The Biological Model for Paleoclimatic Interpretation of Mesa Verde Tree-Ring Series

1965 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 101-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold C. Fritts ◽  
David G. Smith ◽  
Marvin A. Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Biological Model ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Mesa Verde ◽  
Pinyon Pine ◽  
Utah Juniper ◽  
Low Precipitation

AbstractRing-width chronologies in Douglas-fir, pinyon pine, and Utah juniper show some distinctly different characteristics and exhibit highly predictable relationships with variations in climate. Narrow rings in Douglas-fir are largely the result of low precipitation and high temperatures of the previous June, low precipitation during August through February, low precipitation and low temperatures during March through May, and low precipitation and high temperatures of the current June. Narrow rings in pinyon pine are largely a function of low precipitation from October through May, but high July temperatures near the end of the growing season may also exert an influence. Narrow rings in Utah juniper are the result of low precipitation and high temperatures during the previous October through November, low precipitation during December through February, and low precipitation and high temperatures during March through May. A biological model for these relationships is proposed. The tree-ring chronology from A.D. 1273 through 1285 exhibits a clearly defined drought which exceeds in length and intensity any dry period occurring since A.D. 1673. A comparison of the chronologies from species which are influenced differently by summer precipitation indicates that during this period both summers and winters must have been dry. However, the A.D. 1273-1285 drought at Mesa Verde was surpassed by six other droughts of greater intensity during the period A.D. 500–1300. The A.D. 1273–1285 drought may be only one of several factors in a chain of events which led to the decline of prehistoric population in the Mesa Verde.

scholarly journals The 443-Year Tree-Ring Chronology for the Scots Pine from Upper Silesia (Poland) as A Dating Tool and Climate Proxy

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Opała
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Series Length ◽  
Upper Silesia ◽  
Living Tree ◽  
Absolute Dating ◽  
The Mean

Abstract An annually resolved and absolutely dated ring-width chronology spanning 443 years has been constructed using the historical and living-tree Scots pine samples from the Upper Silesia, south of Poland. The constructed regional chronology, based on six object chronologies, covers the period of 1568-2010. It is composed of 178 wood samples with the mean correlation of 0.51, mean series length of 104 years and mean EPS of 0.85. In total, 65 extreme years were distinguished. Their inde-pendent verification, based on the historical and meteorological data, showed significant correlation with the exceptionally cold/mild winters as well as severe droughts. The comparison of the extreme years with the other Polish pine chronologies showed similarities in the years with the anomalous winter conditions. Some extreme years can be associated with the exceptional pluvial conditions; these years are common in the Central European hydroclimatic tree-ring records. The construction of this regional pine chronology enables for the absolute dating of many architectural monuments from investigated region. The application of the new chronology for the dating of local wood can support interpretations of changes in the environment of the Upper Silesian region. In the future it can also be used as the basis for climate reconstruction.

scholarly journals An 854-Year Tree-Ring Chronology of Scots Pine for South-West Finland

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuli Helama ◽  
Jari Holopainen ◽  
Mauri Timonen ◽  
Kari Mielikäinen
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
The South ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
The North ◽  
South West ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract A near-millennial tree-ring chronology (AD 1147-2000) is presented for south-west Finland and analyzed using dendroclimatic methods. This is a composite chronology comprising samples both from standing pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) and subfossil trunks as recovered from the lake sediments, with a total sample size of 189 tree-ring sample series. The series were dendrochronologically cross-dated to exact calendar years to portray variability in tree-ring widths on inter-annual and longer scales. Al though the studied chronology correlates statistically significantly with other long tree-ring width chronologies from Finland over their common period (AD 1520-1993), the south-west chronology did not exhibit similarly strong mid-summer temperature or spring/early-summer precipitation signals in comparison to published chronologies. On the other hand, the south-west chronology showed highest correlations to the North Atlantic Oscillation indices in winter/spring months, this association following a dendroclimatic feature common to pine chronologies over the region and adjacent areas. Paleoclimatic comparison showed that tree-rings had varied similarly to central European spring temperatures. It is postulated that the collected and dated tree-ring material could be studied for wood surface reflectance (blue channel light intensity) and stable isotopes, which both have recently shown to correlate notably well with summer temperatures.

scholarly journals Influence of climate on radial growth of Abies pindrow in Western Nepal Himalaya

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
U K Thapa ◽  
S K Shah ◽  
N P Gaire ◽  
D R Bhuju ◽  
A. Bhattacharyya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Nepal Himalaya ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Abies Pindrow

 This study aims to understand the influence of climate on radial growth of Abies pindrow growing in the plateau of mixed forest in Khaptad National Park in Western Nepal Himalaya. Based on the dated tree-ring samples, 362-year long tree-ring width chronology was developed dating back to 1650. The studied taxa of this region was found to have dendroclimatic potentiality that was evident from the chronology statistics calculated. The tree-ring chronology was correlated with climate (temperature and precipitation) data to derive the tree-growth climate relationship. The result showed significant negative relationship with March-May temperature and positive relationship with March-May precipitation. This indicates that the availability of moisture is the primary factor in limiting the tree growth.Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2013

scholarly journals Process based model sheds light on climate sensitivity of Mediterranean tree-ring width

