The variations of stable-carbon isotope ratios in Qilian juniper in northwestern China

This is the first study of δ¹³C values that considers elevational influences of the Qilian mountains of China. The δ¹³C values of different parts of the Qilian juniper (Sabina przewalskii Kom.) at different elevations of the Qilian mountains, China, were measured. Relatively constant differences in δ¹³C values existed between the tree leaves and the trunk wood. No strong dependency of δ¹³C values on elevation was found. The temporal changes of wood δ¹³C values with directions, elevations and height in the tree showed general similarity. These results suggest that the isotopic effects of environmental factors expressed initially at the site of photosynthesis, i.e., the leaves could be contained in the trunks of a tree. Regardless of elevation, direction or height in the tree, wood δ¹³C values have been decreasing during the past 60 years. A composite 600-year δ¹³C chronology developed from four trees showed that δ¹³C values remain relatively constant before 1800. After 1800 AD, however, δ¹³C values became significantly more negative. The trend in wood δ¹³C values was consistent with that obtained for δ¹³C values in atmospheric CO₂. The results showed that for Qilian juniper, tree-ring δ¹³C chronology could be established to ascertain fluctuations of the atmospheric δ¹³C.