Historical responses of Quercus variabilis growth to environmental changes in Southern Korea: Evidence from tree ring width and δ13C

Historical growth response of Quercus variabilis , which is the most important deciduous timber species in Korea, was investigated using the width and C isotope ratio ( 13 C/ 12 C denoted as δ 13 C) of the annual ring from 1975 to 2007. Tree disks were collected from three Q. variabilis trees with different growth statuses from a site in the Mt. Naejang area, and analyzed for annual ring width and δ 13 C. Basal area increment (BAI) of the annual ring was calculated from the width data, and carbon isotope discrimination ( Δ ) was calculated using δ 13 C. The intercorrelations among BAI, Δ , and environmental variables were explored. The BAI was positively ( p