Abstract

Response of tree ring width to climate factor change is an important part of tree ring ecological research. A tree ring chronology of Cinnamomum camphora (C. camphora) was developed in Dagangshan forest area of Jiangxi Province in southern China. Correlation analysis and response function analysis were used to compare tree ring response to climate. The results showed that the built tree chronology of C. camphora included abundant of environment climate informations, and which could be used in dendrochronological research. Tree ring width of C. camphora was positively correlated to mean monthly temperature in the growing season. The correlation between tree ring width and precipitation was significantly negative in May of the current growing season and December of the previous growing season and was significantly positive with mean monthly precipitation of current June and August. Response function analysis mirrored the results of correlation analysis. There had been a quite significant response of tree ring growth of C. camphora to humidity index in May, June, August and September of the current year. Temperature and precipitation had obvious integrative influences on tree ring width of C. camphora. The results can not only provide scientific basis for studying effect of climate factor change on tree growth in sub-tropical regions, but also for the research in the interaction of structure and composition of forest communities with climate factor change under the conditions of warm and humid climate.

Key words: Cinnamomum camphora, tree ring width, climate factor, response.