Tree ring width measurements from Tsuga mertensiana (TSME) trees at Sheridan Mountain in Oregon provide a 380-year climate proxy record. The dataset, archived by NOAA's World Data Service for Paleoclimatology, covers the period from 337 to 43 calendar years before present. Data collection and publication were managed by NOAA NCEI, with the record last updated in 1993.
Use Cases
- Calibrating tree-ring width variations against modern climate data to reconstruct past temperature or precipitation for the Oregon region.
- Analyzing the chronology for marker years (e.g., narrow rings) to identify extreme drought or volcanic events affecting Tsuga mertensiana growth.
- Comparing this Tsuga mertensiana chronology with other species' records from the ITRDB to validate regional climate signals.
- Using the dated ring-width series to anchor and cross-date other undated tree-ring samples from the Pacific Northwest.
Strengths
- Provides a 380-year continuous proxy climate record (337 to 43 BP).
- Data is curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.
- Includes specific species (Tsuga mertensiana) and precise geographic location (Sheridan Mountain, Oregon).
Limitations
- The dataset is temporally stale, with no updates since its 1993 publication.
- Sample size (number of tree cores) and replication statistics are unknown, limiting assessment of signal strength.
- The 'years before present' (BP) timescale requires conversion for alignment with standard calendar years.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.
- Collection Method
- Tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology) of Tsuga mertensiana samples.
- Time Range
- 337 to 43 calendar years before present (BP).
- Freshness
- 1993-01-01
- Geography
- Sheridan Mountain, Oregon, United States of America.