Isolated Trees in Two Tibetan Plateau Treelines Reveal Growth Plasticity to Harsh Conditions of the Little Ice Age

Trees greater than 150 years old growing in the current treelines were most likely isolated tree outposts above previous of Little Ice Age (LIA). An intuitive question is, how did these trees grow at such a high elevation cold environment? Here, we tackle this using tree-ring width data Northern Hemisphere’s highest 4900 m a.s.l. (Basu) and 4680 (Langkazi) on Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that an age-related exponential growth trend not exist ring-width sequences sampled trees. values ring widths had similar pattern probability distribution during after LIA. coefficients variation significantly those non-isolated their common period. Synchronicity annual change radial among varied time. These indicated LIA developed adaptive ability to slow down rate modulate synchronicity individuals stressful environments. Our study highlights plasticity for coping with harsh conditions