GEOS 595E Course Modules

Environmental control of conifer tree-ring formation

Course Description

This module will be centered on reading and discussion of a book manuscript at a late stage of preparation. The authors are E.A. Vaganov, A. Shashkin and M.K. Hughes. The book deals with the basic biology of the control of interannual variability in conifer tree rings. It draws on a very wide range of recent and classical literature, looking at wood formation from a dendrochronologist's point of view. It is illustrated profusely.

ENSO: Past, Present, Future

Course Description

While the present-day dynamics of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon are broadly understood, predictability is limited, the long-term natural variability is poorly known, and the effect of greenhouse warming on the tropical ocean-atmosphere system is currently in much debate. In this course, we will discuss the following topics.

1. Physics of ENSO: overview of the theory of ENSO, modern observations and phenomenology, predictive modeling.
2. Paleoclimatology of ENSO: how to recent observed ENSO events compare to those observed in the paleoclimate record? Overview and synthesis of evidence from a range of proxy observations and time scales.
3. ENSO in the greenhouse world: drawing on the prior two topics and on modeling studies of ENSO under enhanced CO2 conditions, we will conclude with a discussion of how we expect ENSO to evolve in the next 50-100 years. Given time, interest and expertise, we might even get into discussion of local effects of meteorology, hydrology, ecology, and economics.

For more information see the course web page: http://www.u.arizona.edu/ic/geos595e/.

Fire Climatology

Course Description

This short course will involve (1) readings and discussion of scientific literature on fire climatology, (2) attendance at portions or all of two fire-climate workshops, and (3) preparation of a paper. We will read and discuss literature dealing with the climatology of wildland fires, with an emphasis on paleoecological and paleoclimatic aspects of fire, and particularly the current tree-ring approaches to these topics. Additionally, students will attend portions of two multi-day workshops in Tucson hosted by the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (and other on and off campus institutions) during March. The first workshop is "Fire in the West: A Climate/Fuels Assessment, Outlook, and Research Symposium", March 5-7, 2002. This workshop focuses on modern fire climatology issues and applications. The second workshop is titled, "Fire and Climate History in Western North and South America" March 23, 2002. This workshop focuses on paleofire and climate issues involving tree rings and sedimentary charcoal records. Students will be expected to attend several sessions of these workshops. Last, students will prepare summary/review papers of selected fire climate topics.

Copyright © 1999-2001, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, The University of Arizona
Revised -- December, 2001
URL: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/geos595e/