IANIGLA   20881
INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE NIVOLOGIA, GLACIOLOGIA Y CIENCIAS AMBIENTALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Annual growth rings of the shrub Anarthrophyllum rigidum across Patagonia: Interannual variations and relationships with climate
Autor/es:
SRUR, A.M.; VILLALBA, R.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
Editorial:
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Referencias:
Lugar: Jena; Año: 2009 vol. 73 p. 1074 - 1083
ISSN:
0140-1963
Resumen:
Annual growth rings are well-defined in some shrubby species distributed along the Patagonian steppe
and provide useful information to identify the environmental factors that influence the radial growth of
shrubs in the region. However, little is known about variations in ring width from these species and their
relationships with local environment. In this paper we present 18 growth ring width chronologies
covering the last 23 decades from the shrub Anarthrophyllum rigidum (Fabaceae) encompassing most of
its natural range of distribution in Argentina. Interannual variations in growth were first analyzed
collectively to identify common regional patterns. In addition, shrub growth at each site was compared
with local climate records and site-specific characteristics. Based on a principal component analysis
(PCA), sites were joined in four major groups related to the site proximity to the Andes (foothills versusAnarthrophyllum rigidum (Fabaceae) encompassing most of
its natural range of distribution in Argentina. Interannual variations in growth were first analyzed
collectively to identify common regional patterns. In addition, shrub growth at each site was compared
with local climate records and site-specific characteristics. Based on a principal component analysis
(PCA), sites were joined in four major groups related to the site proximity to the Andes (foothills versusversus
Patagonian plateau) and latitude (north versus south Patagonia). The relatively similar percentage of PCA
variance associated with each group reflects environmental differences among sites. Consistent with this
observation, we noted large variability in the responses of the A. rigidum woody growth to regional
climatic fluctuations. At most sites, this species is favored by abundant winter precipitation, warmer
spring and autumn temperatures (controlling the duration of the growing season), cool summers, or
a combination of these factors. However, deviations from these patterns are also recorded. Our study
represents the first large-scale dendroclimatological analysis of a shrubby species in southern South
America. The results presented here provide information on the main patterns and factors affecting the
growth of A. rigidum in Patagonia, and may be useful for determining well-suited practices for
management and conservation of this ubiquitous speciesversus south Patagonia). The relatively similar percentage of PCA
variance associated with each group reflects environmental differences among sites. Consistent with this
observation, we noted large variability in the responses of the A. rigidum woody growth to regional
climatic fluctuations. At most sites, this species is favored by abundant winter precipitation, warmer
spring and autumn temperatures (controlling the duration of the growing season), cool summers, or
a combination of these factors. However, deviations from these patterns are also recorded. Our study
represents the first large-scale dendroclimatological analysis of a shrubby species in southern South
America. The results presented here provide information on the main patterns and factors affecting the
growth of A. rigidum in Patagonia, and may be useful for determining well-suited practices for
management and conservation of this ubiquitous speciesA. rigidum woody growth to regional
climatic fluctuations. At most sites, this species is favored by abundant winter precipitation, warmer
spring and autumn temperatures (controlling the duration of the growing season), cool summers, or
a combination of these factors. However, deviations from these patterns are also recorded. Our study
represents the first large-scale dendroclimatological analysis of a shrubby species in southern South
America. The results presented here provide information on the main patterns and factors affecting the
growth of A. rigidum in Patagonia, and may be useful for determining well-suited practices for
management and conservation of this ubiquitous speciesA. rigidum in Patagonia, and may be useful for determining well-suited practices for
management and conservation of this ubiquitous species