Tree ring research in the Himalayas – a key resource for extending environmental records into the pre-instrumental period

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazimul Islam ◽  
Torsten Vennemann ◽  
Stuart N. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Lower Latitude ◽  
High Latitudes ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Himalaya

<p>Original dendrochronological research has developed rapidly over the last few decades to cover a wide range of environmental reconstruction, not only mean climate conditions but also climate extremes (e.g. floods, droughts) and other environmental hazards (e.g. landslides, debris flows, sea-level rise, volcanic eruptions). Similarly, the focus has expanded its geographical coverage from the temperate and high latitudes to lower latitudes (e.g.  the Himalaya, Tibet Plateau). Analysis of the two main dedicated dendrochronology journals (Dendrochronologia (2002-) and Tree Ring Research (2015-)) shows that the focus of the majority of published papers has been temperate and high latitudes and many fewer have considered lower latitudes such as the Himalaya. This may be due to the long-lasting controversy and doubt of the existence of tree-rings in lower latitude trees and the lower scientific acceptance of seasonal tree growth in such regions. However, such regions have some of the most preferred tree species (e.g. Larix griffithii, Abies spectabilis, Betula utilis, Juniperus polycarpos etc) for dendrochronological analysis making them suitable for tree-ring research and for answering questions regarding century-scale and longer environmental changes in regions with a relatively short history of instrumented recording of environmental parameters.</p><p>Perhaps the most interesting development in tree ring research is the realization that tree cellulose can be used to acquire information not only of climatic significance but also hydrological significance, by using environmental isotopes. To date, despite of being one of the most climate and geopolitically sensitive regions, the Himalaya has got very less or no attention for combined research of isotopes and anatomical analysis of tree rings. Based on its huge significance, it is critical to combine these two methods to allow us to make linkages between historical climate fluctuations and associated hydrological response. In this poster, we present the conception of a project to do this in a large catchment (4264 km<sup>2</sup>) in the Sikkim Himalaya with the purpose to understand how climate change is simultaneously impacting both water-related risks and water-related resources and crucially how far downstream which is highly significant as millions of people living downstream get freshwater from the seasonal snow and glacier-melt in this part of the Himalayas.</p>

TREE-RING STUDIES IN INDIA PAST APPRAISAL, PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

IAWA Journal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amalava Bhattacharyya ◽  
Santosh K. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Present Status ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Climate Reconstruction ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
The Himalaya

A large number of tree species, especially of conifers growing in the Himalaya and a few broad-leaved taxa in the peninsular region, have been dendrochronologically analyzed in India. This paper is a review providing information as regards the present status and future prospects of tree-ring research in India. Many trees are recorded to have datable tree rings but only some of them have been used for climate reconstruction and other aspects, e.g., glacial fluctuation or palaeo-seismic dating. In future not only ring width which is widely used so far, but also other tree-ring parameters need to be analyzed for a better understanding of the regional climate and its linkage with other climatic phenomena in a global perspective.

scholarly journals Millennial minimum temperature variations in the Qilian Mountains, China: evidence from tree rings

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1763-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
X. M. Shao ◽  
Z.-Y. Yin ◽  
Y. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Qilian Mountains ◽  
Tree Ring Chronology ◽  
Northeastern Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Reconstructed Temperature ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. A 1343-year tree-ring chronology was developed from Qilian junipers in the central Qilian Mountains of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP), China. The climatic implications of this chronology were investigated using simple correlation, partial correlation and response function analyses. The chronology was significantly positively correlated with temperature variables prior to and during the growing season, especially with monthly minimum temperature. Minimum temperature anomalies from January to August since AD 670 were then reconstructed based on the tree-ring chronology. The reconstruction explained 58% of the variance in the instrumental temperature records during the calibration period (1960–2012) and captured the variation patterns in minimum temperature at the annual to centennial timescales over the past millennium. The most recent 50 years were the warmest period, while 1690–1880 was the coldest period since AD 670. Comparisons with other temperature series from neighbouring regions and for the Northern Hemisphere as a whole supported the validity of our reconstruction and suggested that it provided a good regional representation of temperature change in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The results of wavelet analysis showed the occurrence of significant quasi-periodic patterns at a number of recurring periods (2–4, 40–50, and 90–170 years), which were consistent with those associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and solar activity. The comparison between the reconstructed temperature and the index of tropical volcanic radiative forcing indicated that some cold events recorded by tree rings may be due to the impact of tropical volcanic eruptions.

