Eucalypt dendrochronology: past, present and potential

Abstract

Dendrochronology has the capacity to provide unique insights into natural vegetation dynamics and yield climatological reconstructions. However, because of a persistent belief that eucalypts are unsuited to dendrochronological analysis, research interest in the genus has been limited. A thorough review of the eucalypt dendrochronological literature reveals that perceived limitations may be locally overcome. However, methodological problems associated with many studies mean that results are often difficult to interpret. Consequently, the dendrochronological potential of the eucalypts remains unresolved. To overcome this, a detailed dendrochronological reconnaissance of the eucalypts, drawing on established datasets, systematic study of individual species and sites and examination of non-width-based tree-ring properties, is recommended.