Dendroseismological potential of pine tree species of Azad Jammu and Kashmir-Pakistan: A preliminary study

摘要

The present study deals with the dendroseismological potential of five pine tree species of Azad Kashmir-Pakistan, i.e., Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson, Pinus roxburghii Sargent, Picea smithiana (Wall) Boiss., Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Donf., and Abies pindrow Royle. Since Azad Kashmir is known as a major seismological disturbed area of Pakistan, emphasis is given on landslides, earthquake other past disturbance events and their effects on annual growth rings of pine tree species of this area. A total of 325 cores from 180 trees were sampled from different parts of Azad Kashmir close to and on fault line area. Among them Abies pindrow and Cedrus deodara produced cross match-able ringwidth series. Group of missing/double rings and abrupt growth change was recorded in various wood samples with a clear wound scars showing some sort of past disturbance. This preliminary study revealed that among five pine tree species, two species showed some signs of disturbance of the past. However, further extensive study is required to investigate past earthquake/disturbance and response of these two species in Azad Kashmir area.