Subfossil European bog oaks: population dynamics and long-term growth depressions as indicators of changes in the Holocene hydro-regime and climate

Some 2600 bog oaks have been dated from German, Dutch and Irish bogs covering the period 6000 bc to ad 1000. The ring patterns of these ‘bog oaks’ are characterized by recurrent, long-term growth depressions. In addition, obvious changes in the temporal distribution of the bog-oak trunks throughout the Holocene are found. Both features were probably caused by unfavourable growth conditions, which are most likely linked to changes in site hydrology.We use a new variable, ‘annual mean age’, as a tool to analyse the population dynamics of bog oaks in more detail, enabling the detection of synchro... Mehr ...