Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China
Global warming has intensified extreme rainfall events and prolonged droughts, significantly impacting tree growth and wood formation. This study investigates the effects of late-summer precipitation variability on the intra-annual growth dynamics of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Cryptomeria fortunei...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1568882/full |
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| author | Chunsong Wang Chunsong Wang Zhuangpeng Zheng Jiani Gao Jiani Gao Feifei Zhou Feifei Zhou Sergio Rossi Keyan Fang Keyan Fang |
| author_facet | Chunsong Wang Chunsong Wang Zhuangpeng Zheng Jiani Gao Jiani Gao Feifei Zhou Feifei Zhou Sergio Rossi Keyan Fang Keyan Fang |
| author_sort | Chunsong Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Global warming has intensified extreme rainfall events and prolonged droughts, significantly impacting tree growth and wood formation. This study investigates the effects of late-summer precipitation variability on the intra-annual growth dynamics of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Cryptomeria fortunei in humid subtropical China. Microcores were collected from 12 trees at 7–10 days intervals between March and December from 2021 to 2023 in the Gushan Mountains. Typically, high temperatures and rainfall deficits in July induce cambial dormancy, while subsequent rainfall in August and September reactivates growth, resulting in a bimodal growth pattern. However, in 2022, an unprecedented drought (August–October rainfall 77% below average) shortened the growing season, causing an early cessation of growth and a rare unimodal growth pattern. In contrast, persistent rainfall in 2023 accelerated cell enlargement to 7 μm d-¹ and significantly increased latewood intra-annual density fluctuations (L-IADFs). Notably, despite abundant late-summer rainfall in 2021, L-IADFs did not form, indicating a nonlinear and inconsistent relationship between rainfall and L-IADFs. These findings highlight the critical role of late-summer precipitation variability in shaping tree growth patterns and wood density in southeastern China. Given the expected increase in precipitation variability under climate change, regional forest ecosystems may become more vulnerable. This study provides valuable insights for forest management strategies to enhance resilience and mitigate climate-related risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c8b9c1eaeca04cad9799160dd76da60a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-c8b9c1eaeca04cad9799160dd76da60a2025-08-20T03:32:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-06-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15688821568882Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical ChinaChunsong Wang0Chunsong Wang1Zhuangpeng Zheng2Jiani Gao3Jiani Gao4Feifei Zhou5Feifei Zhou6Sergio Rossi7Keyan Fang8Keyan Fang9Institute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Process (Ministry of Education), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaSchool of Tourismand Historical Culture, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing, ChinaInstitute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Process (Ministry of Education), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaInstitute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Process (Ministry of Education), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaDépartement des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, CanadaInstitute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Process (Ministry of Education), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaGlobal warming has intensified extreme rainfall events and prolonged droughts, significantly impacting tree growth and wood formation. This study investigates the effects of late-summer precipitation variability on the intra-annual growth dynamics of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Cryptomeria fortunei in humid subtropical China. Microcores were collected from 12 trees at 7–10 days intervals between March and December from 2021 to 2023 in the Gushan Mountains. Typically, high temperatures and rainfall deficits in July induce cambial dormancy, while subsequent rainfall in August and September reactivates growth, resulting in a bimodal growth pattern. However, in 2022, an unprecedented drought (August–October rainfall 77% below average) shortened the growing season, causing an early cessation of growth and a rare unimodal growth pattern. In contrast, persistent rainfall in 2023 accelerated cell enlargement to 7 μm d-¹ and significantly increased latewood intra-annual density fluctuations (L-IADFs). Notably, despite abundant late-summer rainfall in 2021, L-IADFs did not form, indicating a nonlinear and inconsistent relationship between rainfall and L-IADFs. These findings highlight the critical role of late-summer precipitation variability in shaping tree growth patterns and wood density in southeastern China. Given the expected increase in precipitation variability under climate change, regional forest ecosystems may become more vulnerable. This study provides valuable insights for forest management strategies to enhance resilience and mitigate climate-related risks.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1568882/fullxylogenesiswood anatomyautumn growth peakL-IADFsextreme climate eventsSoutheastern China |
| spellingShingle | Chunsong Wang Chunsong Wang Zhuangpeng Zheng Jiani Gao Jiani Gao Feifei Zhou Feifei Zhou Sergio Rossi Keyan Fang Keyan Fang Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China Frontiers in Plant Science xylogenesis wood anatomy autumn growth peak L-IADFs extreme climate events Southeastern China |
| title | Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China |
| title_full | Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China |
| title_fullStr | Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China |
| title_short | Linking growth dynamics and intra-annual density fluctuations to late-summer precipitation in humid subtropical China |
| title_sort | linking growth dynamics and intra annual density fluctuations to late summer precipitation in humid subtropical china |
| topic | xylogenesis wood anatomy autumn growth peak L-IADFs extreme climate events Southeastern China |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1568882/full |
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