Dendroclimatological Investigation of High Altitude Himalayan Conifers and Tropical Teak In India

A wide tree-ring data network from Western Himalayan region as well as from Central and Peninsular India have been established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, India. This includes several ring width and density chronologies of Himalayan conifers (Pinus, Picea, Cedrus, Abies)covering entire area of Western Himalaya and teak (Tectona grandis L.F.) from central and peninsular India. Many of these chronologies go back to $15^{th}$ century. Tree-ring based reconstructed pre-monsoon (March-April-May) summer climate of Western Himalaya do not show any significant increasing or decreasing trend since past several centuries. High altitude tree-ring chronologies near tree line-glacier boundary are sensitive to the winter temperature. Unprecedented higher growth in recent decades is closely associated with the warming trend over the Himalayan region. Dendroclimatic analysis of teak (Tectona grandis) from Central and Peninsular India show significant relationship with pre-monsoon and monsoon climate. Moisture index over the region indicates strong association with tree-ring variations rather than the direct influence of rainfall. It is evident that, two to three consecutive good monsoon years are capable of maintaining normal or above normal tree growth, even though the following year is low precipitation year.