Dendrochronology in Neotropical dry forests: methods, advances and applications

Neotropical dry forests (TDFs) are characterized by a dry season which allows some tree species forming annual rings. In TDFs the study of tree rings using dendrochronology involves their identification, dating and measurement. In this way, we gain a retrospective view of tree growth at a temporal scale in agreement with tree longevity. Having a good knowledge of wood anatomy and phenology is necessary to perform dendrochronological studies in TDFs. For instance, most angiosperm tree species which have been studied in TDFs from a dendrochronological point of view present ring boundaries characterized by a band of marginal parenchyma. The information recorded in tree rings has allowed (i) quantifying how growth of TDF trees responds to climatic variables (mainly precipitation) and determining if it is related to large scale atmospheric patterns (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) (dendroclimatology); (ii) reconstructing the dynamics of many TDFs (dendroecology) by improving our knowledge of tree ages and growth rates. Dendroecology will provide forest managers with objective tools to quantify and forecast cutting cycles, making the management of TDFs more sustainable.