Spannl, S.; Volland, F.; Pucha Cofrep, D.A.; Peters, T.; Cueva, E. & Bräuning, A. (2016): <b>Climate variability, tree increment patterns and ENSO-related carbon sequestration reduction of the tropical dry forest species Loxopterygium huasango of Southern Ecuador</b>. <i>Trees Structure and Function</i> <b>e</b>(e), e.
Resource Description
Title:
Climate variability, tree increment patterns and ENSO-related carbon sequestration reduction of the tropical dry forest species Loxopterygium huasango of Southern Ecuador
FOR816dw ID:
1467
Publication Date:
2016-02-16
License and Usage Rights:
PAK 823-825 data user agreement. (www.tropicalmountainforest.org/dataagreementp3.do)
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Susanne Spannl
Contact:
email:
susanne.spannl <at> web.de
Hermannstr. 31
12049 Berlin
Germany
email:
achim.braeuning <at> fau.de
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Institute of Geography
Wetterkreuz 15
91058 Erlangen
Germany
Abstract:
We present the first multi-year long time series<br/>
of local climate data in the seasonally dry tropical forest in<br/>
Southern Ecuador and related growth dynamics of Loxopterygium<br/>
huasango, a deciduous tree species. Local climate<br/>
was investigated by installing an automatically<br/>
weather station in 2007 and the daily tree growth variability<br/>
was measured with high-resolution point dendrometers.<br/>
The climatic impact on growth behaviour was<br/>
evaluated. Hydro-climatic variables, like precipitation and<br/>
relative humidity, were the most important factors for<br/>
controlling tree growth. Changes in rainwater input affected<br/>
radial increment rates and daily amplitudes of stem<br/>
diameter variations within the study period from 2009 to<br/>
2013. El Nin˜o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) related<br/>
variations of tropical Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures<br/>
influenced the trees’ increment rates. Average radial<br/>
increments showed high inter-annual (up to 7.89 mm) and<br/>
inter-individual (up to 3.88 mm) variations. Daily amplitudes<br/>
of stem diameter variations differed strongly between<br/>
the two extreme years 2009 (wet) and 2011 (dry). Contrary<br/>
to 2009, the La Nin˜a drought in 2011 caused a rapid<br/>
reduction of the daily amplitudes, indicating a total cessation<br/>
(‘growth collapse’) of stem increment under ENSOrelated<br/>
drought conditions and demonstrating the high<br/>
impact of climatic extreme events on carbon sequestration<br/>
of the dry tropical forest ecosystem.
