Tree Rings and Natural Hazards: A State-of-Art (Advances in Global Change Research Book 41)

Dendrogeomorphology Beginnings and Futures: A Personal Reminiscence My early forays into dendrogeomorphology occurred long before I even knew what that word meant. I was working as a young geoscientist in the 1960s and early 1970s on a problem with slope movements and deformed vegetation. At the same time, unknown to me, Jouko Alestalo in Finland was doing something similar. Both of us had seen that trees which produced annual growth rings were reacting to g- morphic processes resulting in changes in their internal and external growth p- terns. Dendroclimatology was an already well established field, but the reactions of trees to other environmental processes were far less well understood in the 1960s. It was Alestalo (1971) who first used the term, dendrogeomorphology. In the early 1970s, I could see that active slope-movement processes were affecting the growth of trees in diverse ways at certain localities. I wanted to learn more about those processes and try to extract a long-term chronology of movement from the highly diverse ring patterns. Advances in Global Change Research Foreword References Tree Rings and Natural Hazards: An Introduction 1 Introduction 2 Natural Hazards, Disasters and Risk: Some Definitions 3 Tree Rings and Natural Hazards 3.1 Basic Patterns of Tree Growth 3.2 How Do Natural Hazards Affect Tree Growth? 3.2.1 Wounding of Trees (Scars) and Resin-Duct Formation 3.2.2 Tilting of Trunks 3.2.3 Trunk Burial 3.2.4 Decapitation of Trees and Elimination of Branches 3.2.5 Root Exposure and Damage 3.2.6 Elimination of Neighboring Trees 3.2.7 Colonization of Landforms After Surface-Clearing Disturbances 3.3 Sampling Design and Laboratory Analyses 3.3.1 Field Approach and Sampling Design 3.3.2 Laboratory Procedures: Sample Preparation and Analysis 4 The Organization of This Book References Dendrogeomorphology and Snow Avalanche Research 1 Introduction 2 The Nature of Snow Avalanches 3 Location and Distribution 4 Evidence of Avalanche Activity 5 Developing Avalanche Chronologies 6 Final Remarks References Tree-Ring Dating of Snow Avalanches in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA 1 Introduction 2 Glacier National Park Study Area 3 Tree-Ring Features Analyzed for Dating Snow Avalanches 4 Tree-Ring Analysis of Snow Avalanches in Glacier National Park 5 Implications for the Avalanche Climatology of the Region 6 Initial Observations on Traumatic Resin Ducts and Their Use for Dating Snow Avalanches in Glacier National Park 7 Conclusion References Tracking Past Snow Avalanches in the SE Pyrenees References Tree-Ring Based Reconstruction of Past Snow Avalanche Events and Risk Assessment in Northern Gaspé Peninsula (Québec, Canada) 1 Introduction 2 The Study Area 3 Methods 3.1 Site Selection, Sampling Design and Laboratory Analysis 3.1.1 Site Selection 3.1.2 Sampling 3.1.3 Laboratory Analysis 3.2 Statistical Treatments of Tree-Ring Data Sets 3.2.1 Scree Slopes in Low-Elevated Coastal Valleys 3.2.2 Highlands of the Chic-Chocs Mountains 3.3 Return Interval and Annual Probability 4 Results 4.1 Low-Elevation Coastal Valleys 4.1.1 Snow-Avalanche Regime on Active Scree Slopes 4.1.2 Snow-Avalanche Activity on Treed Slopes After Fire and Logging Disturbances 4.2 Snow-Avalanche Regime in the Highlands of the Chic-Chocs Range 4.2.1 Reconstructed Tree-Ring Local Avalanche Record 4.2.2 Chronology of Regional Snow Avalanche Activity 4.3 Risk Assessment 4.3.1 Scree Slopes in Coastal Valleys 4.3.2 Alpine–Subalpine Avalanche-Prone Areas 5 Discussion 5.1 Comparison of Snow-Avalanche Regime Between Scree-Slopes in Low-Elevated Coastal Valleys and Alpine–Subalpine Highlands 5.2 Methodological Issues and Quality of the Data 5.2.1 Tree-Ring Reconstruction of High-Magnitude Snow Avalanches or Extreme Events? 5.2.2 What Are the Best Indicators of Past Snow Avalanche Activity? 5.2.3 What Are the Optimum and Minimum Sample Sizes? 