Tree Ring Chronology for Climate Reconstruction in Chihuahua

320 tree-ring width measurements from a single Pinus ponderosa site in Chihuahua, Mexico, provide a climate proxy record. The data spans 335 calendar years, from 320 to -15 years before present. This archived study is maintained by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information under its World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct annual temperature or precipitation anomalies for the Chihuahua region using the tree-ring width chronology.
• Calibrate the tree-ring series against instrumental climate records using the calendar year before present (BP) dating.
• Analyze growth response and climate sensitivity of Pinus ponderosa (PIPO) in a semi-arid environment.
• Compare this site chronology (ITRDB MEXI013) with other regional chronologies to identify broad climate signals.

Strengths

• Time series covers 335 calendar years, providing a multi-century climate proxy.
• Data is archived and curated by the authoritative NOAA/NCEI World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Limitations

• Data originates from a single site (Rancho Escondido), limiting spatial representativeness.
• The most recent data point is from 15 years before present (1965), making the record temporally stale for modern analysis.
• Sample size (number of individual tree cores) and replication statistics are unknown.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Tree ring cores collected and measured to create a width chronology.

Time Range

320 to -15 calendar years before present (BP).

Freshness

null

Geography

Chihuahua, Mexico.