The Impact of Climate Change on Betula tortuosa Ledeb. Radial Increment on the Eastern Macroslope of Kuznetsk Alatau

Abstract

The climatic response of birch in eastern Kuznetzky Alatau Mountains (Siberia) were analysed based on dendrochronology data. Studied climate variables included temperature, precipitation and root zone moisture (RZM). Periods with maximal correlations for each variable were found. It was established that radial increment was limited by June temperature and July RZM. Correlations of radial increment and ecoclimatic factors were higher when a negative anomalies of respective factor occurred. To estimate the advancement rate of birch trees along elevation gradient, three elevational transects were laid in mountain forest-tundra ecotone. Estimated advancement rate is about 0.5 m per year. Although temperature have a stimulating effect on birch’s radial increment and advancement on elevation gradient in Kuznetzky Alatau Mountains, some depressions in radial increment corresponds to years with soil moisture decrease.