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 965-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Touchan ◽  
V. V. Shishov ◽  
D. M. Meko ◽  
I. Nouiri ◽  
A. Grachev
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Climate Station ◽  
Using Data

Abstract. We use the process-based VS (Vaganov-Shashkin) model to investigate whether a regional Pinus halepensis tree-ring chronology from Tunisia can be simulated as a function of climate alone by employing a biological model linking day length and daily temperature and precipitation (AD 1959–2004) from a climate station to ring-width variations. We check performance of the model on independent data by a validation exercise in which the model's parameters are tuned using data for 1982–2004 and the model is applied to generate tree-ring indices for 1959–1981. The validation exercise yields a highly significant positive correlation between the residual chronology and estimated growth curve (r=0.76 p<0.0001, n=23). The model shows that the average duration of the growing season is 191 days, with considerable variation from year to year. On average, soil moisture limits tree-ring growth for 128 days and temperature for 63 days. Model results depend on chosen values of parameters, in particular a parameter specifying a balance ratio between soil moisture and precipitation. Future work in the Mediterranean region should include multi-year natural experiments to verify patterns of cambial-growth variation suggested by the VS model.

Local Chronologies and Regional Diversity of Dendrochronological Signal of Douglas Fir in Poland

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (-1) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sławomir Wilczyński ◽  
Edward Feliksik
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Radial Increment ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Regional Diversity ◽  
Baltic Coast ◽  
Fourth Zone ◽  
Good Standard

Local Chronologies and Regional Diversity of Dendrochronological Signal of Douglas Fir in PolandIn Poland, 50 sites of Douglas fir were selected for which tree-ring chronologies were computed. Douglas fir in different parts of Poland has a specific increment rhythm, on the basis of which the four homogeneous dendrochronological zones were distinguished. The first zone (I) comprises Pomerania, Baltic coast, Warmia, and Mazuria (lowlands of northern Poland), the second zone (II) - Great Poland, Lower Silesia (lowlands of central Poland), the third zone (III) - the Sudetes and the Carpathian mountains, and the fourth zone (IV) - foothills of the Carpathians Mts., Roztocze, and the Świętokrzyskie Mts. (uplands of southern Poland). These areas are called the dendroclimatic zones because different thermo-pluvial conditions of the summer season were a cause of diversification of the Douglas fir increment rhythm, and in consequence of its chronology. A high similarity of site chronologies of a given region permitted to construct regional tree-ring chronologies for respective zones. Thermal conditions of the winter season (February - March) were the factor most strongly and similarly affecting radial increment of Douglas fir populations in the entire territory of Poland. This factor caused that all chronologies showed many similar traits in their progress. This fact permitted to construct the supra-regional (all-Polish) tree-ring chronology for this tree species. It comprises the period from 1900 to 2000, and it is a good standard for dating Douglas fir wood samples originating from the area of Poland.

scholarly journals Process based model sheds light on climate signal of mediterranean tree rings

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 11089-11105
Author(s):  
R. Touchan ◽  
V. V. Shishov ◽  
D. M. Meko ◽  
I. Nouiri ◽  
A. Grachev
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Average Duration ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Climate Signal ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Climate Station

Abstract. We use the process-based VS (Vaganov-Shashkin) model to investigate whether a regional Pinus halapensis tree-ring chronology from Tunisia can be simulated as a function of climate alone by employing a biological model linking day length and daily temperature and precipitation (AD 1959–2004) from a climate station to ring-width variations. We use two periods to calibrate (1982–2004) and verify (1959–1981) the model. We have obtained highly significant positive correlation between the residual chronology and estimated growth curve (r = 0.76 p < 0.001). The model shows that the average duration of the growing season is 191 days. On average, soil moisture limits tree-ring growth for 128 days and temperature for 63 days.

scholarly journals The 12,460-Year Hohenheim Oak and Pine Tree-Ring Chronology from Central Europe—A Unique Annual Record for Radiocarbon Calibration and Paleoenvironment Reconstructions

Radiocarbon ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1111-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Friedrich ◽  
Sabine Remmele ◽  
Bernd Kromer ◽  
Jutta Hofmann ◽  
Marco Spurk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Younger Dryas ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
The Holocene ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
German Part ◽  
Radiocarbon Calibration

