A field-to-desktop toolchain for X-ray CT densitometry enables tree ring analysis.
Disentangling tree growth requires more than ring width data only. Densitometry is considered a valuable proxy, yet laborious wood sample preparation and lack of dedicated software limit the widespread use of density profiling for tree ring analysis. An X-ray computed tomography-based toolchain of tree increment cores is presented, which results in profile data sets suitable for visual exploration as well as density-based pattern matching.



Two temperate (Quercus petraea, Fagus sylvatica) and one tropical species (Terminalia superba) were used for density profiling using an X-ray computed tomography facility with custom-made sample holders and dedicated processing software.



Density-based pattern matching is developed and able to detect anomalies in ring series that can be corrected via interactive software.



A digital workflow allows generation of structure-corrected profiles of large sets of cores in a short time span that provide sufficient intra-annual density information for tree ring analysis. Furthermore, visual exploration of such data sets is of high value. The dated profiles can be used for high-resolution chronologies and also offer opportunities for fast screening of lesser studied tropical tree species.
UGCT-Woodlab-UGent, Ghent University, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Forest and Water Management, Coupure Links 653, B- 9000 Gent, Belgium Royal Museum for Central Africa, Wood Biology Service, Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium tom.demil@ugent.be.
Tom
T
De Mil
University of Leuven, Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Celestijnenlaan 200E, Box 2411, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Astrid
A
Vannoppen
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Wood Biology Service, Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium.
Hans
H
Beeckman
UGCT-Woodlab-UGent, Ghent University, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Forest and Water Management, Coupure Links 653, B- 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Joris
J
Van Acker
UGCT-Woodlab-UGent, Ghent University, Laboratory of Wood Technology, Department of Forest and Water Management, Coupure Links 653, B- 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Jan
J
Van den Bulcke
D002980:Climate; D003720:Densitometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D029964:Fagus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D029963:Quercus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D012984:Software; D029766:Terminalia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014197:Trees / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014934:Wood / Q000254:growth & development
Cross-dating; Fagus sylvatica; Quercus petraea; Terminalia superba; X-ray CT; densitometry; high-resolution chronologies; pattern matching; tree ring analysis; wood anatomy; wood density