Item: A Practitioner’s Guide for Using Dendroecological Techniques to Determine the Extent and Frequency of Avalanches
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Title: A Practitioner’s Guide for Using Dendroecological Techniques to Determine the Extent and Frequency of Avalanches
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 2004 International Snow Science Workshop, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Authors:
- Michael J. Jenkins [ Department of Forest, Range and Wildlife Sciences, Utah State University Logan, Utah ]
- Elizabeth G. Hebertson [ USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Ogden Field Office Ogden, Utah 84403 ]
Date: 2004
Abstract: Mountain resorts, highway departments, real estate offices and others often require information on the extent and frequency of avalanches in paths that may affect values at risk, or for future planning. The general extent of an avalanche path is often obvious from vegetative indicators or terrain features. However, the frequency of large, infrequent avalanches with the potential to affect mountain operations may be unknown. The historical record or past direct observation may yield some information, but it is often unreliable and/or incomplete. Dendroecological techniques (i.e. vegetative and tree ring analysis) can provide a means for reliably dating avalanches and calculating frequency where sufficient woody vegetation exists for sampling. Several avalanche papers describe the basis for dendroecological techniques and the methods for collecting and analyzing tree samples. No study, however, provides a comprehensive explanation of the methodology required to design, implement and conduct a dendroecological study of avalanches. We used the Hell’s Canyon avalanche path at Snowbasin, Utah, USA as a case study to present a detailed methodology for dendroecological analysis. Information is presented on avalanche path delineation, sampling design, sample collection and preparation as well as analysis, interpretation and presentation of results. This paper is designed as a basic guide for practitioners desiring to use dendroecological techniques to date historic avalanche events.
Object ID: issw-2004-423-434.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: snow avalanches, tree-ring analyses, disturbance ecology
Page Number(s): 423-434
Subjects: snow avalanche disturbance ecology avalanche path
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