Beech annual radial growth change assessment across elevation ranges in the Kheyrud forest

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2025.398743.1358

Abstract

Altitude, as a key environmental factor, significantly affects tree growth. This study investigated the variations in the annual radial growth of beech trees over a 60-year period (1964–2024) across three altitudinal ranges: below 1,000 m, 1,000–1,400 m, and above 1,400 m a.s.l. in the Kheyrud Educational and Research Forest. To this end, 30 field sample plots (30 × 30 m) were established in pure beech stands, and a total of 150 dominant trees were selected, from which two increment cores per tree were extracted. After measuring tree-ring widths and performing cross-dating, both raw annual ring-width chronologies and detrended time series were constructed, and their statistical quality indices were calculated. The results revealed significant differences in mean radial growth among the altitudinal ranges. Radial growth was greatest at mid-elevations (1,000–1,400 m) and lowest above 1,400 m. However, during the last 30 years, beech trees at the lowest elevations slightly outperformed those at mid-elevations. Moreover, the detrended chronologies indicated that growth patterns at low and mid-elevations were more consistent with each other, whereas trees at higher elevations displayed a different growth pattern and were more sensitive to environmental changes. Overall, the findings suggest that altitude exerts a negative effect on beech growth, although the magnitude and form of this effect vary among altitudinal ranges, with mid-elevations providing the most favorable conditions for growth.

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References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 381-392

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