Deciphering Environmental History through Alder Rings: Dendroclimatological Exploration.

Taquire Arroyo, Alejandro Félix; Quispe Bellido, Nora Haydee; Paredes Rodríguez, Ebed David; Andrade Linarez, Katia Elizabeth; Peralta Julliri, Eusebio German; Castillo Machaca, Jesús Esteban; Mamani Arpasi, Yesica Magnolia

Tree rings in high mountain forests represent a valuable natural archive for climate reconstructions and understanding the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. In this context, the dendroclimatic potential of Alnus acuminata (alder) was evaluated by selecting 25 trees from seven localities in the Mantaro Valley. Computational programs such as Image-Pro Plus, COFECHA, ARSTAN, Sigma Plot, and the IAWA Standard List were utilized. Densitometry, performed with the QTRS-01X equipment using X-ray technology, provided ring width and apparent density diagrams. Seven chronological periods were identified, covering a span of 37.5 years, with the years 1960-1966, 1972-1978, and 2004-2010 showing the greatest growth, and the years 1966-1970, 1980-1986, and 1999-2005 showing the least growth. Furthermore, the alder exhibited particular sensitivity to low winter temperatures in the higher altitude sampling areas. Samples from Colpar 12-A* and Paca 10-A* showed wall thicknesses of 4.39 and 4.60 µm, respectively, attributable to low temperatures. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between minimum temperature and ring width index (r= -0.38, p<0.005) from 1972 to 2008. In terms of precipitation and ring width index, a positive correlation (r= 0.26, p<0.005) was evidenced from 1949 to 2009, positively influencing its development. These findings underscore the dendroclimatic potential of the species, contributing to the understanding of climatic history and the prediction of future conditions in development areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL history; MOUNTAIN forests; DENDROCLIMATOLOGY; FOREST microclimatology; ALDER; TREE growth; X-ray equipment; LOW temperatures; TREE development; TREE-rings

Pollution (2383451X), 2024, Vol 10, Issue 4, p1162

2383-451X

Academic Journal

10.22059/poll.2024.374564.2316