Abstract

LOPEZ SANCHEZ, Jesús Ángel et al. Impact of debarkers upon the radial increment of Pinus teocote Schiede. ex Schltdl. & Cham. and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.41, pp.82-108. ISSN 2007-1132.

Dendrochronological studies allow the dating of important events that influence tree growth. The objective of this study was to compare through dendrochronological techniques, the impact of bark beetles on the radial growth in Pinus teocote (Pt) and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Pm). Increment cores of 52 trees of Pt (26 healthy and 26 infested) and 72 of Pm (36 healthy and 36 infested) were analyzed at two sites located in the Sierra Madre Oriental. The analyzed data were: ring width and ring-width index, of the whole chronology, but also before and after bark beetles were registered. Through t-Student tests, the ring width of trees (healthy and infested) was compared before and after the attack of the insects. The accumulated radial increase in Pt was higher in infested trees (1.86 mm year-1) than in healthy trees (1.30 mm year -1); in Pm, healthy trees increased more (3.01 mm year-1) than the infested ones (1.81 mm year-1). In conclusion, each species responds differently to the attack of bark beetle insects, and this seems to be a way of preserving the species. Dendrochronology is a useful tool for evaluating forest productivity as it yields accurate data on age and annual increase of trees.

Keywords : Ring-width; dendrochronology; Dendroctonus spp; Arteaga municipality; Pinus teocote Schiede. ex Schltdl. & Cham; Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.