Tree Ring Width Responses of Pinus densiflora and Robinia pseudoacacia to Climate Variation in the Mount Tai Area of Northern China

Abstract

To effectively combat climate change and put plans in place to enhance the health and quality of forests, research on the connections between long-term climate change and tree ring width is essential. Here, Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. in the Mount Tai area were studied. Specifically, their tree ring width characteristics were investigated according to the principles of dendrochronology, based on the analysis of multiyear climate data (1972–2022). The results showed that (1) the variation in tree ring width of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. generally decreased. Its basal area increment sequence presented a “growth-decline” change process. The trend for Robinia pseudoacacia L. was stability at first and then a reduction. Its basal area increment sequence presented a “growth-stabilization” change process. (2) The standard chronologies of both tree species contained more environmental information than the residual chronologies, rendering the former more appropriate for analysis. (3) The tree ring width of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. was positively correlated with the mean maximum temperature in February, March, and July, the mean temperature in May, and the mean precipitation in December of the previous year and June of the current year. The tree ring width of Robinia pseudoacacia L. was positively correlated with the mean and maximum temperatures in October of the previous year, the mean maximum temperature in May of the current year, and the mean temperature in July of the current year. This variable was positively correlated with the mean precipitation in November of the previous year and July of the current year but negatively correlated with the mean minimum temperature in November of the previous year and the mean temperature in December of the current year. (4) During 1987–1988, 1994–1995, 2005–2006, and 2018–2019, the tree ring width was restricted by rising temperatures and low precipitation, with variations in tree ring width observed in various hydrological periods. (5) The moisture index, followed by the warmth index, precipitation and temperature, was the primary climate factor determining the tree ring width in both tree species.