Exploring monsoon precipitation signal in the Peruvian tropical montane cloud forest: Andean Walnut wood anatomy plasticity

Abstract

Andean Walnut (Juglans neotropica Diels-Juglandaceae) is a long-lived, deciduous broadleaf Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) tree species native to the Andes Cordillera; nevertheless, it has received limited attention for dendro-quantitative wood anatomical studies. Based on 70 increment cores from 50 Andean Walnut trees at two Peruvian TMCFs, two chronologies (from 1969 to 2020 and from 1964 to 2020) were developed. The xylem vessel parameters assessment allowed us to detect South American Monsoon System (SAMS) precipitation signals in the Andean Walnuts’ wood. Dendro-wood anatomical features can be assessed within an annual growth ring, which allows for assessing intra-annual past and present wood anatomy-function relationships and its climate vulnerability.