is just finished. By using methods of dendrochronology, the annual stem increment of
trees from all stands has been determined. As expected, there were no differences between them
over the last decades. Also some disturbances in the annual increment during extremely dry years
have been spotted.
Isotopic signatures of hydro-climatic variability in landscape and trees in a transHimalayan valley–a project presentation and initial results
Brunello C.F.*1,2, Andermann C.2, Helle G.2, Comiti F. 1, Tonon G.1, Ventura M.1, Penna D.1, Hovius
N. 2,3
*corresponding author ([email protected])
1
– University of Bozen Bolzano, Faculty of Science and Technology. Bozen, Italy
– Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, German Research Centre for Geosciences. Potsdam, Germany
3 – University of Potsdam, Institute of Earth and Environmental Science. Potsdam, Germany
2
In geomorphologically complex mountainous environments, such as the High Himalayas,
knowledge of spatial and altitudinal variations in orographic rainfall and surface water distribution
can be used to link atmosphere and land surface by hydroclimatic processes. Because instrumental
records are rare in the High Himalayas, hydroclimatic sensitive proxy records, such as oxygen
stable isotope ratios in the wood cellulose of tree rings, are a valuable source of data covering
decades to centuries.
The aim of this study is to shed light on the effect of climate variability on the hydrological cycle in
the Kali Gandaki valley in Central Nepal. Through this valley, the high, arid, trans-Himalayan region
of upper Mustang is connected with the monsoon-dominated gangetic plains. As such, it is
especially sensitive to changes of the strength and reach by the monsoon and westerly airstreams.
We will explore this, using the climate signal- and isotope-transfer within an arboreal system
composed of Juniperus sp. and Pinus sp., in the context of the stable isotope composition of
precipitation and surface water.
Preliminary isotope measurements in samples collected along the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal show
that the river waters cannot be solely sourced by glacial melt and rainwater input from the
monsoon-influenced part of the Himalayan range. A significant groundwater input is suspected. A
50-year tree-ring oxygen isotope record on three different sites along an elevational transect will
be developed. The results will be compared with the available Isoscapes (spatially resolved stable
isotope signatures of key landscape elements) and the results of End-Member Mixing models.
This study will eventually provide insight into spatial and altitudinal variations in precipitation and
water pathways in the highly elevated arid area of the High Himalayas and it will allow us to
constrain interactions between climate and geomorphological processes.
Testing the stability of transfer functions
Buras A.*1, Zang Ch.2, Menzel A.1
1
2
– Technische Universität München, Ökoklimatologie, Freising, Germany
– Technische Universität München, Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, Freising, Germany
Estimating the reliability of transfer functions is a common and mandatory aspect of dendroclimatological reconstructions. For this purpose, the so-called cross-calibration-verification (CCV) is
frequently considered. In CCV, a transfer function is computed for a calibration period (for
instance half the period of available calibration data) and then applied to the respective remaining
period (the verification period). Subsequently, the same procedure is repeated with swapped
calibration and verification periods. For both calibration-verification sets various statistics are
computed such as the coefficient of efficiency (CE) and the reduction of error (RE). Positive CE and
RE values indicate stable transfer functions (Cook et al., 1994).
Cook et al. (1994) pointed out that there is no way of testing the significance of CE and RE.
Furthermore, the sharp boundary of CE and RE > 0 indicating stable transfer functions seems
prone to false positives and negatives. For instance, CE (or RE) being 0.01 is considered stable,
whereas CE being -0.01 is considered unstable. However, both values indicate root mean square
error in the same order of the null-model, i.e. weak model performance. Finally, RE and CE are
known to be sensitive against outliers.
Here we present a new approach - the boots-trapped cross-calibration verification analysis (BCVA)
- which aims at quantifying the stability of transfer functions. As CE and RE, BCVA is built upon
calibration-verification periods. Using Monte-Carlo simulations with 1000 iterations, the stability
of the model parameters (r², slope, intercept) over calibration-verification periods is estimated.
BCVA indicates stability if 95% confidence intervals of the respective boots-trapped model
parameters overlap. For validation, BCVA was applied to various pseudo-populations with known
stability/instability showing higher sensitivity in comparison to CE and RE. The application of BCVA
to real-world data resulted in more frequent detection of instable transfer functions in comparison
to CE and RE.
References
Cook E.R., Briffa K.R., and Jones P.D., 1994: Spatial regression methods in dendroclimatology: a
review and comparison of two techniques. International Journal of Climatology, 14, 379-402.
Dendroclimatic interpretation of tree-ring width of Sorbus torminalis in Poland
Cedro A.
([email protected])
University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
The wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis L. Crantz.) is a non-dominant sub-canopy and rare tree
species in Polish forests, occurring in deciduous and mixed forests. The study area covers the
western part of Poland, representing the eastern distribution limit of the species. Actually, Sorbus
torminalis is a protected species in the whole area of Poland, but still it is found in small
fragmented populations consisting of a few hundred individuals. In this study, dendrochronology
methods are used to determine the age of the trees, the effects of climate (air temperature,
precipitation and insolation) and of the habitat conditions on the tree-ring widths.
611 trees on 31 plots (natural reserves and forest plantations) were selected (986 samples). The
wood of the wild service tree is hard and diffuse-porous and the annual radial increments are poorly
distinguished. The measurements of tree-ring width (81 043 tree rings were measured) and
dendroclimatological analyses (correlation and response function, pointer years and principal
components analysis) were carried out. For the wild service trees cool, humid and small insolation
in the previous summer months favour the formation of wide tree rings. Therefore, every piece of
information on the ecology of the wild service tree allows us to broaden our knowledge of this
rare species enriching the biodiversity of the native tree flora.
The project was financed from means of the National Centre of Science, granted on the basis of
the decision DEC-2011/03/B/ST10/06157.
Variability of radial growth reactions and climatic signals on different heights of
the trunks of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) growing in the Pilica Valley
Chojnacka-Ożga L.*1, Jerczyński T.1, Ożga W.1, Zakrzewski J.2
1
– Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Silviculture,
Warsaw, Poland
2 – Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Botany, Warsaw,
Poland
Most dedrochronological studies done so far were based on tree-ring width sequences at breast
height. The research presented in this study concerns the variability of radial growth and its
reactions to climate at different heights along the stems of European ash. Samples were collected
from 11 trees growing in the Pilica Valley in the Gidle Forest District in a moist broadleaved forest
habitat. Samples were taken as discs from the base of the trunk (at about 10 cm), at breast height
(1,3 m), at 2 m height and from 2 m up to the top. Tree-ring chronologies, basic statistics and
climate-growth relations were developed for each height. The residual chronologies were
correlated by response function analysis with the thermal and pluvial conditions in a 16-month
period: from June of the previous year to September of the year, when the annual ring was
formed.
We found an only slight variability of radial growth reactions at different heights along the trunk,
only in the tree crown it was significantly different. The factors determining the radial growth of
ash were precipitation during the activation of the cambium in spring (April) and thermo-pluvial
conditions during the most intensive cellular divisions (June). Temperature in winter (February)
was also an important factor. These relations were similar at each height of stem below the crown.
The response to climatic factors within the crown was different.
Determinants of radial growth of European ash in the Białowieża Forest in view of
dendrochronological research
Chojnacka-Ożga L.*, Ożga W.
Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Department of
Warsaw, Poland
Forest Silviculture,
The aim of this study was the dendrochronological and dendroclimatological characterisation of
European ash growing in the Bialowieza Forest (Browsk Forest District) and the determination of
the influence of the habitat on the radial growth. Studies were conducted in forest stands older
than 150 years, on three research plots, representing different habitats: fresh broadleaved forest,
moist broadleaved forest and ash–alder swamp forest. On all plots, ash was an accompanying
species, its share varied from 1 to 3%. The research material comprised 83 core samples (one core
per tree).
A tree-ring width chronology was constructed for each research plot, representing the period
1800-2010, to determine indicator years and growth-climate relationships.
It was found that radial growth of ash trees, growing in study area, depended on a variety of
environmental factors. The habitat conditions affected both radial growth and its variation, and to
a lesser extent they also differentiated short- and long-term variability. This variation depended
largely on climatic conditions. The climate–growth relations of ash were similar for all research
plots. Radial growth for each habitat depended on the amount of precipitation in pre-winter
(November-December) and March–June/July period, and the temperature in July. The climate
signal in the chronology of ash was variable in time, during the last 50 years it was more
emphasised than in the previous years. The tree-ring growth was characterized by a 2-3-year and
an 11-year periodicity. The periodicity was mainly induced by climatic conditions, especially
incidence of drought, both summer and winter. In the period 1982-2010, droughts occurred every
2 years and were responsible for the observed groundwater level. It is supposed that the climatic
conditions can be one of the main factors triggering decline of the radial growth of ash in the last
decades.
Regional diversity of the dendrochronological signal of European beech in
mountainous regions of southern Poland
Chojnacka-Ożga L.*, Ożga W., Bolibok L.
Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Department of
Warsaw, Poland
Forest Silviculture,
Our dendroclimatological research concerns European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) at 15 sites in the
Sudetes Mountains, the Polish part of the Carpathians and Roztocze.
At each site, trees were sampled by using increment borers or by taking discs from felled trees.
Wood samples were processed by measuring and cross-dating the tree-ring widths. The ring-width
series were standardized, averaged and tree-ring chronologies were developed for each site.
Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis of site chronologies were
used to identify spatial growth patterns. The response functions and coefficients of convergence
were used to determine the factor, which integrated chronologies and determined the annual
rhythm of changes in radial increment of the trees. The stability of the dendroclimatic signals was
analysed by moving correlation functions (MCF). The dendrochronological analysis covered the
years 1840-2010 while for dendroclimatology the period was narrowed to 1900-2010.
European beech in Southern Poland has a specific increment rhythm, on the basis of which four
homogeneous dendrochronological zones were distinguished: Sudetes (I), west (II) and east (III) of
the Polish part of the Carpathians and Roztocze (IV).The differences between them were related
to the gradient of distance and height. A high sensitivity in ring widths reflects a sensible reaction
to environmental factors. At low altitude sites, drought from June - July, accompanied by high
temperatures, was a clear climatic signal. The availability of water during this period is the limiting
factor. At high-altitude sites, above 700 m, the limiting factor was air temperature. Winter
temperatures were the common element in climate—growth relationships for all chronologies. At
high-altitude sites, response to environmental conditions was stronger, which is associated with a
higher incidence of factors reducing growth. The climatic signal was stable in time.
On the relationship between resilience of growth to drought and future mortality
risk in trees
DeSoto L.*1, Cailleret M.2, Martínez-Vilalta J.3,4, Kramer K.5, Sterck F. 5, Jansen S.6, Robert E.M.R3,7,8
1
– Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
– Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH-Zürich,
Zürich, Switzerland
3 – -CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
4 – University Autónoma Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
5 – Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
6 – Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
7 – Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management (APNA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
Brussels, Belgium
8 – Laboratory of Wood Biology and Xylarium, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren,
Belgium
2
Data providers and Action COST participants: Aakala T, Amoroso M, Antos, J, Bauweraerts I,
Beikircher B, Bigler C, Bugmann H, Caccianiga M, Cada V, Camarero JJ, Cherubini P, Cochard H,
Coyea M, Cufar K, Das A, Davi H, Delzon S, Filion L, Gea-Izquierdo G, Gillner S, Haavik LJ, Hartmann
H, Heres AM, Hultine K, Janda P, Kane J, Kharuk VI, Kitzberger T, Klein T, Lens F, Levanic T, Linares
JC, Lloret F, Lobo Do Vale R, Lombardi FC, Lopez Rodriguez R, Makinen H, Mayr S, Mészáros I,
Metsaranta JM, Minunno F, Oberhuber W, Ojeda VS, Papadopoulos A, Peltoniemi M, Petritan AM,
Rohner B, Sanguesa-Barreda G, Sarris D, Smith JM, Stan A, Steppe K, Stojanovic D, Suarez ML,
Svoboda M, Tognetti R, Torres Ruiz J, Trotsiuk V, Tulik M, Vandegehuchte M, Villalba R, Vodde F,
Westwood A, Wyckoff P, Zafirov N.
Tree mortality is just the ultimate symptom of a long-term process of vitality loss and hence, it is
extremely difficult to determine the stressors, the mechanisms triggering mortality or even the
traits which enable trees to survive. Drought events associated with increasing temperatures have
the potential to prompt tree mortality episodes and cause sudden changes in forest ecosystems.
However, drought events may not only reduce tree growth but also may compromise vitality and
thereby the capacity of trees to resist and recover from subsequent, even minor, droughts during
tree life. Therefore, the study of the growth resilience, i.e. capacity to reach pre-episode growth
levels, following drought events will allow us to evaluate the tree ability to survive to future
droughts. Our working hypothesis is that trees with lower resistance and recovery to drought
events would be more prone to die afterward.
For this study, we selected 45 tree-ring datasets of 28 species (9 Angiosperms and 19
Gymnosperms) from the database collected within the Topic Group 7 of the FPS-COST-Action
FP1106-STReESS. This database put together tree-ring data from 58 published and unpublished
studies. All the selected datasets contain tree-ring data for coexisting living and dead trees from
156 sites all over the world (3,857 and 2,346 ring-width series for living and dead trees,
respectively) where the cause of death was drought or drought-related effect (bark beetle,
competition, etc.). In each site and for a target drought event, we computed the indexes of
resistance, recovery, resilience developed by Lloret et al. (2011, Oecologia) based on tree-ring
growth, and compared between dead and living trees. Our preliminary results showed that dead
trees were less resistant and resilient to drought events than living trees suggesting that lower
resilience to previous droughts can be an early signal of tree mortality.
The juvenile effect in δ18O from oak trees
Duffy J.*, McCarroll D., Loader N. J., Young G. H. F.
Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
The juvenile effect in stable isotopes is well defined in relation to δ13C. It is observable as a nonclimatic enrichment trend in the earliest years of tree ring formation (around 50 years in boreal
conifers; Gagen et al., 2008). The juvenile effect in δ18O has been arbitrarily aligned with the
description relating to δ13C but there is little empirical evidence to support this. Therefore, the
concept of a juvenile effect is principally linked to δ13C from coniferous tree species. Subsequently,
the earliest tree ring δ18O may be treated over-cautiously, limiting the segment lengths available
to produce chronologies.
Identifying and removing this trend using standardisation techniques is undesirable because of the
associated limitations, alongside the additional cost of processing material that would otherwise
be excluded on the basis of being ‘potentially juvenile’. However, this represents the current best-
case scenario for developing long isotope chronologies and δ18O have been used successfully to
form extensive records of climatic change (e.g. Treydte et al., 2006). In addition, Young et al.
(2015) demonstrated the potential of UK oak trees to develop records of past precipitation from
δ18O. Such research would benefit from a more constrained explanation of the juvenile effect.
No evidence of a juvenile effect in δ18O from oak trees was found by Raffali-Delerce et al. (2004)
but it remains unclear if this is widely applicable because Labuhn et al. (2014) observed a relatively
short trend. Therefore, this research aims to achieve greater clarity in relation to the presence of
the juvenile effect in δ18O and to better quantify the trend by examining the latewood of
individual oak trees from the UK. It is expected that this will optimise the development of isotope
chronologies and have implications in the understanding of why the juvenile effect is and is not
present in different scenarios.
Comparative wood anatomical traits and climate response of two beech species
grown together
Elzami E.*1, Bräuning A.1, von Wühlisch G.2, Pourtahmasi K.3
* corresponding author ([email protected], [email protected])
1
– Institue of Geography, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
– Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry, and Fisheries Thuenen Institute for Forest
Genetics, Großhansdorf, Germany
3 – Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2
Fagus sylvatica L. and F. orientalis Lipsky. are environmentally and economically very important
broadleaf trees in the western parts of Eurasia. Rapid increases in global temperature are likely to
impose strong directional selection on many plant populations, which must therefore adapt if they
want to survive. Drought influences not only growth rates but also the anatomy of wood. Vessel
features of broadleaf trees may contain information about both spatial and temporal variations of
environmental conditions.
This study aimed at comparing the adaptability to climate of four provenances of both beech
species.
The trees were planted in a provenance trial in northern Germany and originate from provenances
in Turkey (TR) and Germany (GE). After 24 years, the trees were cut. Cross-section disks at breast
height of each tree have been collected. In order to measure the size of the vessels in each ring,
micro-sections were prepared using standard methods, and by the Wincell software, the average
vessel lumen area (AVLA) has been calculated for each tree ring. The rbar for AVLA of the trees in
each provenance were about 0.5 and according to this we made a mean for each provenance and
later for each species. The AVLA and climate response reactions of the species has been
compared. The AVLA correlation between two species was 0.84 which shows very similar vessel
size reactions for provenances growing under identical climate conditions. However, their
response to climate also showed differences. For example, April temperature was positively
correlated with AVLA in both species, whereas AVLA of F. orientalis was additionally more
negatively correlated to winter temperature. Precipitation had positive effects on both species
during May and negative effects in August. But again, F. orientalis was more sensitive in August
compared to F. sylvatica. Further studies on wood density are continued to better understand the
different response of these two species to climate factors.
