Cambial activity and radial growth dynamics of three tropical tree species at Chang island, Thailand

A diversity of phenological strategies has been reported for tropical tree species. Defoliation and seasonal dormancy of cambial activity inform us on how trees cope with water stress during the dry season, or maximize the use of resources during the rainy season. Here, we study the matching between leaf phenology (unfolding and shedding) and cambial activity for Prioria balsamifera, a key timber species in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In particular, we (i) evaluated the seasonality of cambial activity and synchrony of phenology among trees in response to climate and (ii) identified the seasonality of leaf phenology and its relation with cambial phenology. The study was conducted in the Luki Man and Biosphere Reserve, located in the Mayombe forest at the southern margin of the Congo Basin. Historic defoliation data were collected every ten days using weekly crown observations whereas recent observations involved time-lapse cameras. Cambial pinning was performed on ten trees during 20 months and radius dendrometers were installed on three trees during 13 months. Tree rings were measured on cores from 13 trees and growth synchrony was evaluated. We found that P. balsamifera defoliates annually with a peak observed at the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season. The new leaves unfolded shortly after shedding of the old leaves. The peak defoliation dates varied across years from September 12 to November 14 and the fraction of number of trees that defoliated at a given time was found to be negatively correlated with annual rainfall and temperature; during the dry season, when precipitation and temperatures are the lowest. Wood formation (radial growth), was found to be highly seasonal, with cambial dormancy occurring during the dry season and growth starting at the beginning of the rainy season. Individual ring-width series did not cross date well. The within species variability of leaf phenology and cambial rhythms provides indication about resistance of the population against climatic changes.

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Effects of seasonal rainfall on radial growth in two tropical tree species

International Journal of Biometeorology ◽

10.1007/s004840050047 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 13-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Stephen H. Bullock

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Radial Growth ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Seasonal Rainfall ◽

Tropical Tree Species

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Influence of Climate Variation on Growth of Tropical Tree Species in Western Kenya

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change ◽

10.9734/ijecc/2018/v8i427186 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 295-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eric T. David ◽

Sophan Chhin ◽

David Skole

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Radial Growth ◽

Mangifera Indica ◽

High Temperature Stress ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Seasonal Temperature ◽

Moisture Index ◽

Cupressus Lusitanica ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Tropical Tree Species

Aims: Growth-climate relationships were examined in 7 tropical tree species growing in the Yala river basin of western Kenya: Acacia mearnsii, Cupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalytus saligna, Mangifera indica, and Markhamia lutea. Methodology: Standardized basal area increments were correlated with monthly and seasonal (3 month periods) climate variables (precipitation, mean temperature, Climate Moisture Index) obtained from nearby meteorological stations. Results: A majority of the tree species (M. indica, C. lusitanica, E. camaldulensis, and E. saligna) showed positive correlations with monthly and seasonal precipitation and moisture index during periods of the long and short rainy seasons. This study also revealed significant correlations between monthly and seasonal temperature data and radial growth of M. indica, M. lutea and E. grandis. Growth of M. lutea was negatively affected by cool growing season conditions while M. indica and E. grandis experienced high temperature stress. Conclusion: Associations between radial growth of tropical tree species and temperature are generally rare in warm tropical regions, and for some of the species examined in this study that are non-native (i.e., M. indica and E. grandis), strongly suggests that they may be growing outside the optimal temperature conditions of their native geographical range.

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