DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CONIFEROUS TREE SPECIES IN THE FOREST-STEPPE ZONE ON THE TERRITORY OF THE STATE NATIONAL NATURAL PARK «KOKSHETAU»: COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF FIVE BRANCHES

Abstract

This article presents the results of dendrochronological studies conducted in five branches of the State National Natural Park «Kokshetau» (Zerenda, Arybalyk, Shalkar, Aiyrtau, and Ormanly Bulak). The research was based on the analysis of tree-ring samples from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.). The study established the main statistical characteristics of local chronologies, including the period of chronologies (1813-2025), the mean radial increment, standard deviation, mean sensitivity (MS), interseries correlation (RBAR), synchronicity (GLK), and the expressed population signal (EPS). The results revealed that the Zerenda site demonstrated the highest indicators of radial growth (1.42 conventional units) and the highest sensitivity (MS=0.38) and interseries correlation (RBAR=0.68), indicating a more pronounced response to climatic factors. All studied chronologies are characterized by high reliability (EPS>0.85), confirming their suitability for climatic reconstructions. The obtained data form the basis for further studies of the influence of climatic factors on the radial growth of coniferous species in the forest-steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan. of Northern Kazakhstan.