5.2.4 What Is the Minimum Number of Tree-Ring Responses for Past Avalanche Event Identification? 5.3 Risk Assessment: The Contribution of Dendrogeomorphology 6 Conclusion References Using Dendrochronology to Validate Numerical Simulations of Snow Avalanches in the Patagonian Andes References Dating Landslides with Trees 1 Introduction 2 Landslides 3 Dating Landslides with Trees 4 Concluding Remarks References Dendrogeomorphological Analysis of a Landslide near Lago, Calabria (Italy) 1 Introduction 2 Study Site 3 Material and Methods 3.1 Sampling Strategy 3.2 Dendrochronological Analysis 4 Results 4.1 Stem Tilting 4.2 Tree-Growth Curves and Growth Suppression 4.3 Visual Analysis of Growth Anomaly 4.4 Correlation Between Growth Anomaly Events and Geological Causes 5 Discussion and Conclusion References Tree-Ring Analysis and Rockfall Avalanches: The Use of Weighted Samples References Age of Landslides Along the Grande Rivière de la Baleine Estuary, Eastern Coast of Hudson Bay, Quebec (Canada) 1 Introduction 2 Study Area 3 Methods 4 Results 4.1 Landslides from the Upstream Sector 4.2 Landslides from the Downstream Sector 4.3 Tree Regeneration in Landslides E, F, and G 5 Discussion 5.1 Recent Landslides 5.2 Ancient Landslides 6 Conclusions References Rainfall Up, Mountain Down? References Rockfalls and Their Hazard 1 Introduction 2 The Mechanics of Rockfalls 3 Rockfall Modelling and Hazard Assessment 4 Research Needs and the Potential Contribution of Tree-Ring Analysis References Assessing Rockfall Activity in a Mountain Forest – Implications for Hazard Assessment 1 Introduction 2 Study Site 3 Methods 3.1 Sampling Strategy 3.2 Tree-Ring Analysis of Trees Damaged by Rockfall 3.3 Assessing Rockfall Rates 3.4 Seasonality of Rockfall 4 Results 4.1 Age Structure of the Forest Stand 4.2 Visible Defects and Growth Reactions to Rockfall Impacts 4.3 Spatial Distribution of Growth Disturbances 4.4 Rockfall Magnitudes and Frequencies 4.5 Decadal Variations in Rockfall Activity 4.6 Seasonality of Rockfall 5 Discussion and Conclusions References Tree-Ring Based Rockfall Reconstruction and Accuracy Assessment of a 3D Rockfall Model References Assessment of the Rockfall Frequency for Hazard Analysis at Solà d’Andorra (Eastern Pyrenees) 1 Introduction 2 The Study Site 2.1 Setting 2.2 Historical Record of Rockfalls 2.3 Forest Characteristics 3 Tree Sampling Strategies 3.1 Defining a Basic Strategy for Effectively Developing a Complete Record 4 Frequency Assessment: Interpretation of the Chronology of Tree Damage 4.1 Determining the Number of Rockfall Events 4.2 Determining the Time Interval 5 Rockfall Frequency Down the Talus 6 Are the Sampled Strips Wide Enough? 7 Probability of Falling Rocks Impacting Trees 7.1 Approach to the Impact Probability 7.2 Calculation of CIP of the Alzina Talus 8 Conclusions References Reconstruction and Spatial Analysis of Rockfall Frequency and Bounce Heights Derived from Tree Rings References State of the Art in Debris-Flow Research: The Role of Dendrochronology 1 Introduction 1.1 What are Debris Flows? 2 A Brief Summary of the State of Debris Flow Science 2.1 Debris Flow Mechanics 2.2 Scour in Colluvial Channels/Fans 2.3 Frequency-Magnitude Relationships 2.4 Debris Flow Forecasting and Warning Systems 2.5 Debris Flows and Wildfire 2.6 Debris Flow Mitigation 2.7 Debris Flows and Climate Change References Using Event and Minimum Age Dating for the Assessment of Hazards on a Debris-Flow Cone 1 Introduction 2 Study Site 3 Methods 3.1 Geomorphic Mapping and Sampling Strategy 3.2 Dating of Debris-Flow Events 3.3 Minimum Age Dating 3.4 Determination of Last Date of Activity in a Channel 4 Results 4.1 Geomorphic Mapping 4.2 Growth Disturbances and Debris-Flow Frequency 4.3 Approximation of Last Moment of Past Activity 5 Discussion and Conclusions References Dendrogeomorphic Applications to Debris Flows in Glacier National Park, Montana USA References Frequency–Magnitude Relationships, Seasonality and Spread of Debris