Tree-ring data reveal trees are suffering from severe drought stress in the humid subtropical forest

The young secondary forests in subtropical regions of China play an important role in the global carbon cycle and China's ecological and economic security. These values are closely related to tree radial growth (RW), primarily affected by climate changes, especially climate warming. Here, we measured the RW of six common tree species in subtropical China (Cunninghamia lanceolata, Pinus massoniana, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Liquidambar formosana, Choerospondias axillaris, and Lithocarpus glaber) and quantified how each responded to climate warming. Temperature and moisture were the main climate factors limiting the growth of tree species in the study area. The growth of tree species other than L. formosana and P. massoniana was negatively correlated with temperature and positively correlated with relative humidity. Precipitation in the growing season was negatively correlated with the growth of L. formosana and M. glyptostroboides and positively affected the growth of the other tree species. The radial growth trends of trees growing in similar terrain and climate conditions were similar, but their degree of variation was different. Compared to broad-leaved tree species (L. formosana, C. axillaris, and L. glaber), coniferous tree species (C. lanceolata, P. massoniana, and M. glyptostroboides) were more climate-sensitive, particularly C. lanceolata. Climate warming can potentially extend the growing period and promote the radial growth of the study tree species, but more often leads to drought stress that inhibits radial growth. The long-term drought during 2004-2015 significantly reduced the radial growth of most species, especially conifers which are more vulnerable to drought than broad-leaved trees. Our results highlight that most tree species in the humid subtropical forest in South China are suffering from severe drought stress, which significantly affects forest carbon sequestration. It is probably a good warning for current plantation policy and species selection to better achieving the Carbon Peaking & Carbon Neutrality goals of the Chinese government.

Automated summary

The young secondary forests in subtropical regions of China have significant roles in the global carbon cycle and China's ecological and economic security. Climate warming affects the tree radial growth and the response of different tree species to climate varies. Drought stress caused by climate warming significantly impacts the radial growth of most tree species, especially conifers.