Dendrochronological collections include continuously expanding multi-taxon records of tree
growth that encompass millennia and often offer irreplaceable sources of biological, environmental, and cultural information. Nevertheless, each departure of a scholar from the field—whether because of death, retirement, career change, shift in research priorities, or even move to a new institution—places collections in increased danger of being lost as viable resources. Without an organized and concerted effort to address outstanding and future issues of specimen curation, dendrochronology as a whole may become mired in the same trap that befalls many other scientific fields: collections apathy. Dendrochronological collections exist as a result of decades of effort and should function to support current and future scientific endeavors, education, and outreach, but cannot do so without adequate attention to their future. Intended as a ‘‘call to arms’’ this paper, focused on dendrochronology in the academic and public sector, aims to encourage discussion and, more importantly, to provide a foundation for and to instill a sense of urgency regarding long-term preservation of dendrochronological specimens.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/622640 |
| Date | 07 1900 |
| Creators | Creasman, Pearce Paul |
| Contributors | Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona |
| Publisher | Tree-Ring Society |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Article, text |
| Rights | Copyright © Tree-Ring Society. All rights reserved. |
| Relation | http://www.treeringsociety.org |
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