Pine (Pinus sylvestris L. ) tree-limit surveillance during recent decades, central Sweden

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Arctic and Alpine Research (Boulder, Colorado); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1551476· OSTI ID:6883928

Kullman, L ^[1]

---

1. Umea Univ. (Sweden)

The altitudinal tree-limit of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) has been surveyed at the population level since the early- and mid-1970s in the Swedish Scandes. Elevational tree-limit advance was recorded for the majority of sites, despite statistically stable, although highly fluctuating climate with clusters of exceptionally cold winters and many relatively cool summers. The new tree-limit derived from pines established in the late 1950s. Tree-limit rise was concurrent with net population decline for the period 1972 to 1991, mainly as a result of failing regeneration. The main factor of individual vitality depression and mortality was deduced to be winter desiccation. The progressive tree-limit has a tendency for slow upslope advance during periods of climatic stability, even if punctuated by shorter events of unfavorable climate. Pine tree-limit dynamics is suggested to be a complex of climate/age/disturbance interactions. The tree-limit may decline altitudinally mainly in response to secular climate cooling, which makes it best suited for surveying sustained climatic trends and analogous paleoclimatic reconstruction. 51 refs., 12 figs., 1 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6883928
• Journal Information: Arctic and Alpine Research (Boulder, Colorado); (United States), Journal Name: Arctic and Alpine Research (Boulder, Colorado); (United States) Vol. 25:1; ISSN ATLPAV; ISSN 0004-0851
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
550000 -- Biomedical Sciences
Basic Studies
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CLIMATIC CHANGE
CONIFERS
COOLING
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EUROPE
GROWTH
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PALEONTOLOGY
PINES
PINOPHYTA
PLANTS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SCANDINAVIA
SWEDEN
TREES