Age and climate sensitivity of radial growth of Picea crassifolia to climate in a transitional climatic zone in Northwest China

Study of the radial growth response to climate factors at different tree ages is essential for predicting forest dynamics and formulating correct management policies. In this study, we analysed the growth responsiveness of Picea crassifolia to climate conditions, and evaluated its relationship to tree age at the individual tree scale, in the transitional zone between regions affected by the East Asian monsoon and winds blowing from the west (westerlies) in the Qilian Mountains. On three study sites, 150 cores were taken from 75 trees. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the standardized tree-ring series of each core (and chronology) and climatic factors which were utilized to research the climate-growth relationships. Quadratic polynomial fitting was used to test the relationships between tree age, chronological parameters, and the radial growth response to climate. Radial growth was positively influenced by total precipitation for the previous July-September and the current May-July. Additionally, radial growth was negatively correlated with the total monthly precipitation for the current September, and the mean monthly temperature for the previous July. Trees younger than 80 years old showed a stronger response to accumulative precipitation in the previous July-September, those older than 160 years old showed a stronger response to precipitation at the end of current growing season, while those of 140-160 years old showed a weaker response to precipitation in the current May-July.