Geographic and temporal patterns in white spruce climate–growth relationships in Yukon, Canada

A growing body of evidence suggests that climate change will have complex effects on the boreal forests of western Canada. Studies that examine historical species responses over large geographic and climatic distances may provide insights into the temporal and spatial complexities underlying forest vulnerabilities to climate change. We analyzed annual tree-ring data collected from 56 white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) populations across the species’ distribution in Yukon, Canada. Regional growth patterns were identified and correlation and response functions were computed to determine primary climatic influences on growth within each region. The temporal stability of climate–growth relationships was also tested in regions with sufficient climate records. Key results showed that white spruce radial growth shows strong geographic patterns across Yukon, likely reflecting large-scale climatic influences on growth. Drought appears to be a primary limitation to white spruce growth across much of southern Yukon, whereas snowfall and summer temperatures may be more important limitations in other regions. Spruce populations growing at high-elevations in central Yukon may be changing their climatic sensitivity over time and are converging with low-elevation populations in terms of climate–growth relationships. The considerable spatial and temporal complexity of climate–growth responses suggest that climate change will have varying implications for white spruce growth across Yukon.

► We studied white spruce growth responses to climate across Yukon, Canada.
► Annual radial growth patterns show strong coherence within six regions across Yukon.
► Drought strongly limits white spruce growth across southern Yukon.
► In some environments, climate–growth relationships are changing over time.