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NADEF 2009: A Novel Approach. Neil Toth, Julia Rauchfuss, Tiffany Curtis, Katy Stevenson, Brandon Mahan, Chis Killibrew, Kyle Gainous, Josh Coomey, Bailey Van Vlymen, Lindsey Becker. A Climate Response Comparison Between Pinus rigida and Quercus rubra in western Massachusetts.
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NADEF 2009:A Novel Approach Neil Toth, Julia Rauchfuss, Tiffany Curtis, Katy Stevenson, Brandon Mahan, Chis Killibrew, Kyle Gainous, Josh Coomey, Bailey Van Vlymen, Lindsey Becker
A Climate Response Comparison Between Pinus rigida and Quercus rubra in western Massachusetts
Objective of the Study •Learn basic dendrochronological techniques •Develop a master tree-ring chronology for Pitch Pine (Pinusrigida) from Mt. Tekoa in western Massachusetts. •Assess the quality of the master chronology using a standard dendrochronologicallab analysis
Study Site Geological history • Edge of Berkshire Plateau • Cleaver site • Glacial activity .
Study Site Geological history • Edge of Berkshire Plateau • Cleaver site • Glacial activity .
Study Site • Hampden County, MA • elevation: 1121 feet asl • frequent fire fire-adapted species • high-priority ecosystem (USFWS) • rocky on very steep slope • vegetation: scrub oak, pitch pine, white pine, red and white oak
Sampling Methods • Trees were sampled at random • DBH range from 11 – 25.6 cm • 30 Pinus rigida trees • Two cores per tree • DBH was measured and recorded from each tree
Laboratory Methods • Mounting • Cutting • Sanding
Laboratory Analysis • Ring Counting • Skeleton Plotting • Crossdating • Measure J2X • COFECHA • EDRM • ARSTAN • DendroClim 2002
Issues encountered when dating rings • False Rings • Missing Rings • Micro Rings • Pinching Rings • “I haven’t seen sensitivity like this since the Dominican Republic” said Dr. Jim Speers • “#@*% !!!” said the intro group
Results: Pinus rigida Number of dated series: 7 Master series 1948 2008: 61yrs Total rings in all series: 373 Total dated rings checked: 366 Series intercorrelation: 0.560 Average mean sensitivity: 0.441 Segments, possible problems: 1 Mean length of series: 53.3
Results: Quercus rubra Number of dated series: 12 Master series 1882 2009: 128 yrs Total rings in all series: 1046 Total dated rings checked: 1031 Series intercorrelation: 0.609 Average mean sensitivity: 0.203 Segments, possible problems: 2 Mean length of series: 87.2
Future Research • Examine another site in an effort to gather more data on Pinus rigida with less sensitivity. • Attempt to extend Pinus rigida chronology further in an effort to better compare it to the existing chronology in ITRDB.
Acknowledgements • Dr. Jim Speers • NADEF • NSF • Group leaders Neil and Julia • Fire Group for their burning hot samples • Dr. Chris Gentry • Big foot, Anna Nicole Smith, George Carlin, George Washington and others for their assistance in collecting data.