Back to Contents

FREE FULL TEXT PDF

TREE-RING CHRONOLOGIES OF PICEA SMITHIANA (WALL.) BOISS., AND ITS QUANTITATIVE VEGETATIONAL DESCRIPTION FROM HIMALAYAN RANGE OF PAKISTAN

MOINUDDIN AHMED AND SYED HUMAIR NAQVI

Abstract: Modern Dendrochronological techniques were used in 5 stands of moist temperate and dry temperate areas in Pakistan. Out of 91 cores from 60 trees of Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss., sampled where cross dating was possible among 48 cores. Dated chronologies from 1422 to 1987 AD were obtained. However, common period of all chronologies 1770 to 1850 A.D. is presented. Chronologies and sample statistics are described. These chronologies show from 17% to 33% variance ("Y" in ANOVA) due to climate. Dry temperate sites show low autocorrelation as compared to moist temperate sites. Due to small sample size, no statistical correlation was observed between community and dendrochronological attributes. However, community attributes gave some idea to select better sites for dendrochronological investigations. It is suggested that despite difference in climatic zones and chronologies, trees show some similar pattern of ring-width. Hence, Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss., could be used for dendroclimatological investigations. It is also suggested that detailed sampling is required to present strong database.
 

Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Campus, University Road, Karachi. 75270, Pakistan.