An ultra-long tree-ring width chronology (9111 years long, 7109 BC to AD 2002) has been established based on the analysis and dating of 1432 subfossil/dry dead wood samples and cores from 335 living trees. The material was collected from treeline or near-treeline sites (c. 2000 to 2400 m a.s.l.) mainly in the Eastern Alps. The availability of preserved samples through time at high altitudinal sites is influenced by Alpine forest history and is partly climatically controlled, as shown by comparisons of the sample depth record of the Eastern Alpine Conifer Chronology (EACC) with the Holocene glacier record. The similarity of variations over time between the sample depth of the chronology and the mid-Holocene GISP2 10Be record suggest a relationship between sample depth and solar activity. The Eastern Alpine Conifer Chronology has already been used as a dating base in environmental studies, eg, on glacier fluctuations, as well as in archaeological studies.
Alley, R.B. and Agustsdottir, A.M.2005: The 8 k event: cause and consequences of a major Holocene abrupt climate change. Quaternary Science Reviews24, 1123-49.
2.
Artmann, A.1949: Jahrringchronologische und -klimatologische Untersuchungen an der Zirbe und anderen Bäumen des Hochgebirges. Unpublished Dissertation University of München, 87 pp.
3.
Bard, E., Raisbeck, G., Yiou, F. and Jouzel, J.1997: Solar modulation of cosmogenic nuclide production over the last millennium: comparison between 14C and 10Be records. Earth and Planetary Science Letters150, 453-62.
4.
Bebber, A.E.1990: Una chronologia del larice (Larix decidua Mill.) delle Alpi orientali italiane. Dendrochronologia8, 119-40.
5.
Beer, J., Siegenthaler, U., Bonani, G., Finkel, R.C., Oeschger, H., Suter, M. and Wölfli, W.1988: Information on past solar activity and geomagnetism from 10Be in the Camp Century ice core. Nature331, 675-79.
6.
Bircher, W.1982: Zur Gletscher- und Klimageschichte des Saastales. Unpublished DissertationUniversity of Zürich, 233 pp.
7.
Bond, G., Kromer, B., Beer, J., Muscheler, R., Evans, M.N., Showers, W., Hoffmann, S., Lotti-Bond, R., Hajdas, I. and Bonani, G.2001: Persistent solar influence on North Atlantic climate during the Holocene. Science294, 2130-36.
8.
Bortenschlager, S.2000: The Iceman’s environment. In Bortenschlager, S. and Oeggl, K., editors, The iceman and his natural environment: palaeobotanical results. The man in the ice, volume 4. Springer, 11-24.
9.
Brehme, K.1951: Jahrringchronologische und -klimatologische Untersuchungen an Hochgebirgslärchen des Berchtesgadener Landes. Zeitschrift für Weltwirtschaft14, 65-80.
10.
Briffa, K.R., Osborn, T.J., Schweingruber, F.H., Jones, P.D., Shiyatov, S.G. and Vaganov, E.A.2002: Tree-ring width and density data around the Northern Hemisphere: part 2, spatio-temporal variability and associated climate patterns . The Holocene12, 759-89.
11.
Bronk Ramsey, C.1995: Radiocarbon calibration and analysis of stratigraphy: the OxCal program. Radiocarbon37, 425-30.
12.
-- 2001: Development of the radiocarbon program OxCal. Radiocarbon43, 355-63.
13.
Bronk-Ramsey, C., van der Plicht, J. and Weninger, B.2001: ‘Wiggle matching’ radiocarbon dates . Radiocarbon43, 381-89.
14.
Büntgen, U., Esper, J., Frank, D.C., Nicolussi, K. and Schmidhalter, M.2005: A 1052-year tree-ring proxy for Alpine summer temperatures . Climate Dynamics25, 141-53.
15.
Cook, E.R. and Peters, K.1981: The smoothing spline: a new approach to standardizing forest interior tree-ring width series for dendroclimatic studies. Tree-Ring Bulletin41, 45-53.
16.
D’Arrigo, R., Jacoby, G., Frank, D., Pederson, N., Cook, E., Buckley, B., Nachin, B., Mijiddorj, R. and Dugarjav, C.2001: 1738 years of Mongolian temperature variability inferred from a tree-ring width chronology of Siberian pine. Geophysical Research Letters28, 543-46.
