Collaborative Research: P2C2--Summer Temperature Reconstructions for Eastern North America

该项目广泛寻求使用树木年轮测量的蓝光强度（木材密度的代表）来产生多个年度解决的区域夏季温度重建（例如东南部，大西洋中部，美国东北部/加拿大沿海地区），过去大约500年。开展这项研究的主要动机是需要更好地了解当前北美东部地区在仪器前条件下的气候变暖趋势，以及更好地了解气候变化对整个地区温度敏感树种的影响。了解北美东部冷暖期的更广泛的时空格局、时间和幅度可能有助于限制未来温度变化的模式情景。较长的温度记录（例如，超出仪器周期的温度记录）可提供以下信息：(i)过去和当前温度变率的时空特征；（ii）仪器前温度的全部范围和幅度；（三）温度速率变化的时间和方向；（iv）海洋和大气强迫机制对百年尺度温度变率的影响以及温度变化对这些气候强迫机制的敏感性。潜在的更广泛的影响包括从数据贫乏的地理位置开发数据，以促进对北美气候的了解，支持来自代表性不足群体的研究生，并为包括美国原住民社区在内的K-12 STEM受众提供外展服务。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project broadly seeks to use blue light intensity measured in tree rings—a proxy for wood density—to produce multiple, annually-resolved, regional summer temperature reconstructions (e.g. Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast United States/Canadian Maritimes) over the past, approximately, 500 years. The primary motivation for conducting this research is the need to better understand the current climatic warming trend across eastern North America with regard to pre-instrumental conditions, as well as to better understand the effects of climatic variability on temperature-sensitive tree species across the region. Understanding the broader temporal and spatial patterns, timing, and amplitude of cool and warm periods across eastern North America may aid in constraining model scenarios of future temperature change.Longer temperature records (e.g. that extend beyond the instrumental period) may provide information on: (i) past and current spatiotemporal characteristics of temperature variability; (ii) the full range and amplitude of pre-instrumental temperatures; (iii) the timing and direction of temperature rate changes; and (iv) the influence of ocean and atmosphere forcing mechanisms on centennial-scale temperature variability and the sensitivity of temperature changes to these climatic forcing mechanisms.The potential Broader Impacts include developing data from a data poor geographic location that are well situated to advance knowledge on North American climate, supporting graduate students from underrepresented groups, and providing outreach to K-12 STEM audiences including those involving Native American communities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.