Kinetic analysis of the regularity of the radial extension of cambial cells in conifers
provided the gliding growth absence
Fedotov D.A.*¹, Achikolova J.S.², Komarova O.A.¹, Bazhutov M.N.¹
¹ – Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk,
Russia
² – Institute of Economics, Management and Environmental Studies, Siberian Federal University,
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Xylem formation is a complex and energy-dependent process. Being at the active growth stage,
the cell is highly sensitive to environmental changes (temperature, soil moisture, solar radiation).
Understanding of formation of the cellular structure ofmthe tree ringsis fundamental for the
accuracy and temporal resolution of climate reconstructions. Tracheids can elongate in the radial
direction with and without gliding. The presence of common pits in the tracheids from different
rows means that the development of derivatives cells during elongation is without gliding.
The purpose of this research was to identify the radial growth patterns providing tracheid
elongation without sliding.
Gliding growth is elongation without any limitation during xylem forming. Exponential, linear and
sigmate functions (Mitscherlich, Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and logistic) were applied for modeling.
We found that the exponential function is the most suitable for describing the non-gliding
tracheids development. Sigmate functions can describe the tracheids growth without gliding
applying various growth speed coefficients. Linear functions can also describe non-gliding
elongation, but only if ratio of minimum size of tracheids at the exit of cambial zone and specific
growth rate of them are equal.
For kinetic curves analysis following constants was taken: maximum diameters of early wood and
late wood tracheids, minimum size of tracheid at the exit of cambial zone, early wood and late
wood forming time. The growth of two cells with a minimum diameter of 8 μm and 4 μm having
the same sequence number and located in the adjacent radial rows was modeled.
Federation (project 784), and Russian Scientific Foundation (project 15-14-30011).
Influence of landscape and geochemical conditions on the growth and elemental
composition of Larix gmelinii wood in the Far North of Russia
Fertikov A*.1, Slobodchikova V.2, Stepanov N.2
¹ – Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Ecosystems, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
² – Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk,
Russia
The thermal regime of soil and vegetation cover of various sites determine different
biogeochemical conditions in the root zone of soil horizons, which describe the dynamics of
chemical elements uptake and accumulation in the wood of trees. The main purpose of our
investigation was to trace the relationship between the chemical composition of tree rings and
surrounding landscape and geochemical characteristics.
The identification of plant species and the subsequent geobotanical description were performed in
areas with different plant diversity. Accordingly, various growth, structure and element
composition in tree rings were observed in these areas. Ca, K, Ni, Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations
were measured along the wood cores in 20 micron increments using an X-ray fluorescence
scanner Itrax Multiscanner.
We found that the content of elements in wood varies along the radius of the tree trunk and the
cyclicality in radial variability corresponds to alternation of annual tree rings. In all sites the
content of potassium and calcium are highly correlated to each other. A moderate correlation is
observed between iron and manganese content in all areas. The contents of the other elements
vary along the radius almost independently. Finally, we found that the warmer the land, the higher
the content of any of the elements analysed in Larix gmelinii wood except for iron, where the
relationship was the opposite.
This data set therefore provides the accumulations patterns of elements in wood depending on
the soil temperature, to evaluate the relationship of these processes with the seasonal formation
of tree rings.
Identifying predisposing factors to oak decline disease in the UK
Gagen M.1, Matthews N. 1, Denman S.2
1
2
– Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
– Forest Research, Alice Holt, Farnham, United Kingdom
There are 219,000 hectares of oak woodland in Great Britain with pedunculate oak (Quercus
robur) and sessile oak (Q. petraea), keystone native species, supporting a rich diversity of species
and a valuable commodity as hardwood timber (1).
Decline diseases are complex syndromes involving multiple biotic and abiotic factors (2). Two
distinct forms are recognised. Acute Oak Decline (AOD) characterised by bacterial stem bleeds
and the presence of the beetle Agrilus biguttatus (3). Chronic Oak Decline (COD) develops over
decades and is associated with poor root health (4). There is progressive deterioration of the tree
canopy, a loss of fine twigs and branch dieback. Mortality rates are lower than in AOD, and
individual trees may recover. Agents include fungal root pathogens, together with abiotic factors
such as drought (5).
Climate change may exacerbate oak decline as drought episodes become more frequent. One
scenario is a 20% decrease in summer rainfall for SE England by 2050 (6). Dendrochronology is
used to investigate the past water use and growth histories of affected trees, to explore whether
single events, such as a severe drought or defoliation, play a decisive role in triggering symptoms.
Britain’s iconic oak species have a history of adaptation and resilience, however, AOD and COD
have the potential to pose a very serious threat to native oak woodland. The project is part of a
multi-tool approach developed in collaboration with Forest Research and its findings will be used
in the management of oak health.
References
(1) Forestry Commission, (2015). Forestry Statistics:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-7aqdgc
(2) Denman, S. and Webber, J. (2009). Quarterly Journal of Forestry 104(4): 285-290.
(3) Denman, S et al. (2014). Forestry, 2014, Vol. 87(4), Pp.535-551 87(4): 535-551.
(4) Marçais, B. (2000). Forest Pathology 30(1): 7-17.
(5) Young, C. W. T. (1965). Forestry Commission Bulletin: Forest Record No.55: 1-16.
(6) UK Climate Predictions UKCP09 (2009) - Key Findings:
http://ukclimateprojections.metoffice.gov.uk/23703?emission=medium.
Impact of earthquakes with diverse magnitudes and intensities on radial growth
and wood anatomy of coniferous trees (Podhale, Poland and Wenchuan, China)
Gawior D.*, Malik I., Wistuba M., Michałowicz P.
University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Department of Reconstructing
Environmental Change, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
The aim of research was to compare growth reaction of trees located near earthquake epicentres
with diverse magnitude and intensity. Studies were conducted near two epicentres: strong
“Wenchuan” earthquake in 2008, in Hengduan Mts (China) and weak seismic trembling in 2004 in
Podhale (Poland). In samples taken from spruces (Picea abies in Poland) and firs (Abies chensiensis
in China) we have analysed the occurrence of: growth eccentricity, abrupt changes of tree-ring
widths (growth reductions and releases), traumatic resin ducts and changes of wood density inside
tree rings. The most common growth reaction to strong earthquake was producing reduced tree
rings as results of mechanical injuries of stems and root systems. In case of weak earthquake we
have found mostly growth releases. In both studied cases we have also found growth eccentricity,
result of stem tilting during seismic trembling.
Dendrochronological dating of historical wood in Upper Mustang/Nepal
Gmińska-Nowak B.
([email protected])
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
Upper Mustang, known as the Ancient Kingdom of Lo, is situated in the province of Mustang in
Nepal, the territory of which begins beyond the northern walls of the main Himalayan range,
beyond the massif of Annapurna and Mount Dhaulagiri. Upper Mustang is situated along the River
Kali Gandaki at an average altitude of 3000 m above sea level.
The Ancient Kingdom of Lo is known as a place where the oldest examples of Buddhist
architecture and a unique culture survived. Traditional buildings of the region - monasteries,
dzongs, palaces, houses and chörtens are made of stone, clay and wood.
A first stepof dendrochronological research in Upper Mustang was conducted in 2015. The aim
was to determine the wood species used in the architecture, to answer the question if historical
wood from Upper Mustang can be synchronized with existing chronologies, and to determine the
chance to build an Upper Mustang chronology.
During the first fieldwork in Upper Mustang, samples were taken from the timber of Chuksang
KunSan Chholing Gompa (14 core samples), Chuksang residential building (5 samples), Thupchen
Gompa in Lo Manthang (2 samples), Jampa Lhakhang in Lo Manthang (1 sample). Most samples
were identified as blue pine wood (Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks), some are Himalayan fir wood
(Abies spectabilis D.Don.) and juniper wood (Juniperus).
The sequences of tree-ring measurements were compared and synchronized with the South
Mustang chronology (B. Schmidt, T. Ważny et al. 1999) and with selected chronologies from The
International Tree-Ring Data Bank. Cross-dating was undertaken using the programs TSAPWin
(Rinn 2005) and Dendro for Windows (Tyers 2004). The results of cross-dating allowed 11 samples
from KunSan Chholig Gompa to be dated (back to the 18th century).
Research has been funded by The National Science Centre, Poland (2013/11/N/HS3/04912).
Climate-growth relationships of White birch (Betula platyphylla SUKACZEV) in the
Selenge Aimag, Northern Mongolia
Gradel A.*1,2, Hänsch Ch.3, Ganbaatar B.4, Dovdondemberel B.4, Nadaldorj O.5, Günther B.3
1
– Department of Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Göttingen,
Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
2 – formerly: Silviculture, Forest Protection, Hunting in State Forest; Competence Centre for Wood
and Forestry, Public Enterprise Sachsenforst, Bonnewitzer Strasse 34, 01796 Pirna, OT Graupa,
Germany
3 – Institute of Forest Utilization and Forest Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, Postfach
1117, 01735 Tharandt, Germany
4 – Institute of Geography-Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Post Box-81, Baruun Selbe
15, Ulaanbaatar 15170, Mongolia
5 – School of Agroecology and Business, Institute of Plant and Agricultural Sciences, Mongolian
University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 904, University St., Darkhan, 45047 Darkhan-Uul, Mongolia
Land use, climate change, increased fire frequency and occurrence of pests are considered to be
the main drivers of a vegetation shift in Northern Mongolia. Therefore, the ability of different tree
species to respond to these changes and regenerate is of increasing interest. We analysed the
climate-growth response of older and younger birch trees in the Selenge province.
Field work was carried out in the forest observational study plots of Selenge Aimag. The research
site Bugant was the most important logging centre in Mongolia during socialist times. The
vegetation is dominated by succession forests of light taiga. The research site Altansumber is
dominated by light taiga and Mountain forest steppe.
Wood cores were sampled from birch trees with increment borers at 1 m above ground.
Detrending was done using cubic smoothing splines. Four chronologies of young and old birch
trees at Bugant and Altansumber were created. Climate data were obtained from the Eroo station.
We analysed the climate-growth relationships of the chronologies from 1962 - 2009.
At both sites and in both age classes, correlations with temperature were predominantly negative.
Significant negative correlations with spring temperature were found on both research sites.
Precipitation of late summer in the previous year gave positive correlations with the growth of
birch trees, especially at Altansumber. We assume that the significant negative correlation
between mid-winter precipitation and the growth of old birches at both sites is due to positive
effects of snow cover on the survival rate of herbivorous insect populations. Younger birch trees
were in general more dependent on water availability than older ones. Negative pointer years
were characterized by below-average precipitation during the current summer and above-average
spring temperatures.
Lack of annual periodicity in the cambial production of phloem cells in trees in
Mediterranean environments
Gričar J.*1, Prislan P.1, De Luis M.2, Novak K.2, Longares L.A.2, Martinez del Castillo E.2, Čufar K.3
1
– Slovenian Forestry Institute, Vecna pot 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
– University of Zaragoza, Dept. Geografía y O.T. C/ Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
3 – University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Dept. of Wood Science and Technology,
Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2
Cambial activity is regulated by a complex of endogenous and environmental factors. The annual
periodicity of the cambium production of xylem and phloem cells has rarely been compared in
trees from different environments. We compared the structure of cambium and of the youngest
xylem and phloem increments in four tree species, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris
and Pinus halepensis, from nine temperate and Mediterranean sites in Slovenia and Spain.
In P. sylvestris, P. abies and F. sylvatica in temperate locations in Slovenia, xylem and phloem
growth ring boundaries could be identified. In F. sylvatica growing on the Moncayo Mountain,
Spain, the phloem increment consisted of only early phloem. In P. sylvestris of the same sites,
growth ring boundaries were not as clear as in temperate Slovenian sites. In some cases, we could
identify phloem growth ring boundaries but in others it was very doubtful, which could be
explained by collapse of the outermost early phloem sieve cells. In P. halepensis on all sites, we
could only distinguish between collapsed and non-collapsed phloem, while phloem rings could not
be identified. The widths of the youngest phloem and xylem annual increments could only be
compared when phloem increments could be clearly defined, as with P. abies, F. sylvatica and P.
sylvestris on temperate sites. The visibility of the growth ring boundary in phloem was not related
to the width of annual radial growth. The correlation between xylem and phloem ring widths was
high, but moderate between the number of dormant cambial cells and xylem ring and phloem ring
widths. We concluded that there is no typical annual periodicity in cambial production of phloem
cells in trees on certain Mediterranean sites. This may be due to continuous year-long cell
production and the absence of true cambium dormancy, at least on the phloem side, under mild
winter conditions.
Does the CO2 fertilization affect tree growth at the alpine timberline on the
southeastern Tibetan Plateau?
Huang R.*1,3,4, Zhu H.1, Liu X.2, Liang E.1, Grießinger J.3, A. Bräuning3
1
– Key Laboratory of Alpine Ecology and Biodiversity, Institute of Tibetan Plateau research,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
2 – State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Cold and Arid Regions Environment and
Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
3 – Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
4 – University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration is expected to have fundamental influence on the intrinsic
water use efficiency (iWUE) of plants worldwide. However, it is not well understood whether tree
growth can benefit from the increasing iWUE when facing other external caused stresses like
drought. Especially, few studies have focused on whether such CO2 fertilization effect exists for
trees at the temperature-limited alpine timberline from a plant physiological view.
Dendrochronological methods and isotopic analyses are used to study variations in basal area
increment (BAI) and the iWUE of Smith fir (Abies georgei var. smithii) during the past century at
the timberline in the Sygera Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Our results revealed that
(1) both increasing temperature and rising atmospheric CO2 together contributed to the rising
iWUE; (2) in the low-frequency domain, iWUE had a more important effect on BAI than
temperature, while common effects between iWUE and temperature were stronger than their
individual effects; (3 ) in the high-frequency domain, temperature had the highest impact on BAI,
iWUE and a common effect between iWUE and temperature were ignorable. We conclude that
CO2 fertilization only exists in the low-frequency domain at our site.
Wood formation of Pinus heldreichii Christ and Pinus peuce Griseb in NP “Pirin”
Ivanova A.*, Kostadinova A., Panayotov M., Yurukov S.
Unversity of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Dendrology Department, 10 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., P.O.
Box 1797, Sofia, Bulgaria
Pinus heldreichii and Pinus peuce are long-lived tree species. Previous studies have outlined the
potential for constructing long tree ring chronologies which may be used for studying the climatic
variation in the past.
Our aim was to study the cambial activity, production of tracheids and their differentiation during
the growth period. We chose twenty 100-250 yr. old Pinus heldreichii and Pinus peuce trees from
natural forests in the Pirin Mts. From 2010 to 2014 we took micro-cores every 10 to 14 days,
prepared samples with a sliding microtom GSL-1, recorded them with digital camera and then
analyzed the images to obtain information on the onset of cambial activity, the period of
production of first cells, period until cells were produced, the moment of the highest division rate
and the differentiation of the cells.
The number of cells produced and the related tree-ring width were high, probably because of
favorite summer conditions and warm winters. We found that in 2010 and 2011 the onset of
cambial activity was delayed until the end of June - beginning of July due to cold periods in April
and May. In 2012 it started at the beginning of June and in 2013 and 2014 the first cells were
produced in mid-May. The production of new cells had its highest rate 30 days after the first cells
have been produced - beginning of July, and continued until the end of September. The end of
cambium activity and differentiation in all studied years is at the beginning of October despite
warmer and favourable periods afterwards. Our results outline the importance of understanding
the xylogenesis processes and open new possibilities for construction of supra-long anatomical
chronologies, which may provide new insight into the reflection of climate variability in tree-ring
anatomy.
Resource allocation in tall multi-stemmed shrubs of Juniperus communis L. and
Corylus avellana – a preliminary study
Janecka K.*1, Burger A.2, Wilmking M.2
1
2
– Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Shrubs constitute an ecologically and functionally important group of plants and show a wide
variety of growth forms. Typical for shrubs and common to all growth forms is the fact that shrubs
grow multi-stemmed (polycormic) and additionally radial growth is often eccentric and lobed. This
poses a challenge to dendrochronological investigations of shrubs since it is not known (but nearly
always assumed) that the resource allocation between stems is similar.
To investigate the peculiar morphology and disentangle growth pattern and resource allocation of
shrubs, the application of special techniques adjusted to the special growth forms of shrubs is
required. We used the serial sectioning technique to capture growth variability along different
stems of shrub individuals and to detect possible missing rings at certain stem heights. We also
measured several radii per stem disc to account for irregular and eccentric growth patterns. The
aim of the study was to determine: i) if the resource allocations (in terms of radial growth and
shoot elongation) are similar across stems, and ii) the influence of eccentricity on resource
allocation.
Two shrub specimens were studied, one from a coniferous (Juniperus communis L.) and one from a
broadleaved species (Corylus avellana) in Northern Germany. Stem discs were collected from all
stems starting at the basal disk (0 cm) just above the soil surface, at 50, 100 and 150 cm.
Moreover, for three stems of each shrub serial sectioning was applied along the whole stems.
Our results point to the occurrence of locally and totally missing rings in both specimens. We
observed non-synchronous growth between stems, namely different ages of stems in both
species. Within each shrub, similar patterns of radial growth at different heights did occur,
however, the variability differed and was mainly related to irregular growth. Our study showed
different dynamics of shoot elongation of the three stems sampled completely of juniper. Shoot
elongation of hazel occurred almost identical for two stems, but differed for the third one.
In summary, our preliminary study points to the possibility of variable resource allocation between
stems of our studied shrub species. This issue probably has to be addressed before shrubs can be
used for dendrochronological investigations, especially because our sample number was very low.
