Dendrochronology Intensive Summer Course (DISC) 2022

Every tree has a story to tell. Dendrochronology is the study of natural and human processes that are recorded in the annual growth rings of trees. This tree-ring record is archived thanks to the remarkable preservation qualities of wood, and across the wide geographical distribution of trees. Through the science of dendrochronology, a broad range of ecological, climatic, geological, and cultural phenomena can be reconstructed and analyzed with high spatial and temporal resolution.

What is DISC2022?

This year, the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (LTRR) is offering three dendrochronology tracks and two modes of instruction for its intensive summer course. The Archaeology track will be conducted in-person and will be led by Dr. Ron Towner. Both the Dendroclimatology and Isotope Dendrochronology tracks will be conducted live-online. Dr. David Frank will lead the Dendroclimatology track and Dr. Soumaya Belmecheri will lead the Isotope Dendrochronology track. Participants will be able to hone their skills in track-specific techniques and concepts but also be exposed to the fundamentals and the rich inter-disciplinary nature of Dendrochronology. Ample opportunities will be provided to interact with participants in other tracks, as well as Invited Speakers. Read on for more details about each of the tracks!

Archaeology

This track will emphasize the process of conducting Dendroarchaeological research from start to finish. During this course, participants will collect, analyze and interpret archaeological tree-rings. Participants (undergrads, grads, professionals) will learn the most accurate and precise dating method used by archaeologists via lectures, laboratory exercises, and field work. The centerpiece of this track is the field trip - a tour through multiple archaeological sites in New Mexico. Participants will embark into the field after first receiving instruction in the basics of dendrochronological method and theory. Upon returning from the field, participants will prepare, crossdate and interpret dendroarcheological samples collected during the field trip. Lectures will be presented by course instructors as well as leading tree-ring scientists, including Jeffrey S. Dean and Charlotte Pearson. 

Isotope Dendrochronology

This live-online track will emphasize the application of stable isotopes measured in tree rings (Carbon, Oxygen and Nitrogen) to the reconstruction of physiological parameters at the tree level since the industrial revolution and beyond. Lectures from researchers experienced in stable isotope applications in ecohydrology and ecophysiology, and in the use of tree-ring isotopes to evaluate vegetation models will give an overview of the diverse applications of isotope dendrochronology as a tool to characterize and understand forest responses to changes in environmental conditions. With guidance of the instructor, students will design and conduct a mini-research project that includes 1) assembly and quality control of data, 2) calculation of ecophysiological indices, 3) climate signal identification, 4) quantification and interpretation of trends and variability of tree ecophysiological responses. The project will be based on data available through the International Tree-Ring Databank (ITRDB), data compilations from recently published and publically available meta-analysis. Students are also welcome to include their own tree-ring data sets in the course activities.

IMPORTANT: The online tracks - Dendroclimatology and Isoptope Dendrochronology will focus on analytical methods and data analyses. We expect that these two tracks  will be most appealing and useful to participants who have some background and knowledge in tree-ring research but are looking to deepen their analytical skills. Prospective students should be familiar with tree-ring data, have a basic knowledge of statistics at the introductory level, and have some experience with the use of R computing software for data analysis and statistics.

Dendroclimatology

This track will emphasize the application of tree-ring data from the International Tree-Ring Databank (ITRDB) to the reconstruction of climatic and hydrologic time series. Lectures from researchers experienced in dendroclimatic reconstruction projects at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales will give an overview of diverse applications of networks of tree-ring data in climatology and hydrology. With guidance of the instructor, students will design and conduct a mini-research project that includes 1) assembly and quality control of data, 2) tree-ring standardization, 3) climate signal identification, 4) climate or streamflow reconstruction, and 5) climatological interpretation of reconstructions with the aid of time series and statistical methods. Students are welcome to include their own tree-ring data sets in the course activities and analyses steps.

IMPORTANT: The online tracks - Dendroclimatology and Isoptope Dendrochronology will focus on analytical methods and data analyses. We expect that these two tracks  will be most appealing and useful to participants who have some background and knowledge in tree-ring research but are looking to deepen their analytical skills. Prospective students should be familiar with tree-ring data, have a basic knowledge of statistics at the introductory level, and have some experience with the use of R computing software for data analysis and statistics.