Efficacy of climate transfer functions: introduction of Eurasian populations of Larix into Alberta

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1660-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald E Rehfeldt ◽  
Nadja M Tchebakova ◽  
Leonard K Barnhardt

Growth and survival of eight populations of Larix sukaczewii Dylis and one of both Larix sibirica Ledeb. and Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. were used to assess the effectiveness of climate transfer functions for predicting the 13-year performance of Eurasian provenances introduced to Alberta. Quadratic regression models showed that transfer distances for five climate variables (mean annual temperature, degree-days <0°C, mean temperature in the coldest month, ratio of the mean annual temperature to mean annual precipitation, and the summer-winter temperature range) were particularly effective in predicting height and survival. Optimal transfer distances did not differ significantly from zero, and as a result, the best growth and survival in Alberta should be obtained by matching the provenance climate to that of the planting site for the five variables. Verification of the climate transfer functions with independent data from Russian provenance tests were strongly supportive. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of climate transfer functions for describing the response of plant populations to the environment and thereby have practical implications in reforestation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1759-1766
Author(s):  
Vladimir А. Usoltsev ◽  
Seyed Omid Reza Shobairi ◽  
Anna. A. Osmirko ◽  
Ivan. S. Tsepordey ◽  
Viktor. P. Chasovskikh

The first attempt of modeling changes in the aboveground additive component composition of larch (genus Larix spp.) tree biomass, according to the Trans-Eurasian hydrothermal gradients of Eurasia on the database compiled for the structure of harvest biomass in a number of 510 sample trees is fulfilled. The adequacy of the obtained regularities is determined by the level of variability 87-99 % explained by the proposed regression models. For the central territory of European Russia, characterized by the mean annual temperature of January -10 °C and the mean annual precipitation of 400 mm, the increase in temperature by 1°C at the constant level of precipitation causes on Larix spp. trees of the equal age and sizes, the decrease in the aboveground, stem, needle and branches by 0.4, 0.3, 1.4 и 1.3 %, respectively. For the same region, in equal-sized trees, the increase in precipitation by 100 mm at a constant annual temperature in January causes the decrease of the aboveground and stem biomass by 1.2 and 1.7%, respectively, and the increase of needle and branches biomass by 4.0 and 6.0%, respectively. The development of such models for the main forest-forming species of Eurasia will make it possible to predict changes in the productivity of the forest cover of Eurasia in connection with climate change. Keywords: larch trees, genus Larix spp., tree biomass, allometric models


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (17) ◽  
pp. 6683-6700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyu Guan ◽  
Xiazhong Sun ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Baotian Pan ◽  
Shilei Zhao ◽  
...  

Airborne dust derived from desertification in northern China can be transported to East Asia and other regions, impairing human health and affecting the global climate. This study of northern China dust provides an understanding of the mechanism of dust generation and transportation. The authors used dust storm and climatological data from 129 sites and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets in northern China to analyze spatiotemporal characteristics and determine the main factors controlling dust storms occurring during 1960–2007. Dust storm–prone areas are consistent with the spatial distribution of northern China deserts where the average wind speed (AWS) is more than 2 m s−1, the mean annual temperature (MAT) ranges from 5° to 10°C, and the mean annual precipitation (MAP) is less than 450 mm. Dust storms commonly occur on spring afternoons in a 3- to 6-h pattern. The three predominant factors that can affect DSF are the maximum wind speed, AWS, and MAT. During 1960–2007, dust storm frequency (DSF) in most regions of northern China fluctuated but had a decreasing trend; this was mainly caused by a gradual reduction in wind speed. The effect of temperature on DSF is complex, as positive and negative correlations exist simultaneously. Temperatures can affect source material (dust, sand, etc.), cyclone activity, and vegetation growth status, which influence the generation of dust storms. NDVI and precipitation are negatively correlated with DSF, but the effect is weak. Vegetation can protect the topsoil environment and prevent dust storm creation but is affected by the primary decisive influence of precipitation.


