Tree ring study of Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) in Colombia

Abstract

Cordia alliodora has a high ecological and economical value in the dry forest of Colombia. We documented the relationship between tree growth and climate variables (total annual precipitation, mean annual temperature) and the southern oscillation index (SOI) in this study. Standard dendrochronological methods were applied on 28 individuals. Presence of annual growth rings weas defined by semicircular porosity and terminal parenchyma. The tree-ring chronology spanned over the period 1944-2013 (70 years). Gompertz model was the mathematical function that best represented the growth. Radial growth was positively influenced by total annual precipitation and negatively related to mean annual temperature. There was no relation between tree growth and the SOI index (indicator of El Niño/La Niña events). A spectral density analysis of the residual tree-ring chronology showed a periodicity of 3.3 years cycle, similar to those cycles recorded on the precipitation and temperature series. According to the results, C. alliodora diameter growth would peak 205.5 cm at 65 years old.

Keywords

• dendrocronología tropical
• Cordia alliodora
• cambio climático
• anillos de crecimiento, fenómenos de El Niño y La Niña