Research at the DendroLab
Our research projects are grouped around seven different themes.
Click on the themes below for information on the type of research and the related research projects.
Tropical Dendrochronology
Seasonality in climate is the main driver for growth-ring formation. Many tree species in the tropics are growing under a seasonal climate and hence experience changes in cambial activity or cambial dormancy. The latter leads to the formation of more or less clear growth ring such as described for e.g. teak (Tectona grandis) from Thailand or juniper (Juniperus procera) from Ethiopia.
Tree Biology
Research activities on tree biology encompass studies on tree architecture as related to allocation and hydraulic conductivity in different tree species. Both, allocation patterns and changes in wood-anatomical characteristics (conduit size) are analysed under the aspect of adaptability to changing environmental conditions.
Dendroecology
The application of dendrochronology in Forest ecology addresses subjects related to the (aut)ecology of different tree species. Research projects focus on growth and population dynamics of species and the interaction with the environment.
Dendroclimatology
Dendroclimatology is focused on studying tree-ring formation in response to (changing) weather conditions. The calculation of climate-growth relationships enables the determination of those climate or climate-related factors (e.g. river discharge) that mainly influence the growth of trees of a certain species under specific site conditions.
Dating & Dendroprovenancing
Dating is the classical applications of dendrochronology. Samples are extracted from wood subjects (ship wrecks, foundations, roof constructions, music instruments) and the tree-ring widths are measured. The ring-width patterns are subsequently visually and statistically compared to regional chronologies.
Forest History & Dendrogeomorphology
Dendrochronology is a tool for forest historical research. Based on tree ring research it is possible to reconstruct e.g. flooding events, forest fires, age and origin of trees.
Wood Science
Wood Science is applied to the field of Wood Technology that is based on scientific investigation as well as experimental.