Abstract:

Abstract: Tree-0ring cores of Pinus massoniana were collected from different elevations of Zigui County, Three-Gorge reservoir area in China. Tree-ring width chronologies including RES and STD were established using standard dendrochronological methods, respectively. The relationship of P. massoniana radial growth with climatic factors of different elevations was assessed by dendrochronological techniques including correlation functions and single-years analysis. Finally the correlation model between tree-ring width index and climatic factors in the different elevations was simulated by multi-factor regression. The results showed that the character of ring width index of P. massoniana was different for the altitude gradients due to complex topographic. The ring growth in different elevations had a significantly different response to temperature and precipitation. In normal climatic conditions, the growth at 300 m elevation was significantly affected by mean monthly precipitation and humid index in previous June and October. There was no significant correlation to climatic factors of the current year. The growth at 600 m elevation was significantly correlated to temperature in previous June and mean monthly precipitation and humid index in current July. At 900 m the growth was not only affected by temperature of current February, but also affected by mean precipitation and humid index of this December. The relationship was verified by single year analysis.

Key words: Key words: tree-ring, Pinus massoniana, growth, climate change, Three-Gorge reservoir area