From xylogenesis to tree rings: wood traits to investigate tree response to environmental changes

IAWA Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica De Micco ◽  
Marco Carrer ◽  
Cyrille B.K. Rathgeber ◽  
J. Julio Camarero ◽  
Jordi Voltas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Wood Formation ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Formation Processes ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Environmental Events

ABSTRACTIt is noteworthy that the largest part of global vegetation biomass depends on a thin layer of cells: the vascular cambium. Understanding the wood formation processes and relationships with environmental factors is a crucial and timely research question requiring interdisciplinary efforts, also to upscale the information gained and to evaluate implications for tree growth and forest productivity.We provide an overview of wood formation processes up to tree-ring development, bearing in mind that the combined action of intrinsic factors and environmental drivers determines the anatomical traits of a tree ring formed at a specific time and position within the tree’s architecture. After briefly reviewing intrinsic factors, we focus attention on environmental drivers highlighting how a correct interpretation of environmental signals in tree rings must be grounded in a deep knowledge of xylogenesis and consequent wood anatomical traits. We provide guidelines on novel methods and approaches recently developed to study xylem formation. We refer to existing literature on established techniques for retrospective analyses in tree-ring series of anatomical and isotopic traits, to assess long-term ecophysiological responses to environmental variations, also giving advice on possible bias because of interand within-tree variability.Finally, we highlight that, once the temporal axis of intra-annual tree-ring variability of xylem traits is established by xylogenesis analysis, a multidisciplinary approach linking classical dendro-ecology, wood functional traits (dendro-anatomy) and eco-physiology (here focusing on dendro-isotopes) allows a better interpretation of past environmental events hidden in tree rings, and more reliable forecasts of wood growth in response to climate change.

Signals In Temperature Extremes Emerge in China During The Last Millennium Based On CMIP5 and CMIP6 Simulations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Sui ◽  
Yuting Chen
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
13Th Century ◽  
Early 19Th Century ◽  
Climate Conditions

Abstract Though the magnitude of any change is important, regions which have a larger signal of change relative to the background variations will potentially face greater risks than other regions, as they will see unusual or novel climate conditions more quickly (Frame et al. 2017). Providing more information about signal and noise on regional scales, and the associated attribution to particular causes, is therefore important for adaptation planning (Chen et al. 2021). However, whether a detectable signal in temperature extremes emerges in China at the local or regional level during 850−2005 has not been discussed. Based on six selected and bias-corrected global models under the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5, relative to pre-industrial levels (ca 1850), we show that the temporal information of signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) in annual temperature extremes are consistent with annual mean temperature variations in China during 850−2005. Before 1850, absolute values of regional mean S/N in temperature extremes under cold climatic conditions are generally larger than that under warm climatic conditions. At the level of S/N > 1, local increasing signals of cold extremes emerge in the second half of 13th century and in the early 19th century after intensively volcanic eruptions in 1257 and 1815 in most part of China, especially in southern China and Tibet Plateau. Over the past 150 years under global warming, absolute values of regional mean S/N in temperature extremes have increasing trends. The regional mean increasing signals of warm extremes over China begin to exceed natural variability in 1969 at the level of S/N > 1, and local warm signals first occur in 1929 in Tibet Plateau. These warming signals are related to greenhouse gas forcing.

Relationships between wood anatomical traits and climate conditions at three beech forest sites in Slovenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domen Arnič ◽  
Jožica Gričar ◽  
Jernej Jevšenak ◽  
Gregor Božič ◽  
Georg von Arx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Vessel Density ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Vessel Area ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Forest Sites

<p>It is uncertain how European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) will perform under climate change. Several dendroclimatological studies suggest that increasing temperature will positively affect radial increments at sites optimal for its growth. However, it is not entirely clear how changing growth conditions will affect wood anatomy and thus wood properties. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the relationships between climate conditions (temperature and precipitation) and wood anatomical traits in beech trees growing at optimal beech forest sites in Slovenia. Three forest sites representing the main Slovenian beech provenances were selected (Idrija, Javorniki, and Mašun). At each site, 16 increment cores were collected in 2016 and subsequently prepared for observation under the light microscope. Image analysis software (Image Pro-Plus and Roxas) were used for quantitative wood anatomy. Mean vessel area, vessel density, and relative conductive area were analysed in tree rings between 1960-2016. Furthermore, tree rings were divided into four quarters to assess the intra-annual variability in vessel features also in relation to weather conditions. The preliminary results indicated that there was a significant difference in tree-ring widths as well as in vessel features among the selected forest sites. Idrija, the late flushing provenance, had the narrowest tree rings, the highest vessel density and relative conductive area, and smallest mean vessel area. The other two sites had a similar mean vessel area, while the widest tree-ring width and the smallest vessel density and relative conductive area were observed at Mašun (the mid-flushing provenance). The response of tree-ring width and vessel features to changing climate conditions differed among sites/provenance. Tree-ring widths at Idrija and Javornik were positively affected by late winter temperature, while tree-ring widths at Mašun were mostly affected by summer precipitation. In the case of vessel features, the highest correlations with climate data were observed in the fourth quarter of the rings with late summer temperature and precipitation. In conclusion, early spring temperatures and summer precipitation proved to be the most important climatic factors affecting beech growth and vessel features.</p>

