Abstract: A total of 138 Cryptomeria japonica cores were collected at three different elevations in Lushan Nature Reserve. The relationship between radial growth and seasonal and monthly climate factors was analyzed by dendrography. Tree ring width of C. japonica at low elevation was more sensitive to changes of climatic factors than that at medium and high elevation. Radial growth was positively correlated with spring relative humidity at low elevation and middle elevation (P<0.05), negatively correlated with sunshine hours in spring and autumn mean temperature at low elevation (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with summer mean temperature and autumn mean temperature at middle elevation (P<0.05). There was a certain correlation between radial growth and climate factors in each season at high elevation, but the correlation was not significant. Radial growth was positively correlated with mean temperature of three different elevations in January (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with mean temperature in July of previous year and July of current year at low and middle elevation (P<0.05). High temperature would inhibit tree growth. Radial growth was negatively correlated with relative humidity, precipitation (P<0.05), positively correlated with sunshine hours (P<0.05) in April at low elevation, and decreased with the increase of elevation. The correlation between radial growth of C. japonica and main climatic factors in Lushan Mountain varied among different seasons. Radial growth was mainly influenced by the temperature in July and July of the previous year and the relative humidity in April. Elevation was an important factor affecting the response of radial growth to climatic factors. The standard annual ring width chronology established here was suitable for the study of tree ring climatology.

Key words: ammonia volatilization, denitrification, runoff, nitrogen management, leaching, nitrogen use efficiency.