Response between tree-rings of Pinus kesiya and daily climate data – A study from Manipur, Northeast India

Abstract

A 39 years (1980–2018 C.E.) long tree–ring width chronology of Khasi Pine (Pinus kesiya) was developed using 36 tree cores collected from Manipur, Northeast India. The significant dendrochronological potential of this tree was achieved from this region, based on tree–ring chronology statistics. A linear response between ring–width chronology of P. kesiya and daily gridded climate (mean temperature and rainfall) records has been established. A significant negative association has been observed between daily mean temperature and tree growth during March 24 to May 27, whereas, rainfall showed positive response from February 24 to March 25. This study is a maiden attempt from India to analyze the response of tree ring growth to the daily climatic records. Further studies with a larger number of samples of P. kesiya are recommended from this region to strengthen the chronology statistics and to extend the chronology time span.