Consistent Dendrochronological Response of the Dioecious Salix arctica to Variation in Local Snow Precipitation across Gender and Vegetation Types

Dendroclimatological reconstructions may be influenced by intraspecific variation in
radial growth caused by plant gender and ecotypic differentiation. We examined the
growth response of the High Arctic Salix arctica to interannual variation in snow
precipitation in Zackenberg, NE Greenland. Tree ring examinations revealed a
consistent response of annual radial growth in this dwarf shrub to variation in the
amount of snow precipitation across gender and across three distinct vegetation
types. Annual growth, however, differed between vegetation types. These results are
discussed with respect to an improved understanding of the factors limiting the
growth of S. arctica, which can be used for future reconstructions of climatic
conditions, especially in remote High Arctic regions.