Dendrochronology and Global Change Biology

A series of flashcards covering key concepts related to dendrochronology, tree biology, and environmental science as discussed in the lecture.

What are El Nino conditions associated with?

Wet winters around the world.

How do El Nino conditions affect phytoplankton productivity off the east coast of South America?

By reducing it through changes in oceanic and atmospheric circulation.

What are two major human-mediated inputs of nitrogen to the nitrogen cycle?

Fertilizer runoff and industrial emissions.

What are four ways we know human emissions of CO2 cause global warming?

Observed temperature rise, increased atmospheric CO2 levels, ocean warming, and shrinking polar ice.

What is the major driver of increased fire size, area burned, and number of fires in the US?

Climate change.

What is a tree ring?

A layer of growth formed each year in a tree, reflecting age and environmental conditions.

What is dendrochronology?

The study of tree rings to analyze past climate and environmental conditions.

What is dendroecology?

The study of tree rings in relation to ecological processes.

What are xylem cells?

Elongated hollow cells responsible for transporting water from roots to leaves.

What role does the cambium play in trees?

The cambium produces new xylem and phloem each year.

What are the components of tree rings?

Pith, earlywood, latewood, and the structural layers.

How do resin canals protect pine trees?

By releasing resin that drowns and poisons attacking bark beetles.

Why do trees form growth rings?

To accommodate changes in water transport and support structural growth.

Who is Tom Swetnam?

A key figure associated with dendrochronology research.

What is the significance of establishing a relationship between tree ring widths and climate?

To reconstruct past climate conditions.

What can fire scars indicate in tree growth?

Repeated fires that have damaged cambium layers, affecting future growth.

What are non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in trees?

Sugars, starches, and lipids that support metabolism, especially under stress.

How do redwood sprouts utilize carbon?

By using old non-structural carbohydrates that have been reserved over time.

What does the term 'drought legacies' refer to?

The lasting effects of drought on tree physiology and growth.

What is the role of phloem in trees?

To transport sugars produced by photosynthesis.

What is hydraulic deterioration in trees?

The loss of water transport capability due to embolism in xylem.