Development of Tree-Ring Chronologies in an Ozone Air Pollution-Stressed Forest in Southern California

Abstract

The utilization of radial growth responses of trees to diagnose air pollution injury, and problems of growth defects interfering with the establishment of growth chronologies, is discussed. Cores from trees in an air pollution-stressed forest are examined for their potential to crossdate. Less than half, and usually less than a third of the trees on all plots can be crossdated, and number appears to be associated with changing conditions along a transect of elevational and pollution levels. Chronologies developed along this transect are presented.