Age-specific response to climate factors and extreme drought events in radial growth of Picea likiangensis

The influence of tree age on the growth response of Picea likiangensis, a predominant timber species in southwestern China, to climatic factors has been under-researched. In this study, we examined the relationships between tree age and the response of P. likiangensis to climatic factors and extreme drought events using tree-ring samples procured from the southeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The results revealed differential responses of the radial growth of P. likiangensis trees of varying ages to climatic factors and extreme drought events. Specifically, deficient water availability during the early growing season emerged as the principal factor constraining radial growth across all age classes. Young and middle-aged trees (<100 years) demonstrated greater responsiveness to water availability than did mature trees (>100 years). Mature trees, in contrast, demonstrated markedly greater resistance to extreme drought events than young and middle-aged trees. Comparative studies of individual trees across different ages revealed negligible differences in the response of young and middle-aged trees to climatic factors and extreme drought events. Given these responses, future forest management practices should prioritize young and middle-aged trees that are more affected by drought to maximize the ecological value of the species. According to the specific research objectives, sample collection processes should classify mature trees and young and middle-aged trees, to minimize the influence of tree age on the final findings of the study.