The combined oak and pine tree-ring chronologies of Hohenheim University are the backbone of the Holocene radiocarbon calibration for central Europe. Here, we present the revised Holocene oak chronology (HOC) and the Preboreal pine chronology (PPC) with respect to revisions, critical links, and extensions. Since 1998, the HOC has been strengthened by new trees starting at 10,429 BP (8480 BC). Oaks affected by cockchafer have been identified and discarded from the chronology. The formerly floating PPC has been cross-matched dendrochronologically to the absolutely dated oak chronology, which revealed a difference of only 8 yr to the published 14C wiggle-match position used for IntCal98. The 2 parts of the PPC, which were linked tentatively at 11,250 BP, have been revised and strengthened by new trees, which enabled us to link both parts of the PPC dendrochronologically. Including the 8-yr shift of the oak-pine link, the older part of the PPC (pre-11,250 BP) needs to be shifted 70 yr to older ages with respect to the published data (Spurk 1998). The southern German part of the PPC now covers 2103 yr from 11,993–9891 BP (10,044–7942 BC). In addition, the PPC was extended significantly by new pine chronologies from other regions. A pine chronology from Avenches and Zürich, Switzerland, and another from the Younger Dryas forest of Cottbus, eastern Germany, could be crossdated and dendrochronologically matched to the PPC. The absolutely dated tree-ring chronology now extends back to 12,410 cal BP (10,461 BC). Therefore, the tree-ring-based 14C calibration now reaches back into the Central Younger Dryas. With respect to the Younger Dryas-Preboreal transition identified in the ring width of our pines at 11,590 BP, the absolute tree-ring chronology now covers the entire Holocene and 820 yr of the Younger Dryas.

DENDROCLIMATOLOGICAL STUDIES OF PICEA LIKIANGENSIS AND TSUGA DUMOSA IN LIJIANG, CHINA

IAWA Journal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaiai Guo ◽  
Zong-Shan Li ◽  
Qi-Bin Zhang ◽  
Ke-Ping Ma ◽  
Conglong Mu
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Moisture Condition ◽  
Individual Trees

Expansion of climate proxy records over space is needed for improving our knowledge of past climate variability. Here we report on a 112-year tree-ring chronology of Picea likiangensis (Franch.) E.Pritz. and a 165- year tree-ring chronology of Tsuga dumosa (D.Don) Eichler for the Lijiang area, northwestern Yunnan, China. Mean correlation coefficients of tree-ring width series among individual trees are 0.48 for P. likiangensis and 0.45 for T. dumosa, indicating a growth response to common environmental variability. Analysis of climate-growth relationships shows that the radial growth of P. likiangensis is mainly negatively correlated with temperature from December of the prior growth year to May of the growth year, and that of T. dumosa is mainly positively correlated with precipitation of January and May in the growth year. We further found that the chronology of T. dumosa can be used to reconstruct the May-June Palmer Drought Severity Index. The reconstruction shows that major wet periods occurred in the 1860s, 1910s and 1940s, and drought periods in 1892–1905, 1914–1924 and 1928–1938. The moisture condition of the late 20th century is characterized by a near-normal state from the 1950s to the 1970s and an increasing trend from 1982 to 2003.

scholarly journals A 177 Years Extended of Teak Chronology Revealing to the Climate Variability in Phrae Province, Northern of Thailand

2020 ◽  
pp. 85-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanokrat Buareal ◽  
Supaporn Buajan ◽  
Sineenart Preechamart ◽  
Chotika Muangsong ◽  
Nathsuda Pumijumnong
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Summer Monsoon Season ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Northern Thailand ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
The Past ◽  
Good Potential

Teak ring-width is one of the promising paleoclimate proxies in the tropical region. Tree-ring chronology spanning from 1840 to 2016 (177 years) was derived from seventy-six trees from Phrae Province, northern Thailand. A total of 141 core samples were cross-dated, a standardized master was constructed, and the tree residual master chronology was developed by ARSTAN program. The tree-ring chronology has a significant positive correlation with the monthly rainfall and relative humidity during the monsoon season (May - June). In addition, the growth of tree-ring width also significantly inversely correlated with Niño 3, Niño 3.4, and Niño 4 indices during the second half of the dry season (January - March). We reconstructed summer monsoon season (May - June) rainfall based on a linear regression model which explained 21.95% of the actual rainfall variance. The trend of the reconstructed rainfall record shows a decrease of 0.6 mm per decade and substantially showed four wet periods and five dry periods. These results suggest that this teak chronology has a good potential to be a high-resolution proxy for reconstructing the past local climate in northern Thailand.

Evidence of Prehistoric Cultivation of Douglas-Fir Trees at Mesa Verde

1965 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Nichols ◽  
David G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Stone Tools ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Single Root ◽  
Mesa Verde ◽  
12Th Century ◽  
Old Trees ◽  
Short Time

AbstractThree trees which began growing in the 12th century lean in a manner not characteristic of neighboring Douglas-firs and have tree-ring patterns showing changes that do not appear to reflect climatic influences. Two old trees, now dead, have limb stubs that were cut by stone tools. It is possible the prehistoric Indians cultivated trees so that in a relatively short time a single root system would produce several limbs suitable for use as construction timbers.

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