17.
Dellinger, F., Kutschera, W., Nicolussi, K., Schießling, P., Steier, P. and Wild, E.M.2004: A 14C calibration with AMS from 3500 to 3000 BC, derived from a new high-elevation stone-pine tree-ring chronology. Radiocarbon46, 969-78.
18.
Donati, P., Orcel, A. and Orcel, Ch.1988: Dendrochronologia e monumenti nell’area ticinese . Zeitschrift für schweizerische Archäologie und Kunstgeschichte45, 277-94.
19.
Eckstein, D. and Aniol, R.W.1981: Dendroclimatological reconstruction of the summer temperatures for an alpine region. Mitteilungen der Forstlichen Bundesversuchsanstalt Wien142, 391-98.
20.
Edouard, J.L., Guibal, F., Nicault, A., Rathgeber, C., Tessier, L., Thomas, A. and Wicha, S.2002: Arbres subfossiles (Pinus cembra, Pinus uncinata et Larix decidua) et évolution des forêts d’altitude dans les Alpes françaises au cours de l’Holocène. Approche dendrochronologique . In Richard, H. and Vignot, A., editors, Equilibre et rupture dans les écosystèmes depuis 20000 ans en Europe de l’Ouest’. Colloque international de Besançon, 18-22 septembre 2000. Collection Annales littéraires, Série Environnement, Sociétés et Archéologie, no. 3. Presses Universitaires de Franche-Comté, Les Belles Lettres, 403-11.
21.
Esper, J., Cook, E.R. and Schweingruber, F.H.2002: Low-frequency signals in long tree-ring chronologies and the reconstruction of the past temperature variability. Science295, 2250-53.
22.
Esper, J., Büntgen, U., Frank, D.C., Nievergelt, D., Treydte, K. and Verstege, A.2006: Multiple tree-ring parameters from Atlas cedar (Morocco) and their climatic signal. In Heinrich, I. , editor, Tree rings in archaeology, climatology and ecology . TRACE4, 46-55.
23.
Finkel, R.C. and Nishiizumi, K.1997: Beryllium 10 concentrations in the Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 ice core from 3-40 ka. Journal of Geophysical Research102, 26699-706.
24.
Furrer, G., Burga, C., Gamper, M., Holzhauser, H. and Maisch, M.1987: Zur Gletscher-, Vegetations- und Klimageschichte der Schweiz seit der Späteiszeit. Geographica Helvetica42, 61-91.
25.
Grabner, M. and Gindl, W.2000: Neue Jahrringchronologien vom Dachstein. In Mandl, F., editor, Alpen, Archäologie , Felsbildforschung V. Mitteilungen der ANISA21, 20-30.
26.
Grabner, M., Wimmer, R., Gindl, W. and Nicolussi, K. 2001: A 3474-year alpine tree-ring record from the Dachstein, Austria. In Kaennel Dobbertin, M. and Bräker, O.U., editors, Tree rings and people. Proceedings of the International Conference on the future of Dendrochronology, 22-26 September 2001, Davos, Switzerland. Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 252-53.
27.
Holzhauser, H.1997: Fluctuations of the Grosser Aletsch Glacier and the Gorner Glacier during the last 3200 years, new results. In Frenzel, B., editor, Glacier fluctuations during the Holocene . Paläoklimaforschung/Palaeoclimate Research24, 35-58.
28.
Holzhauser, H., Magny, M. and Zumbühl, H.J.2005: Glacier and lake-level variations in west-central Europe over the last 3500 years. The Holocene15, 789-801.
29.
Huber, B.1941: Aufbau einer mitteleuropäischen Jahrring-Chronologie . Mitteilungen Hermann Göring Akademie der deutschen Forstwissenschaft3, 137-42.
30.
Jansen, E., Overpeck, J., Briffa, K.R., Duplessy, J-C., Joos, F., Masson-Delmotte, V., Olago, D., Otto-Bliesner, B., Peltier, W.R., Rahmstorf, S., Ramesh, R., Raynaud, D., Rind, D., Solomina, O., Villalba, R. and Zhang, D.2007: Palaeoclimate. In Solomon, S.,Qin, D.,Manning, M.,Chen, Z.,Marquis, M.,Averyt, K.B.,Tignor, M. and Miller, H.L., editors, Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, 433-97.
