Dendrochronology, landslides and climate change in the Copeland Creek headwaters
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James et al 2014a; James et al 2014b - Geography 317 visited the Fairfield Osborn Preserve (FOP) to perform dendrochronological data collection. Tree cores and tree cross sections were taken from two locations: a PG&E tree cut performed in 2013 and a side slope along the Moving Mountain Trail (MMT). The purpose of collecting the samples was to determine average tree age, fire frequency, and the dates and frequency of mass wasting events. We employed various methods and techniques to determine the occurrence of mass movements and the fire history within the preserve including the use of increment borers to take cores of J-Trees along the upper MMT. In addition, we took cross-sections from Oak (Quercus sp.) and Bay (Umbellularia californica) tree species within a PG&E transmission cut along the lower MMT. Lab work included sanding down all of the samples using sand paper from a grit size ranging from 60 to 400 in order to see the growth rings and possible fire scars. Microscopes were used to count tree rings and determine tree age. Preliminary findings suggest the absence of fire within this part of the preserve within the past 100 years. Furthermore, mass movements on MMT were noted within the last 20 and 40 years.
| Title | Format | Download | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Real Trees Have Curves: Dendrochronology at Fairfield Osborn Preserve" | presentation | Lauren James, Mark Castro, Justin Reacer, David Price, Quinten Rodriguez, Pasha Abooamery, Chris Cunningham, Emma Anthony, Kyle Towers, Gracie Lock, Devin Connor | |
| "Real Trees Have Curves: Dendrochronology at Fairfield Osborn Preserve" | poster | Lauren James, Mark Castro, Justin Reacer, David Price, Quinten Rodriguez, Pasha Abooamery, Chris Cunningham, Emma Anthony, Kyle Towers, Gracie Lock, Devin Connor |
