[en] [en] BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Disentangling tree growth requires more than ring width data only. Densitometry is considered a valuable proxy, yet laborious wood sample preparation and lack of dedicated software limit the widespread use of density profiling for tree ring analysis. An X-ray computed tomography-based toolchain of tree increment cores is presented, which results in profile data sets suitable for visual exploration as well as density-based pattern matching.
METHODS: Two temperate (Quercus petraea, Fagus sylvatica) and one tropical species (Terminalia superba) were used for density profiling using an X-ray computed tomography facility with custom-made sample holders and dedicated processing software.
KEY RESULTS: Density-based pattern matching is developed and able to detect anomalies in ring series that can be corrected via interactive software.
CONCLUSIONS: A digital workflow allows generation of structure-corrected profiles of large sets of cores in a short time span that provide sufficient intra-annual density information for tree ring analysis. Furthermore, visual exploration of such data sets is of high value. The dated profiles can be used for high-resolution chronologies and also offer opportunities for fast screening of lesser studied tropical tree species.
Disciplines :
Agriculture & agronomy Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...) Environmental sciences & ecology Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others Life sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
De Mil, Tom ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Gestion des ressources forestières ; UGCT-Woodlab-UGent, Ghent University, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Forest and Water Management, Coupure Links 653, B- 9000 Gent, Belgium Royal Museum for Central Africa, Wood Biology Service, Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium tom.demil@ugent.be
Vannoppen, Astrid; University of Leuven, Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Celestijnenlaan 200E, Box 2411, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
Beeckman, Hans; Royal Museum for Central Africa, Wood Biology Service, Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium
Van Acker, Joris; UGCT-Woodlab-UGent, Ghent University, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Forest and Water Management, Coupure Links 653, B- 9000 Gent, Belgium
Van den Bulcke, Jan; UGCT-Woodlab-UGent, Ghent University, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Forest and Water Management, Coupure Links 653, B- 9000 Gent, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
A field-to-desktop toolchain for X-ray CT densitometry enables tree ring analysis.
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