Principal Components Analysis of Tree-Ring Sites

A principal components model for analyzing tree-ring data is presented which allows one to examine site heterogeneity and to compose chronologies of a new kind in a conceptually unified and computationally efficient manner. Using this model, one can develop chronologies that correlate better with local climate data than the standard chronology for a site and which can be tested for time stability within the framework of the model. The numerical procedures are described and applied to a specific tree site to illustrate their use and their usefulness. The tree-ring width data tested is from a white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench.] Voss) site in the forest-tundra ecotone of Yukon Territory. The results from the study of this and other sites indicate that more climatic information can be extracted using these techniques.This item is part of the Tree-Ring Research (formerly Tree-Ring Bulletin) archive. It was digitized from a physical copy provided by the Laboratory of Tree-Ring research at The University of Arizona. For more information about this peer-reviewed scholarly journal, please email the Editor of Tree-Ring Research at editor@treeringsociety.org