Authors
Ellis Margolis, Chris Baisan, Tom Swetnam
Publication date
2001/9/27
Description
Dendroecological techniques were used to investigate the potential reconstruction of tent caterpillar outbreaks in the aspen stands of the Jemez Mountains, NM. Multiple, synchronous growth suppressions were evident at all seven study sites between 1886-1999. The Baca Ranch chronology extends back to 1743 and contains multi-year growth suppressions throughout the time series. Several methods were used in an attempt to determine the climate sensitivity of aspen, yet none revealed a consistent climatic response. Lack of an identifiable aspen-climate response prevents the reconstruction of tent caterpillar outbreaks via the host, non-host method. The potential remains for a 250-year tent caterpillar outbreak reconstruction by applying other dendroecological methods.