Third National Dendroecological Fieldweek
Organizing by
PEER-NSF funded project
Building Research And Teaching Capacity To Aid Climate Change And Natural Resource Management and Tree Ring Lab at National University Of Mongolia
Collaboration with
An NSF funded project
Pluvials, Droughts, Energetics, and the Mongol Empire
What is the Dendroecological Fieldweek?
The Tree Ring Laboratory at the NUM is organized two national fieldweeks and one international dendroecological fieldweek since 1995. Also took place two nationwide laboratory weeks. The Dendroecological Fieldweek provides an intensive learning experience in dendrochronology. Previous experience in field and laboratory-based tree-ring techniques is not required. Everybody that participates in the fieldweek learns new things because research projects and locations are different every year. And this year, we are proudly announcing Third National Dendroecological Fieldweek will be held at Forest Research and Training Center, NUM in Batsumber, Mongolia. Fieldweek will go on 23-30 May, 2014
Why study the past using tree ring application?
Man written history often does not cover the range of the past variability in many natural processes satisfactorily because human recorded data exist in a short period of time or they have some gaps in their spatial and temporal coverage. Information about past variability is essential to identify boundary conditions against which to assess present variability and to predict future varabilities. More than ever, to detect unprecedented changes that may be the result of human-induced climate or ecological change become an important subject to natural sciences. Thus,researchers in natural sciences have to switch from instrumental or other written records to proxy data which including tree rings to broaden our understanding of temporal and spatial variability in natural phenomena under study.
How is the fieldweek organized?
During the fieldweek, we spend the first day taking a tour of the local area and listen to engaging lectures from experts familiar with the local region. The group leader also briefly explains their proposed projects so that participants can be thought about in which project they wish to participate. The participants choose, subject to join for the rest of the week. The group spends 1-2 days conducting fieldwork followed by three days of laboratory preparation and analyses. We also have a series of evening presentations and workshops during the week with topics ranging from different applications of dendrochronology. On the last day of the fieldweek, the group gets back together to present their findings to the other participants.
What benefits are gained from the Fildweek?
No doubt that learning through experience has no equal opportunities. All fieldweeks have successfully challenged participants to explore new approaches to multi-disciplinary research. While we emphasize tree-ring research methods, we feel that Fieldweek projects have effectively combined elements from many different disciplines to design novel solutions to ecological hypotheses for forest ecosystems. The Fieldweek magnetizes a diverse audience from disciplines from locations around the country, never stays in one place, and addresses research topics concerning all types of natural science. It is usually a very intense week, with a vast amount of work accomplished by dedicated participants who come to learn. Past Fieldweek projects have been published, used as the basis for proposals to funding agencies, or formed core parts of theses or dissertations.Another challenging opportunity is this fieldweek is in English since we have invited international dendrochronologists. Therefore, it is a unique environment that you will have to practice your English.
Who can participate in this fieldweek?
Anyone who interested in tree ring applications and forest ecology can be participated. Our sponsors are more likely to encourage participation of Professional Researchers from different institutions, graduate and undergraduates. Therefore, all people and professionals who are interested in this field of sciences are very welcome to this fieldweek.
Our group leaders always tried to cover all possible topics related to dendroecology and dendrochonology which are interested by our participants in each fieldweek. At this time, we are hoping that some researchers and graduate students who know the basics of dendrochronology applications have a chance to advance their knowledge further. That’s why we are going to cover following hot topics during this fieldweek. But we also courage our freshmen and people who are beginning to interest in this field of sciences. Thus, we suggest following tentative groups in this fieldweek:
Dendro Ecology and Disturbance Ecology group: Dr.Oyunsanaa Byambasuren
Dendro climatology group: MSc. Caroline Leland (Columbia University), Kristen DeGraauw
Dendro applications in silviculture: MSc. Byambagerel Suran
Participants can choose their own group of interests and their fieldweek leaders.
How can I register and how much is the fee?
If you are interested in 3rd National Dendroecological Fieldweek,
Please fill this Registration form and send to treeringlab@num.edu.mn or please contact Ms. Byambagerel Suran at Tree Ring Laboratory, National University of Mongolia. Registration fees for participants 100.000₮ for supplies of fieldwork and local logistics during the fieldweek. We have some scholarship grants that cover registration fees for graduate and undergraduate students, however, we have limited space, so don’t delay! We would like to ask graduate and undergraduate students who would like to apply for scholarship, to write essay about their understanding of dendrochronology and tree ring applications in their research interest. The essay should be on one page with double spaced typing.
