DendrochronologyReading2024

GENERAL ECOLOGY DENDROCHRONOLOGY BIO 213 CHAPTER 13: Dendrochronology and Climatology Discussion Questions 1. Include 3 well-labeled graphs (1 line plot, 2 scatter plots); see the example of Figure 2. 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 Annual Temp Annual Ppt Average ring width Temperature (F) and precipitation (inches) Average Ring Width (mm) figure1. line graph of annual temperature (f) annual precitation (inches,) and avaege of red pines at woodlot near west campus drive, mt pleasant Mi, Januanry 2024. 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 f(x) = − 0.06 x + 2.48 R² = 0.14 Temperature (F) Average Ring width of red pines )mm) Figure 2. Scatter plot of annual temperature and avaerge ring width of red pines in woodlot near west campus drive, Mt pleasant, MI Januanry 2024 line of best fit with equation and r^2 vaule on plot. 1

GENERAL ECOLOGY DENDROCHRONOLOGY BIO 213 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 f(x) = − 0.06 x + 2.48 R² = 0.14 Annual ppt Average ring width Figure 3. Scatter plot of Average ring width and annual ppt near west campus drive, mt pleasant. 5 pts. 2. Which climatic variable (temperature or precipitation) is best associated with mean tree ring width (highest R 2 , steepest slope)? How might this variable affect tree growth to produce the ring pattern you saw? If neither variable has a strong association with ring width, why might this be? The climatic variable is best associated with means tree ring width would be precipitation and this effect tree growth to produce a ring pattern because tree rings usually grow wider in warm, wet years and they are thinner in years when it is cold and dry. 3 pts. 3. Use the tree ring data from 2017 and regression equations to predict temperature and precipitation for 2017. Do your predictions match the actual climate data from 2017? no it does not . 3 pts. 2

GENERAL ECOLOGY DENDROCHRONOLOGY BIO 213 DATA TABLE: Tree Ring Width SPECIES___red pine______________________ DATE__1/24/2024_____________ LOCATION___West campis Drive, Mt Pleasant, Mi_____________________ Year Width Year Width Year Width 2023 0.9 2008 0.8 2022 0.5 2007 0.8 2021 0.5 2006 0.9 2020 0.4 2005 0.8 2019 0.4 2004 0.8 2018 0.4 2003 0.9 2017 0.5 2002 1.0 2016 0.5 2015 0.4 2014 0.4 2013 0.4 2012 .5 2011 0.7 2010 0.8 2009 0.7 4