Historical responses of Quercus variabilis growth to environmental changes in Southern Korea: Evidence from tree ring width and δ 13C

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 (13C/12C denoted as δ13C) 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 δ13C. Basal area increment (BAI) of the annual ring was calculated from the width data, and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) was calculated using δ13C. The intercorrelations among BAI, Δ, and environmental variables were explored. The BAI was positively (p