Investigating the potential of red spruce (Picea rubens) blue intensity chronologies to reconstruct past temperature for Vermont.
Swartz, Phoebe
Swartz, Phoebe
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Abstract
Past climate variability in Vermont over the last 1,000 years remains poorly understood. Blue intensity (BI) measurements from historical and modern tree-ring samples provide a method for reconstructing annual temperatures. Most northeastern U.S. temperature reconstructions have relied on eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), a primarily low-elevation species that limits geographic coverage in Vermont. This study evaluates the potential of red spruce (Picea rubens) BI chronologies to develop a 350-year temperature reconstruction, as this species occupies a broader elevational range. This study utilizes two chronologies: the Vermont Historical Collection, which includes samples from historical structures throughout Vermont, and a modern chronology using tree cores collected on Camel�s Hump Mountain, VT in 2021. The samples were scanned, cross dated, and processed using BI analysis to produce chronologies that were then correlated with modern climate data. The resulting climate reconstruction was compared with reconstructions derived from other species. Results indicate that red spruce is a viable species for temperature reconstructions. Incorporating this species into climate reconstructions could strengthen the northeastern climate network by allowing higher-elevation sites to be included. In recent years, Vermont and the broader Northeast have experienced increasing impacts from climate change, and rising temperatures are expected to continue producing significant social, economic, and ecological effects. Producing accurate reconstructions across broader geographic and temporal scales is therefore crucial for understanding long-term climate variability.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Senior (Graduating in 2026)
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Poster
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Geosciences (BS), Environmental Studies (BA)
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
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Life Science