Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Earth & Environmental Systems

First Advisor

James H. Speer

Second Advisor

Chad Yost

Third Advisor

Gregory Bierly

Abstract

Dendrochronological research in tropical Africa has remained limited, leaving critical gaps in stand-age structure and climate-growth relationships in seasonally dry tropical woodlands. This study reconstructed stand-age structure and assessed climate sensitivity in the wet Miombo woodland of African Explosives Limited (AEL) forest, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Field sampling was conducted during four African Dendrochronology Fieldschools (2021-2024) using a Modified Variable Area Transect (MVAT) design across nine plots. The series intercorrelation was 0.351; the average mean sensitivity was 0.423. The oldest tree was 170 years old, and more than 70% of the sampled species showed potential for dendrochronology. Markhamia obtusifolia was the only ring-porous species identified among the sampled species. Marquesia macroura had the highest basal area followed by Brachystegia longifolia, Julbernardia paniculata and Parinari curatellifolia. Brachystegia longifolia exhibited the highest stem density, with Pericopsis angolensis, Julbernardia paniculata, and Marquesia macroura ranking second, third, and fourth respectively. Climate-tree growth analysis in the KNMI Climate Explorer showed the strongest positive correlations with February precipitation and Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). March also had strong SPEI, surface soil moisture (0-10 cm), and the self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI), whereas potential evapotranspiration showed negative correlations. These findings demonstrated that wet Miombo species formed annual growth rings suitable for stand-age reconstruction and established a multi-species chronology capturing regional hydroclimatic variability in southern Africa.

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