Effect of Tree Size Heterogeneity on the Overall Growth Trend of Trees in Coniferous Forests of the Tibetan Plateau

Author:

Wang Yuelin1,Shu Shumiao2,Wang Xiaodan3,Chen Wende1

Affiliation:

1. College of Tourism and Urban–Rural Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China

2. Tuojiang River Basin High-Quality Development Research Center, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641000, China

3. Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China

Abstract

Tree growth is under the combined influence of abiotic and biotic factors. Trees with different sizes may respond differently to these factors, implying that tree size heterogeneity may also modulate the overall growth trend. To test this hypothesis, we focused on the radial growth trends of natural subalpine forests on the Tibetan Plateau. We first extended the iterative growth model (IGM) to the tree ring scale (IGMR) to test the applicability of the generalized metabolic growth theory to tree growth. As predicted by the IGMR, the radial growth of trees at the aggregate scale is constrained by a unimodal pattern. Using the IGMR, we reconstructed the historical best growth trajectory (HBGT) of trees within the same community based on the tree with the largest radius and/or longest age in the community. From the average difference between the HBGT and the current radial growth rate of trees with different sizes, we constructed an indicator that can measure the overall variation in tree radial growth. Based on this indicator, we found a negative effect of tree size heterogeneity on the overall variability of tree growth across elevations. Further analysis also revealed that the radial growth rate of trees on the Tibetan Plateau has increased significantly compared to the past, where the growing season average temperature and annual minimum temperature were negatively and positively correlated with tree growth below and above the treeline, respectively. Our study not only confirmed that the overall variability of tree growth depends on tree size heterogeneity but also proposed an indicator that reveals net changes in the tree radial growth rate relative to the past. These theoretical advances are highly beneficial for understanding changes in the extent of subalpine forests.

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China

Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Forestry

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