The development of dendrochronology around the world

SPEER, JIM; ERLENBAUGH, NEIL; GRISSINO-MAYER, HENRY; AMOROSO, MARIANO

Conferencia; Third American Dendrochronology Conference ? AmeriDendro2016; 2016

We analyzed over 14,000 publications on dendrochronology in the Dendrochronology Bibliographic Database and over 4,000 tree-ring chronologies submitted to the International Tree-Ring Data Bank (ITRDB) to determine the processes involved in the geographic spread of dendrochronology to each continent. We observed that early researchers came from other scientifically advanced countries (mainly from Europe and the United States) to conduct a few broad or exploratory studies in new geographic areas. This was followed by the development of local capacity through advanced graduate training in established laboratories in Europe and the United States. Once local laboratories were established in a country and young researchers earned degrees in dendrochronology, we saw quick growth and establishment of the discipline on each continent. From our analysis of the ITRDB chronologies, we identified existing data gaps in South America and especially in Africa below 29 degrees north latitude. South America is in a quickly growing stage where multiple tree-ring laboratories have been developed, local capacity is increasing, and young dendrochronologists are being trained. Africa still lacks the local capacity for the fast growth stage that has been observed on other continents but two laboratories have been established and hopefully Africa is moving towards the growth stage of dendrochronological research.