Water-Carbon Cycle in Dendrochronology

Tree-ring dating records (e.g., width, density, and isotopes) can provide valuable information to advance our understanding of forest ecosystem water and carbon cycling. This method is a powerful tool to extend the short-term record of water and carbon cycling in the decades preceding data monitoring. Traditionally, tree-ring width and density proxies have been used for this purpose; however, analysis methods for the examination of stable isotope ratios in tree rings are in development and are attracting great attention due to their potential to provide additional plant physiological information on the responses of trees to the changing environment. In this chapter, I analyze spatial and temporal variability in tree-ring parameters, i.e., ring width and stable carbon isotopes, in eastern Siberian forests in relation to climate change. I consider the application of dendrochronological techniques to the investigation of the water and carbon cycles that are characteristic of these forest ecosystems. I also discuss limitations presented by the use of dendrochronological techniques in studying forest ecosystem carbon cycling and future goals in overcoming these limitations.