Warming-induced drought leads to tree growth decline in subtropics: Evidence from tree rings in central China

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.964400
• Publication Date: 2022-09-23T12:22:52Z
• Authors: Mengdan Jing; Liangjun Zhu; Shuguang Liu; Yang Cao; Yu Zhu; Wende Yan
• Keywords: Pinus massoniana

Subtropical forests provide diverse ecosystem services to human society. However, how subtropical tree species respond climate change is still unclear. Using a dendrochronological method, we studied the radial growth patterns and species-specific responses of four main in China recent warming drought. Results showed that long-term drought caused by global reduced precipitation since 1997 had resulted decline Pinus massoniana, Castanea henryi Castanopsis eyrei but not for Liquidambar formosana. Four similar sensitivities previous year current year, which probably due carryover effect temporal autocorrelation data. Tree was positively correlated with growing season relative humidity while negatively vapor pressure deficit. The negative relationship temperatures summer positive correlation gradually strengthened after 1997. Therefore, highlighted drought-induced common phenomenon, it needed verify more tree-ring studies on large scale. are obvious, they should be considered regional carbon balance forest dynamics. Considering future change, tolerant as potential plantation species.