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701-1682-00L 3 Credits DR , MSC D-USYS

Dendroecology

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Christof Bigler, Dr. Georg von Arx, Dr. Kerstin Treydte
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:41

Abstract

The course teaches the theoretical principles and practical methods of dendroecology. Students learn to date and analyze tree rings in order to reconstruct ecological processes, environmental changes and climatic influences.

Objective

After completing the course, students will be able to: 1. explain the anatomical structure of wood and describe the formation of tree-ring structures. 2. systematically identify and precisely document tree-ring characteristics. 3. explain and apply the theoretical principles and practical applications of dendrochronological dating methods. 4. analyze abiotic and biotic influences (e.g. climate, site, competition, insects, fire, physical influences) on the growth of trees and their tree-ring structures. 5. evaluate dendroecology as a method for reconstructing environmental changes in different spatio-temporal contexts. 6. use common software solutions for dating, standardization and analysis of tree rings in a targeted manner. 7. apply practical skills in sampling, preparing, analyzing and dating tree rings in the field and laboratory. 8. carry out R-based data analyses independently and evaluate them interpretatively. 9. develop an independent research question in the field of dendroecology and write a structured literature review based on scientific articles.

Content

The course provides a sound introduction to dendroecology – the study of tree rings to reconstruct ecological processes and climatic influences. The basics and methods of dendrochronology are covered, including wood formation and anatomy, intra-seasonal growth, sampling, crossdating, and standardization and construction of tree-ring chronologies. Other topics include water transport in trees, stable isotopes, climate-growth relationships, climate reconstructions, and the analysis of forest dynamics and disturbance events (e.g., fire, insects, windthrow). The course also highlights interdisciplinary and practice-oriented applications of tree-ring research. A joint field and lab day (date to be set at the beginning of the semester) offers the opportunity to discuss practical issues in the forest, sample trees and learn about various research projects at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes (in English) will be handed out in the class.The lecture notes and further documents can be downloaded from Moodle (https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch) following registration for the course.

Literature

Literature lists will be handed out in the class.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
This course comprises an ungraded semester performance consisting of the following elements:– Active participation is expected in the lessons, at the field and lab day and at the half-day in the tree-ring lab.– Various preparatory documents must be read and worked on independently. They serve as preparation for the exercises, the field and lab day and the half-day in the tree-ring lab.– During the semester, students work on four take-home exercises independently. They then answer questions in Moodle.– At the end of the semester, students write a 4-7-page project work based on 2-3 scientific articles. The articles must be critically read, compared and categorized. The project work can be submitted in German or English. Submission by mid-January 2027 (by the end of the semester at the latest).Diese Lehrveranstaltung umfasst eine unbenotete Semesterleistung, die aus folgenden Elementen besteht:– Erwartet wird die aktive Teilnahme an den Lektionen, beim Feld- und Labortag und beim Halbtag im Jahrringlabor.– Verschiedene vorbereitende Dokumente müssen eigenständig gelesen und bearbeitet werden. Sie dienen der inhaltlichen Vorbereitung auf die Übungen, auf den Feld- und Labortag sowie auf den Halbtag im Jahrringlabor.– Während des Semesters bearbeiten die Studierenden vier Übungen selbstständig zu Hause. Anschliessend beantworten sie jeweils Testfragen in Moodle.– Zum Semesterende verfassen die Studierenden eine 4–7-seitige Projektarbeit, basierend auf 2–3 wissenschaftlichen Artikeln. Die Artikel müssen kritisch gelesen, verglichen und eingeordnet werden. Die Projektarbeit kann auf Deutsch oder Englisch eingereicht werden. Abgabe bis Mitte Januar 2027 (spätestens bis Ende des Semesters).

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Dendroecology
In addition to the course, a full-day excursion is offered. Zusätzlich zur Lehrveranstaltung wird eine ganztägige Exkursion angeboten.
No time listed 3 h weekly

Offered In