Massachusetts Tree Ring Chronology from 253 to -21 BP

NOAA's Paleoclimatology archive provides a tree ring chronology from Livingston, Massachusetts. The data covers a time period from 253 to -21 calendar years before present (BP). It was published by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information in 1971.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct historical temperature or precipitation anomalies using the tree ring width chronology.
• Calibrate climate models by comparing the proxy tree ring data with instrumental records for the region.
• Analyze long-term climate variability and extreme events in Massachusetts over the 274-year period.
• Study the response of local tree species to past environmental changes recorded in the ring parameters.

Strengths

• Data spans a 274-year period from 253 to -21 BP, providing a multi-century climate record.
• Curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage ends at -21 BP (approximately 1971 CE), lacking recent decades.
• Geographic scope is limited to a single site in Massachusetts, limiting regional generalizations.
• Specific parameters, sample size, and potential measurement uncertainties are not detailed in the provided metadata.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology.

Collection Method

Tree ring analysis (dendrochronology).

Time Range

253 to -21 calendar years before present (BP).

Freshness

null

Geography

Livingston, Massachusetts, United States Of America.