Dendrochronology in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Dendrochronological research in Southeast Asia is under development; however, the amount of tress with potential for dendrochronological studies is restricted. For example, teak trees from India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Java are valuable dendrochronologic studies for ready climate response. Teak from Java is best suited for studying the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and sea-surface temperatures, whereas Indian teak is used to reconstruct periods of drought in India. Further, Thai teak and Vietnamese cypress trees captured the long drought period that led to the demise of the Angkor reign (fourteenth-fifteenth century). Diverse techniques including anatomical observation, cambial markings, cell differentiation, and isotopic analysis prove the age and growth of invisible tropical tree rings. A number of invisible growth rings in trees from both tropical and subtropical forests have been identified, resulting in the advancement of dendrochronology. Climate change is a substantial challenge for most living things and natural resources. A greater understanding of tree species adaptation in this region is necessary. The understanding of long-term paleoclimate can be gained by researching old samples and archaeological materials from this region. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.