Our results need corroboration from studies with a higher sample number, different study species
and conducted in different habitat types and vegetation zones.
Chirality of cambial events recorded in xylem of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.)
Jasińska A.*1, Tulik M.2
1
– Samodzielny Zakład Botaniki Leśnej SGGW w Warszawie, ul. Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776
Warszawa
2 – Department of Forest Botany, WULS-SGGW, Nowoursynowska St. 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
The vascular cambium is a lateral meristem, responsible for the formation of secondary
conductive tissues (i. e. xylem and phloem). New xylem and phloem cells arise owing to cambial
cellular events such as cell divisions (anticlinal and periclinal) and post-division growth (symplastic
or intrusive). During anticlinal divisions the diagonally dividing wall may occur in left (S) or right (Z)
configuration. This phenomenon is referred to as chirality. Intrusive growth is alsocharacterised by
chiral events. The cambial zone zone where one type of events (Z or S) dominates is named a
domain. The occurrence of all of these cellular events is considered to have an impact on the
specific cells configuration of the newly formed tissues. For instance, the oriented cellular cambial
events lead usually to an alteration of cell inclination in respect to the main axis of the plants
resulting in the formation of a characteristic type of grain visible on the surface of the xylem.
Assuming that the xylem is an archive of information on meristematic activity of the cambial cells,
the aim of study was to describe the type of cellular events that occurred in thecambium, and had
an influence on the pattern of xylem in an Arbutus unedo branch.
The sample for examination has been harvested from a branch of Arbutus unedo growing in the
Bartin Province, Turkey. The standard protocol (with the use of sliding microtome) has been
performed to prepare xylem cross and longitudinal sections.
On the surface of the secondary protective tissue of the collected sample a grain pattern has been
distinguished. This has been confirmed by anatomical observations that displayed a high
frequency of the oriented (in S direction) cellular events causing the formation of spiral grain in
the analyzed xylem sample.
The link between the high- and low-frequency spectrum of intra-annual stem
circumference increase and weather variability in young European beech trees
Ježík M.1, Blaženec M.1, Střelcová K.2, Ditmarová L.1
1
– Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Štúrova 2, Zvolen, 960 53, Slovak
Republic.
2 – Faculty of Forestry, Technical University Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, Zvolen, 960 53, Slovak
Republic.
Understanding the responses of tree species and the adaptability to new environmental
conditions arising from on-going climate changes associated with more frequent extreme weather
events is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to quantify the relationships
between the intra-annual stem circumference increase (SCI) of young European beech (Fagus
sylvatica L.) trees and weather variability from 2012-2014.
This study was carried out in a provenance trial (810 m a.s.l.) located in central Slovakia. From
each of the selected five European provenances (the area of origin ranged from 45°44ʹN to
53°39ʹN, 10°40ʹE to 19°10ʹE, and 55 to 1100 m a.s.l.) six trees were selected for the measurement
on micro-plots (3 trees on 2 micro-plots). Measured trees were 16 years old in 2012 and ranged
from 4.4 to 8.0 cm of dbh. Continuous measurements of stem circumferences, solar radiation, air
temperature, air humidity, precipitation and soil water potential were carried out during the
growing seasons 2012-2014. The SCIs were extracted on daily scale from hourly data of
circumference changes.
The growing seasons 2012 and 2013 were above average in temperature including heat waves
followed by some colder periods. July and August 2014 were abundant in precipitation contrasting
to previous growing seasons, especially 2013. This fact was reflected in decreased soil water
potential as well as circumference increase. Daily SCI of all five provenances showed the same
synchronous pattern which pointed to the environmental control of this trait and allowed us to
study their chronologies jointly. High frequency variation was linked mainly with precipitation
events. Low frequency variation, associated with growth processes, was among weather variables
closely linked with air temperature and also with soil water potential during summer.
The influence of climate on the growth of Oriental plane Platanus orientalis L. in
two contrasting habitats
Kaczka R.J.*, Janecka K., Guzik P.
We investigated the climatic factors driving the growth of the Oriental plane Platanus orientalis L.
in the valley of the braided river on the eastern foothills of the Olimp Mt, Greece. The plane
creates scarce forest covering riverbank and slopes of small hills built by loose sediments. The
local climate is rather dry and warm. The plane population was divided according to the presumed
accessibility of ground water: a) relatively dry growing on the slope and b) seasonally wet in the
riparian zone of the periodically active river. Although the investigated catchment is ungauged, the
visible flood scars provide the sufficient information about events of high discharge, which could
be linked with winter and spring precipitation.
The 48 trees in riparian zone and 35 on the slope, together 117 samples (mainly two cores per
tree) were collected. The samples were prepared for tree-ring width measurements (TRW) in
rather conventional way (drying, glueing to wooden laths, sanding using an abrasive sandpaper
with different grit size: 500 and 600). The samples were scanned in resolution 2400 DPI and TRW
was measured with CooRecorder software. The well-defined and visible ring boundaries allowed
to use this method, however, the verification of the measurements were often verified observing
the wood under the binocular. The quality of measurements was visually and statistically tested
employing respectively CDendro and Cofecha programs. The residual chronologies were
established using modified negative exponential detrending method using ‘dplR’ package in R. The
CRU TS3.23 grided climate (temperature and precipitation) data were used to compute the
stationary bootstrap correlations (‘treeclim’ package for R).
The lengths of chronologies were almost equal (49 and 51 years), although two of sampled trees
were considerable older (85 and 117 years). Both chronologies (riparian and slope) exhibit good
statistical parameters of Rbar (0.56 and 0.4, respectively) and EPS (0.99 and 0.96, respectively) but
they correlate at 0.59 (p=0.01). The distance between trees is not larger than 100 m and low
correlation suggests different forces controlling their growth.
The slope chronology responds positively to May (0.43, p=0.01) and negatively to March (-0.43,
p=0.01) precipitation whereas the riparian chronology does not correlate with precipitation. Also
the temperature does not influence the growth of trees in both habitats at significant level.
The planes growing in riparian forest have contact with ground water therefore, trees do not
suffer from droughts. The planes growing on the slope of well-drained soil are driven by spring
precipitation when the vegetation is the strongest. The findings of older individuals suggest the
potential of those trees to establish longer chronologies and study the adaptation of planes to
climate change in the last 100 years.
The effect of wind on growth of treeline Norway spruce
Kašpar J.*1, Hošek J.2, Treml V.1
1
2
– Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
– Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
The treeline position is driven particularly by the growing-season temperature. However, on a
local scale its position is also modified by other environmental factors including wind action. It
remains uncertain, however, how much intense winds depress the treeline. As a model area to
resolve this question, we selected the Giant Mountains on the Czech-Polish border where we
randomly selected 70 plots distributed along a gradient of wind speed in the treeline ecotone. On
each plot, growth parameters and symptoms of wind-induced loss of biomass were determined
for three trees. The effects of age and elevation on growth parameters were filtered out. Plot
topographic characteristics were derived from a digital elevation model and wind speed was
estimated using theWaSP model. Then, we applied linear models to discern the effects of wind
and topography on tree growth. Our results showed that high wind speed is reflected in the
occurrence of clonal tree groups and irregular shapes of crowns. Whereas wind speed had a major
influence on the loss of branch biomass, it did not significantly affect radial growth, and the effect
on height increment was limited to the tallest trees. The effect of wind on growth parameters was
non-linear. Height increment decreased abruptly, when mean wind speed exceeded 11 m.s -1. At
higher wind speeds and only for trees higher than 2 m, the estimated decrease of height
increment attributed to wind was estimated to be about 0.2 cm per m.s -1. We suggest that wind
action suppresses the generative establishment in favor of clonal spreading and causes biomass
loss. However, this is not reflected in radial growth for which both biomass loss (negative) and
thigmomorphogenesis (positive effect) should be considered. We suggest that even in windy
regions, wind action has a low direct effect on the treeline position and can be disregarded in
worldwide comparisons.
Leaf phenology and intra-annual wood formation of four tree species (Abies alba,
Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Pinus mugo) along an altitudinal gradient in the
German Alps
Kern N.V.*, Menzel A.
Technische Universität München, Professur für Ökoklimatologie, Freising, Germany
In mountain regions, climate change and impacts of climate change will be more pronounced
compared to lowland areas, since these areas have already experienced a warming double to the
global average. Plant and animal species from these environments are often highly specialized and
therefore more vulnerable to changes in their habitat. In addition, mountain forests provide
diverse ecosystem services, such as protection from landslides and avalanches, which might be
endangered in the future.
Therefore our aim is to investigate how increasing temperatures will affect the phenological and
growth dynamics of alpine tree species. We applied various methods, such as weekly micro-coring
with subsequent wood anatomical image analysis, automatic and manual dendrometer
measurements and phenological ground observations to assess the intra- and inter-annual
dynamics.
Our study design uses a space-for-time-approach in the Bavarian Alps near GarmischPartenkirchen and consists of 11 sites along a north facing altitudinal gradient stretching from 800
m.a.s.l. to 1800 m.a.s.l. During 2015, 1362 microcores, circumference data gained from 40 manual
dendrometer as well as 21 high-resolution logging band dendrometer and observations of
phenological phases at 194 individuals of four tree species (Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica, Picea
abies, Pinus mugo) were collected.
Preliminary results are shown, focusing on the following questions: (1) how are leaf phenology and
intra-annual wood formation linked across space and time? (2) To what extent is it possible and
reasonable to substitute the time and money consuming micro-coring-method through highresolution dendrometers in combination with phenological observations? (3) Do some tree species
profit more than others by a prolonged growing duration and / or greater increment rates from
increasing temperatures?
Evaluation of the age related systematic patterns of stable oxygen and carbon
isotope values of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.)
Kern Z.*1, Nagavciuc V. 1,2,3, Popa, I.4, Persoiu, A.3,5
1
– Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth
2 – Faculty of Forestry, Stefan cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
4 – National Research and development Institute for Silviculture Marin Dracea, Campulung
5 – Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj Napoca, Romania
Tree-ring derived stable isotope data are becoming increasingly important parameters for the
investigation of past environmental changes. However, their potential age-related trend-bias and
the proper handling of it, is still not well understood. We here present measurements on a new,
multi-centennial data set of annually resolved stable oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope
compositions from 3 living and 4 subfossil Stone pine (Pinus cembra) samples to evaluate any
potential systematic ontogenetic pattern on their δ18O and δ13C data.
Whole-ring samples were prepared for α-cellulose by the modified Jayme-Wise method. Cellulose
samples were analyzed by a high-temperature pyrolysis system coupled to an isotope ratio mass
spectrometer. A non-pooled (ring by ring) approach was followed since age-related trends are by
definition intrinsic to individual tree-ring series so pooling of rings may distort such trends. Raw
measurements of δ13C have been corrected for changes in the atmospheric CO2 regarding both its
stable isotope signature and mixing ratio.
Alignment of the δ13C data by cambial age revealed a systematic behaviour manifested in a ~1‰
enrichment in 13C, overing a <40 year-long period after germination and a moderate but persistent
positive trend (~0.33‰ per 100 years, p<10-10) for the carbon discrimination afterwards. In
contrast, hardly any systematic juvenile pattern or any long-term trend could be detected for the
δ18O data.
The short juvenile-effect of δ13C record can be eliminated if <40 yr periods are omitted from the
records. As an alternative approach, preliminary tests suggest that subtraction of a best-fit
logarithmic trend might help to retain the juvenile rings into the final δ13C chronology, thus
avoiding a loss of replication. However, our preliminary results suggest that δ18O from Stone pine
cellulose can be used without detrending to build isotope chronologies, therefore the potential to
preserve the low-frequency variability in this parameter is excellent.
Thanks to LP2012-27/2012 and CLIMFOR 18SEE.
High-elevation inter-site differences in Mount Smolikas tree-ring width data
Klippel L.*1, Krusic P. J.2, Hartl-Meier C.1, Trouet V.3, Esper J.1
1
– Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
– Stockholm University, Sweden
3 – University of Arizona, USA
2
The combination of samples from living and relict Pinus heldreichii trees at Mount Smolikas
(Greece) enabled the development of one of the longest high-elevation tree-ring width datasets in
the Mediterranean. We here assess the importance of changing exposition at Mount Smolikas by
comparing tree-ring chronologies from SE-, NE-, and NW exposed pine sites in 2000-2150 m a.s.l.
The chronologies reach back to AD 779, AD 1550, and AD 729 (depending on the incorporation of
relict wood) and are characterized by average growth rates ranging from 0.75 to 0.87 mm over the
first 300 years of tree age. Even though the sites are all sampled within a distance of < 1 km, intersite correlations are surprisingly low, ranging from r = 0.71 to r = 0.81, pointing to the significance
of site exposure on tree-ring formation. We explore the consequence of these differences on
potentially varying climate signals by calibrating the site chronologies against regional
instrumental temperature and precipitation data.
Provenance variation in the frequency of intra-annual density fluctuations of
Norway spruce
Klisz M.*1, Ukalska J.2, Wilczyński S.3, Wrzesiński P.1, Jastrzębowski S.1
1
– Forest Research Institute, Sękocin Stary, Poland
– Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
3 – University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
2
The natural distribution area of Norway spruce in Poland covers the southern and north-eastern
parts of the country. The area between these parts is called „The Central Polish Disjunction in the
Range of Norway spruce”. This area is characterized by adverse climatic conditions for spruce. The
aim of our study was to gain knowledge about the adaptation of the northern and southern spruce
provenances to adverse conditions in central Poland. The evaluation of the adaptation potential
was based on the analysis of different types of intra-annual wood density fluctuations (IADFs). The
study trees grow at two spruce provenance plots – IUFRO 1972 provenance trial (Kórnik – The
Central Polish Disjunction, Knyszyn – the northern distribution of spruce). During the process of
identification IADFs (the classification according to Campelo et al. (2013) four types of the
fluctuation were distinguished: in earlywood (IADF E), in the transitional zone (IADF E+), in
latewood (IADF L) and at the end of latewood (IADF L+). The frequency of IADFs was defined by
stabilized frequency coefficient (ƒ) (Osborn et al. 1997). The influence of provenances, site
conditions and meteorological conditions of the growing season were described by the GzLMM
model. The calculations were based on the GLIMMIX procedure (the SAS 9.4 package). The
adverse climatic conditions in Kórnik have caused a higher frequency of IADFs than in optimal
conditions in Knyszyn (10.6% and 2.8%, respectively). The dominating types of fluctuation in all
spruce provenances in Kórnik and Knyszyn were the IADFs E+ (4.8% and 1.8%, respectively) and
IADF E (3.1% and 0.8%, respectively). On the basis of the following frequency of the E, E+ i L
fluctuations two geographical groups of populations were distinguished – the southern and the
north-eastern one. These populations were characterized by different responses of the trees to
climatic anomalies. In the Kórnik, two provenances from the Beskidy Mountains with significantly
higher frequency of the IADF E were distinguished. The frequency of the IADF E+ in Kórnik and
Knyszyn were significantly higher in spruce provenance from the Romincka Forest than in spruce
provenance from the Tatra Mountains. On the basis of frequency variation of different types of
IADFs between populations, spruce provenances which much better adapted to adverse
conditions were identified. A phylogenetic analysis can evaluate the diversification between
spruce populations and inter-species variations of spruce provenances to identify causes for their
different responses to climatic anomalies.
Abrupt growth change as an indicator of anthropogenic disturbances of floodplain
oak forests in the Pripyat river valley
Knysh N.*, Yermokhin M.
Institute of Experimental Botany of National Academy of Science of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
It is known that the oak in the floodplain forests in the Pripyat River valley are a good example for
natural floodplain forests in Europe. We supposed that they have developed over the last
centuries without intensive human intervention. However, an analysis of the radial growth
dynamics of trees showed that during the20th century these forests have repeatedly experienced
strong external influences, most of which are associated with felling.
The objects of our research were oak floodplain forests in the Pripyat River valley in the Pripyat
National Park. The wood samples (569 pieces) were taken on five places. Four of them are located
in one forest area and one of them on the other bank of the Pripyat River. The average tree age is
180 year, but some trees have an age of about 300 years.
Abrupt growth change were observed at various places in different years. In the first area, abrupt
growth changes occurred in 1877, 1924, 1981; on the second place - 1907, 1942 (more than 60
percent of the trees) , on the third place - 1837, 1952, 2007 (more than 70 percent of the trees),
on the fourth place - 1941-1942 and 2006-2007 (more than 70 percent of the trees), on the fifth
place – 1907 (more than half of the trees). An analysis of pre-war topographic maps showed that
the abrupt growth change in the1920s is connected with fellings as well as with changes from
2006-2007.
Our study discovered that oak floodplain forests in the Pripyat River valley cannot be defined as
undisturbed natural forests as trees were cut and removed2-3 times from the 19th-20th century.