Author(s):  
Rita ČEPULIENĖ ◽  
Darija JODAUGIENĖ

The natural biochemical, biophysical and biological processes in the soil is changing due to the intensive use of pesticides. At present, it is actual fertilization technologies, which are based on non-fertilizer rates increase bat on their rational use because in the fertilizer is unnecessary chemical compounds that promote mineral nutritional elements leaching. Have been studied the effect of biological preparations BactoMix, AgroMik and Rizobakterin on soil physical properties. Experiments were carried out in 2015–2016 at the Experimental Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis University on Calcari-Endohypogleyic Luvisol. The mean annual temperature of the study site is 6.0–6.5 °C, mean annual precipitation is 600–650 mm and mean annual length of sun shine is 1750–1800 hour (Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service). Biological preparations sprayed on the soil surface and incorporated in the soil by sowing spring wheat. The use of biological preparations had a tendency to reduce soil density (from 2.3 to 5.3 %), to increase soil porosity (from 0.6 to 2.1 %). Biological preparations had no significant influence on quantity couples filled with moisture and air. The hardness of the soil after spring wheat harvest was the smallest in the fields sprayed by Rizobakterin preparation. The use of biological preparations BaktoMix and Rizobakterin significantly increased soil moisture. The following preparations significantly decreased soil pulverized fractions (micro structure) and significantly increased amount of particles larger than 10 mm.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara E. Rhodes ◽  
Nicholas J. Conard

AbstractEnsuring comparability between results is a key goal of all paleoecological reconstructions. Quantitative estimates of meteorological variables, as opposed to relative qualitative descriptions, provide the opportunity to compare local paleoenvironmental records against global estimates and incrementally build regional paleoclimatic records. The Bioclimatic Method provides quantitative and qualitative estimates of past landscape composition and climate along with measures of statistical accuracy by applying linear discriminant functions analysis and transfer functions to faunal taxonomic abundance data. By applying this method to the rodent data from Geißenklösterle and Hohle Fels, two Paleolithic cave sites located in the Ach Valley of southwestern Germany, we classify the regional vegetation according to Walters’ zonobiome model. We also present new estimates of meteorological variables including mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and vegetative activity period of the Ach Valley for the period spanning ~ 60,000 to 35,000 cal BP. The results suggest the Ach Valley contained a non-analogous landscape of arctic tundra and temperate deciduous woodland with occasional arid steppe expansion. Meteorological estimates suggest the climate was significantly colder during the Middle and Upper Paleolithic than today, with higher annual precipitation and dramatic temperature shifts between seasons. These results fit well with climatic reconstructions from Switzerland and the Netherlands based on a variety of proxies. They also provide further evidence of a localized climatic response within southwestern Germany to the stadial-interstadial shifts preceding the Heinrich 4 event. Finally, these results reinforce our previous claims that climatic volatility was not a driving force in the loss of Neanderthal groups throughout the Swabian Jura during OIS 3.


Geology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 829-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues-Alexandre Blain ◽  
Ana Fagoaga ◽  
Francisco Javier Ruiz-Sánchez ◽  
Josep Francesc Bisbal-Chinesta ◽  
Massimo Delfino

Abstract Early Pleistocene terrestrial climate conditions in the Mediterranean region, especially between 1.3 and 1.7 Ma, are poorly understood. Here, the amphibian and reptile fossil record from 24 fissures (Cava Pirro) of the Pirro Nord karstic complex (southern Italy) is used to infer quantitative paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. These numerical data indicate that the mean annual temperature may have been somewhat lower (–1.6 to –3.6 °C compared to modern temperatures) than that of today, and the mean annual precipitation slightly higher (+90 to +240 mm) than modern values. Seasonality was more pronounced, with cooler summers (–0.4 to –2.0 °C) and much colder winters (–1.2 to –6.0 °C). Rainfall distribution patterns during the year show more precipitation during the winter (+14 to +43 mm), with quantities of summer rainfall (–1.7 to +6.6 mm) being similar to modern values. The associated landscape comprised an open dry environment with scattered patches of woodland, locally along water courses or around swamps. This ecological scenario fits with early Pleistocene cold conditions, where the first occurrence of some eastern emigrants suggests a scenario of trans-Adriatic dispersal, as may have also occurred for the earliest European hominins.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 2741-2762 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sun ◽  
X. Q. Li