Flows on a Forested Cone 1 Introduction 2 Study Area 3 Material and Methods 3.1 Geomorphic Mapping of Debris-Flow Channels and Deposits 3.2 Sampling Design 3.3 Debris-Flow Frequency and Timing of Events 3.4 Dating of Deposits and Spatial Spread of Events 3.5 Magnitude–Frequency Relationships of Debris Flows 4 Results 4.1 Debris-Flow Features and Deposits 4.2 Age and Growth Disturbances in Trees 4.3 Debris-Flow Frequency and Timing of Events 4.4 Dating of Deposits and Spatial Spread of Events 4.5 Frequency–Magnitude Relationships 5 Discussion and Conclusions References High-Precision Dating of Debris-Flow Events Within the Growing Season 1 Introduction References Tree Rings as Paleoflood and Paleostage Indicators 1 Introduction 2 Flood Evidence in Tree Rings 3 Strengths, Limitations and Future Directions References The Effects of Hydroelectric Flooding on a Reservoir’s Peripheral Forests and Newly Created Forested Islands 1 Introduction 2 Study Site 3 Methods 4 Results 4.1 The Reservoir’s Effects on the Temperature and Wind Regime 4.2 Effects of the Reservoir on Tree Growth and Ring Density 4.3 Frost Rings and the Phenological Delay of Tree Growth on the Islands 4.4 Trees Destabilized by the Wind 4.5 The New Insular Nival Regime and MechanicalDamage to Pre-established Trees 5 Discussion and Conclusions References Spring Water Levels Reconstructed from Ice-Scarred Trees and Cross-Sectional Area of the Earlywood Vessels in Tree Rings from References A 100-Year History of Floods Determined from Tree Rings in a Small Mountain Stream in the Tatra Mountains, Poland 1 Introduction 2 Study Site 3 Material and Methods 4 Results 5 Discussion 6 Conclusions References Dendrohydrology and Extreme Floods Along the Red River, Canada References Part VII Weather and Climate Extremes: Where Can Dendrochronology Help? 1 Introduction 2 What Are Extreme Events, Where Do They Come from, and Why Are They Important? 3 How Can Tree Rings Help in Reconstructing Extreme Events? 4 Conclusions: Future Research Needs References Dendrotempestology and the Isotopic Record of Tropical Cyclones in Tree Rings of the Southeastern United States 1 Introduction 2 Hurricanes and Tree Rings 3 Study Site 4 Methods 5 Results 6 Discussion References Dendrochronological Responses to a Tornado References Dendroecology of Hurricanes and the Potential for Isotopic Reconstructions in Southeastern Texas 1 Introduction 2 Study Site 3 Material and Methods 3.1 Dendroecology 3.2 Dendroecological Results 3.3 Dendroecological Indicators of Past Hurricane Activity 3.4 The Potential Development of Hurricane Reconstructions from Stable Isotope Studies References Wildfire Hazard and the Role of Tree-Ring Research 1 Introduction 2 The Tree-Ring Record of Wildfires 3 Fire History in an Uncertain Future References Mesoscale Disturbance and Ecological Response to Decadal Climatic Variability in the American Southwest 1 Introduction 2 Disturbance Climates of the American Southwest 2.1 Seasonal Variability 2.2 Interannual and Interdecadal Climate Variability 3 Regionally-Synchronized Insect Outbreaks 4 Regionally-Synchronized Wildfires 5 Demographic Consequences of Catastrophic Drought: The 1950s Dieback 6 Ecological Consequences of the Post-1976 “Wet” Period 7 Conclusions References Wildfire Risk and Ecological Restoration in Mixed-Severity Fire Regimes References Wildfire Ecology and Management at Grand Canyon, USA: Tree-Ring Applications in Forest Fire History and Modeling 1 Introduction 2 Study Region 3 Tree-Ring Reconstruction of Historical Fire Regimes 4 Tree-Ring Analysis for Forest and Fuel Structure 5 Applications to Management References Wildfire Risk and Hazard in Northern Patagonia, Argentina References Tree Rings and Earthquakes 1 Introduction 2 Application of Tree-Ring Research to Earthquakes 3 Future Research Needs and Challenges References Application of Tree-Ring Analysis to Paleoseismology 1 Introduction 2 Radiocarbon Measurements and Tree-Ring Dating 3 Background 