Heyerdahl Fire History Reconstruction from Montana Tree Rings

Fire history data spanning 347 years (from 397 to 50 calendar years BP) derived from tree-ring analysis. The dataset documents past fire events in the Sheldon Flats area of Montana, United States. It is archived and maintained by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Use Cases

• Reconstructing fire frequency and return intervals using tree-ring fire scar dates.
• Analyzing the relationship between past climate periods and fire occurrence recorded in the tree-ring parameters.
• Calibrating and validating regional fire history models for the Northwestern United States using the documented Montana site data.
• Studying long-term forest ecosystem resilience by examining the temporal sequence of fire events over the 347-year period.

Strengths

• Temporal coverage spans 347 calendar years, providing a multi-century perspective.
• Data is curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA NCEI World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.
• Focuses on a specific geographic location (Sheldon Flats, Montana) enabling localized analysis.

Limitations

• The dataset's temporal coverage ends at 50 years BP, limiting analysis of the most recent fire history.
• Sample size and spatial resolution are unknown, potentially restricting statistical robustness.
• Data is derived from a single study site, which may not be representative of broader regional patterns.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Data derived from tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology) to identify fire scars and events.

Time Range

397 to 50 calendar years Before Present (BP).

Freshness

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Geography

Sheldon Flats, Montana, United States of America.