Abstract: The physiological response mechanisms of trees to climate change are complex, particularly across varying elevations and among different tree species. In this study, we collected tree ring samples from two dominant conifer species (Picea crassifolia and Pinus tabuliformis) at three elevations at the edge of the Tengger Desert. We used tree-ring width (TRW) and tree ring oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O_TR) to investigate how species and elevations affect their responses to climate change. Pearson’s correlation analysis and relative importance analysis were used to study the specific response processes of the two conifers to climate. The results showed that the TRW was mainly controlled by Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) during the growing season, which means that drought stress had the greatest effect on it. And δ¹⁸O_TR mainly responded to summer relative humidity. Both TRW and δ¹⁸O_TR of P. crassifolia showed higher sensitivity to climate change. This sensitivity is largely attributed to the rapid uptake of precipitation by its developed shallow-rooted root system, which allows it to retain the precipitation signal in both TRW and δ¹⁸O_TR. However, P. crassifolia may be more susceptible to drought stress and growth decline or even death in the context of a warming region. Our results are important for understanding the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems using multiple indicators and developing corresponding ecological conservation measures.

Key words: tree-ring width (TRW), tree-ring oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O_TR), elevation effect, species effect, climate effect