Recent Increases in Summit Flora Caused by Warming in the Alps

Abstract

The relationship between growth indices and renewal rates of the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) stands that have grown at the timberline in the Kuznetsk Ala Tau mountains during the past 350 years was analyzed. The age generations of larch were formed in the 1640s, 1660s, 1680s, 1700s, 1720s, 1740s, 1760s-1770s, 1800s-1810s, 1850s, 1870s-1880s, 1900s, 1920s, and 1930s-1940s. It was shown that the formation of these age generations coincided with 10- to 30-year periods of increased growth of larch and improved temperature conditions in summer.