Comparing the Various Interpolation Techniques of Climatic Data for Determining the Most Important Factors Affecting the Trees Growth in the Elevated Areas of Chaharbagh, Gorgan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Corresponding author,PhD student of Agrometeorology, Irrigation and reclamation Department, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, university of Tehran

2 Professor, Irrigation and reclamation Department, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, university of Tehran

3 Associate Professor, Wood & paper science & technology Department, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, university of Tehran

4 Assistant Professor, Irrigation and reclamation Department, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, university of Tehran

Abstract

The dendroclimatology science reconstructs the past climates through studying the relationship
between climatic indices and tree rings which is a pre-requisite of agricultural and natural
resources studies. Basically, the tree species of highland regions are more sensitive to the
climatic conditions. Unfortunately, in the highland forest regions like Chaharbagh, Gorgan (case
study) there is nometeorological station. In order to solve this problem, in this study various
interpolation methods of temperature and precipitation data from the area understudy were
compared and the best methods were determined. Then, through using the best interpolation
methods, monthly temperature and precipitation variables in the period 1982-2006 were
calculated in the tree ring sampling points for two tree species (i.e., Juniperus polycarpus
and Quercus macranthera). Finally the correlation between yearly tree rings and monthly
temperature and precipitation, Standardized Drought Index (SPI), and Reconnaissance Drought
Index (RDI) were evaluated. The results show that among various interpolation methods the
3D linear gradient and linear and nonlinear hybrid methods are the best interpolation methods
for temperature and precipitation, respectively. Correlation coefficient analyses showed that
the effective meteorological factors on the growth of Quercus macranthera trees are the
positive effect of the SPI of June and the negative effect of the March temperature. The July
precipitation and the pre-growth September temperature have a negative effect on the growth
of the Juniperus polycarpus trees.

Keywords

References

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