Tree-Ring Talk

FTIR spectroscopy as a potential tool in dendroarchaeology

Infrared spectroscopy is a well proven tool in the assessment of molecular structures. The presentation elaborates applications of this method to archaeometric questions. The main focus will be set on the prediction of sample age. Currently, dating tools are worked out best for wood. But also the possibilities for other materials are presented.

Tree-ring detection of past changes in forest disturbance regimes: Examples from coppicing in Europe to tropical cyclones in NE Asia

Reconstructing past marine variability using the longest-lived animals on Earth

Variability in the North Atlantic Ocean plays a significant role in moderating atmospheric climate variability over large portions of the Northern Hemisphere. However, there remain large uncertainties in our understanding of how the North Atlantic Ocean has varied in the past and the role of external forcings and internal mechanisms in driving this variability. These uncertainties largely stem from the short temporal and spatially heterogeneous nature of direct observations, that are typically constrained to the past 50 years.

Recent methodological advances of isotope dendroclimatology in Japan

In this talk, I would like to introduce four topics, (1) how we sample increment cores by using cordless impact wrench, (2) how to estimate the geographic origin of wood using tree-ring carbon and oxygen isotopes, (3) how to make the cellulose extraction process for tree-ring isotope analysis more efficient, and (4) how spring, summer and autumn photoassimilates are used for tree-ring formation.

References:

Managing forests with less snow: Combining high resolution observations and models to better predict forest hydrology under change

Between cherry picking and all-in: How the selection of data input affects large-scale proxy compilations

Dendrochronology above treeline: tree-rings and anatomy in alpine herbs

Research at the DendroLab, University of Nevada in Reno

Isabel Dorado Haury talk

How Mountain Topography Structured Forests by Influencing Human Fire Use

In a world where energetic efficiency is the currency of life, mountains present landscapes with varying costs for motile organisms. However, the consequences of topographic costs are not always direct or obvious. Montane topography produces cascading effects on biotic landscapes indirectly through its impacts on human movement patterns. This work presents a case study on whether topographic costs have shaped human fire use for centuries while leaving noticeable effects on regional biota, such as variations in forest age structure.

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