Hydrologic signals in wood-anatomical characteristics of Fraxinus excelsior in the
Czeszewskie Forests, Poland
Koprowski M.*1, Okoński B.2, Gričar J.3, Puchałka R.4
1
– Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Chair of
Ecology and Biogeography, Lwowska 1, PL-87-100 Toruń, Poland
2 – August Cieszkowski Agricultural University, Department of Forest Engineering, Mazowiecka 41,
60-623 Poznań, Poland
3 – Slovenian Forestry Institute, Department of Yield and Silviculture, Vecna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana,
Slovenia
4 – Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, Herbarium
TRN, Lwowska 1, PL-87-100 Toruń, Poland
The unique character of the Czeszewskie Forests results from its similarity to a natural forest
because human interferences in their area are limited from the beginning of the twentieth
century. Because of this special natural character of the forest stand we decided to study the
relationships between major abiotic factors and tree-ring parameters in European ash (Fraxinus
excelsior). The aim of our study was to find the water regime signal in tree rings and in earlywood
vessel parameters. We measured the width of tree rings, built a chronology, selected the trees
which was the best correlated with each other, and finally used two samples from one tree for
wood-anatomical analysis. Following vessel features were analyzed: vessel density and diameter
as well as the percentage of the conductive area. Measurements were done for the entire
earlywood part and separately for the first ring of earlywood vessels. All measurements were done
for the years 1950-2011. We found out that floods from previous September to January positively
influence tree-ring widths. It can be associated with the accumulation of nutrients in the soil,
which are used by the trees at the beginning of the next growing season or even earlier, in the
transition of meristems from the true to post-dormancy phase. Our research shows that in the
case of lowland ashes from flooded areas, river flows play an important role in stimulating the
activity of the cambium. In addition precipitation and air temperature, which have a direct impact
on the water supply of the forest stand, are important by influencing the Warta River regime.
Supported by NCN grant for years 2011-2015 (N N309 708240)
This research is linked to activities conducted within the COST FP1106 network. Jožica Gričar
acknowledges support from the Research Fellowship within the project “Enhancing Educational
Potential of Nicolaus Copernicus University in the Disciplines of Mathematical and Natural
Sciences” (Project № POKL.04.01.01-00-081/10).
A radiocarbon-dated late-glacial Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) chronology in
Central Poland
Krąpiec M.*, Szychowska-Krąpiec E., Barniak J.
AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental
Protection, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30–059 Kraków, Poland
Dendrochronologically dated wood of subfossil trunks of trees presents the basic material for the
construction of a calibration curve. In the last years, numerous studies have been aimed at
constructing chronologies covering the late-glacial period (Kaiser et al. 2012).
At present, Koźmin (Dzieduszyńska et al. 2014) and Kwiatków (Kolska Basin, Central Poland)
proved to be very perspective sites, in which wood from the end of the Allerød and Younger Dryas
was identified. A level of organic deposits with so-called ‘fossil forests’ was encountered within the
late-Vistulian terrace of the low valley of the Warta river.
In Kwiatków over 300 pieces of wood were documented. Abundant trunks and short stumps of
trees have been very well preserved in a series of organic sediments, up to 0.5 m in thickness.
Felled trunks are up to 4 m in length and up to 20 cm in diameter. The majority of the pieces
represented narrow-ringed wood. At most of the samples the average increment width was below
1 mm. Only about 20% of the samples exhibited somewhat wider growth rings (above 1 mm on
average), and in a few cases values of the average growths amounted to 2 mm or more. Most
probably these last pieces came from redeposited trunks, which had grown in more favourable
conditions. Dendrochronological analysis of over 250 samples complying with the requirements of
the method allowed, at the present stage of the research, to construct a chronology spanning
almost 300 years. It was absolutely dated with the wiggle-matching technique, on the basis of 6
samples of selected annual growth rings, dated relatively with the dendrochronological method.
The chronology covers the period 11800-11500 (±45) cal BC.
References
Dzieduszyńska D., Kittel, P., Petera-Zganiacz, J., Brooks, SJ., Korzeń, K., Krąpiec, M., Pawłowski, D.,
Płaza, DK., Płóciennik, M., Stachowicz-Rybka, R., Twardy, J., 2014. Environmental influence on
forest development and decline in the Warta River valley (Central Poland) during the Late
Weichselian. Quaternary International 324, 99-114.
Kaiser, KF., Friedrich, M., Miramont, C., Kromer, B., Sgier, M., Schaub, M., Boeren, I., Remmele, S.,
Talamo, S., Guibal, F., Sivan, O., 2012. Challenging process to make the Lateglacial tree-ring
chronologies from Europe absolute – an inventory. Quaternary Science Reviews 36, 78-90.
Stable isotopes in tree rings of Patagonian trees are promising proxies for
reconstructing past temperature variations in the Southern Hemisphere
Lavergne A.*1,2, Daux V.1, Villalba R.2, Pierre, M.1, Stievenard M.1, Srur A.M.2
1
2
– LSCE-CEA, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
– IANIGLA-CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
The Southern Hemisphere (SH), particularly southern South America, are under-represented in
global climate reconstructions, due to a lack of robust paleoclimatic data. Here, we study the
isotopic records from tree rings of two native species in northern Patagonia (Fitzroya cupressoides
and Nothofagus pumilio) to determine their potential as paleoclimatic tracers. Five annually
resolved tree-ring δ18O and δ13C chronologies were developed for the calibration study. Over the
common 60-year long interval, the δ18O and δ13C chronologies exhibit a strong common interspecies signal as indicated by significant inter-correlations (r = 0.61 for δ18O and r = 0.67 for δ13C, p
< 0.05) and a high percentage of the total variance explained by the first Empirical Orthogonal
Function (65% for δ18O and 51% for δ13C). Our results show that δ18O cellulose of N. pumilio can be
used as a tracer of temperature variations for December-May (r = 0.57, p < 0.05), while the
cellulose δ13C of both species records the austral summer (December - February) temperature
variations (r = 0.69 and r = 0.78, p < 0.05, respectively). The isotopic chronologies contain a
regional temperature signal representative for a large area south of 38°S, under the influence of
the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). As their variations are strongly linked to temperature, the
isotopic tools can be used to reconstruct chronologies of temperature but also of climate modes
such as SAM. Given the longevity of F. cupressoides (more than 3600 years), this species is the
most interesting to trace these variations in southern South America over the last thousands of
years.
The Influence of low temperatures in combination with pollution stress on
selected anatomic features of old spruce stand wood in the Klínovec Area (Ore
Mountains)
Lexa M.*1, Vejpustková M.2, Zeidler A.1
1
2
– University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
– Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Czech Republic
The so called „black triangle“ is a region in northern Bohemia and in the neighbouring parts of
Germany and Poland. Fossil fuel emissions caused one of the globally highest pollutant
depositions. Upper parts of the Ore Mountains have been stressed by mainly carbon dioxide
emissions for a long time. Already in 1978, the situation was so critical that in the end of that year
and in the beginning of the following year, 60% of the spruce stand in heights over 600 m above
sea level died due to a rapid increase o of emissions together with a temperature drop. Research
deals with how abiotic stress factors, mainly frosts and pollution, can affect the microscopic
structure of wood from an old spruce stand in the uppermost Klínovec area (Ore Mountains),
which is thanks to a combination of altitude, low temperature and pollution a model locality.
Quantitative wood anatomy can serve us as a sensitive tool to identify environmental changes
with a higher than annual time resolution. Anatomic features as number of cells in radial direction,
cell lumen diameter/area, cell wall thickness, earlywood/latewood ratios have been measured or
counted. Our research mainly focuses on the influence of emission loads in the seventies and
eighties of the 20th century. It compares two localities varying in exposition to pollutants, both
nearby Klínovec approximately 1000 m above sea level. Conclusions of our research should answer
the question how the pollution and climate stress affected anatomic features of spruce wood and
what is the time of regeneration after damage.
Dendroecological investigation of Sessile and Durmast oaks from European
locations and Plana Mountain, Bulgaria
Lyubenova M.*, Peteva S., Mihailov A.
Department of Ecology and Environment Protection, Faculty of Biology, St. Kl. Ohridski University
of Sofia 8 Dragan Tzankov Bld, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgarian forests provide about 85% of the water flow in the country or around 3.6.109 m3
resource of clean drinking water. Over 80% of protected plants and over 60% of endangered
species are retained in the forest communities. The investigation deals with dendrochronological
analysis of samples (31) from Quercus dalechampii Ten.. The tree rings are measured by LINTAB ™
5 and TSAP-Win ™ program. Sessile oak rows (255) from 13 locations in Europe were included to
create a scale for evaluation of frequency, duration and depth of eustress. The describing growth
models are polynomials of 6 and 7 degree and R2 is up to 0.85. Calculated EPS is above 0.85%. The
cross dating and standardized rows of durmast are processes together with the rows of sessile
oak. The number of obtained eustress periods of sessile oak varies from 11 to 57 and for durmast
they are 13. The established average depth is 0.240 and is not among the highest, or lowest value
for the sessile oak in European locations. Adverse years for durmast are of climatic type CN (cold
with normal precipitations) and CW (cold and wet). The years: 1959, 1964, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1996
and 1997 are cold as: 1969, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2005 are cold and wet. The
analyse of climatic patterns (eustress year and two years before it) shows that the change in types
certainly provoke eustress (63% of the cases).
Analysis of landslide activity with the use of tree-ring eccentricity among Norway
spruce (Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)
Łuszczyńska K.*, Wistuba M., Malik I.
We used tree-growth eccentricity to study the activity of Skalka landslide (the Moravian-Silesian
Beskid Mts, Czech Republic). We have sampled 60 Norway spruce trees growing on the slope
under study. Sampled treed were tilted up- or downslope, unlike trees growing on stable slopes
which have straight stems. Tilted stems produce eccentric tree rings under the influence of gravity.
Among coniferous species rings are wider on the lower, compressed side of a stem. For dating
landslide activity we applied the method of tree-ring eccentricity index. The oldest landsliding
event on the slope under study was dated to 1949. In the period 1940-2013 in sampled trees we
have dated a total of 259 dendrochronological events of eccentricity indicating instability of
bedrock. The most severe events of landsliding were in: 1975, 1993, 1985, 1968–1969 and 1995.
The number of wood-growth disturbances recording landsliding in particular years matches well
with precipitation totals for summer half-years (e.g. landsliding and precipitation in: 1968, 1972,
1975, 1977, 1985, 2010) and to the smaller degree with totals for winter half-years (e.g. 1961).
Results confirmed the usefulness of growth eccentricity in dendrogeomorphic analyses landslide
activity. Results of the study not only allowed us to determine temporal variability of landsliding
on the studied slope but also to compare mass-movement activity in diverse parts of the area.
Soil erosion and sedimentation rates recorded by dendrochronology and
radioisotopes in permanent loess gullies (example from Southern Poland)
Malik I.1*, Poręba G.2, Wistuba M.1, Ciesielski Ł.1
1
– University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
2
– Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
Soil erosion is a common phenomenon in loess areas. Rapid erosion and deposition of material in
permanent forested gullies permit the reconstruction of the evolution of gully terrain using
dendrochronology and the analysis of Cs-137 and Pb-210 radioisotopes. Tree roots on the gully
slopes are partially or completely exposed as a result of erosion. Following exposure roots
produce eccentric rings, in most cases also containing bigger vessels. Eroded material is deposited
in the gully bottoms. Younger and younger roots occur in successive sediment layers produced in
stages. The relative difference in the age of the tree roots permits an estimate to be made of the
sedimentation rate. Analyses of Cs-137 and Pb-210 radioisotopes can also be used on the slopes
and in the bottoms of permanent gullies, and the half-life of isotopes enables deposits formed
during the last 100 years to be dated. Sediment profiles located on the slope are eroded, which
permits an estimate to be made of the rate of erosion by determining the isotopes in the
remaining sediment. In addition, we can study the sedimentation rate in the sediments in the
bottom of the gullies through the measurement of isotopes. The combination of using
dendrochronological and radioisotope methods allows a very accurate reconstruction of erosion
and sedimentation patterns to be made in permanent gullies under forest. From one of the gullies
we collected six series of samples from beech Fagus sylvatica L. roots and soil located on the gully
slopes for use in erosion studies, as well as three series of samples from roots and soil located in
the gully bottom. The results of the study indicate that the gullies analysed developed very rapidly
during the last 50 years. The very varied ages of the roots growing in the sediment horizons
allowed the determination of at least 3 significant geomorphic events during this period resulting
in the deposition of material in the gully bottom. Sheet erosion also occurred on the slopes at a
rate of approximately 0.5-1.5 cm/year. This suggests that gully relief could be shaped surprisingly
rapidly, despite the forest cover currently found there.
Financial support for this study was obtained through the funds of the National Science Centre –
Poland (Grant DEC-2011/02D/ST10/05788).
Preliminary results of the tree-ring and tracheid feature responses of scots pine at
its south-western distribution limits
Martínez-Sancho E.*1, Dorado-Liñán I.1,2, Heinrich I.3, Helle G.3, Menzel A.1,4
1
– Ecoclimatology, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Technische Universität
München, Freising, Germany
2 – Departamento de Silvicultura y Gestión de los Sistemas Forestales, CIFOR-INIA, Madrid, Spain
3 – Section 5.2 Climate Dynamics and Landscape Evolution, GFZ – German Research Centre for
Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
4 – Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
The Mediterranean basin is a climatic transition zone where typical Mediterranean and temperate
plant species coexist. Many temperate plant species find their southernmost distribution limits in
this region and the on-going climate change may restrict their climatic niche. The characterization
of how temperate trees species respond to climate change at the edges of their distribution is
essential, since the morphological and physiological adaptation strategy developed will determine
the species persistence and survival. We investigate how Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) modifies its
xylem traits (tree-ring and tracheid features) as a response to changes in climate at the southwestern limit of the species distribution, where tree growth is constrained to a large extent by
warm-dry conditions during summer. Three Scots pine stands growing under typical
Mediterranean climate, were sampled in Spain, France and Italy. Wood cores were taken from 20
trees at each site and tree-ring width (TRW) chronologies were developed. 10 cores per site were
prepared for quantitative wood anatomy measurements using a sliding microtome. Core surface
images were taken using a novel technique described in Liang et al. (2013) and cell structures were
measured on the merged micro-images using WinCELL 2011a (Regent Instruments Inc., Québec,
Canada). As a result, chronologies of earlywood lumen area (ELA) and number of tracheids (NT)
were obtained for each site. TRW, ELA and NT were correlated with monthly temperature and
precipitation variables derived from the CRU TS3.23 dataset for the period 1961-2012. We will
present the first results on the relation between quantitative wood anatomy in Scots pine and
climate during the last half century across sites.
References
Liang, W., Heinrich, I., Helle, G., Liñán, I.D. & Heinken, T. (2013) Applying CLSM to increment core
surfaces for histometric analyses: A novel advance in quantitative wood anatomy.
Dendrochronologia, 31, 140–145.
Tree-ring mean vessel lumen area (AV) and its relevance for growth and hydraulic
architecture of poplars
Meyer M.*1, Panitz L.1, Jennewein S.1, Günther B.2, Janssen A.3, Krabel D.1
1
– TU Dresden, Forest Botany, Molecular Tree Physiology Group, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
– TU Dresden, Institute of Forest Utilization and Forest Technology, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
3 – Northwest German Forest Research Institute (NW-FVA), Department for Genetic Resources of
Forests, 34346 Hannoversch Münden, Germany
2
There is a growing need for new bred cultivars or ‘domesticated forms’, respectively, in plantation
forestry. Plantation forests and short-rotation coppices, as examples for low input crops, are an
appropriate tool for rural development in many countries - not only in tropical and subtropical
zones. On marginal land in industrialized countries, plantations can form a basis for sustainable
land use and provide an opportunity to safeguard future wood and bio-material supply.
Plantation forestry requires very well characterized tree material, constant breeding efforts and
thus proper phenotyping as a basis for selection approaches. The tree-ring archive provides good
opportunities to find traits that can be used easily for phenotyping in a retrospective manner. The
present work is focused on the cross-sectional vessel lumen area in young, newly bred poplars
(Populus spp.). Wider vessels provide the opportunity for more efficient water transport through
the xylem. Hence, mean vessel lumen cross-sectional area (AV) and biomass yield of plantation
trees are often positively correlated. In the present work, genotypic differences in the slope of
that stochastic relationship were evaluated and interpreted with regard to the characterization of
the hydraulic architecture of certain poplar genotypes.
Do seismic-induced changes in hydrology affect wood-cell structures and tree-ring
width? – A case study on Pinus radiata of Concepción in Chile
Mohr C.*1, Giese L.1, Korup O.1, Heinrich I.2, Helle G.2
1
2
– University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
– Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Xylem growth is strongly dependent on water supply, especially in Mediterranean climate zones,
where aridity dominates during the growing season. Cell-structure analysis of tree rings offer to
investigate past intra-annual changes in the water supply of trees.
This BSc-study examines whether or not changes in moisture supply caused by a single seismic
event has measurable effects on tracheid features of Pinus radiata. The analyses shall foster a
better understanding of the hydrologic changes during and shortly after earthquakes and their
impact on the biosphere.
The work focuses on the M8.8 Maule (Chile) earthquake-event in February 2010 during which
streamflow discharge in some headwater catchments rose from about 0.03 mm/h to more than
0.04 mm/h (Mohr et al., 2015). A subset of six samples of young trees with ages of 20 to 25 years
growing along an altitudinal gradient within the earthquake area were selected for quantitative
wood anatomical analyses by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Tracheidograms of each
sample for five consecutive tree rings around the earthquake were established to detect a signal
linked to the earthquake. We could not find a common earthquake signal in all samples. Detailed
results and potential reasons that might be related to the young ages of the trees, the vague
temporal resolution of tracheidograms and/or the complexity of the intra-seasonal dynamics of
cell growth, i.e. xylogenesis will be presented and discussed.