Abstract. The quantitative reconstruction of the paleoclimate is the ultimate goal of studying past global change. Here, the Coexistence Approach (CA) was applied to reconstruct climatic factors quantitatively based on the fossil charcoal records between 5200 and 4300 cal yr BP in the Tianshui Basin, NW China. The climate of the Tianshui Basin belonged to the northern subtropical zone from 5200–4300 cal yr BP. The climatic tolerance ranges were selected, and the lower limit value was regarded as the logical climate factor to reflect the values of climatic factors. The CA analysis showed that the mean annual temperature (MAT) was approximately 13.2°C, and the mean annual precipitation (MAP) was approximately 778 mm between 5200 and 4900 cal yr BP. The MAT was approximately 13.2°C, and the MAP was approximately 688 mm between 4800 and 4300 cal yr BP. The MAT increased approximately 2.2°C, and the MAP increased approximately 280 mm from 5200–4900 cal yr BP. The MAT also increased approximately 2.2°C from 4800–4300 cal yr BP, while the MAP increased around 196 mm. No climate event occurred from 5200–4300 cal yr BP; however, a drought tendency appeared after 4800 cal yr BP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 418
Author(s):  
Juan M. Robledo ◽  
Maricel Y. Horn ◽  
Claudia I. Galli ◽  
Luisa M. Anzótegui

The continental sedimentary rocks that constitute the Palo Pintado Formation of the late Miocene from Salta province, presents a great paleoclimatic interest due to the environmental conditions prevailing during this geochronologic interval. The geological and paleobotanical data suggest that during the sedimentary rocks accumulation of the Palo Pintado Formation (Angastaco Basin), wetter conditions would have existed comparing with other nearby and contemporary Formations, for example the Playa del Zorro Aloformation (late Miocene of Catamarca) and the Chiquimil (late Miocene of Tucumán), Salicas and the Toro Negro Formations (both from the late Miocene of La Rioja). In this study, the margin and the foliar area of the leaves contained on rocks from the Palo Pintado Formation are analyzed, in order to obtain the mean annual temperature (MAT) and the mean annual precipitation (MAP). The resulting values were: 23.98 °C and 330.8 mm. These results are coincident by the interpretation of different authors, who consider that the Palo Pintado Formation would have been deposited under a relatively humid environment, possibly as a consequence of the rains that affected locally the Angastaco basin región.


Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2115 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. GILLES ARMEL NAGO ◽  
BRICE A. SINSIN ◽  
MARK-OLIVER RÖDEL

The Ptychadenidae Dubois, 1987 are a frog family endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar (Frost 2008). Within the genus Ptychadena Boulenger, 1917 49 species are currently recognized as valid (Frost 2008), most of them breeding in temporary savanna ponds (Rödel 2000; Channing 2001; Channing & Howell 2006). In the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR) in northern Benin this genus is extraordinary diverse. Here we recorded seven sympatric and partly syntopic Ptychadena species (Nago et al. 2006). The tadpoles of six West African species, P. bibroni (Hallowell, 1845), P. pumilio (Boulenger, 1920), P. oxyrhynchus (Smith, 1849), P. tellinii (Peracca, 1904), P. tournieri (Guibé & Lamotte, 1955) and P. trinodis (Boettger, 1881) have already been described (Lamotte & Zuber-Vogeli 1953; Guibé & Lamotte 1958; Lamotte et al. 1958, 1959; Lamotte & Perret 1961; Perret 1966; Rödel 2000; Rödel & Spieler 2000). Hence, P. schillukorum (Werner, 1908 “1907”) is the only West African savanna Ptychadena with an unknown tadpole. P. schillukorum ranges from Senegal, east to south-western Ethiopia and southern Somalia, south to Malawi, central Mozambique, south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and western Angola (Channing 2001; Nago et al. 2006). Recently it was reported from Egypt (Baha el Din 2006). It is hence either a very widespread savanna species or a member of a complex of cryptic species (see Nago et al. 2006 and Frost 2008 for synonyms of P. schillukorum). In West Africa it only occurs in drier savannas. In PBR these frogs breed in shallow savanna ponds, often in syntopy with Phrynobatrachus francisci Boulenger, 1912 and Phrynobatrachus natalensis (Smith, 1849) (Nago et al. 2006). The PBR is located in the Soudanian savanna zone in northern Benin (N 10°30-11°30, E 0°50-2°00). The climate is characterized by a short rainy season from late May or even June/July to early October. The mean annual precipitation is 1000 mm and the mean annual temperature is 27°C. For more details see Nago et al. (2006).


