Analysis of coniferous tree growth gradients in relation to regional pollution and climate change in the Miyun Reservoir Basin, China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International · 5 authors, 3 centres

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This study analyzed tree-ring growth and chemistry of Pinus tabuliformis along an air pollution gradient in Beijing.

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The study investigated the growth responses of Pinus tabuliformis, the dominant conifer in the Miyun Reservoir Basin, along a regional pollution gradient. Researchers collected tree rings to measure basal area increment (BAI) and analyzed stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) to infer changes in intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), stomatal conductance, and nitrogen deposition. Results showed that while iWUE increased at all sites, the relationship between iWUE and BAI varied. Tree-ring δ15N analysis indicated its potential as a tracer for major nitrogen deposition and losses. Limitations include the lack of detailed pollutant spatial data, the focus on a single species, and the need for additional isotopic analyses. The findings suggest Pinus tabuliformis can adapt to regional environmental stresses.

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other

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preclinical research

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10121506

Analysis of coniferous tree growth gradients in relation to regional pollution and climate change in the Miyun Reservoir Basin, China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International

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ABSTRACT

Forests play a crucial role in regulating regional climate and mitigating local air pollution, but little is known about their responding to such changes. This study aimed to examine the potential responses of Pinus tabuliformis , the major coniferous tree species in the Miyun Reservoir Basin (MRB), along an air pollution gradient in Beijing. Tree rings were collected along a transect, and ring width (basal area increment, BAI) and chemical characteristics were determined and related to long-term climatic and environmental records. The results showed that Pinus tabuliformis showed an overall increase in intrinsic water-use efficiency ( iWUE ) at all sites, but the relationships between iWUE and BAI differed among the sites. The contribution of atmospheric CO 2 concentration ( c a ) to tree growth was significant at the remote sites (> 90%). The study found that air pollution at these sites might have caused further stomatal closure, as evidenced by the higher δ 13 C levels (0.5 to 1‰ higher) during heavy pollution periods. The analysis of tree ring δ 15 N also revealed the potential of using δ 15 N to fingerprint major nitrogen (N) deposition, as shown in the increasing tree ring δ 15 N, and major nitrogen losses due to denitrification and leaching, as shown in the higher δ 15 N in tree rings during heavy rainfall events. Overall, the gradient analysis indicated the contributions of increasing c a , increasing water deficit and elevated air pollution to tree growth and forest development. The different BAI trajectories suggested that Pinus tabuliformis has the ability to adapt to the harsh environment in the MRB.

CITATION EXPORT

Li Fu, Yan Xu, Dan Zhao et al.. Analysis of coniferous tree growth gradients in relation to regional pollution and climate change in the Miyun Reservoir Basin, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26295-9

AUTHORS

5 · 3 CENTRES

Li Fu, Yan Xu, Dan Zhao, Bingfang Wu, Zhihong Xu

1grid.507725.2State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
2grid.1022.10000 0004 0437 5432Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111 Australia
3grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China