Tree-ring structure of Juniperus procera in the Ethiopian Highlands revealed by
wood anatomical analyses and radiocarbon dating
Mokira, M.1,2, Gebrekirstos, A.1, Bräuning, A.2, Abiyu, A.3
1
– World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
– Institute of Geography, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
3 – Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
2
The wood structure and tree-ring formation of Juniperus procera, one of the most prominent tree
species on the Ethiopian Highland, shows complex patterns that strongly vary according to
regional climate seasonality. In some areas, no annual tree-ring borders are formed, wheras in
other regions, single or multiple anatomical ring boundaries are formed each calendar year (Wils
et al., 2011). We studied the ring-width pattern of J. procera from northwaest Ethiopa, where
there are cleary visible wood anatomical tree-ring boundaries. However, ring-width patterns of
measured tree-ring series show a coherent pattern of repeated sequences of narrow and wide
rings, resulting in a sea-saw pattern of resulting ring-width curves. Hence, we extracted wood from
counted tree rings with constant intervals during the past 60 years and applied 14C dating to verify
the annual nature of the tree-ring structures. The results revealed that the ages of radiocarbon
dated tree rings correlate with the double number of counted rings. In conclusion, two rings per
year are formed, and the annual increment consists of two wood layers. We assign this tree-ring
pattern to the regional climatology with a precipitation allowing the formation of a wide ring
during the rainy season. The formation of a narrow ring is probably related to a foggy and less dry
period preceeding the main rainy season, allowing the evergreen trees to initiate cambial activity.
These preliminary interpretation will be substantiated by further investigations on cambial
phenology and dendrometer measurements.
The constructing of a steppe tree-ring chronology network in the Tuva Republic in
Russia
Myglan V.S. *1, Barinov V.V.1, Taynik A.V.1, Oidupaa O. Ch.2
1
– Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia Federation
Tuva State University, Kyzyl, Russia Federation
2–
On the territory of the Tuva Republic (Russia), in 2013-2015 a network of tree-ring chronologies
was established in the steppe belt. The seven sites were set on highdrylands from west to east:
Sogly, Bora, Han, Ula, Hol, Tes, Nar. The total length of this transect is 320 km.
The sites are situated at heights of 1100 -1800 m above sea level. The length of the chronologies
was from 264 to 513 years. A characteristic feature of the chronologies is the high percentage of
missing tree rings. The tree-ring chronologies well agreed with themselves (the average value of
the correlation coefficient is 0.40 - 0.62 for a 249-year period). Comparison with tree-ring
chronologies located in steppes of Kurai (Altai Republic) and Mongolia showed a ommon signal
(average value of the correlation coefficient is 0.30-0.4 for a 249-year period).
Dendrochronological dating of the Nadymsky Gorodok settlement
Myglan V.S.*1, Omurova G.T.1,2, Barinov V.V.1, Kardash O.V.3
1–
Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Central Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences (CAIAG), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
3– Institute of Archeology of the North, Hanty - Mansiisk autonomous area, Russian Federation
2–
During the field works from 2011-2012 in the Nadymsky gorodok settlement, located in the
subarctic zone of northwestern Siberia, 347 samples of archaeological wood were taken and
analyzed. As a result of graphic cross-dating the period of the construction of eleven (11) buildings
and four (4) external fences (wall, entrance) was determined highlighting periods of active
construction (second half of the 60s in the 15th century, second half of 70s - 80s in the 15th
century, end of the first - second decade of the 16th century and in the 30s of 16th century).
The study showed that only in the case of the constructions #10 and #17 it is possible to speak
about purposeful logging of wood and precise time of building constructions. In other cases, the
distribution of the dendrochronological dates and the origin of the material used propose the use
of driftwood in the construction. The main species of wood are Siberian larch (Larix sibirica
Ledeb.), spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) and pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour).
Periodic response of intra-annual radial growth features for Quercus sp. to climate
oscillations in southern Romania
Nechita C.1, Popa I.1, Badea O.2, Chiriloaei F.*3, Leca S.2
1
– National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry "Marin Drăcea" – INCDS, Calea
Bucovinei 73 bis, 725100, Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania
2 – National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry "Marin Drăcea" – INCDS, Eroilor
Blvd. 128, 077190 Voluntari, Ilfov, Romania
3 – Department of Geography, Universitatii 13, 720229, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava,
Romania
The main objective of our research is a survey of the dendroclimatic potential of Quercus species
in southern Romania. We started with dendrochronological series covering a time span of more
than 150 years, with a high fidelity of response to climatic factors. Our analyses were focused on
the absorption of external signals by the trees at an intra-annual level (earlywood, latewood) by
correlating the particularities of tree-ring formation and climatic factors (based on daily mean
climatic data). From our preliminary results, we can affirm that the climatic type of the study area
obviously modified in the last 20 years. Although the general quantity of precipitation remained
unchanged, its distribution was modified after 1985-1990. Thus, the maximum of precipitation
was no longer registered in the first half of the year, as usually, but from July-November.
Consequently, we can affirm that the precipitation regime showed a transformation of climate
from an excessive continental to a strong Mediterranean climate. The drought frequency
represents an important risk factor for trees, also at an inter-species level. Beside the traditional
climatic parameters, we analysed also a synthetic indicator, i.e., the Standardized Precipitation
Evapotranspiration Index, calculated for cumulative periods from 1-12 months at a monthly level.
Combining the high-resolution growth dynamics (monitored by point dendrometers) with detailed
climate measurements and phenological observations reveals the adaptation characteristics of
trees to varying growth conditions. Our results indicate: i) a very strong climatic signal found in
mesophytic and xerophytic oak species (Q. fraineto, Q. cerris); ii) a high potential of
dendrochronological series of oak to be used as base for palaeoclimatic reconstructions; iii)
applicability in forest ecology studies.
Preliminary results on building long oak and elm dendrochronological series in
Eastern Romania
Nechita C.*1, Popa I.1, Chiriloaei F.2, Rădoane M.2, Roibu C.3, Mursa A.3, Cheptea S.4, Apavaloaei B.4
1
– National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry "Marin Drăcea" – INCDS, Calea
Bucovinei 73 bis, 725100, Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania
2 – Department of Geography, Universitatii 13, 720229, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava,
Romania
3 – Faculty of Forestry, Universitatii 13, 720229, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Romania
4 – European Centre for History and Civilization of the Romanian Academy, 700483, Iasi, Romania
Tree-ring series from living trees, archaeological wood and subfossil trunks represent the first step
to elaborate a long tree-ring chronology for the eastern part of Romania. Our research area is
located in the middle part of the Siret drainage basin. Here is one of the largest reserves of
subfossil trunks in Romania, which can be used in dendrochronological studies. We tested the
climatic signal in the tree-ring series trees, in order to have an argumentatively tightened support
for building long chronology. Thus, we can affirm that the series obtained will be successfully
utilized to reconstruct the periods with hydrological stress during tree vegetation periods; but also
for the reconstruction of temperature from the previous year before tree-ring formation. Thereby,
we will offer for the first time, for this region, such a long series with intra-annual information. We
tested the relevance of living trees series to understand the spatial correlation between them
using multivariate analysis. This procedure permits delimitating the homogeneous climate
response. In order to build the chronologies we identified and sampled the oldest wood buildings
which belong to the national and UNESCO heritage. For older periods than archaeological wood,
we choose the Siret River with its tributaries, which store in its banks subfossil oak, elm and alder.
Radiocarbon dating certifies that Moldova, Suceava and Siret Rivers are real archives of black oak.
These have the ability to bound/extend the archaeological wood series (about 7000 years). In
addition, the dendrochonological investigations confirm that oak may be associated with elm,
their response to climate stress factors being of the same trend. Statistical tests show high values
of the coefficients of concordance between the growth series of the two species.
Can the interannual variation of phosphorus (P) in tree rings be used as an
indicator of P nutrition?
Niederberger J.*1, Wichser A.2, Kohler M.1, Bleiner D.2, Bierbass P.1, Bauhus J.1
1
– Chair of Silviculture, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
– Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Dübendorf,
Switzerland
2
Many European forests have become phosphorus (P) limited in recent decades, possibly due to
increased nitrogen deposition, soil acidification and improved tree growth. Dendrochemical
analyses of P might enable a retrospective analysis of P nutrition of trees and provide valuable
information about the effects of short-term changes (recycling efficiency) as well as of long-term
environmental trends on the P availability in forest ecosystems.
Therefore, on three Level II sites in Germany (Bad Brückennau, Mitterfels, and Lüss, which in this
order represent a gradient from P acquiring to P recycling systems) we took increment cores of
Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica from five dominant trees per site. The P content in the tree rings
were was measured by use of a laser ablation system coupled with an ICP-MS.
Tree rings of Fagus sylvatica showed at all sites considerably higher P content than Picea abies.
The P availability in the soil does not appear to influence the recycling efficiency of Picea abies on
these sites, but for Fagus sylvatica. Interestingly, the declining P concentrations towards the
centre of the tree (regarding the distance) was equally rapid at on the Bad Brückenau site, which
has the highest soil content of the total and plant available P, and on the Lüss site, with the lowest
P stocks. Regarding long-term trends, our analyses show thus far no differences in the direction of
temporal trends in P in tree rings between the three sites for Picea abies. For Fagus sylvatica we
observed a re-increase of P content in the oldest tree rings at Bad Brückenau. A significant
negative trend was observed for Ca in the tree rings on the Lüss site indicating an ongoing soil
acidification process. Soil acidification has not resulted in a declining trend of heartwood P
concentrations, which could reflect on a decreasing P availability.
Dendrochronological analysis and dating of historical wooden structures in the
Zarafshan Valley, Tajikistan
Opała M.*1, Rahmonov O.1, Owczarek P.2, Małarzewski Ł 1, Niedźwiedź T.1
1
2
– University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
The Zarafshan Valley is located in the northwest of Tajikistan, the former territory of Sogdiana. The
lower and middle parts of the valley were crossed by the main branches of the Silk Road. This
region is rich in archaeological sites and settlement remains of different ages. However, the
potential of dendrochronological analysis of wooden structures in the Zarafshan Valley remained
unexplored for a long time. Recent advances in the development of long tree-ring chronologies for
this region (covering the time span AD 700 - 2015) allow the dating of historical structures.
In this study, wooden beams from old buildings located in the Artuch Village (2000 m a.s.l.), as well
as remains of the temple located at a high-elevation site (3000 m a.s.l.), were analysed by
dendrochronology in order to determine their age and to evaluate the possibility for the extension
of the dendrochronological scale.
About 40 cores were sampled, measured and cross-dated by visual and statistical matching. Only
sequences with more than 50 rings and a mean correlation coefficient with the master series
above 0.5 were considered as dated.
The results revealed that all investigated buildings are composed of wood coming from several
periods. The temple was built in the 12th century and repaired in the 15th, 16th and 17th c. The
oldest pieces of wood from cottage #1 were dated back to the 12 thc. Furthermore, this building
consists of timber from between the 13th and the 17thc. Cottage #2 was dated to the turn from the
11th to the 12th century.The construction of the currently existing building #2 is mainly composed
of elements from the 14th century.
Dendroarchaeological research in Central Asia has a great potential considering the small amount
of archaeological and historical data in this region.
This research was supported by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) grant number
2013/09/B/ST10/00634.
Climatic and non-climatic factors influencing growth-ring variability of Betula
pubescens and Betula nana in the Scandinavian Arctic
Owczarek P.*1, Opała M.2, Migała K.1
1
2
– Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wroclaw, Poland
– Department of Climatology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
The northern Scandinavian Peninsula with a large mountain barrier and the warm Gulf Stream
influence is a key area for better understanding contemporary environmental changes in the
Atlantic Sector of the Arctic. The aim of this study is to determine how birch reacts on climatic
variability under different topoclimatic conditions. Betula pubescens is one of the dominant
species in the Scandinavian Arctic, which is resistant to extreme environments. Two main research
regions were chosen for detailed research. The Tromso Region, located on the north-western
shore of Norway, has an extremely maritime climate influenced by the Atlantic. Annual
precipitation reaches 1010.9 mm. We collected 100 samples within four topographically different
sites (at elevations from50-120 m a.s.l.). The second research region is situated in Abisko, northern
Sweden, at elevations from 350-400 m a.s.l. This area is distinctly dryer due to its position in the
rain-shadow of the Scandinavian mountains and received only 387 mm of precipitation. Two
research sites (60 samples) were chosen for detailed research. In general, the life span of the trees
collected ranges from 90 to 200 years. The climatic signals reflected in the tree-ring width are
modified by topographic and geomorphic conditions differing from site to site. The lowest
correlation coefficient between summer temperature and tree-ring width was calculated for sites
with a morphologically diverse terrain with traces of mass movements. We compared the research
results for two regions: Tromso and Abisko. Despite the short distance between them (150 km),
some differences in dendroclimatic reaction can be distinguished.
A new dual-isotope (δ18O, δ13C) tree ring chronology of the Late Glacial
Pauly M.1, Helle G.1, Treydte K.2, Brauer A.1, Büntgen U.3, Reinig F.3, Nievergelt D.2, Wacker L.4,
Sookdeo A.4, Kromer B.5, Friedrich M.5,6
1
– Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Dendrochronology
Laboratory, Potsdam Germany
2 – WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Dendroclimatology
Research Group, Zürich Switzerland
3 – WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Dendroecology Research
Group, Zürich Switzerland
4 – ETH Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, Zürich Switzerland
5 – Heidelberg University, Institute of Environmental Physics, Heidelberg Germany
Hohenheim University, Institute of Botany, Stuttgart Germany
A systematic understanding of Late Glacial (14 000 - 11 000 cal BP) climate is expanding with the
continuous establishment of highly resolved lake, ice core and tree-ring chronologies. The
transition into the current interglacial was interrupted by several climate downturns of varying
severity. A comprehensive knowledge of such short-term climate episodes at high-resolution is
still lacking. In this study, we are developing an annually resolved tree ring stable isotope (δ18O,
δ13C) chronology of the chronozone Bølling-Allerød (13 800 - 13 400 cal BP) using scots pine trees
(Pinus sylvestris L.) from Switzerland (Gaenziloo, near Zürich). This dual-isotope approach provides
annual proxy data on hydroclimatic dynamics at a site in Central Europe, for a time period where
rather low-resolution (decadal) climate data is currently available.
In an effort to interpret non-linear climatic teleconnections, our chronology has been correlated to
available regional (Lake Ammersee, Meerfelder Maar, Lake Mondsee, NGRIP ice core)
temperature-sensitive δ18O, as well as pollen records. Together, these alternative records indicate
a marked decrease in temperature (1-2 ‰ drop δ18O) and a replacement of pine by herbaceous
vegetation. Within this framework, we aim to temporally and spatially refine the local expression
of the chronozone Bølling-Allerød, while deducing tree response/plasticity in the face of climate
deterioration.
Assessing the impact of larch budmoth outbreaks on tree biomass growth along
an Alpine elevational gradient
Peters R.L.*1,2, Klesse S.1,3, Fonti P.1, Frank D.1,3
1
– Landscape Dynamics, Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape
Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
2 – Botanik, Basel University, Schönbeinstrasse 6, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
3 – Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, Falkenplatz 16, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
Forest responses to environmental change not only depend upon climate conditions, but also on
biotic drivers like insect outbreaks which affect tree survival and growth. Yet, the effect of the
interaction between ongoing climatic change and biotic drivers on tree biomass growth is still
poorly understood. In this study we assess how climate warming modulates the impact of the
budmoth outbreak on the biomass growth throughout the last 150 years.
Samples were taken in the Alpine Lötschental where since the 1980's, after more than one
millennium, cyclic budmoth outbreaks (8 to 9 years) became absent. We sampled over 500
individuals from both larch budmoth (Zeiraphera diniana) host- (Larix decidua) and non-host
(Picea abies) trees along an elevation gradient from 1300 to 2200 m a.s.l.. Climate-growth
responses were used to identify the climatic drivers of growth. The mean growth reduction of the
host-species, in reported budmoth outbreak years, was used to model growth responses to insect
outbreaks. We considered three scenarios: i) no outbreak, ii) reported outbreaks and iii) continued
outbreaks after 1980. Finally, the absolute effect of both temperature and insect outbreaks on
plot level tree productivity was assessed. This aboveground biomass increment data was obtained
from three fixedplots located at different altitudes in the valley.
We find that budmoth outbreaks caused up to 58% reduction in biomass increment of Larix.
Additionally, we found that including the outbreaks substantially increased the model
performance of growth with a mean R2 increase across elevations from 0.162 (with only climate)
to 0.428. However, the recent growth increase observed could not be solely explained by the
absence of outbreaks, as both Larix and Picea showed positive growth trends in the recent decade.
These findings are especially valuable for quantifying the impact of climate change on regular and
non-lethal disturbances in ecosystem models, which are currently rather underrepresented.
Why the late spring frosts in 2007 and 2011 were not recorded in tree rings and
earlywood vessels of Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)?
