CLIMATE RESPONSE AMONG GROWTH INCREMENTS OF FISH AND TREES

Significant correlations were found among the annual growth increments of stream fish, trees, and climate variables in the Ozark region of t he United States. The variation in annual growth increments of rock ba ss (Ambloplites rupestris) from the Jacks Fork River was significantly correlated over 22 years with the ring width of four tree species: wh ite oak (Quercus alba), post oak (Quercus stellata), shortleaf pine (P inus echinata) and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Rock bass growth and tree growth were both significantly correlated with July r ainfall and stream discharge. Variations in annual growth of smallmout h bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from four streams were significantly cor related over 29 years (1939-1968) with mean May maximum air temperatur e but not with tree growth. The magnitude and significance of correlat ions among growth increments from fish and trees imply that conditions such as topography, stream gradient, organism age, and the distributi on of a population relative to its geographic range can influence the climatic response of an organism. The timing and intensity of climatic variables may produce different responses among closely related speci es.