Effects of altitude and slope on the climate-radial growth relationships of Larix olgensis A. Henry in the southern Lesser Khingan Mountains, Northeast China

Background The relationship between climate and radial growth of trees exhibits spatial variation due to environmental changes. Therefore, elucidation of how the growth-climate responses of trees vary in space is essential for understanding forest growth dynamics to facilitate scientific management with the ongoing global climate warming. To explore the altitudinal and slope variations of these interactions, tree-ring width chronologies of Larix olgensis A. Henry were analyzed in the southern Lesser Khingan Mountains, Northeast China. Results The radial growth of L. olgensis exhibited significant 5- to 10-year periodic changes at three altitudes and two slopes, and the frequency change occurred mainly during the early growth stage and after 2000. The radial growth of L. olgensis was significantly negatively correlated with September precipitation only at low altitudes, but also with the mean temperature in July-August and the mean maximum temperature in June-August at high altitudes. The radial growth of L. olgensis at low and middle altitudes as well as on the sunny slope led to a higher demand for moisture, while temperature was the key limiting factor at high altitudes and on the shady slope. Conclusions The climate-radial growth relationship of L. olgensis exhibits altitudinal and slope variability. This study quantitatively describes the spatially varying growth-climate responses of L. olgensis in the southern Lesser Khingan Mountains, which provides basic data for the management of L. olgensis forests and the prediction of future climate impacts on forest ecosystems.