1983 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Perkins ◽  
John D. Sims

The thickness of varves in the sediments of Skilak Lake, Alaska, are correlated with the mean annual temperature (r = 0.574), inversely correlated with the mean annual cumulative snowfall (r = −0.794), and not correlated with the mean annual precipitation (r = 0.202) of the southern Alaska climatological division for the years 1907–1934 A.D. Varve thickness in Skilak Lake is sensitive to annual temperature and snowfall because Skilak Glacier, the dominant source of sediment for Skilak Lake, is sensitive to these climatic parameters. Trends of varve thickness are well correlated with trends of mean annual cumulative snowfall ( = −0.902) of the southern Alaska climatological division and with trends of mean annual temperature of the southern ( = 0.831) and northern ( = 0.786) Alaska climatological divisions. Trends of varve thickness also correlate with trends of annual temperature in Seattle and North Head, Washington ( = 0.632 and 0.850, respectively). Comparisons of trends of varve thickness with trends of annual temperature in California, Oregon, and Washington suggest no widespread regional correlation. Trends of annual snowfall in the southern Alaska climatological division and trends of annual temperature in the southern and northern Alaska climatological divisions are reconstructed for the years 1700–1906 A.D. Climatic reconstructions on the basis of varve thickness in Skilak Lake utilize equations derived from the regression of series of smoothed climatological data on series of smoothed varve thickness. Reconstruction of trends of mean annual cunulative snowfall in the southern Alaska climatological division suggests that snowfall during the 1700s and 1800s was much greater than that during the early and mid-1900s. The periods 1770–1790 and 1890–1906 show marked decreases in the mean annual snowfall. Reconstructed trends of the annual temperature of the northern and southern Alaska climatological divisions suggest that annual temperatures during the 1700s and 1800s were lower than those of the early and mid-1900s. Two periods of relatively high annual temperatures coincide with the periods of low annual snowfall thus determined.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 625-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sun ◽  
X. Q. Li

Abstract. The quantitative reconstruction of the palaeoclimate is a prerequisite for understanding climate processes at time scales of centuries and millennia. Here, the coexistence approach (CA) was applied to reconstruct climatic factors quantitatively based on the fossil charcoal records between 5200 and 4300 cal yr BP in the Tianshui Basin, NW China. The CA analysis showed that the climate of the Tianshui Basin belonged to the northern subtropical zone between 5200 and 4300 cal yr BP. The mean annual temperature (MAT) was approximately 13.2 °C, and the mean annual precipitation (MAP) was approximately 778 mm between 5200 and 4900 cal yr BP. The MAT was approximately 13.2 °C, and the MAP was approximately 688 mm between 4800 and 4300 cal yr BP. The MAT was approximately 2.2 °C higher than today, and the MAP was approximately 280 mm higher than today from 5200 to 4900 cal yr BP. The MAT was also approximately 2.2 °C higher than today from 4800 to 4300 cal yr BP, while the MAP was approximately 196 mm higher than today. No abrupt cold event occurred between 5200 and 4300 cal yr BP; however, a drought tendency appeared after around 4800 cal yr BP.


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