Estimation of Age and Growth Rate of Pinus gerardiana Forest Trees, Wildly Grown in Shinghar Zhob Area Balochistan-Pakistan by Using Dendro-chronological Approach
Paper Details
Estimation of Age and Growth Rate of Pinus gerardiana Forest Trees, Wildly Grown in Shinghar Zhob Area Balochistan-Pakistan by Using Dendro-chronological Approach
Abstract
The aim of study was to determine the age and growth rate of Pinus gererdiana trees which are wildly grown in Shinghar Zhob Area of Balochistan-Pakistan through different Dendro-chronological Approach. Wood samples in the form of cross-sections and cores were obtained from 40 living Pinus gerardiana trees to determine their age, growth rates and ring width characteristics from all sites of the study area. Results showed that the age and growth rates varied greatly from tree to tree and site to site and even in the same sized trees. Rings of this species were annual nature with distinct and clear ring boundaries. Cross dating was not achieved only in young trees in while old trees were mostly rotten in the centre and showed poor matching. The presence of false rings, missing rings, wedge out, lack of ring pattern consistency and lobate growth around the tree was observed in Pinus gerardiana. The result indicated that at least 4 cores, a suitable site-selection and sample of tree rings in the form of trunks section may improve ring with characteristics and can successfully be used in dendrochronological studies. It is shown that largest tree, in terms of diameter, is not necessarily the oldest. Highest growth rate in Pinus gerardiana in years/cm and cm/year was recorded at locations Zarjangal and Branga while the lowest was found from the Marmanda Ghar and three other sites also.
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Qulam Khan Safi, Atta Muhammed Sarangzai, Saadullah Khan Leghari, Kanval Shaukat, 2020. Estimation of Age and Growth Rate of Pinus gerardiana Forest Trees, Wildly Grown in Shinghar Zhob Area Balochistan-Pakistan by Using Dendro-chronological Approach. Int. J. Biosci., 16(2), 436-443.
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