31.
Jörin, U.E., Stocker, T.F. and Schlüchter, C.2006: Multicentury glacier fluctuations in the Swiss Alps during the Holocene. The Holocene16, 697-704.
32.
Jörin, U.E., Nicolussi, K., Fischer, A., Stocker, T.F. and Schlüchter, C.2008: Holocene optimum events inferred from subglacial sediments at Tschierva Glacier, Eastern Swiss Alps. Quaternary Science Reviews27, 337-50.
33.
Kaiser, K.F.1991: Tree-rings in Switzerland and other mountain regions: Late Glacial through Holocene. Paläoklimaforschung/ Palaeoclimate Research6, 119-32.
34.
Kerschner, H., Hertl, A., Gross, G., Ivy-Ochs, S. and Kubik, P.W.2006: Surface exposure dating of moraines in the Kromer valley (Silvretta Mountains, Austria) - evidence for glacial response to the 8.2 ka event in the Eastern Alps?The Holocene16, 7-15.
Naurzbaev, M.M. and Nicolussi, K.2008: New ice core evidence for a volcanic cause of the A.D. 536 dust-veil. Geophysical Research Letters35, L04708, doi:10.1029/2007GL032450.
37.
Lumassegger, G.1996: Dendrochronologische Untersuchungen an Zirben (Pinus cembra) im Waldgrenzbereich des Radurscheltales, Ötztaler Alpen. Diploma thesis , University of Innsbruck, 90 pp.
38.
Magny, M.2004: Holocene climatic variability as reflected by mid-European lake-level fluctuations, and its probable impact on prehistoric human settlements . Quaternary International113, 65-79.
39.
Mayer, H.1974: Wälder des Ostalpenraumes. Fischer , 344 pp.
40.
Nesje, A., Dahl, S.O., Thun, T. and Nordli, .Ø2008: The ‘Little Ice Age’ glacial expansion in western Scandinavia - summer temperature or winter precipitation?Climate Dynamics30, 789-801.
41.
Naurzbaev, M.M., Vaganov, E.A., Sidorova, O.V. and Schweingruber, F.H.2002: Summer temperatures in eastern Taimyr inferred from a 2427-year late-Holocene tree-ring chronology and earlier floating series . The Holocene12, 727-36.
42.
Nicolussi, K.1995: Jahrringe und Massenbilanz. Dendroklimatologische Rekonstruktion der Massenbilanzreihe des Hintereisferners bis zum Jahr 1400 mittels Pinus cembra-Reihen aus den Ötztaler Alpen, Tirol. Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie30, 11-52.
43.
-- 1999: 10 Jahre Dendrochronologie am Institut für Hochgebirgsforschung . Institut für Hochgebirgsforschung - Jahresbericht1998, 27-46.
44.
Nicolussi, K. and Patzelt, G.2000: Discovery of early Holocene wood and peat on the forefield of the Pasterze Glacier, Eastern Alps, Austria. The Holocene10, 191-99.
45.
-- 2001: Untersuchungen zur holozänen Gletscherentwicklung von Pasterze und Gepatschferner (Ostalpen). Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie36, 1-87.
46.
Nicolussi, K., Bortenschlager, S. and Körner, C.1995: Increase in tree-ring width in subalpine Pinus cembra from the central Alps that may be CO2-related. Trees9, 181-89.
47.
Nicolussi, K., Lumassegger, G., Patzelt, G., Pindur, P. and Schießling, P.2004: Aufbau einer holozänen Hochlagen-Jahrring-Chronologie für die zentralen Ostalpen: Möglichkeiten und erste Ergebnisse. In Innsbrucker Geographische Gesellschaft, editor, Innsbrucker Jahresbericht2001/ 200216, 114-36.
48.
Nicolussi, K., Kaufmann, M., Patzelt, G., van der Plicht, J. and Thurner, A.2005: Holocene tree-line variability in the Kauner Valley, Central Eastern Alps, indicated by dendrochronological analysis of living trees and subfossil logs. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany14, 221-34.
