Effect of altitude on climate-growth relationships of Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii) in the northern Funiu Mountain, central China

摘要: We developed three tree-ring width chronologies of Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii) along an altitudinal gradient on the same slope northern Funiu Mountain, central China. Chronological statistics indicate that there are higher mean sensitivity (M.S.) and standard deviation (S.D.) at high-altitude site while signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) expressed population signal (EPS) low-altitude site. Correlation analyses between climate factors temperature is main limiting factor, discrepant response tree growth exists different altitudes. Mean maximum temperatures in May have significant negative correlations with mid high altitudes, all April show positive altitude minimum August shows correlation It evident limit to strengthened increasing altitude. Tree also precipitation altitude, from prior December current February scPDSI (self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index) July relative humidity June Stability climate–growth responses by moving continuous low altitudes since 2000 but discontinuously July–September before 2003 after 1995. The strong November 1990 may had induced drought stress radial mid-altitude