Relationship between climate variability and radial growth of Pinus montezumae Lamb. In Coyuca de Catalán, Guerrero

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the dendroclimatic potential of a species allows us to reconstruct the climate variability in the latitudes and altitudes of its distribution. Objective: To determine the potential of Pinus montezumae Lamb. to reconstruct climatic variables. Materials and methods: A total of 80 samples were extracted with a Pressler increment borer and dated, allowing growth rates to be generated. Average monthly rainfall and minimum and maximum temperature were obtained, and a response function analysis between growth rates and climate data was conducted. Results and discussion: Dated samples represented 75 % of the total. The COFECHA program indicated a correlation between series of r = 0.57 (P < 0.01) and a mean sensitivity of 0.31; P. montezumae is sufficiently sensitive to record climate variability. Three chronologies (standard, residual and arstan) covering 228 years (1790-2017) were generated for each of the three growth rates (total ring, early and latewood). The response function analysis showed that it is possible to reconstruct the spring rainfall and the May-July maximum temperature based on the total ring (r = 0.66; P < 0.01) and latewood (r = 0.35; P < 0.01) indices, respectively. Conclusion: Statistical parameters indicate that P. montezumae is an adequate proxy source for climate variability reconstruction studies.