Tree-ring records from Nothofagus dombeyi: A preliminary chronology network in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

SUAREZ, MARIA LAURA

Dendrochronologia

Elsevier

Año: 2010 vol. 28 p. 65 - 72

1125-7865

Most of the dendrochronological efforts in northern Patagonia have been invested in long-lived conifer species, whereas several broadleaf species have received less attention. This is the case for Nothofagusdombeyi, a dominant species in the mesic temperate and rain forests in the region. The aim of this study was to develop the first tree-ring chronologies for N. dombeyi in northern Patagonian and contribute to the future dendroecological and dendroclimatological studies in the region. Using standard dendrochronological techniques, six tree-ring width chronologies were obtained encompassing the east-west precipitation gradient of this species in the Argentinean sector of the northern Patagonian Andes. Chronology statistics indicated that N. dombeyi records are highly reliable and a good source of information on tree-growth variability in the region.  Stands located in the xeric sectors of the gradient showed higher inter-site variability. Also, results presented here showed that N. dombeyi has a large potential for the study of climatic variability in northern Patagonia.