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Influence of snowfall and melt timing on tree growth in subarctic Eurasia

Author

Listed:
  • E. A. Vaganov

    (Institute of Forest SB RAS)

  • M. K. Hughes

    (Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona)

  • A. V. Kirdyanov

    (Institute of Forest SB RAS)

  • F. H. Schweingruber

    (Swiss Federal Institute of Forest, Snow and Landscape Research)

  • P. P. Silkin

    (Institute of Forest SB RAS)

Abstract

The causes of a reduced sensitivity of high-latitude tree growth to variations in summer temperature for recent decades1,2, compared to earlier this century, are unknown. This sensitivity change is problematic, in that relationships between tree-ring properties and temperature are widely used for reconstructing past climate. Here we report an analysis of tree-ring and climate data from the forest–tundra zone, in combination with a mechanistic model of tree-ring growth, to argue that an increasing trend of winter precipitation over the past century in many subarctic regions3,4,5 led to delayed snow melt in these permafrost environments. As a result, the initiation of cambial activity (necessary for the formation of wood cells) has been delayed relative to the pre-1960 period in the Siberian subarctic. Since the early 1960s, less of the growth season has been during what had previously been the period of maximal growth sensitivity to temperature. This shift results not only in slower growth, but also in a reduced correlation between growth and temperature. Our results suggest that changes in winter precipitation should be considered in seeking explanations for observed changes in the timing of the ‘spring greening’ of high-latitude forests6, and should be taken into account in the study of the role of the Siberian subarctic forest in the global carbon cycle.

Suggested Citation

  • E. A. Vaganov & M. K. Hughes & A. V. Kirdyanov & F. H. Schweingruber & P. P. Silkin, 1999. "Influence of snowfall and melt timing on tree growth in subarctic Eurasia," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6740), pages 149-151, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:400:y:1999:i:6740:d:10.1038_22087
    DOI: 10.1038/22087
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    Cited by:

    1. Gehrig-Fasel, Jacqueline & Guisan, Antoine & Zimmermann, Niklaus E., 2008. "Evaluating thermal treeline indicators based on air and soil temperature using an air-to-soil temperature transfer model," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 213(3), pages 345-355.
    2. Koichi Takahashi & Isao Okuhara, 2013. "Forecasting the effects of global warming on radial growth of subalpine trees at the upper and lower distribution limits in central Japan," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 117(1), pages 273-287, March.
    3. O. Sidorova & R. Siegwolf & V. Myglan & D. Ovchinnikov & V. Shishov & G. Helle & N. Loader & M. Saurer, 2013. "The application of tree-rings and stable isotopes for reconstructions of climate conditions in the Russian Altai," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(1), pages 153-167, September.
    4. Yingchang Li & Mingyang Li & Yuehui Wang, 2022. "Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation and Response to Climate Change Based on Remote Sensing Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-27, October.

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