Puchałka R.*1, Koprowski M.1, Gričar J.2, Przybylak R.1
1
2
– Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
– Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Oak tree-ring widths and especially earlywood vessels are considered as a good bioindicator of
winter and early spring weather conditions. Our research showed that early spring frost, which
caused defoliation in 2007 and 2011, did not affect tree-ring width, and size and number of
earlywood vessels (Puchałka et al. 2015). To better understand these results, we monitored the
intra-annual relationship between leaf phenology and xylogenesis in previously studied trees. We
hypothesised that trees which differ in size, age and habitat (tree stand or gap), differ in their
seasonal patterns of leaf phenology and xylogenesis. The frequency of coring was primarily
adjusted to main leaf phenophases. We found significant divergences in time of start and
completion of leaf phenophases and xylogenesis among individuals. The smallest differences were
observed at the beginning of the vegetation season when first earlywood vessels were detected (9
days). Differences among trees in the completion of first tangential row of vessels were up to 32
days and in completion of the entire earlywood part about 30 days. Our results confirmed that the
relationships between leaf phenology and seasonal dynamics of xylogenesis are not clear in
Pedunculate oak. We concluded that: (i) oak tree-rings widths and earlywood vessel size and
number may not be sensitive for early spring temperatures and defoliation in Poland; (ii) the nonsignificant correlations between leaf phenophases and xylogenesis as well as the phenological
variability can be a reason for the lack of signals in treerings; (iii) it is also possible that oaks are
well-adapted to defoliation by late spring frost. Further research should include a larger number of
individuals to explain the relationship between tree size, leaf phenology, seasonal dynamics of
xylogenesis, on one hand, and the weather conditions on the other hand.
This research is linked to activities conducted within the COST FP1106 network. Jožica Gričar
acknowledges support from the Research Fellowship within the project “Enhancing Educational
Potential of Nicolaus Copernicus University in the Disciplines of Mathematical and Natural
Sciences” (Project № POKL.04.01.01-00-081/10).
Comparative analyses of multiple tree-ring parameters of beech in different
climatic regimes
Rezaei N.*1,2, Bräuning A.3, D’ Andrea E.2, Matteucci G.4
1
– Dendrology lab, DAFNE, University of Tuscia, via San Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo, Italy
– C-NR-IBAF, via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015, Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
3 – Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Kochstrasse 4-4, Erlangen 91054,
Germany
4 – CNR-ISAFOM, Via Cavour 4-6, 87036, Rende (CS), Italy
2
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) represents one of the most important European forest tree
species, hence possible adverse factors affecting productivity and management of this species can
have strong ecological and economic impacts in Europe.
In the 21st century, the Mediterranean Basin and the centre of Europe could be sensitive to
climate change due to global warming. Since the 1970s, extreme climatic events as drought
periods have been observed more frequently, and natural forest productivity seems to decline.
This study is targeted to evaluate: (1) the effects of climate on stand growth, (2) the physiological
responses of trees to changing environment, and (3) the relation between tree physiology and
forest productivity. In order to do so, we sampled co-dominant trees at each site and established
chronologies for tree ring and δ13C of extracted cellulose from four beech forests in
Mediterranean mountain (Pian di Limina and Collelongo, Italy), pre-Alps (Pian del Cansiglio, Italy),
and middle European lowlands (Zoolithenhöhle, Germany). Moreover, we used interpolated
climatic data because observed climatic data near the sites cover only a short climatic period.
In the Zoolithenhöhle and Pian del Cansiglio forests we observed a significant negative correlation
between Δ13C (increment of Δ13C ) and growth. This relation can be explained with the down
regulation of photosynthesis (derived from a lower activity of rubisco due to stomata closing)
related a continued stress due to temperature increment (+1.5°C) and any variations of
precipitation.
In Collelongo, we indentified two different period before and after 1995. In the first period we
assessed a significant positive correlation between growth and Δ13C. As before 1995 in this site
there wasn't stress related to water shortage, the Δ13C is related to high stomatal conductance
and high photosynthesis to sustain the growth. After 1995 we observed that the correlation
became negative, reflecting the stress deriving from climate change (higher temperature and
lower precipitation), causing a down regulation of photosynthesis reflected in lower growth rate.
In the southern site (Pian di Limina) we found a significant positive correlation between growth
and Δ13C. In this site, where the temperature is increasing (+1°C) and precipitations are
decreasing, local climatic characteristics (high precipitation, humidity from the sea) mask the
climatic change. In this case higher Δ13C correspond to higher stomata opening and consequently,
no limitation by water shortage, higher photosynthesis and growth.
Overall, the different relation between growth and carbon discrimination can be related to the
different plasticity of the population studied along the transect which decreasing from south to
north. Our results indicate that the relationship between Δ13C and above ground growth is
regulated by many factors. Carbon discrimination is related to variation of the ratio of Ci/Ca,
where Ci is the intercellular concentration of CO2 and Ca is environmental CO2 concentration. the
variation of this ratio can be related to different tree physiological mechanism influenced by
climatic and environmental variables.
Contemporary air pollution causing growth suppression among coniferous trees
and the possibility to use tree-rings reductions as an indicator of threat to human
health
Rutkiewicz P. *, Malik I., Wistuba M.
Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
In order to analyse the impact of contemporary air pollution on tree growth we sampled cores
from Norway spruces growing in the vicinity of the centre of Zakopane town (southern Poland).
We developed local chronology, skeleton plots and calculated ring reductions for sampled trees.
We searched for temporal relationship between air pollution, negative health reaction of trees
and people. We compared occurrence of ring reductions in trees, concentrations of sulphur
dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter in air lung disease morbidity among humans. We
identified two periods to suppress the growth of trees: the first in 1970s associated with large
industrial pollution and the second, more clear, which began in 2007 and continues to the present.
Tree ring reductions, the content of dust in the atmosphere increase from 2007, and the lung
diseases increases since 2010. Reaction of trees was found immediately after the air pollution
increased but adverse health effect among in human population was lagged. Studies conducted
in Zakopane indicate the need for further study exploring the relationship between contemporary
emission of pollutants into the atmosphere and the suppression of tree growth of trees and
human health. I may be possible to use tree ring reductions as an indicator of future adverse
health effects among humans.
Within stem-disk and within shrub heterogeneity in growth in Juniperus
communis: Influence on site-chronology
Shetti R.*, Buras A., Smiljanic M., Wilmking M.
Institue of Botany and Landscape Ecology; University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
The use of shrubs is gaining importance rapidly in dendrochronological and climatological studies.
Especially in the Arctic and above elevational treeline, there are many studies which show shrubs
to have potential for investigating and testing climate sensitivity. However shrub crown
architecture is fundamentally different from that of trees with shrubs usually having multiple
stems and growth within shrub stems might be very heterogeneous. This study thus investigates
growth in Juniperus communis growing at and above treeline along a latitudinal gradient in the
Ural Mountains. Samples were harvested at three sites in the southern, central and northern Urals
and at each site along an elevational gradient from treeline to shrubline. Multiple samples per
shrub were taken and each sample (disk) was measured along four radii. We tested simple
correlations between different radii at each disk, between disks of the same shrub and between
individual shrubs at each site and elevational level. We observed for most of the sites that there
can be significantly different growth pattern along the length of a stem. This heterogeneous
growth is partially due to eccentric basal stem-disks, but clearly suggests that different stem-disk
along the stem might also have significantly differing signals. However, averaging measurements
from higher stem-disks with basal stem-disks (provided there is enough time overlap) might
compensate for the eccentric growth and improve the signal and overall correlation with the sitechronology.
Growth responses of Salix polaris subjected to active layer detachment and
solifluction, processes in the High Arctic
Siekacz L.
([email protected])
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
The aim of this work is to demonstrate the potential of Salix polaris growth properties for the
analysis of periglacially induced slope processes in the high Arctic. Anatomical and morphological
responses of plants to solifluction and active layer detachment processes are presented
qualitatively and quantitatively as a summary of features presented. The results are discussed
against the background of the other research results in this field. The investigation was performed
in the Ebba valley, in the vicinity of the Petunia Bay, northernmost part of Billefjorden in central
Spitsbergen (Svalbard). The annual precipitation sum in that area is lower than 200 mm (Hagen et
al.,1993) and the average summer temperature is about 5°C, with a maximum of daily
temperatures rarely exceeding 10°C (Rachlewicz, 2009). Analysed plants revealed extremely harsh
environmental conditions for their growth. Buchwał et al. (2013) provided quantitative data
concerning missing rings and partially missing rings in shrubs growing on the Ebba valley floor. The
mean ring width on the level of 79 μm represents one of the smallest values of yearly growth ever
noted. The share of missing rings and partially missing rings was 11.2% and 13.6%, respectively.
Plants growing on the Ebba valley slope indicate almost half of the ring width (41 μm), and a
higher participation of missing and partially missing rings. The share of missing rings in shrubs
growing within an active layer detachment and on the surrounding valley slope reached 16.22%
and 15.36%,respectively. Even higher variation is observed in partially missing rings which account
for 31.07% within detachment and 23. 39% on the surrounding slope. Those values are more than
twice higher than on the valley floor. There is also a noticeable difference between detachment
and surrounding slope indicating that wedging rings are an effect of mechanical stress that is
higher within the detachment. Comparing growth patterns in aboveground and belowground
plant parts, a different growth allocation is noticed. Growth rings of the detachment event year
were present only in aboveground parts. The growth pattern is extremely irregular, indicating that
the slope is in constant movement which disrupts the growth conditions. Analysed shrubs showed
two possible event years: 2006 and 2008, with the highest participation of missing and partially
missing rings. Air and ground temperature data were also analysed and confirmed that active layer
detachment happened in 2006.
References
Buchwał A, Rachlewicz G, Fonti P, Cherubini P, Gärtner H, (2013) Temperature modulates intraplant growth of Salix Polaris from a high Arctic site (Svalbard). Polar Biol 36:1305–1318.
Hagen J O, Liestøl O, Roland E, Jørgensen T, (1993) Glacier atlas of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Norsk
Polarinstitutt Meddelelser 129: 160.
Rachlewicz G, (2009) Contemporary sediment fluxes and relief changes in high Arctic glacierized
valley systems (Billefjorden, Central Spitsbergen). Wyd. Nauk. UAM Poznań, seria Geografia
87:204.
Influence of landscape and geochemical conditions on the growth and elemental
composition of Larix gmelinii wood in the Far North of Russia
Slobodchikova V.*¹, Fertikov A.², Stepanov H.1
¹ – Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk,
Russia
² – Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Ecosystems, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
The thermal regime of soil and vegetation cover of various sites determine different
biogeochemical conditions in the root zone of soil horizons, which describe the dynamics of
chemical elements uptake and accumulation in the wood of trees. The main purpose of our
investigation was to trace the relationship between the chemical composition of tree rings and the
surrounding landscape and geochemical characteristics.
The identification of plant species and their geobotanical description were performed in areas
with different plant diversity. Accordingly, various growth, structure and element composition of
tree rings were observed in these areas. Ca, K, Ni, Fe, Mn and Cu concentration were measured
along wood cores in 20 micron increments using an X-ray fluorescence scanner Itrax Multiscanner.
We found that the content of elements in wood varies along the radius of the tree trunk and the
cyclicality in radial variability corresponds to alternation of annual tree rings. In all sites the
content of potassium and calcium are highly correlated to each other. A moderate correlation is
observed between the iron and manganese content in all areas whereas the contents of the other
elements vary along the radius almost independently. Finally, we found that the warmer the land,
the higher the content of any of the elements in Larix gmelinii wood except for iron, where the
relationship was the opposite.
This data set therefore provides the patterns of accumulation of the elements in the wood
depending on the temperature of soil, to evaluate the relationship of these processes.
Federation, (project 784), and Russian Scientific Foundation (project 15-14-30011)
Identifying annual growth rhythms of baobabs – An approach using wood
anatomy, stable isotopes and μ-XRF scanning
Slotta, F.*1,2, Helle, G.1,2, Tjallingii, R.2, Balanzategui, D.2,3, Heußner, K.-U.4, Riedel, F.1
1
– Free University, Institute of Geological Sciences, Palaeontology, Berlin, Germany
– German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 5.2 - Climate Dynamics and Landscape
Evolution, Potsdam, Germany
3 – Humboldt University, Department of Geography, Berlin, Germany
4 – German Archaeological Institute, Scientific Department of the Head Office, Berlin, Germany
2
The stem succulent African baobab trees, Adansonia digitata and Adansonia kilima, are widely
distributed in (semi)arid Africa. These trees are well adapted to dry conditions with their
specialised xylem structures, serving as water storage during dry spells and seasons. High amounts
of parenchymal tissue occur paratracheal as well as apotracheal as rays and rings throughout the
stem. Rings of wide parenchyma bands are supposed to terminate the annual growth, i.e. tree
rings. The width of those terminal parenchyma bands is not necessarily continuous around the
stem. Very young parenchyma bands tend to be very thin in the first 1-2 cm of the outermost
xylem. They widen towards the centre of the tree due to, so far, unknown reasons. Hence, the
analysis of wood anatomical details alone might not be sufficient to identify annual growth
rhythms of the baobabs. A quite robust understanding of isotope fractionation in trees led us to
perform highly resolved δ13C measurements in radial direction of the wood to test for recurring
patterns in the stable isotope ratios indicating an annual cyclicity. Here, radial increments with an
average width of 330 μm were analysed from the outermost 2 cm of the xylem of a monitored
baobab tree from Musina, South Africa (22°17`S/29°50È). Since stable isotope analysis is very
labour intensive and time consuming we also tested non-destructive μ-XRF scanning, that provides
a contin
the xylem, for comparable results. This method is fast and easy to apply, and may have a great
potential to identify baobab tree rings. However, the relation between chemical XRF records and
environmental or climatic variations is still poorly understood. We will compare the stable isotope
records and μ-XRF scanning results to explore the potential of these physic-chemical parameters
for building tree-ring chronologies and for environmental reconstructions.
Structure and disturbance patterns in primary Picea abies (L.) Karst. forests in the
Southern Carpathians
Spînu A.P.*1, Petrițan C.I.2, Mikoláš M.3
1-
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
Transilvania University of Brasov, Brașov, Romania
3- Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
2-
Primary forests driven by natural disturbances represent a valuable heritage, not only for their
intrinsic value or for their essential environmental services provided, but also for being essential in
understanding the natural dynamics of forests and therefore, a model to mimic in order to
implement ecological principles in sustainable forest management. Even though the largest
proportion of primary forests in the European Union is found in the Carpathian region, only a few
studies analysed their structure and disturbance patterns.
In the present study we established twelve circular plots to determine the relationship between
past disturbance regime and present structural characteristics in a primary forest landscape in
Fagaras Mts, Romania. We used tree ring data from 367 trees to analyse the disturbance history
and to relate it to the structure of the primary forest.
The dendrochronological analysis revealed two peaks in the tree establishment in 1830 and 1900
which have been initiated by the disturbances detected in 1800-1820 and 1870-1899. No negative
spatial relationship was found between the upper and lower canopy layers, layers that did not
differ significantly in age. The highest tree density was found in the upper layer of the canopy and
presented up to 50 % larger diameters and heights compared to the lower layer.
The living stand volume was 575 m3 ha-1, with a basal area of 65.54 m2 ha-1 and an average density
of 600 trees/ha. Regarding the dead wood amount, the investigated stands were characterised by
an average volume of 85.32 m3 ha-1. The lying deadwood had the highest proportion and
distribution on decay classes was balanced. The regeneration was spruce-dominated with a higher
density in the sample plots described by high volumes of deadwood.
Overall, in average, the characteristics values of the studied area were higher compared to other
studies. High amounts of lying deadwood were a result of major windstorms and the simultaneous
establishment of many trees occurred in big gaps. We thus conclude that the structure of the
studied area appeared as a consequence of severe disturbances that affected the whole area.
Therefore, in the future we can improve the structure and dynamics of managed forests and
enhance their ecosystem values by incorporating disturbance regimes and their biological legacies
in the forest management.
Blue Intensity improves the results of historical wood dating. Case study in the
Tatra Mountains, Poland
Spyt B.*, Kaczka R.J.
Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Poland
Blue Intensity (BI) measurement is one of the newest tools in dendrochronological analysis. For
the last few years, BI has been successfully used in dendroclimatology but its potential could also
be employed in other branches of dendrochronology. We aim at testing the use of BI method in
dating historical wood. Studies were conducted in the Tatra Mountains, the Carpathians, Poland.
Over 500 timbers were cored from 21 abandoned wooden shepherd shelters. All beams were
sourced from the most accessible tree in this area which is Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst). To
date the beams, two P. abies reference chronologies were established: i) tree-ring width
chronology (TRW) from 212 spruces covered the period 1695-2014; ii) Blue Intensity chronology
(BI) from 154 spruces covered the period 1718-2014.The tree-ring series (TRW and BI) derived
from the historical wood were cross-dated against reference chronologies. The length of the
historical series ranges from several dozens to over 200 years. The cutting dates were possible to
assess for most of the timbers. The results showed that the use of the BI for dating archaeological
wood provides a higher amount of successfully dated beams. BI results not only confirmed the
dates of TRW dating but also provides a timber cutting date when TRW failed to deliver reliable
dating.
Acknowledgments: The project has been financed from the funds of the National Centre of
Science within the project no. 2013/11/B/ST10/04764.
Growth reactions of trees which survived a hurricane in the Pisz Forest, northeastern Poland
Szwagrzyk J.1, Muter E.*1, Chećko E.2, Zaręba J.2
1
2
– University of Agriculture, Kraków, Poland
– Warsaw University, Białowieża, Poland
Hurricanes, as a large-scale natural disturbance, have a huge impact on forest ecosystems. They
destroy the forest structure and rapidly change physical parameters of the environment. Mortality
of trees is usually high, but individuals, which survive catastrophic wind, benefit from better light
conditions, which may positively affect their growth rates. Our research was conducted in the Pisz
Forest, where after the large hurricane in July 2002, a patch of damaged forests comprising
around 440 ha was set aside for natural regeneration. The aim of our study was the comparison of
growth reactions of trees strongly bended by wind and of trees without any visible signs of
damage. Two increment cores were taken at breast height from 65 Scots pines and 11 Norway
spruces. The Black-and- Abrams (2003) method was used to determine the signs of postdisturbance growth release. For analyzing growth responses of trees, we used TRADER, an opensource software package for R (Altman et al. 2014). There was an obvious growth reaction among
trees which survived the hurricane; in the case of pines without external signs of damage the
average radial increment in the decade after 2002 amounted to 2.3 mm, compared to 1.07 mm in
the decade before the hurricane. In the case of strongly bended pines, the average annual
increment has increased from 0.83 to 1.18 mm, and in leaning trees - from 1.02 to 1.26 mm. In
Norway spruce, radial increment before the hurricane was 2.24 mm, and after 2002 it has
increased to 3.73 mm.
References
Altman, J., Fibich P., Dolezal J., Aakala T. 2014. TRADER: A package for Tree Ring Analysis of
Disturbance Events in R. Dendrochronologia 32: 107-112.
Black, A.B., and Abrams, M.D. 2003. Use of boundary-line growth patterns as a basis for
dendroecological release criteria. Ecological Applications 13(6): 1733–1749.
A new 1394-year long tree-ring chronology Kungur (Eastern Tuva)
Taynik A.V.*1,2, Barinov V.V.1,2, Oidupaa O.Ch.3, Myglan V.S.1
1
– Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
– Siberian State Technological University, 660049 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
3 – Tuva State University, 667000 Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva, Russian Federation
2
Today, in the Republic of Tuva there are two tree-ring chronologies, a 2367-year long chronology
Mongun and a 1104-year long chronology Taris [Myglan et al., 2008; Oidupaa et al., 2011]. The
tree-ring chronology for Eastern Tuva is short [Oidupaa et al., 2011], hence we have tried to
extend it.
Between 2012 and 2014, we collected samples from living trees and from palaeo wood of Siberian
larch (L. sibirica Ldb.) site Kungur (2250 m a.s.l.) in an upper tree line forest on north-western
exposed slopes. The tree-ring chronology made from 168 samples is 1394 years long (EPS ≥ 0.85
from 805 to 2014). By comparing it Kungur with other tree-ring chronologies in the Altai-Sayan
region (Taris, Khalzan Khamar, Solongotyin Davaa, Suuleen Bagtraa), we detected growth changes
on a regional scale chronology Kungur [Taynik et al., 2015].
To elaborate the climate signal in the Kungur chronology, instrumental measurements at the
meteorological stations Erzin and Sosnovka were used. June–July temperature is most decisive to
TRW formation. With the help of linear regression, it was possible to reconstruct the early summer
temperature changes in Eastern Tuva for the last 1209 years.
Climatic signal in Norway spruce tree-ring width chronologies along an latitudinal
gradient in Poland and Scandinavia
Tomusiak R.*1, Moskwa A.2, Sewastynowicz Ł.2, Kędziora W.3, Orzechowski M.3, Wojtan R.1
1
– Sub-Department of Dendrometry and Forest Productivity, Warsaw University of Life Sciences –
SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
2 – Forestry Student Scientific Club, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
3 – Department of Forest Management Planning, Geomatics and Forest Economics, Warsaw
University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most widely recognized patterns in ecology.
We would like to verify the hypothesis that tree-growth response to climate conditions is also
changing along the latitudinal gradient. We performed an analysis for Norway spruce – a tree
species known for its very broad distribution range that reaches north of Arctic Circle (above 70
°N).
The specific objectives of the study were to identify and compare the climatic variables that most
strongly correlate with Norway spruce radial increments. The study areas were located in Central
Europe and Scandinavia along latitudinal gradients ranging from 51 and 54 °N in Poland, through
57 °N in Sweden, 61 °N in Norway, to 64 and 67 °N in Sweden.
The wood samples were collected with a Pressler drill from 15-20 trees of the highest biosocial
class in the stand, both in middle-aged and old Norway spruces in each study area. The increment
cores were mounted, sanded and scanned and the tree-ring widths were measured in the
CDendro package. The individual sequences after standardization and prewhitening were used to
construct residual chronologies for each site. The statistical relationships between climate and
tree growth were investigated by the DendroClim2002 program. As dependent variable, we used
tree-ring width time series, expressed in residual chronologies. Independent variables were the
monthly sum of precipitation and the average monthly temperature, beginning from July in the
previous-year growing season to September of the current year. The climatic data were obtained
from Climatic Research Unit database. We proved that the Norway spruce climate-growth
correlation pattern is changing along the latitudinal gradient.
Long-term species composition of natural regeneration after windthrow
disturbances in Norway spruce forest in Bulgaria
Tsvetanov N.*, Panayotov M., Yurukov S.
University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria
We studied natural regeneration dynamics in Parangalitsa forest reserve, Bulgaria. The forest
developed without serious human interventions for at least 200 years and was shaped by
windthrows with various size. It ranges from 1450 to 1950 m a.s.l. and is dominated by Norway
spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). In 1962 and 1983 windthrows affected respectively 22 ha and 4 ha
in Norway spruce-dominated forest patches with age above 150 years. After the 1962 windthrow
most of the fallen logs were extracted, which is the only known human intervention in the reserve,
whereas the windthrow of 1983 was left uncleared.
In all studied windthrows Picea abies and Sorbus aucuparia were the dominating regeneration
species. However, there were some differences related to the participation of pioneer species and
the share of Sorbus aucuparia. In the cleared windthrow of 1962 in the Parangalitsa Reserve
Norway spruce dominated the advance regeneration, as well as the initial and the secondary postdisturbance regeneration (64%, 62% and 51%, respectively), The participation of Rowan in the
advance regeneration was low (up to 2% of all saplings and trees) and increased slightly in the
initial and the secondary post-disturbance regeneration (7% and resp. 11%). Pioneer species from
the genera Salix, Betula and Pinus played a lower role and in total were less than 15% and
occurring mostly in the first decade after the disturbance.
In the uncleared windthrow of 1983 in the Parangalitsa Reserve the advance regeneration, as well
as post-disturbance regeneration were dominated by Picea abies (46% and 64%, respectively) and
Sorbus aucuparia (28% and 26%, respectively). The participation of the pioneer species Betula
pendula, Salix caprea, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus peuce in WT-1983 decreased slightly between the
initial post-disturbance regeneration and the more recently occurring one (respectively from 10%
to 7%).
Dating fire events in Pinus heldreichii forests by analysis of treering cores
Tsvetanova P.*, Shishkova V., Panayotov M.
University of Forestry, Dendrology Dept. Kliment Ohridski 10 Blvd., Sofia 1756, Bulgaria
Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii Christ, also known as Pinus leucodermis Antoine) is a relict species
found in isolated locations in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula and Southern Italy. The
forests are of high conservational value because they are extremely rich in rare and endemic plant
and mushroom species. Yet, the natural history and disturbance regime of Pinus heldreichii
ecosystems is not well understood. Fire traces show that fires played a major role, but there are
very limited historical data. Therefore, proxy methods to reconstruct past events have to be used.
The analysis of tree rings provides such opportunity. To our knowledge up to the moment there
has been no attempt to use tree ring cores from Pinus heldreichii to date fire events. Our aim was
therefore to test if tree-ring cores collected with an increment borer could successfully be used to
date fires and verify what traces were left by the events. We tested an approach with extracting
multiple cores from fire-scarred trees and closely standing trees without injuries. A total of 237
cores from 156 trees were collected from which we were able to date the majority of cores with
fire scars (94). Up to 83% of all sampled trees had additional growth reactions, mostly
suppressions of 5 to 10 years after the fire years. We found the exact fire years for 79 of the fire
samples, the remaining 15 samples were approximately dated. Based on our data we consider that
during the last 600 years in the research area there were at least 14 fires. Most remarkable were
the years 1724, 1803, 1855, 1885 and 1946 which were repeated in several locations.
VS-oscilloscope: non-linear “tree-ring growth-climate” relationship in Siberia
Tychkov I.I.*1, Shishov V.V.1, Popkova M.I.1, Vaganov E.A.1
1
– Siberian Federal University, Russian Federation
The VS-Oscilloscope (parameterization of the process-based Vaganov-Shashkin model) is capable
to simulate a non-linear tree-growth/climate relationship for different forest ecosystems in the
Northern Hemisphere based on a reasonable choosing of the model parameters.
A VS-oscilloscope was used to investigate non-linear tree-ring growth/response of Scots pine to
climate variations in semi-arid site in southern Siberia.
Significant correlations between initial tree-ring chronologies and simulated tree-ring growth
curves were obtained. Simulated results indicate that temperature is a critical factor during the
start and the end of growing season (May and August, respectively), and precipitation has a
significant influence during all other months. The results were verified by statistical analysis and
nature observations. Furthermore, a difference in tree-ring response to climate was analysed for
years in which wide and narrow treerings were formed. Our results show that the tree-ring width
is not determined by the length of the growing season but it is significantly depended on innerseasonal temperature and precipitation variations.
The Lazarus Code of the VS-oscilloscope and distributive package (free using license) can be
downloaded from the http://vs-genn.ru/downloads/. Technical questions can be addressed to
Ivan Tychkov: [email protected].
The work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (RSF project # 14-14-00219).
Growth stability of beech trees under drought stress in mixed compared to
monoculture patches
Vannoppen A.*1, Kint V.1, Ponette Q.2, Muys B.1
1
2
– Division of Forest, Nature and Landscape, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
– Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Drought, especially between bud burst and the end of July, can have a serious impact on the
growth of beech (Fagus sylvatica) (Scharnweber et al., 2011). With the changing climate, periods
of drought are expected to increase in the coming years. It is thus important to increase our
understanding about the effect of drought on the growth of beech in interaction with
management, in order to advise forest managers. Mixed forests are proven to be more resilient to
biotic and abiotic changes compared to monoculture forests (Perot et al., 2013; Jucker et al.,
2014). In order to study if beeches growing in more diverse stands are more resilient to drought
compared to these that grow in monoculture stands, a unique platform was set up in Belgium.
Beeches growing in forest patches of different tree diversity (from monocultures to
neighborhoods of up to 3 species) and tree species composition were selected. The design of the
platform allows us to differentiate the effects of tree species diversity, as well as tree species
identity on the growth of beech. Historical climate data of precipitation and temperature and the
Thornthwaite (1948) moisture index for the period June-July-August are used to identify drought
years. Tree cores were taken from selected beeches and tree-ring widths were measured. These
tree-ring width data allow us to investigate if there is a mitigation of negative effects of drought by
tree-species diversity or tree-species identity on beech tree growth. In addition, tree-ring width
based indices (resilience, recovery and resistance) that characterize growth change due to drought
are calculated and compared between beeches growing in patches with different tree diversity.
References
Jucker, T., Bouriaud, O., Avacaritei, D., Coomes, D.A., 2014. Stabilizing effects of diversity on
aboveground wood production in forest ecosystems: linking patterns and processes. Ecol. Lett.
n/a–n/a.
Perot, T., Vallet, P., Archaux, F., 2013. Growth compensation in an oak–pine mixed forest following
an outbreak of pine sawfly (Diprion pini). For. Ecol. Manag. 295, 155–161.
Scharnweber, T., Manthey, M., Criegee, C., Bauwe, A., Schröder, C., Wilmking, M., 2011. Drought
matters – Declining precipitation influences growth of Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. in
north-eastern Germany. For. Ecol. Manag. 262, 947–961.
Thornthwaite, C.W., 1948. An Approach toward a Rational Classification of Climate. Geogr. Rev.
38, 55–94.
Experimental plant ecology meets dendroecology: On the effects of climate and
extreme weather events towards the cold distribution margin of European beech
(Fagus sylvatica L.)
Weigel R.*1, Klisz M.2, van der Maaten E.1, van der Maaten-Theunissen M.1, Muffler L.1, Kreyling
J.1
1
– University of Greifswald, Institute of Botany & Landscape Ecology, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
– Forest Research Institute, Department of Silviculture and Genetics of Forest Trees, 05-090
Raszyn, Poland
2
Analysing the response of plant productivity to weather events and climate is part of research in
both dendroecology and experimental plant ecology. Despite the potential of the two disciplines
to profit from each other, scientific exchange between them and a combination of their methods
are, however, scarce. Hence, we present a dendroecological study that will form the basis for an
upcoming gradient experiment, analysing the response of adult beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.)
towards manipulations of winter climate change. The project includes 9 sites along a strong
gradient of decreasing (winter) mean temperature from Rostock, Germany, to Kartuzy, Poland. By
analysing the growth signal of at least 20 individual trees per site, we could identify sets of trees
with representative climate signals for each site. These trees will be used for climate
manipulations in future (i.e. reduction vs. increase of snow cover in winter and control). We
expect stronger impacts of extreme experimental weather events in winter on tree growth
towards the cold margins of the distribution range of Fagus sylvatica (i.e. Kartuzy). We also expect
to find respective evidence in tree-ring data. Here, we present the results from the
dendroecological study answering the questions i) how do climate−growth relationships differ
between the study sites, ii) whether the number of (winter extreme-related) growth depressions
increases towards the cold distribution margin of Fagus sylvatica, and iii) how masting and tree
growth interact along the gradient. Overall, our study will provide insight into climate sensitivity
and effects of extreme weather events particularly during winter Thereby it will increase our
understanding of distributional range limits.
Landslide hazard assessment with the use of tree-ring eccentricity – applied
dendrogeomorphology
Wistuba M.*1, Malik I.1
1
– University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Department of Reconstructing
Environmental Change, Poland
Trees, which grow on active landslide slopes have stems deformed by ground instability. In tilted
and bent stems uneven mechanical strains influence the structure of wood formed. Thus stem
deformations and landslide activity are recorded year-by-year in tree rings. In our study we
attempt to answer three questions: (1) can tree-ring eccentricity be used to determine the level of
landslide hazard on forested mountain slopes? (2) can tree-ring eccentricity be used to determine
the temporal changes in the level of landslide hazard on a certain slope? and by this (3) is it
possible to predict landslide catastrophes and provide efficient warning against them with the use
of tree-ring eccentricity?
We have studied tree-ring eccentricity among Norway spruce growing on a landslide in Milówka
village (max 1020 m a.s.l., Carpathian Mts, southern Poland, Central Europe). In consequence of
heavy rainfalls in May-June 2010 the landslide, formerly considered as stable, was abruptly
activated. In 2012-13, in the area affected we have taken 180 cores from 45 spruce trees (4 cores
from each tree). We have found that in sampled trees not only the heavy landsliding in 2010 was
recorded, but also: (1) symptoms of older landslide catastrophe from >50 years ago were
detected, (2) average frequency of minor events in 1945-2010 was determined as high (up to 4,5
events per 10 years), (3) symptoms of slope instability during 10-20 years before 2010
catastrophe, increasing especially in 2002-2010 (initial landsliding). Thus analyses of eccentricity
are a promising approach for determining landslide hazard and warning against risk of
catastrophic landsliding.
A dendrochronological analysis of common ash in Poland
Wojtan R.*, Tomusiak R.
Laboratory of Dendrometry and Forest Productivity, Faculty of Forestry, WULS-SGGW, Warsaw,
Poland
The study presents the analysis of the response of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) growing in
Poland to climate conditions. The data were collected in 10 study areas in various places in Poland.
Residual chronologies were built and correlated with monthly temperature and precipitation
parameters. Significantly positive correlations between precipitation and radial growth in spring
and at the beginning of summer were observed. Negative correlations with mean monthly
temperature were detected for April and June. The analysis of pointer years shows, that a warm
winter and cool spring with a high amount of precipitation positively influence radial growth. In
years with a hot spring and a low amount of precipitation, negative pointing years were observed.
Tree-ring dating of historical Russian monuments in Eastern Siberia in XVII-XVIII
centuries
Zharnikov Z.Yu.*, Sidorova M.O., Myglan V.S.
Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia Federation
Currently, dendrochronological analysis of wooden architecture monuments in Eastern Siberia in
XVII-XVIII centuries follows two ways. The first is the dating of wooden construction remains,
which were discovered during archaeological excavations. The second is the dating of preserved
architectural monuments, which despite of documentary evidence needs to be clarified (because
of paucity and fragmented historical sources).
We investigated the archaeological timbers from Stadukhinsky burg (Republic of Yakutia). The
results showed three periods of its reconstruction: the first half of the XVII century, the first
decade of the XVIII century, the forties of the XVIII century. However, the paucity of material did
not allow to make more detailed analysis. We also dated the archaeological timbers of the
Staroturukhansk (Krasnoyarsk Krai). It was found six reconstruction stages: the first (lower) (16491667); the second (1667-1677); the third (1676-1700); the fourth (1700-1709); the fifth and sixth
stages, being started 1709 and 1718 respectively. Our results showed the possibility of
chronological reconstructions of the Siberian monuments, whereas traditional stratigraphic
analysis did not allow to do.
