Dendroregulation: Enhancing ‘Organic Code of the Environment (COA)’ Regulations Using Tree Rings in Southern Ecuador
PEÑA K, Shah SK, Bräuning A (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 82
Pages Range: 1-16
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.3959/TRR2025-8
Abstract
ABSTRACT – This study aims to strengthen dendroclimatic research in tropical dry forests by analyzing tree rings from Handroanthus chrysanthus and Bursera graveolens in southern Ecuador. We developed new dendrochronological records to determine the dendroclimatic potential of the species for evaluating the relationship between precipitation and tree growth. Chronologies were correlated with regional climate parameters, as well as with spatial patterns of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies. Besides dendroclimatic analyses, we propose enhancing Organic Code of the Environment (COA) regulations to promote the use of forest species with dendroclimatic potential, including Faculty number thirteen. Two tree-ring width chronologies were developed based on 39 H. chrysanthus and 53 B. graveolens trees. Tree growth shows strong correlations with precipitation during the rainy season, indicating that these species preserve reliable climatic information. This evidence supports the use of tree-ring data to inform climate adaptation and forest management strategies. Based on these findings, we propose incorporating a regulation within COA (Faculty no. 13) to “implement measures for the protection, sustainable management, and restoration of long-lived forest species with dendroclimatic potential in southern Ecuador.” This enhancement can contribute to evidence-based environmental policy and strengthen climate adaptation strategies in the region.
Authors with CRIS profile
KELLY PEÑA
Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie)
Achim Bräuning
Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie)
Involved external institutions
India (IN)How to cite
APA:
PEÑA, K., Shah, S.K., & Bräuning, A. (2026). Dendroregulation: Enhancing ‘Organic Code of the Environment (COA)’ Regulations Using Tree Rings in Southern Ecuador. Tree-Ring Research, 82(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3959/TRR2025-8
MLA:
PEÑA, KELLY, Santosh K. Shah, and Achim Bräuning. "Dendroregulation: Enhancing ‘Organic Code of the Environment (COA)’ Regulations Using Tree Rings in Southern Ecuador." Tree-Ring Research 82.1 (2026): 1-16.
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