4 Types of Earthquake Events That Can Imprint the Tree-Ring Record 4.1 Dating of Surface Ruptures and Disturbances 4.2 Dating of Earthquake-Induced Elevation or Base-Level Changes 4.3 Tsunami and Landslides 4.4 Liquefaction 4.5 Other Seismic Effects 4.6 Information that May Be Developed From Tree-Ring Analysis: Event, Location, Time, Estimated Magnitude, and Displacement References Tree-Ring Abnormality Caused by Large Earthquake: An Example From the 1931 M 8.0 Fuyun Earthquake References Tree-Ring Dated Landslide Movements and Seismic Events in Southwestern Montana, USA 1 Introduction 2 Dating Landslide Movement by Tree-Ring Analyses 2.1 Reduction in Annual Ring Width 2.2 Reaction Wood Formation 2.3 Scars 3 Study Sites 3.1 Bench Road 3.2 Cliff Lake 3.3 Freezeout Lake 4 Methods 5 Summary of Disturbance in the Gravelly Range Tree-Ring Record 6 Are the Landslide Movements Seismically Induced? 6.1 Correlation of Landslide Movement with Significant Seismic Events 6.2 Seismic Events Unrecorded in the Tree-Ring Record 7 Conclusions References Seismic Damage in Conifers from Olympic and Yellowstone National Parks, United States 1 Introduction References Studying Past Volcanic Activity with Tree Rings 1 Introduction 2 Global Climatic Effects of Volcanic Eruptions and Tree Rings 3 Dating Volcanic Eruptions, Geomorphic Processes and Related Hazards 4 Dendrochemistry 5 Concluding Remarks References Tree-Ring Evidence for the 1913 Eruption of Volcán de Fuego de Colima, Mexico 1 Introduction 2 Study Area 3 Materials and Methods 4 Results 5 Discussion References Dendrochemical Evidence of the 1781 Eruption of Mount Hood, Oregon References Volcanic Eruptions over the Last 5,000 Years from High Elevation Tree-Ring Widths and Frost Rings 1 Introduction 2 Study Sites, Materials, and Methods 2.1 Chronology Development and Standardization 2.2 Isolating the Volcanic Signal in Tree Rings 2.3 Comparison with Ice-Core Records of Volcanism 2.4 Comparison with High Latitude Tree-Ring Chronologies 3 Results 4 Discussion and Conclusions References Unknown Eruption of Shiveluch Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia) Around AD 1756 Identified by Dendrochronology References Late Eighteenth Century Old Maid Eruption and Lahars at Mount Hood, Oregon (USA) Dated with Tree Rings and Historical Observati 1 Introduction References Part XI Whither Dendrogeomorphology? 1 Introduction 2 Need for Methodological Improvement of Existing Approaches 3 Need for Fundamental Research on Tree Reactions to Geomorphic Disturbance 4 Development and Application of New Tree-Ring Based Approaches 5 New Thematic and Geographic Fields 6 Application of Tree-Ring Data in Other Fields References "The initial employment of tree rings in natural hazard studies was simply as a dating tool and rarely exploited other environmental information and records of damage contained within the tree. However, these unique, annually resolved, tree-ring records preserve valuable archives of past earth-surface processes on timescales of decades to centuries. As many of these processes are significant natural hazards, understanding their distribution, timing and controls provides valuable information that can assist in the prediction, mitigation and defence against these hazards and their effects on society. Tree Rings and Natural Hazards provides many illustrations of these themes, demonstrating the application of tree rings to studies of snow avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and several other processes. Several of the chapters are 'classic studies', others represent recent applications using previously unpublished material. They illustrate the breadth and diverse applications of contemporary dendrogeomorphology and underline the growing potential to expand such studies, possibly leading to the establishment of a range of techniques and approaches that may become standard practice in the analysis of natural hazards in the future."--Publisher's description.