Representing the altitudinal limit of typical vegetation, the alpine timberline is a unique natural landscape that is also a sensitive indicator of the well-being of alpine ecosystems. Schrenk spruce (P. schrenkiana) is a tree species unique to arid Central Asia. In this study, we found that the P. schrenkiana can grow at elevations of up to 3600 m. To better understand how this species survives at such high elevations, we used tree-ring samples to analyze the relationship between climate and the radial growth of P. schrenkiana at the alpine timberline. Our results suggest that the mean minimum temperature during the growing season is the main factor limiting the radial growth of timberline P. schrenkiana. The limiting effect of temperature on radial growth has been significant and stable over the past 60 years. However, the influence of precipitation on tree growth has increased due to rapid warming. Continued warming may further complicate the response of P. schrenkiana radial growth to climate at the timberline in arid Central Asia.

代表典型植被的海拔极限，高山林线是独特的自然景观，也是高山生态系统健康状况的敏感指标。施伦克云杉 ( P. schrenkiana ) 是干旱的中亚特有的树种。在这项研究中，我们发现P. schrenkiana可以在高达 3600 m 的海拔高度生长。为了更好地了解该物种如何在如此高的海拔下生存，我们使用树木年轮样本来分析气候与高山林线P. schrenkiana径向生长之间的关系。我们的研究结果表明，生长季节的平均最低温度是限制林线P. schrenkiana径向生长的主要因素. 在过去的 60 年里，温度对径向生长的限制作用是显着且稳定的。然而，由于快速变暖，降水对树木生长的影响有所增加。持续变暖可能会使P. schrenkiana径向生长对干旱中亚林线气候的反应进一步复杂化。