Dataset from the project entitled HimFunDiff. Related to research article: Global warming alters Himalayan alpine shrub growth dynamics and climate sensitivity.

We examined a total of 9 populations of Rhododendron anthopogon, which were located between 3200 m and 4200 m above sea level (asl). These populations were distributed across three geographically distant transects, with each transect consisting of three sites (along an elevation gradient). The transects are referred to as northern, intermediate, and southern, while the sites at each transect are categorized as low, mid, and high (as depicted in Thakur et al 2024). The northern transect exhibited colder temperatures and lower rainfall compared to the other two transects. On the other hand, the two remaining transects had relatively similar temperatures, but the southernmost transect received higher levels of precipitation. The mean annual temperature of these populations ranged from 2 °C to 5 °C from 2021 through 2022, while volumetric soil moisture levels varied from 0.198 to 0.377 based on onsite measurements using TMS4 dataloggers (Wild et al., 2019).

We collected a total of 81 wood disc samples, with 9 samples obtained from each of the 9 sites studied (9 populations × 9 discs). The samples were collected by cutting a single piece from the thickest stem segment, approximately 5 cm in length, from 81 different mature and healthy individuals. Within each site, the 9 samples were obtained from three separate plots (three samples per plot), each covering an area of approximately 100 m2. The selection criteria for these plots included: (1) the presence of Rhododendron anthopogon as one of the dominant species; (2) minimal anthropogenic disturbance; and (3) the absence of large shrubs or trees. The sampled individuals within a plot were spaced at least 5 m apart from each other, and the plots themselves were at least 20 m apart. To prevent rapid drying, the cut stem samples were immediately placed in a wet paper towel. Within 48  hours of sampling, the stem samples underwent dehydration by being immersed in 50 % ethanol for the initial 3 days, followed by 70 % ethanol for the subsequent 7 to 10 days. After the ethanol dehydration process, the samples were air-dried for 72  hours and then stored in paper bags until further processing.

Plant age and growth data for each of the sampled individuals were obtained following established protocols (Doležal et al., 2018). In the laboratory, we utilized a sledge microtome to cut cross-sections from each stem sample. These cross-sections were then stained with Astra Blue and Safranin and permanently affixed to microscope slides using Canada Balsam (Doležal et al., 2022). High-resolution images of the fixed sections were captured using an Olympus BX53 microscope equipped with an Olympus DP73 camera. The software CellSense Entry 1.9 was employed to analyse the best image obtained from each individual. We measured annual radial growth increments from pith to bark to the nearest micrometre. 

More details are given in the article entitled 

Global warming alters Himalayan alpine shrub growth dynamics and climate sensitivity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170252