Fir decline and mortality in the southern Siberian Mountains

Описание

Тип публикации: статья из журнала

Год издания: 2017

Идентификатор DOI: 10.1007/s10113-016-1073-5

Ключевые слова: Abies sibirica, Climate change, Climate-induced tree mortality, Conifer mortality, Drought, Forest die-off, Tree pathogens, Water stress

Аннотация: Increased dieback and mortality of “dark needle conifer” (DNC) stands (composed of fir (Abies sibirica), Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica) and spruce (Picea obovata)) were documented in Russia during recent decades. Here we analyzed spatial and temporal patterns of fir decline and mortality in the southern Siberian Mountains based on Показать полностьюsatellite, in situ and dendrochronological data. The studied stands are located within the boundary between DNC taiga to the north and forest-steppe to the south. Fir decline and mortality were observed to originate where topographic features contributed to maximal water-stress risk, i.e., steep (18°–25°), convex, south-facing slopes with a shallow well-drained root zone. Fir regeneration survived droughts and increased stem radial growth, while upper canopy trees died. Tree ring width (TRW) growth negatively correlated with vapor pressure deficit (VPD), drought index and occurrence of late frosts, and positively with soil water content. Previous year growth conditions (i.e., drought index, VPD, soil water anomalies) have a high impact on current TRW (r = 0.60–0.74). Fir mortality was induced by increased water stress and severe droughts (as a primary factor) in synergy with bark-beetles and fungi attacks (as secondary factors). Dendrochronology data indicated that fir mortality is a periodic process. In a future climate with increased aridity and drought frequency, fir (and Siberian pine) may disappear from portions of its current range (primarily within the boundary with the forest-steppe) and is likely to be replaced by drought-tolerant species such as Pinus sylvestris and Larix sibirica. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

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Издание

Журнал: Regional Environmental Change

Выпуск журнала: Vol. 17, Is. 3

Номера страниц: 803-812

Персоны

  • Kharuk Viacheslav I. (Sukachev Inst Forest, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Siberian Fed Univ, Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
  • Im Sergei T. (Sukachev Inst Forest, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Siberian Fed Univ, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Siberian State Aerosp Univ, Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
  • Petrov Ilya A. (Sukachev Inst Forest, Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
  • Dvinskaya Mariya L. (Sukachev Inst Forest, Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
  • Fedotova Elena V. (Sukachev Inst Forest, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Siberian Fed Univ, Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
  • Ranson Kenneth J. (NASA, Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA)