Abstract:

Abstract: Based on the natural distribution of Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, three cone size traits (cone length, cone width, and cone length/width ratio) were measured for the cones collected from natural stands of P. schrenkiana var. tianschanica in five sites (Zhaosu, Gongliu, Wusu, Urumqi and Hami) of different longitudes(81°05′—93°41.5′E) in Tianshan Mountains with similar latitude. Cones were collected from the lower limit to the upper limit of P. schrenkiana var. tianschanica.The aim is to analyze the variation of cone size traits along the altitudinal and longitudinal gradient. The results showed that the cone size varied with different range of altitude in each longitude site. The cone length and the ratio of cone length to width decreased along the altitudinal gradient, while the cone width did not significantly change along the altitudinal gradient.The variation of cone width was lower than that of cone length at each site of longitude. The cone size traits varied with altitude, slope and longitude. The variation of cone length was mainly influenced by the altitude and slope, while the variation of cone width was mainly influenced by the longitude, however, variation of the ratio of cone length to width was influenced by altitude, slope and longitude.

Key words: Key words: Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica, geographical variation, altitudinal gradient, longitudinal gradient, cone size, Tianshan Mountains