49.
Nicolussi, K., Jörin, U., Kaiser, K.F., Patzelt, G. and Thurner, A.2006: Precisely dated glacier fluctuations in the Alps over the last four millennia. In Price, M.F. , editor, Global chance in mountain regions. Sapiens Publishing, 59-60.
50.
Patzelt, G.1996: Modellstudie Ötztal - Landschaftsgeschichte im Hochgebirgsraum . Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft138, 53-70.
51.
Patzelt, G. and Bortenschlager, S.1973: Die postglazialen Gletscherund Klimaschwankungen in der Venedigergruppe (Hohe Tauern, Ostalpen). Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie Neues Funde, Supplementen Band16, 25-72.
52.
Pichler, T., Nicolussi, K. and Goldenberg, G.2009: Dendrochronological analysis and dating of wooden artefacts from the prehistoric copper mine Kelchalm/Kitzbühel (Austria) . Dendrochronologia in press.
53.
Rasmussen, S.O., Vinther, B.M., Clausen, H.B. and Andersen, K.K.2007: Early Holocene climate oscillations recorded in three Greenland ice cores. Quaternary Science Reviews26, 1907-14.
54.
Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C.J.H., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G.S., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hogg, A.G., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, G., Manning, S., Ramsey, C.B., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., Van Der Plicht , J. and Weyhenmeyer, C.E.2004: IntCal04 terrestrial radiocarbon age calibration, 0-26 cal kyr BP. Radiocarbon46, 1029-58.
55.
Reitmaier, T. and Nicolussi, K.2002: Ein hochmittelalterlicher Einbaum aus dem Obersee, Gemeinde St. Jakob/Defereggen (Osttirol), und die fischereiwirtschaftliche Nutzung alpiner Hochgebirgsseen in Tirol. NAU - Nachrichtenblatt Arbeitskreis Unterwasserarchäologie9, 12-16.
56.
Renner, F.1982: Beiträge zur Gletschergeschichte des Gotthardgebietes und dendroklimatologische Analysen an fossilen Hölzern. Unpublished DissertationUniversity of Zürich, 180 pp.
57.
Röthlisberger, F., Haas, P., Holzhauser, H., Keller, W., Bircher, W. and Renner, F.1980: Holocene climatic fluctuations - radiocarbon dating of fossil soils (fAh) and woods from moraines and glaciers in the Alps. Geographica Helvetica35, 21-52.
58.
Schär, E. and Schweingruber, F.H.1987: Nacheiszeitliche Stammfunde aus Grächen im Wallis . Schweizerische Zeitschrift für das Forstwesen138, 497-515.
59.
-- 1988: 4000 years’ forest development in pre-Christian times near a mountain lake in the Alps. Dendrochronologia6, 131-40.
60.
Schweingruber, F.H.1987: Flächenhafte dendroklimatische Temperaturrekonstruktionen für Europa. Naturwissenschaften74, 205-12.
61.
Seifert, M.2000: Vor 3466 Jahren erbaut! Die Quellfassung von St . Moritz. Archäologie der Schweiz23, 63-75.
62.
Southon, J.2002: A first step to reconciling the GRIP and GISP2 ice-core chronologies, 0-14,500 yr B.P. Quaternary Research57, 32-37.
63.
Spurk, M., Leuschner, H.H., Baillie, M.G.L., Briffa, K.R. and Friedrich, M.2002: Depositional frequency of German subfossil oaks: climatically and non-climatically induced fluctuations in the Holocene. The Holocene12, 707-15.
64.
von Grafenstein, U., Erlenkeuser, H., Brauer, A., Jouzel, J. and Johnsen, S.1999: A mid-European decadal isotope-climate record from 15,500 to 5,000 years B.P. Science284, 1654-57.
65.
Wick, L. and Tinner, W.1997: Vegetation changes and timberline fluctuations in the Central Alps as indicators of Holocene climatic oscillations. Arctic and Alpine Research29, 445-58.
66.
Wigley, T.M.L., Briffa, K.R. and Jones, P.D.1984: On the average value of correlated time series, with applications in dendroclimatology and hydrometeorology. Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology23, 201-13.
