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Growth patterns of Nothofagus pumilio trees along altitudinal gradients in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

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Abstract

The influence of ecological factors resulting from altitude on growth characteristics of Nothofagus pumilio was analyzed. N. pumilio forests grow in the southern Andes from near sea level to 600 m.a.s.l. Eight study sites were selected in the southwestern area of Tierra del Fuego, on north- and south-facing slopes, and distributed along an altitudinal gradient (200–600 m.a.s.l.). Growth cycles throughout time were identified. The correlation between climate and tree growth was determined. Tree diameter and height decreased whereas stand density increased towards tree-line. South-facing slopes showed higher values in common growth variability, probably because of stronger climatic controlling factors. Climate-growth correlation models revealed long-term temperature influences on growth variability, and showed variations among the different plots. Differences were detected in the spectral power component of the chronologies throughout the altitudinal profile. The series had a significant spectral peak at frequencies around 7 years, possibly related to mast seeding cycles. This signal became weaker as the altitude increased probably due to lower seed production. These results suggest a strong altitudinal component in growth variability of N. pumilio in Tierra del Fuego.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Luis Pinedo and Vanessa Lencinas for their help during field works and Alberto Ripalta and Rafael Bottero for their technical support. This research was made possible by funding from CONICET (Grant No PID02885, Res. 793) and ANPCyT (Grant No PICTR2002-00067).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC) CONICET, CC 92, Ushuaia, 9410, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Guillermina Massaccesi & Guillermo J. Martínez Pastur

  2. Laboratorio de Dendrocronología e Historia Ambiental (IANIGLA) CONICET, CC 330, Mendoza, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Fidel A. Roig

  3. Laboratorio de Investigaciones de Sistemas Ecológicos y Ambientales (LISEA) UNLP, Diagonal 113, No 469 La Plata, 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marcelo D. Barrera

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  1. Guillermina Massaccesi
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  2. Fidel A. Roig
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  3. Guillermo J. Martínez Pastur
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  4. Marcelo D. Barrera
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Correspondence to Guillermina Massaccesi.

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Communicated by Robert Guy.

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Massaccesi, G., Roig, F.A., Martínez Pastur, G.J. et al. Growth patterns of Nothofagus pumilio trees along altitudinal gradients in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Trees 22, 245–255 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-007-0181-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-007-0181-8

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