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Dendroecology
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:47
Abstract
Dendroecology - methods and applications
Objective
Introduction into formation and structure of wood and tree rings. Knowing different tree-ring characteristics. Abiotic and biotic environmental influences on tree rings (climate, site, competition, insects, fungi, fire, physical-mechanical influences. Theoretical and practical aspects of dating wood. Hands-on experience: Demonstration of objects (increment cores, stem discs, wedges), sampling in the field, dating of tree rings. Working out research questions, writing project report. Reading scientific articles (in English).
Content
(1) Overview and history of dendrochronology. (2) Evolution of tree rings, formation and structure of wood and tree rings, continuous and discontinuous tree-ring characteristics. (3) Sampling and measuring, principles of dendrochronology, crossdating, skeleton plots. (4) Climate, standardization, chronologies, climate-growth relationships, climate reconstructions. (5) Age and size structures, forest dynamics (regeneration, growth, competition, cooperation, mortality). (6) Abiotic factors, dendrogeomorphology, dendrohydrology, dendroglaciology. (7) Disturbance ecology (fire, insects, blowdown, fungi). (8) Application of tree ring research in practice and interdisciplinary research projects. Field and laboratory day (April 17 2008): discussion of different dendroecological questions in the forest; sampling of trees; insight into different tree-ring projects in the lab (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL).
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes will be handed out in the class.The lecture notes and further documents (papers, software) can also be downloaded from the BSCW server.
Literature
Literature lists will be handed out in the class. The most import basics on dendrochronology and dendroecology can be found in the following text books (not mandatory): Cook, E. R., and L. A. Kairiukstis, editors. 1990. Methods of dendrochronology: applications in the environmental sciences. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Fritts, H. C., and T. W. Swetnam. 1989. Dendroecology: a tool for evaluating variations in past and present forest environments. Advances in Ecological Research 19:111-188. Schweingruber, F. H. 1988. Tree rings: basics and applications of dendrochronology. Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, The Nederlands. Schweingruber, F. H. 1996. Tree rings and environment: dendroecology. Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern. Schweingruber, F. H., A. Börner, and E.-D. Schulze. 2006. Atlas of woody plant stems: evolution, structure, and environmental modifications, Springer.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Dendroecology
Am Donnerstag 17. April 2008 findet ein ganztägiger, obligatorischer Praktikumstag statt (Feld- und Laborarbeit).
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3 h weekly |