An evaluation of the use of dendrochemical analyses in environmental monitoring

1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 181-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun A Watmough
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Element Cycling ◽  
Detailed Understanding ◽  
Complicating Factors

Dendrochemical techniques have been used to monitor historical changes in soil and atmospheric chemistry since the early 1970s. The development of dendrochemistry in environmental monitoring was prompted by early studies which reported that changes in Pb deposition along roadsides and in industrial areas were reflected by changes in the Pb content of tree rings. Early studies were inconclusive; some authors have stated that tree-ring chemistry is not a useful indicator of pollution episodes and that some tree species are clearly better spatial indicators of pollution than historical monitors. This is due to a number of complicating factors, including potential radial translocation of elements, radial tendencies in element concentration from pith to bark, and physiological differences between heartwood and sapwood. A more detailed understanding of element cycling in trees is needed, as at present, the application of dendrochemistry to historical environmental monitoring is strongly dependent on the choice of tree species and the elements to be studied. There is no general consensus as to which tree species are best suited for dendrochemical studies. There are many reports in which the analyses of tree-ring chemistry have been successfully used to reconstruct trace-metal deposition from a variety of sources, including automobiles, metal refineries, and coal burning. Changes in tree-ring chemistry in recent decades have coincided with hypothesized changes in soil chemistry believed to be a result of acidic deposition onto poorly buffered soils. Indications of changes in groundwater quality, volcanic eruptions, and even climate change have been reported to be preserved in the chemical composition of tree rings. An improvement in analytical techniques has allowed multielement analysis on whole wood samples, with very low detection limits and extremely high spatial resolution, enabling intra-annual changes in element composition of tree rings to be determined. The application of dendrochemistry in environmental monitoring is promising, and with a more detailed understanding of nutrient and metal cycling in trees, dendrochemical studies will continue to provide useful information on historical pollution loadings and changes in soil and atmospheric chemistry that is unobtainable from any other source.

scholarly journals Forward modelling of tree-ring width and comparison with a global network of tree-ring chronologies

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 4065-4098 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Breitenmoser ◽  
S. Brönnimann ◽  
D. Frank
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Threshold Temperature ◽  
Tree Ring Width ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Past Climate ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Tree Ring Data ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. We investigate the relationship between climate and tree-ring data on a global scale using the process-based Vaganov–Shashkin–Lite (VSL) forward model of tree-ring width formation. The VSL model requires as inputs only latitude, monthly mean temperature, and monthly accumulated precipitation. Hence, this simple, process-based model enables ring-width simulation at any location where monthly climate records exist. In this study, we analyse the growth response of simulated tree-rings to monthly climate conditions obtained from the CRU TS3.1 data set back to 1901. Our key aims are (a) to examine the relations between simulated and observed growth at 2287 globally distributed sites and (b) to evaluate the potential of the VSL model to reconstruct past climate. The assessment of the growth-onset threshold temperature of approximately 4–6 °C for most sites and species using a Bayesian estimation approach complements other studies on the lower temperature limits where plant growth may be sustained. Our results suggest that the VSL model skilfully simulates site level tree-ring series in response to climate forcing for a wide range of environmental conditions and species. Spatial aggregation of the tree-ring chronologies to reduce non-climatic noise at the site level yields notable improvements in the coherence between modelled and actual growth. The resulting distinct and coherent patterns of significant relationships between the aggregated and simulated series further demonstrate the VSL model's ability to skilfully capture the climatic signal contained in tree-series. Finally, we propose that the VSL model can be used as an observation operator in data assimilation approaches to reconstruct past climate.

scholarly journals Climatic influence on tree wood anatomy: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudip Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Wood Anatomy ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
New Vision ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractWood anatomical traits of xylem are the characteristics of tree rings at cellular and subcellular scales providing important insights on structural features and their linkage to the environment. Therefore, studying the relationship between anatomical traits and environmental changes not only provide physiological explanations, but also provide a new vision of studying the adaptation process and response strategies of tree growth to climate. In this paper, I review and synthesize literature on the influence of climatic parameters on wood anatomy from the different geographical regions using recent (2015–2020) published articles on the topic. This paper discusses the relationship between the anatomical features of angiosperm and gymnosperm xylem with climatic factors. Based on the literature, I then purpose to explore the temporal and spatial variations in the anatomical characteristics of xylem tree rings with environmental changes. Also, more studies can be conducted to assess the synergetic and antagonistic effects among different tree-ring proxies and to determine the specific roles and contributions of major climatic factors during different periods of tree-ring formation.

