Assessing Diameter Growth in Conifers and Relation with Bioclimatic Variables under Temperate Conditions of Western Himalayas

The current study was taken to assess average annual growth rate put on different onifer species ( Abies pindrow, Cedrus deodara, Picea smithiana Pinus wallichiana) and under varying climatic variables including temperature, precipitation and relative humidity over a period of 10 years using multiple regression approach.A general response of average increment per year under different diameter classes viz. 1 (10-30) cm, 2 (31-50) cm, 3 (51-70) cm and 4 (71-90) was also assessed using standard tree increment core method.Ninety-six core samples were extracted from the selected trees and analysed for tree ring widths according to standard dendrochronological procedures. Cedrus deodaraAbies pindrow showed highest average annual increment of 6.32mm, while as showed the lowest annual increment with 4.31mm over the period.Average annual increment of diameter class 2 (31-50cm) was highest (5.53 mm) irrespective of species and sites while as the lowest was observed for class 3 (4.81mm) and 4 (4.85 mm).Response of average annual increment to climatic variables was best explained for (R = 0.62) while as diameter class 2 best explained the response to climatic variables with R (0.92).The Cedrus deodara 2 2 regression models developed for different species and diameter classes were validated through predicted models having close coherence with the observed values.The study addresses data gaps and offers potential to predict biomass carbon accumulation under the changing climatic conditions.