Cypriot Tree Ring Chronology for Paleoclimate Analysis

Tree ring width measurements from Cyprus provide a climate proxy record spanning 124 years, from 93 to -31 calendar years before present. The dataset is archived by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information under its World Data Service for Paleoclimatology. This specific chronology was published in 1981.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct past temperature or precipitation anomalies by calibrating tree ring width series against instrumental records.
• Analyze growth patterns and extreme events within the 124-year chronology to identify periods of drought or favorable conditions.
• Cross-date and validate other tree ring chronologies from the Eastern Mediterranean using the established time series.
• Study the response of local tree species to climate forcing by examining inter-annual variability in ring widths.

Strengths

• Time series covers a continuous 124-year period for climate analysis.
• Data is curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Limitations

• The dataset is temporally stale, with a last update date of 1981, potentially lacking modern reanalysis.
• The geographic coverage is limited to a single site in Cyprus, limiting regional generalizations.
• The small sample size of one chronology may not capture broader ecological signals.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Tree ring core samples analyzed to produce a width measurement chronology.

Time Range

93 to -31 calendar years before present (BP).

Freshness

1981-01-01

Geography

Cyprus, Mediterranean Sea.