FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF MĀMANE (SOPHORA CHRYSOPHYLLA) ON MAUNA KEA, HAWAI‘I

Abstract

In order to better understand and predict the future effects of global climate change, researchers must utilize methods that allow accurate interpretation of pre-instrumental environmental conditions. Dendrochronology is especially useful because of its ability to utilize climate proxies spanning tremendous spatial and temporal scales in the form of tree rings. The construction of a global network of tree-ring chronologies is already well underway, but temperate bias has resulted in an under representation of the tropics. The Hawaiian Archipelago provides a unique opportunity to gather tree ring data from an under sampled region of the eastern tropics. I used classical dendrochronological methods to expand on previous research on Hawai‘i Island, adding trees from an additional site at a subalpine forest at Pu‘u La‘au, and extending the tree-ring chronology for māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) from 86 years to 173 years. I also investigated the growth-climate relationship of māmane at Pu‘u La‘au and found that rainfall is a poor predictor for tree growth.