Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Mount Allison University
$20,350.00
Extending annual-resolution paleoclimatic records for Atlantic Canada using dendrochronology
FY 2011-12
Summary
Tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology) can address many scientific questions regarding past environmental conditions, and at an annual resolution. Most regions of Canada have been investigated to some degree using dendrochronological methods, but by far the least studied is the Atlantic Coast.
) The primary goal of this research is to continue to fill the gap that currently exists in the Canadian dendrochronological databank. Owing to the limited old-growth forest that remains in the region, samples will be collected both from centuries-old historical structures and from the few remnant populations of old trees that remain in the region. This approach has proven to be the only means of extending tree-ring records to produce the type of long-term, annually resolved paleoenvironmental models that long-lived trees have allowed us to develop elsewhere in Canada.
) Data from this project will be used to explore past temperature and precipitation patterns in Atlantic Canada, including the North Atlantic Oscillation, and to develop and map paleoclimatic reconstructions.
) Specific objectives are to (1) continue to locate and sample any remaining remnant populations of old-growth forest in the region to establish their annual growth records; (2) use historical wooden structures to extend the growth records of individual species in the region; (3) use the extended tree-ring chronologies from multiple species along with historical climate records to develop robust paleoclimatic approximations for both terrestrial and oceanic phenomena; and (4) map the paleoclimatic history of Atlantic Canada at micro and macro scales.
) As human atmospheric impacts become better understood, the need for reliable regional and global climate models has never been as great. Creating robust approximations of past climatic conditions is fundamental in calibrating and verifying these models, which help us to understand past climates and to forecast future climate fluctuations in Canada and around the world.
Program
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Recipient
Location
New Brunswick, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
298128-2007
Name nom
Laroque, Colin
Department département
Geography
Organization id
74
Institution établissement
Mount Allison University
Province en
New Brunswick
Province fr
Nouveau-Brunswick
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
20350
Program id
RGPIN
Program nane en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
9
Committee name en
Environmental Earth Sciences
Committee name fr
Sc. de la Terre : environ.
Area of application code
400
Area of application group en
Environment
Area of application group fr
Environnement
Area of application en
Environment
Area of application fr
Environnement
Research subject code
4150
Research subject group en
Physical geography
Research subject group fr
Géographie physique
Research subject en
Physical geography
Research subject fr
Géographie physique
Partie
5
Nb partie
5
Application title
Extending annual-resolution paleoclimatic records for Atlantic Canada using dendrochronology
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology) can address many scientific questions regarding past environmental conditions, and at an annual resolution. Most regions of Canada have been investigated to some degree using dendrochronological methods, but by far the least studied is the Atlantic Coast.
) The primary goal of this research is to continue to fill the gap that currently exists in the Canadian dendrochronological databank. Owing to the limited old-growth forest that remains in the region, samples will be collected both from centuries-old historical structures and from the few remnant populations of old trees that remain in the region. This approach has proven to be the only means of extending tree-ring records to produce the type of long-term, annually resolved paleoenvironmental models that long-lived trees have allowed us to develop elsewhere in Canada.
) Data from this project will be used to explore past temperature and precipitation patterns in Atlantic Canada, including the North Atlantic Oscillation, and to develop and map paleoclimatic reconstructions.
) Specific objectives are to (1) continue to locate and sample any remaining remnant populations of old-growth forest in the region to establish their annual growth records; (2) use historical wooden structures to extend the growth records of individual species in the region; (3) use the extended tree-ring chronologies from multiple species along with historical climate records to develop robust paleoclimatic approximations for both terrestrial and oceanic phenomena; and (4) map the paleoclimatic history of Atlantic Canada at micro and macro scales.
) As human atmospheric impacts become better understood, the need for reliable regional and global climate models has never been as great. Creating robust approximations of past climatic conditions is fundamental in calibrating and verifying these models, which help us to understand past climates and to forecast future climate fluctuations in Canada and around the world.
