Variability of climate–growth relationships along an elevation gradient in the Changbai Mountain, northeastern China

In order to explore climate–growth relationships at different elevations, tree-ring width chronologies of larch (Larix olgensis) were developed from three sampling sites on the northern slope of the Changbai Mountain, northeastern China. There were no consistent trends in statistical characteristics of the tree-ring chronologies along the elevation gradient, since trees in the forest interior had a complacent growth pattern. Monthly mean temperature and monthly total precipitation were used for the analysis. Correlation analysis indicated that temperatures in winter had negative correlations with tree growth (previous November, December and current March for the low-, mid- and high-elevation sites, respectively). The correlations between tree growth and June temperature varied from weakly negative at low elevations to significantly positive at high elevations. Precipitation in June of the growth year had negative relationship with the high-elevation chronology. However, high precipitation was associated with low temperature in early growing season, further supporting that temperature is a growth-limiting factor at high elevations. Our results suggest that along the elevation gradient, L. olgensis may respond in different ways to local climate change.