Using Automated Point Dendrometers to Analyze Tropical Treeline Stem Growth at Nevado de Colima, Mexico
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Authors
Biondi, Franco
Hartsough, Peter C.
Issue Date
2010
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
point dendrometers , radial growth , tree rings , dendroecology , high elevation ecosystems , Mexican mountain pine , Pinus hartwegii Lindl , Volcan de Fuego
Alternative Title
Abstract
The relationship between wood growth and environmental variability at the tropical treeline of North America was investigated using automated, solar-powered sensors (a meteorological station and two dendrometer clusters) installed on Nevado de Colima, Mexico (19° 35' N, 103° 37' W, 3,760 m a.s.l.). Pure stands of Pinus hartwegii Lindl. (Mexican mountain pine) were targeted because of their suitability for tree-ring analysis in low-latitude, high-elevation, North American Monsoon environments. Stem size and hydroclimatic variables recorded at half-hour intervals were summarized on a daily timescale. Power outages, insect outbreaks, and sensor failures limited the analysis to non-consecutive months during 2001�"2003 at one dendrometer site, and during 2002�"2005 at the other. Combined data from the two sites showed that maximum radial growth rates occur in late spring (May), as soil temperature increases, and incoming short-wave radiation reaches its highest values. Early season (April�"May) radial increment correlated directly with temperature, especially of the soil, and with solar radiation. Stem expansion at the start of the summer monsoon (June�"July) was mostly influenced by moisture, and revealed a drought signal, while late season relationships were more varied.
Description
Citation
Biondi, F., and P. Hartsough. Using automated point dendrometers to analyze tropical treeline stem growth at Nevado de Colima, Mexico. Sensors 10: 5827-5844
Publisher
License
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
1424-8220