Priraščanje navadne smreke (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in evropskega macesna (Larix decidua Mill.) na nekdanjih novinah v koprivni v Karavankah

Based on previous measurements from 1962 to 2017 on forest research plots located on former slash-and-burn farming areas in the cadastral municipality of Koprivna, the diameter and height increment as well as volume increments of the two main tree species - spruce and larch - were calculated. These set-aside natural research plots have a smaller mean basal area diameter, but the number of trees is higher than in comparable managed forests. Due to the high-density of tree stands over the past thirty years, radial increment of spruce and larch has declined. To determine the influence of environmental factors on radial growth of spruce and larch, a dendrochronological analysis was conducted. According to the dendrochronological analysis of radial increment of trees, the number of years with a negative response has been higher since 1984.

The rediscovery of an Adoration of the Shepherds by Jacques Jordaens: a multidisciplinary approach combining dendroarchaeology and art history

The implementation of multidisciplinary research approaches is an essential prerequisite to obtain comprehensive insights into the life and works of the old masters and their timeline in the production of the arts. In this study, traditional art history, cultural heritage, and natural science methods were combined to shed light on an Adoration of the Shepherds painting by Jacques Jordaens (1593–1678), which until now had been considered as a copy. From dendrochronological analysis of the wooden support, it was concluded that the planks in the panel painting were made from Baltic oak trees felled after 1608. An independent dating based on the panel maker’s mark, and the guild’s quality control marks suggests a production period of the panel between 1617 and 1627. Furthermore, the size of the panel corresponds to the dimension known as salvator, which was commonly used for religious paintings during the period 1615 to 1621. Finally, the interpretation of the stylistic elements of the painting suggests that it was made by Jordaens between 1616 and 1618. To conclude, from the synthesis of: (i) dendrochronological analysis, (ii) panel makers’ punch mark and Antwerp Guild brand marks, (iii) re-examination of secondary sources, and (iv) stylistic comparisons to other Jordaens paintings, we suggest that the examined Adoration of the Shepherds should be considered as an original by Jordaens and likely painted in the period 1617–1618. The study is a striking example of the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach to investigate panel paintings.

Archaeological Map of the Siberian Khanate: Dating and Interpretation Issues

Research objectives: Turkic-Tatar state formations have left significant tra­ces in the history of Western Siberia in the last 500 years. Due to their small number, the surviving written sources do not fully explain their state structure, borders, levels of production and development, etc. The way out of this situation may be the use of research materials from archaeological sites dated to the relevant time. Research materials: Many years of excavations of settlements, burial grounds, cities, and cult sites have provided significant material for the scholarly community, but up to the present there is a problem with their dating, and with correlation to specific khanates. To solve the question of dating of archaeological complexes of this time, it is proposed to use the method of dendrochronological analysis on the same scale, regarding materials, as that seen in the study of Tara – one of the first Russian cities in Siberia. Another way to determine the materials related to the Siberian Khanate is a study of the complexes of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries which belonged to Siberian Tatars. After the annexation of Siberia to the Russian state, the local population preserved its traditional culture for a long time, elements of which were formed during the period of existence in Turkic-Tatar state formations. Results and novelty of the research: This article offer approaches that allow one to single out several blocks of information – on fortifications, dwellings, ways of communication, weapons – which could become certain chronological repeaters for the Siberian Khanate. The conducted research allows us to both draw connections between several fortified complexes in Tara’s Cis-Irtysh region and to show the presence of a border line, consisting of several towns on the borders of the Siberian Khanate. Such an approach will allow us to identify and explore similar lines in other territories of this state formation.

Short communication: Driftwood provides reliable chronological markers in Arctic coastal deposits

Originating from the boreal forest and often transported over large distances, driftwood characterizes many Arctic coastlines. Here we present a combined assessment of radiocarbon (14C) and dendrochronological (ring width) age estimates of driftwood samples to constrain the progradation of two Holocene beach-ridge systems near the Lena Delta in the Siberian Arctic (Laptev Sea). Our data show that the 14C ages obtained on syndepositional driftwood from beach deposits yield surprisingly coherent chronologies for the coastal evolution of the field sites. The dendrochronological analysis of wood from modern drift lines revealed the origin and recent delivery of the wood from the Lena River catchment. This finding suggests that the duration of transport lies within the uncertainty of state-of-the-art 14C dating and thus substantiates the validity of age indication obtained from driftwood. This observation will help us better understand the response of similar coastal systems to past climate and sea-level changes.

Riparian forests production related to water supply along southern Hungarian Danube

<p>The current climatic conditions of the Hungarian Great Plain is not adequate for the forest cover. Surplus water is essential to maintain good ecological status and growth rate of forests. Moreover, in the drying climate of the Great Plain without excess water the survival of forest vegetation is  questionable.</p><p>In this study, we try to indicate the positive effect of the excess water on the growth of the trees next to the Danube in Gemenc wetland (close the southern border of Hungary). The logging data were collected from 2000 to 2009. Sampled forest compartments were clustered into two groups based on the stand position to the levee (exposed to inundation of Danube or not). The effects of the Danube are evaluated using local hydrological measurements (e.g. gauge at Mohács).</p><p>The forest growth itself is not the best indicator because it is also influenced by several other ecological variables. To control better these variables two forest stands were selected aged about 110 years. One of them is located behind a summer levee (low crown height levee), which is inundated only by the high floods. Another forest compartment is outside the main levee and never inundated. These stands are sampled to prepare dendrochronological analysis, which gives us higher time-resolution data. We hope these analyses will help us to interpret the relationship between forest growth and water<br>conditions.</p><p>This research has been supported by the Ministry of Agriculture in Hungary.</p>

Tree establishment and growth drive treeline advance and change treeline form on Pikes Peak (Colorado) in response to recent anthropogenic warming.

Treeline advance is a well-established response of treeline ecotones to climate change. However, the degree to which tree growth and establishment drives treeline movement is widely debated. We used GIS analysis of aerial photographs and dendrochronological analysis of tree growth and age structure to examine treeline dynamics on Pikes Peak (CO). The rate of treeline advance at the site (1938-2017) was 0.235m/year, and it accelerated through time. Several sites have transformed from abrupt to diffuse topology. Regional temperatures significantly increased after the 1890s, particularly in the last half-century. Tree growth was inhibited by late spring snow in the 1935-1985 window and enhanced by growing season temperature in the 1965-2009 window. Tree establishment above treeline appears to have transformed treeline topology and set up the potential for further treeline advance. We conclude that if current climatic trends and system relationships continue, treeline should continue to advance because (1) there are large numbers of seedlings and saplings above the treeline due to continuous significant seedling recruitment and (2) growth of trees in the treeline ecotone is positively related to growing season temperatures, which are increasing. Other limits to the system, such as drought or topographic barriers, may arise in the future.