The comparative analysis of historical information and the results of dendrochronological
investigations of monuments in the open-air museums were carried out. We dated six most
famous wooden architecture objects. The Spasskaya tower and the Kazan Church in Ilimskiy burg
were dated 1667-1669 and 1679 respectively. The North and the South towers of the Kazym burg
were dated 1745. In these cases, our research confirmed the dates of historical sources. The
dating of the South-West tower of Bratsk burg (1684-1685) and the Spasskaya Church in
Zashiversk (1711) disproved describing in the historical articles data.
Thus, the dendrochronology has shown high resolution of historical monuments dating of Eastern
Siberia in the XVII-XVIII centuries. It allowed to fill significantly chronological gaps in the Siberian
colonization history.
This work was supported by the Russian Humanitarian Science Foundation (15-31-01005).
Species-specific signature of hydrogen isotopes in Larix decidua Mill. and Pinus
cembra L. in multi-millennial tree -ring records
Ziehmer M.M.*1,2, Nicolussi K.3, Schlüchter C.4, Leuenberger M.1,2
1
– Climate and Environmental Physics, Physics Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
– Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
3 – Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
4 – Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
2
Tree rings represent a unique high-resolution archive to reconstruct climate of the past. The
various proxies as well as their combination in multi-proxy approaches enable the reconstruction
of climatic variables on various timescales.
Recent finds of wood remains in glacier forefields, peat bogs and small lakes offer the opportunity
to investigate tree rings on multi-millennial scales over almost the entire Holocene. The presented
project seeks to reconstruct environmental conditions over the Holocene by using a multi-proxy
approach which combines tree-ring width with the simultaneous measurement of carbon, oxygen
and hydrogen isotopes. Additionally, sampling sites of living trees near the glacier sites were
chosen in order to connect the Holocene samples to the present. Both the Holocene and the
recent samples consist of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) and European larch (Larix decidua
Mill.) allowing us to compare tree growth between the species over time.
The hydrogen isotope time series of tree rings reveal a remarkable offset between the individual
series of Swiss stone pine and European larch where the records of European larch are depleted
by -40 to -60 ‰ in comparison to the stone pineseries. These shifts are observable for the Early
and Mid-Holocene as well as for the present data and thereby, point to differences in their
biochemistry pathways and/or contribution for the deciduous and evergreen species. Further, the
δD records of the recent wood samples are depleted by -10 to -20 ‰ compared to the Early and
Mid-Holocene records, which can be either due to an altitude effect, a change in temperature or in
the precipitation signal. In this study, we try to disentangle the individual effects by utilizing the
simultaneously measured δ13C and the δ18O to estimate the changes in the environmental
conditions. In this regard the multi-parameter approach is essential.
Identifying the disturbance history from tree-rings over a large area of larch–
spruce mountain forest
Zielonka T.*1, Holeksa J.2, Żywiec M.3, Fleischer P.4
1
– Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, ul. Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków,
Poland
2 – Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Biology, Department of Plant Ecology and Environment
Protection, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
3 – Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Lubicz 46, 31-512 Kraków, Poland
4 – Research Station, State Forests of Tatra National Park, Tatranská Lomnica, Slovakia
The aim of the study was to identify the past disturbance regime in mixed Larix decidua–Picea
abies forests in the Tatras (Western Carpathians) over the large spatial scale. In the regular grid
covering 2000 ha we collected 130 cross-sections from the oldest stumps of spruce or larch. The
history of the stand was reconstructed using data on reaction wood production, radial growth
release and tree establishment. With these data we were able to reconstruct 200 years of
disturbance history. In that period we distinguished 13 disturbance episodes. The temporal
sequence of disturbance signals begins usually with the production of compression wood,
followed by growth releases and finally by tree recruitment in gaps. This sequence suggests that
wind-driven disturbances prevailed in the 19th and 20th centuries. They were more extensive in
the 19th century but their frequency in the two centuries was similar. The intervals between
severe windstorms were long enough for dense stands to form, which were easily blown down
over wide areas, but the intervals were short enough to enable light-demanding L. decidua to
grow in stands of shade-tolerant P. abies.
How old are the Białowieża Forest stands? – a review of dendrochronological data
until 2015
Zin E.*1,2, Pilch K.1, Sańczyk P.1
1
– Forest Research Institute (IBL), Department of Natural Forests, Park Dyrekcyjny 6, 17-230
Białowieża, Poland
2 – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre,
P.O. Box 49, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
The Białowieża Forest, located at the border between NE Poland and W Belarus, is one of the best
preserved old-growth forests in temperate lowland Europe, acknowledged as a model ecosystem
and important reference area for the continent, where natural processes of forest dynamics still
can be studied. Although it has a substantial history of scientific interest and work on ecology and
dynamics of both its ecosystems and different taxa, the empirical data on maximum ages and
long-term regeneration dynamics of the main tree species is surprisingly limited.
Our study was aimed at reviewing all dendrochronological studies on the Białowieża Forest
published until 2015, both the ones using strict dendrochronological techniques as cross dating
and the ones applying tree ring counts to age the trees. We summarize the previous work with the
focus on location, sample size, material type, data time span and the tree-ring methods used. We
discuss the limitations and advantages of different data sets and of dendrochronological
approaches and techniques. Finally we identify the knowledge gaps, research needs and
perspectives for future studies.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Iullia
Achikolova
Michał
Adamus
Mátyás
Árvai
Georg
von Arx
Daniel
Balanzategui
Valentin V.
Barinov
Joanna
Barniak
Wolfgang
Beck
Jesper
Björklund
Katrin
Böhm
Faruk
Bojaxhi
Achim
Bräuning
Camilla Francesca
Brunello
Allan
Buras
Daniele
Castagneri
Anna
Francisca
Cedro
Chiriloaei
Longina
Chojnacka-Ożga
Łukasz
Ciesielski
Małgorzata
Danek
Henryk P.
Dąbrowski
Siberian Federal University,
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
University of Agriculture in Kraków,
Poland
Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest,
Hungary
Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,
Snow and Landscape Research WSL,
German Research Centre for
Geosciences & Humboldt University,
Potsdam, Germany
Siberian Federal University, Siberian
State University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
AGH - University of Science and
Technology, Kraków, Poland
Thünen Institute of Forerst
Ecosystems, Eberswalde, Germany
Department of Geography, Johannes
Gutenberg University, Mainz,
Germany
Kosovo Forest Agency, Prishtina,
Kosovo
Institute of Geography, University
Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
Germany
Helmholtz Zentrum Potsdam – GFZ
Potsdam, Germany
Free University of Bozen, Bolzano,
Italy
Ecoclimatology, Technische
Universität München, Freising,
Germany
Department of Land, Environment,
Agriculture and Forestry, Univeristy
of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
Szczecin University, Poland
Ștefan cel Mare University, Suceava,
Romania
Faculty of Forestry, Warsaw
University of Life Sciences SGGW,
Poland
Faculty of Earth Sciences, University
of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland
Archaeological Museum in Biskupin,
Poland
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Lucía
Maria
Josie
DeSoto
Domnina
Duffy
CFE - University of Coimbra, Portugal
University of Cologne, Germany
Swansea University, UK
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Dieter
Eckstein
[email protected]
Elham
Elzami
Hanna
Emberger
Daniil
Fedotov
Aleksey
Fertikov
Zeynab
Foroozan
Monika
Franek
David
Frank
Thomas
Frank
Daniel
Gawior
Holger
Gärtner
Eyob Gebrehiwot
Gebregeorgis
Aster
Gebrekirstos
Francesco
Giammarchi
Laura
Giese
Barbara
Gmińska-Nowak
Michał
Godek
Jozica
Gričar
Björn
Günther
Claudia
Hartl-Meier
Minhui
He
Gerhard
Helle
Karl-Uwe
Heussner
Philipp
Hochreuther
University of Hamburg, Centre of
Wood Sciences, Division Wood
Biology
Germany
Dendrolabor, Bayerisches Landesamt
für Denkmalpflege, Thierhaupten,
Germany
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Germany
Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology,
University of Cologne, Germany
Nicolaus Copernicus University,
Toruń, Poland
World Agroforestry Institute,
Nairobi, Kenya
Faculty of Science and Technology,
Free University of Bolzano, Italy
Geosciences, Universität Potsdam,
Germany
Faculty of Fine Arts, Nicolaus
Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
University of Wrocław, Department
of Climatology and Atmoshpere
Protection
Slovenian Forestry Institute,
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Technische Universität, Dresden,
Germany
Johannes Gutenberg-University,
Mainz, Germany
Cold and Arid Regions Environmental
and Engineering Research Institute,
Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Lanzhou, China
German Research Centre for
Geosciences GFZ, Potsdam, Germany
German Archeological Institut,
Berlin, Germany
Germany
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ru
Huang
Karolina
Janecka
Alexander
Janus
Aleksandra
Jasińska
Tomasz
Jerczyński
Marek
Ježík
Jianmin
Jiang
Ryszard
Kaczka
Jakub
Kašpar
Nils Valentin
Kern
Zoltán
Kern
Stefan
Klesse
Lara
Klippel
Marcin
Klisz
Natallia
Knysh
Paweł
Kojs
Oliver
Konter
Marcin
Koprowski
Anita
Kostadinova
Marek
Krąpiec
Veronica
Kuznetsova
Alienor
Lavergne
Jiří
Lehejček
Institute of Tibetan Plateau
Research, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing, China
German Archeological Institut,
Berlin, Germany
Department of Forest Botany,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences
SGGW, Poland
Poland
Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak
Academy of Sciences, Zvolen,
Slovakia
China Meteorological Administration
Training Centre, Beijing, China
Faculty of Science, Charles University
in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Department of Ecology and
Ecosystem Management, Technical
University of Munich, Freising,
Germany
Institute for Geological and
Geochemical Research, Research
Centre for Astronomy and Earth
Johannes Gutenberg University,
Mainz, Germany
Forest Research Institute, Sękocin
Stary, Poland
Institute of Experimental Botany,
National Academy of Science of
Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
Silesian Botanical Garden, Mikołów,
Poland
Johannes Gutenberg University,
Mainz, Germany
Chair of Ecology and Biogeography,
Faculty of Biology and Environment
Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus
University, Toruń, Poland
Dendrology Department, University
of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Sofia,
Bulgaria
Institute of Geography, Russian
Academy of Sciences, Moscow,
Russia
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et
de l’Environnement
Faculty of Forestry and Wood
Sciences, CULS, Prague, Czech
Republic
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected],
[email protected]
[email protected];
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected],
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Martin
Lexa
Katarzyna
Łuszczyńska
Ireneusz
Malik
Valentino
Edurne
Elisabet
Marini Govigli
Martinez del
Castillo
Martínez Sancho
Neil
Matthews
Paweł
Matulewski
Matthew
Meko
Matthias
Meyer
Andrei
Mursa
Elżbieta
Vladimir S.
Muter
Myglan
Viorica
Nagavciuc
Constantin
Nechita
Kurt
Nicolussi
Jörg
Niederberger
Tadeusz
Niedźwiedź
Daniel
Nievergelt
Annika
Oertel
Gulzar T.
Omurova
Magdalena
Opała
Piotr
Owczarek
Wojciech
Ożga
Stefan
Panka
Shankar
Panthi
Maren
Pauly
Czech University of Life Sciences,
Prague, Czech Republic
University of Ioannina, Greece
University of Zaragoza, Spain
[email protected]
Department of Ecology and
Ecosystem Management, Technische
Universität München, Freising,
Germany
Department of Geography, College of
Science, Swansea University, United
Kingdom
Adam Mickiewicz University in
Poznań, Poland
Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research,
University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
Molecular tree physiology group, TU
Dresden, Germany
Ștefan cel Mare University, Suceava,
Romania
University of Agriculture in Krakow
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Faculty of Forestry, Ștefan cel Mare
University, Suceava, Romania
National Institute for Research and
Development in Forestry "Marin
Drăcea" – INCDS, Ilfov, Romania
Institute of Geography, University of
Innsbruck, Austra
Chair of Silviculture, University of
Freiburg, Germany
Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Institute of Geography and Regional
Development, University of
Wroclaw, Poland
Poland
Landeskompetenzzentrum Forst,
Eberswalde, Germany
[email protected]
Tree Ring and Environmental Change
Group, Xishuangbanna Tropical
Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Menglun, China
Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum
GFZ, Potsdam, Germany
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
.uk; [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Elena
Pellizzari
Richard
Peters
Simona
Peteva
Alma
Piermattei
Kamil
Pilch
Margarita
Popkova
Peter
Prislan
Radosław
Puchałka
Paweł
Rutkiewicz
Seyedehmasoumeh
Saderi
Alina
Samusevich
Paweł
Sańczyk
Ute
Sass-Klaassen
Tobias
Scharnweber
Rohan
Shetti
Velislava
Shishkova
Mayya
Sidorova
Liliana
Siekacz
Nongthombam
Dhirendra
Singh
Viktoriya
Slobodchikova
Franziska
Andreea Petronela
Slotta
Spinu
Barbara
Spyt
Irina
Sviderskaya
Elżbieta
Norbert
SzychowskaKrąpiec
Szymański
Maria
Tabakova
Department of Land, Environment,
Agriculture and Forestry, Univeristy
of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
Faculty of Biology, St. Kl. Ohridski
University of Sofia, Bulgaria
Forest Research Institute, Białowieża,
Poland
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Slovenian Forestry Institute,
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Faculty of Biology and Environment
Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus
University, Toruń, Poland
National Institute for Agricultural
Research INRA, Nancy, France
Czech University of Life Sciences,
Prague, Czech Republic
Forest Research Institute, Białowieża,
Poland
Wageningen University, the
Netherlands
Institute for Botany and Landscape
Ecology, University of Greifswald,
Germany
Institute of Botany and Landscape
Ecology, Ernst Moritz Arndt
University, Greifswald, Germany
Dendrology Department, Faculty of
Forestry, University of Forestry,
Sofia, Bulgaria
Adam Mickiewicz University in
Poznań, Poland
Centre Of Advanced Study in Life
Sciences, Manipur University,
Imphal, India
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Faculty of Forestry, University of
Agriculture in Kraków, Poland
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]/sppeteva
@uni-sofia.bg
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Anna V.
Taynik
Ernesto
Achyut
Tejedor Vargas
Tiwari
Robert
Tomusiak
Václav
Treml
Kerstin
Treydte
Nickolay
Tsvetanov
Jan
Tumajer
Astrid
Vannoppen
Valentina
Vitali
Julia
Weidemüller
Robert
Weigel
Bogdan
Wertz
Martin
Małgorzata
Wilmking
Wistuba
Rafał
Wojtan
Adam
Wójcicki
Piotr
Wrzesiński
Chuixiang
Yi
Stefan
Yurukov
Zakhar Yu.
Zharnikov
Malin Michelle
Ziehmer
Tomasz
Zielonka
Ewa
Zin
University of Zaragoza, Spain
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical
Garden, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Menglun, China
Poland
Faculty of Science, Charles
University, Prague, Czech Republic
Sofia, Bulgaria
Department of Physical Geography
and Geoecology, Faculty of Science,
Charles University, Prague, Czech
Republic
Geo-instituut, Catholic University KU,
Leuven-Heverlee, Belgium
University of Freiburg, Germany
Historische Geographie,
Geographisches Institut, University
of Bonn, Germany
Institute of Botany and Landscape
Ecology, University of Greifswald,
Germany
Faculty of Forestry, University of
Agriculture in Kraków, Poland
University Greifswald, Germany
Poland
Stary, Poland
Stary, Poland
Queens College, City University of
New York, USA
Sofia, Bulgaria
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Climate and Environmental Physics,
University of Bern, Switzerland
Institute of Biology, Pedagogical
Uniwersity of Cracow, Poland
Forest Research Institute,
Department of Natural Forests;
Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences (SLU), Southern Swedish
Forest Research Centre
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected];
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected];
[email protected]
21-22
22-23
poster
session
poster
session
conference
sessions
break
fast**
lunch
12:1514:00
conf.
session
and
closing
mid-conference
field trip (late
option)
lunch
12:1514:00
**
Sunday 15
May 2016
bus Białowieża Warsaw
Saturday
14 May 2016
breakfast
conference
sessions
lunch
12:1514:00
break
fast**
mid-conference field
trip (early option)
registra
tion
conference
opening and
sessions
break
fast**
Friday
13 May 2016
conference
sessions
reg.*
short courses (including
lunch 12:15-14:00)
registra
tion
bus WarsawBiałowieża
pre-conference field trip
break
fast**
Thursday
12 May 2016
ATR
meeting
conference
diner
20-21
reg.*
19-20
Wednesday
11 May 2016
break
fast**
5-6
6-7
7-8
8-9
9-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
Tuesday
10 May 2016
ice-breaker
reception***
Monday
9 May 2016
23-24
* registration for pre-conference excursion and short courses; ** breakfast included in accommodation fee for participants staying in Białowieża National Park Guest House, Gawra
Hotel and “Pokoje Ireny” accommodation; *** outdoor reception, please mind that it may be chilly in the evening

trace 2016 proceedings

Transcription

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