Soil Chemical Pollution and Aggressive Pathologies

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2278-2282
Author(s):  
Stelian Ioan Morariu ◽  
Letitia Doina Duceac ◽  
Alina Costina Luca ◽  
Florina Popescu ◽  
Liliana Pavel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Optimal Parameters ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Physician ◽  
Solid Liquid

Maintaining the soil in optimal parameters is vital for mankind, given its essential role in providing the alimentary base, as well as its extremely slow formation and regeneration (hundreds or thousands of years). The direct and indirect pollution of the soil and especially its chemical pollution represent a corollary of other types of pollution, given that it is produced by solid, liquid and gaseous residues. It may be involved in a wide range of diseases (respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, renal, haematological, osteoarticular, neurological) of allergic, infectious, degenerative or neoplastic nature, from infancy to the old age. Although there are natural causes of soil pollution (e.g. volcanic eruptions), most pollutants come from human activities, which are the most incriminated in its pollution, degradation and erosion at an accelerated pace. The growing concern of all nations for the adoption of measures to limit the chemical pollution of the soil is partially found so far in viable and effective solutions intended to combat soil contamination and degradation and ensure its restoration. Chemical industrialization leads to technical and scientific progress, but at the same time it can develop related pathologies, which means that the role of the occupational health physician is essential in ensuring prophylaxis and the early detection of occupational diseases. Besides that, the role of the pediatrician is equally precious for the detection of specific diseases caused by chemical pollutants to children, because they will develop into adults with pathological stigma.The chemical pollution of the soil is a major challenge for ecologists, given that it is an important risk factor for many types of afflictions. It requires maximum attention from civil society, health care professionals and government institutions. The specialist in occupational medicine, as well as the pediatrician bear an essential responsibility in both, prevention and treatment.

scholarly journals Tree-Ring Analysis of Intermediate Hawthorn (Crataegus media Bechst.) in NW Poland

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Anna Cedro ◽  
Bernard Cedro
Keyword(s):  
Tree Ring ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Incremental Growth ◽  
High Precipitation ◽  
Ring Analysis ◽  
Uncultivated Land ◽  
Nw Poland

Intermediate hawthorn (Crataegus × media Bechst.) is broadly distributed in Europe but very rarely examined by dendrochronologists. In NW Poland, it is one of three naturally occurring hawthorn species, growing mainly at forest margins, along roads, in mid-field woodlots, and on uncultivated land. Biocenotically, it is a very valuable species. This study aimed to determine the age of trees, tree-ring dynamics, and growth–climate relationship for intermediate hawthorn. Signature years were also determined. Samples for analysis were collected from 22 trees growing in a typical agricultural landscape in a monospecific mid-field woodlot comprised of several hundred specimens of various ages and forms (shrubs and trees). Using classic methods of dendrochronological dating, a 40-year long chronology spanning 1981–2020 was constructed. The radial growth rate of intermediate hawthorn is comparable to other tree species forming stands in NW Poland and equals 2.41 mm/year. Considerable intersubject variability is noted, from 1.48 to 4.44 mm/year. The chronology was also used for dendroclimatological analyses, including correlation and response function and signature years. Of the meteorological parameters analyzed, annual incremental growth in hawthorn is the most strongly shaped by precipitation totals from May to August of the current vegetation year: high rainfall favors the formation of wide tree-rings. Statistically significant growth–climate relationships were also obtained for winter months (December of the preceding vegetation year, January and February), for which period negative correlation and regression values are noted for air temperature and insolation. Furthermore, high precipitation, low-temperature and low insolation late in the preceding vegetation year (especially in August) make a positive influence on the condition of trees in the upcoming growing season. Signature year analysis clearly pointed to precipitation as the dominant factor in shaping tree-rings in the studied hawthorn population. As there are no dendrochronological papers concerning indigenous hawthorn species, future studies should be expanded to include diverse geographic locations and habitat conditions and should include all three species of hawthorn occurring in Poland.

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