San Francisco Peaks Tree Ring Chronology from 180 to -37 BP

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology archives a tree-ring chronology from the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona. The dataset covers the period from 180 to -37 calendar years before present. It was published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information in 1987.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct past climate variables like temperature or precipitation using annual tree-ring width measurements.
• Calibrate radiocarbon dates or other chronological records by cross-referencing the established tree-ring timeline.
• Analyze long-term ecological growth patterns and responses to environmental stressors in ponderosa pine (PSME) forests.
• Validate climate model simulations for the Arizona region against this high-resolution proxy record.

Strengths

• Time series spans 217 years, from 180 to -37 calendar years BP.
• Data is curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to a specific 217-year window, not continuous to present day.
• Data is geographically limited to a single site (San Francisco Peaks, Arizona).
• The dataset was last updated in 1987, indicating it is a static archive with no recent additions.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Tree-ring data collection (dendrochronology) from ponderosa pine (PSME).

Time Range

180 to -37 calendar years before present (BP).

Freshness

Static archive last updated in 1987.

Geography

San Francisco Peaks, Arizona, United States of America.