Abstract
Dendroclimatic Studies: Tree Growth and Climate Change in Northern Forests is a synthesis of over 40 years of research by members of the Tree-ring group (Tree-ring Lab, TRL) at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO). The book is accessibly written and covers in seven short chapters a range of topics including a review of tree-ring research at northern latitudes by Lamont-Doherty researchers, regional studies (including Mongolia and Alaska), the role of atmospheric CO2 on tree growth and the ‘divergence problem’ (the observed decoupling between tree-ring width and temperature at some northern latitude sites).
From the start, the authors make clear the nature of the text and the material contained within: a compilation of dendroclimatic research conducted by the scientists at the TRL-LDEO. As a dendroclimatologist, I found this synthesis fascinating as it describes the genesis of the group, the development of their research programme and their contribution to key elements of dendroclimatology through time. However, throughout the 75 pages of the book, I felt that the authors were constrained by the requirements of the Opportunities for Promoting Understanding through Synthesis (OPUS) programme of the US National Science Foundation, through which the book was supported. At times, this prevented a wider consideration of research topics beyond the work conducted by one laboratory, which, although significant and agenda-setting, limits the utility of the text for the specified target audience. At all times, the authors are clear about the range and synthesis nature of the text, but had themes such as Eurasian dendroclimatology, CO2 fertilisation and future challenges been permitted to be developed further, then the ‘reach’ of this publication would be greater.
The book makes very clear statements as to the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of a number of the fundamentals of dendroclimatology, including site selection strategies and de-trending. These points are important to make as they are often overlooked, particularly by those outside of the discipline compiling tree-ring data for large-scale reconstructions or model evaluation. There is an excellent section on the development of large-scale reconstructions, which also highlights current topics of discussion in dendroclimatology, including the validity of regional (hemispheric) syntheses, the calibration of long-season reconstructions, the impact of volcanic events on chronology reliability and the wider application of tree-ring data for model evaluation. The online provision of all datasets described is also revolutionary in that it provides readers the opportunity to explore dendroclimatology at first hand.
The short format of this volume makes it ideal for presenting themed information in an accessible form for undergraduate and early-stage postgraduate students as well as interested members of the public. I enjoyed reading the book, but cannot help but feel that it falls between two stools. It provides insight into some world-leading papers in dendroclimatology, produced by a premier laboratory on the one hand, but it is so focussed in content that it cannot draw many conclusions or provide the full overview of Boreal forest response to environmental change necessary to underpin research or support policy making. I would recommend dendroclimatologists and researchers working near the Northern tree-line to read this book. I enjoyed the short format, and would support the production of further AGU OPUS themed syntheses, but would respectfully suggest that the programme reviews the format to permit a wider scope for general themes and greater detail for more specialist topics.