Towards using dendrochchronological proxy for reconstructing climate in tropical regions

Abstract

There has been a controversial discussion on the use of dendrochronology as a proxy for reconstructing climate in the tropics. It is argued that the lack of seasonality in tropical regions constrains tree species growth formation and the resulting tree rings. Using Content Analysis eCA), and Relational Analysis in particular, and dendrochronology-laboratory practices at the University of Minnesota, the paper reviews the discussion on the use of tropical tree species in tree rings studies. The results show that tree species in Pordocarpaceae family and Pterocarpus angolensis growing in Tanzania and other parts of the tropics depict annually resolved tree rings so they may be useful proxy tropical tree species for reconstructing past climate. The challenges for practicing dendrochronology in the tropics relates to the diversity of rings formation and tree rings patterns in different species, and the lack of instrumental climatic records. We argue that tropical tree rings studies robustness may benefit from other climate proxies such as charcoal, stalagmites, pollens and spores, and fossil leaves.