Spanish Tree-Ring Chronology for Paleoclimate Reconstruction

Tree-ring data from Spain's Cuenca Las Torcas region spans 256 years, from 222 to -34 calendar years before present. The dataset is archived by NOAA's World Data Service for Paleoclimatology and was last updated in 1984. It provides parameters for climate reconstruction studies in Southern Europe.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct past temperature or precipitation anomalies using the tree-ring width chronology.
• Calibrate climate models by comparing the proxy time-series data from 222 to -34 BP with simulated paleoclimate outputs.
• Analyze the frequency of extreme climatic events in Southern Europe during the covered 256-year period.
• Study the response of Pinus species (PINI) growth to environmental stressors recorded in the ring parameters.

Strengths

• Time-series coverage spans 256 consecutive years, providing a continuous paleoclimate record.
• Geographic location is precisely defined for the Cuenca Las Torcas region in Spain.
• Data is curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA NCEI World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Limitations

• The dataset's last update was in 1984, potentially lacking modern reanalysis or methodological improvements.
• Specific parameters, sample depth, and measurement details are not provided in the basic description, requiring metadata review.
• Geographic coverage is limited to a single site in Spain, which may not be representative of broader regional climate.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology) from Pinus species (PINI) samples.

Time Range

222 to -34 calendar years before present (BP).

Freshness

null

Geography

Cuenca Las Torcas, Spain, Southern Europe.