Crecimiento radial y sensibilidad climática de Platymiscium ulei Harms (Tarara colorada) en bosques secos del Cerrado boliviano
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Ecología en Bolivia
Abstract
Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la sensibilidad climática del crecimiento radial de Platymiscium ulei en el Cerrado boliviano, con el fin de mejorar la comprensión de la dinámica de los bosques secos tropicales bajo condiciones ambientales cambiantes. La escasez de estudios dendrocronológicos en la región limita el conocimiento sobre la ecología del crecimiento arbóreo y la respuesta de estos ecosistemas a la variabilidad climática. Esta investigación contribuye a llenar ese vacío mediante el análisis del crecimiento radial de P. ulei (tarara colorada) en la comunidad Mercedes, a partir de una cronología de anillos de crecimiento que abarca el periodo 1923-2017. La calidad de la cronología, respaldada por una autocorrelación de 0.50, una sensibilidad media de 0.41, un R-bar de 0.30 y un EPS de 0.85, indica que las series capturan una señal común representativa. El análisis climático para el periodo 1943-2017 reveló una correlación positiva entre el crecimiento radial y la precipitación (r = 0. 48; p < 0.05), y una correlación negativa con la temperatura (r = - 0.25; p < 0.05) durante la estación húmeda, de octubre a enero. Las altas temperaturas intensifican la evapotranspiración, lo que reduce la tasa de crecimiento. Además, el análisis regional de las variaciones interanuales y multidecadales evidencia una respuesta sostenida a las condiciones hidroclimáticas dominantes. Se destacan dos periodos con crecimiento superior a la media (1974-1980 y 1998- 2009), coincidentes con eventos de La Niña y fases húmedas regionales. En cambio, los periodos 1960-1975, 1979- 1986 y 1989-1998 presentan crecimiento reducido, en asociación con eventos El Niño y sequías documentadas. A partir de 2009, se observa un marcado descenso en el crecimiento radial, posiblemente relacionado con la intensificación de las sequías estacionales y el aumento de las temperaturas extremas. Estos hallazgos proporcionan información clave sobre la sensibilidad de P. ulei al clima regional y fortalecen la comprensión de la dinámica ecológica de los bosques secos tropicales del Cerrado boliviano.
This study aims to evaluate the climate sensitivity of radial growth in Platymiscium ulei in the Bolivian Cerrado, in order to improve understanding of the dynamics of tropical dry forests under changing environmental conditions. The scarcity of dendrochronological studies in the region limits knowledge about tree growth ecology and the response of these ecosystems to climate variability. This research helps to fill that gap by analyzing the radial growth of P. ulei (Tarara Colorada) in the Mercedes community, based on a tree-ring chronology covering the period 1923- 2017. The chronology quality, supported by an autocorrelation of 0.50, a mean sensitivity of 0.41, an R-bar of 0.30, and an EPS of 0.85, indicates that the series capture a representative common signal. Climate analysis for the period 1943-2017 revealed a positive correlation between radial growth and precipitation (r = 0.48;p < 0.05), and a negative correlation with temperature (r = -0.25; p < 0.05) during the wet season (October to January). Higher temperatures increase evapotranspiration, thereby reducing growth rates. In addition, the regional analysis of interannual and multidecadal variability reveals a sustained response to dominant hydroclimatic conditions. Two periods of above-average growth stand out (1974-1980 and 1998-2009), which coincide with La Niña episodes and wetter regional phases. In contrast, the periods 1960-1975, 1979-1986, and 1989-1998 show reduced growth, associated with El Niño events and documented droughts. Since 2009, a marked decline in radial growth has been observed, likely linked to the intensification of seasonal droughts and rising extreme temperatures. These findings provide key insights into the climate sensitivity of P. ulei and enhance our understanding of ecological dynamics in tropical dry forests of the Bolivian Cerrado.
This study aims to evaluate the climate sensitivity of radial growth in Platymiscium ulei in the Bolivian Cerrado, in order to improve understanding of the dynamics of tropical dry forests under changing environmental conditions. The scarcity of dendrochronological studies in the region limits knowledge about tree growth ecology and the response of these ecosystems to climate variability. This research helps to fill that gap by analyzing the radial growth of P. ulei (Tarara Colorada) in the Mercedes community, based on a tree-ring chronology covering the period 1923- 2017. The chronology quality, supported by an autocorrelation of 0.50, a mean sensitivity of 0.41, an R-bar of 0.30, and an EPS of 0.85, indicates that the series capture a representative common signal. Climate analysis for the period 1943-2017 revealed a positive correlation between radial growth and precipitation (r = 0.48;p < 0.05), and a negative correlation with temperature (r = -0.25; p < 0.05) during the wet season (October to January). Higher temperatures increase evapotranspiration, thereby reducing growth rates. In addition, the regional analysis of interannual and multidecadal variability reveals a sustained response to dominant hydroclimatic conditions. Two periods of above-average growth stand out (1974-1980 and 1998-2009), which coincide with La Niña episodes and wetter regional phases. In contrast, the periods 1960-1975, 1979-1986, and 1989-1998 show reduced growth, associated with El Niño events and documented droughts. Since 2009, a marked decline in radial growth has been observed, likely linked to the intensification of seasonal droughts and rising extreme temperatures. These findings provide key insights into the climate sensitivity of P. ulei and enhance our understanding of ecological dynamics in tropical dry forests of the Bolivian Cerrado.
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Vol. 60, No. 2