Tropical Dendroclimatology in the Ecuadorian Amazon with Cedrela odorata

Research reveals that Cedrela odorata, a tropical tree species, exhibits annual ring formation in the Ecuadorian Amazon, linked to periods of reduced precipitation (July-September) and subsequent temperature drops. This finding challenges the perception of uniform rainfall in the region, instead identifying bimodal climatic patterns with distinct wet (April-June, October-December) and dry seasons. The study, conducted in the karst area between Sangay and Llanganates National Parks, used dendroclimatology to analyze 64 trees, yielding a 60-year chronology calibrated with local meteorological data. Only two species—Cedrela odorata and Protium sp.—showed clear ring formation, with Cedrela odorata's growth correlating strongly with rainfall intensity. This discovery provides a novel climate proxy for the region, where instrumental records are scarce.

Serrano, S., Carlosama, L., & Herrera, M. (2020). Tropical Dendroclimatology in the Ecuadorian Amazon with Cedrela odorata. Proceedings of the 5th World Congress on Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.11159/icgre20.164