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DENDROCLIMATIC POTENTIAL OF CONIFERS FROM KARAKORAM- HIMALAYAS OF PAKISTAN AND BORDERLANDS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

. Fayaz Asad, Muhammad Adil, Atta Ur Rahman & Sabrina Shahid


Abstract

In the vibrant realm of dendrochronology, a varied tapestry of research activities explains across the globe. The key sources of data for this review are several published research publications and review articles published before March 2022. More published data in the field of dendroclimatology and dendrochronology can be found by searching on Google Scholar and Research Gate. The data we gathered came from the tree's scientific name, dendrochronology-related literature, and the name of the pioneer dendrochronologist. References for all the collected articles were also reviewed to gather more information. Here we are focusing on Pakistan and the border areas (countries) such as Afghanistan, India (Himalayan), Iran, Tajikistan, and China (only Tibet region).

In Afghanistan, only one study was carried out in the field of dendrochronology, which has great potential in this area. Dendrochronologists may have more focus because Afghanistan has been at war for a long time and the climate and/or the growth of trees/forests may be highly effected due to war. In Pakistan, two reconstructions of temperature and one precipitation were performed. An earlier temperature reconstruction was based on the out-of-phase temperature hypothesis, while another reconstruction was based on the in-phase hemispheric trends. Here we suggest regional chronologies of tree-ring width to understand the out-of-phase temperature trend hypothesis for the stability of Karakorum glaciers. For India, 20 research publications were documented in the field of dendrochronology with a very concise and accurate method. In Nepal, a total of 16 research publications were carried out on dendrochronology. For Tajikistan, 06 research publications were published in the field of dendrochronology, whereas dendrochronologists mostly focused on juniper species. In Iran, 07 research publications were studied in the field of dendrochronology, and the most studied species was Juniper. For China (Tibet region), 44 research publications were selected on dendrochronology, with very detailed information along with a concise and precise method. Our trek across this terrain of dendrochronological miracles is more than just a scientific undertaking; it is a monument to human curiosity, tenacity, and the unwavering pursuit of understanding. By analysing the rings of these old trees, we may learn about their history, present, and possibly even future, providing us with significant insights into the workings of our planet.

Keywords; Paleoclimate, Climate change, Tree rings, Karakoram-Himalayan conifers

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