A Review of the Current State and Future Prospects of Dendrochronological Research in Bhutan

Abstract

ABSTRACT The pristine forest of Bhutan offers valuable prospects for dendrochronological research, which involves investigating past weather conditions and examining how trees grow and regenerate to support the development of sustainable forest management practices. This review presents the dendrochronological research conducted in Bhutan using available literature with the aim to determine the potential of tree species for climate or forest ecological studies and to identify gaps by comparing the methodology, collaboration, and prospects. Based on the systematic review of tree-ring research literature and studies conducted in Bhutan from the 2002 to January 2023, the search yielded a total of 36 dendrochronological studies in Bhutan. Bhutan's first tree-ring research publication studied the relationship between three pine ring-width chronologies and temperature. Bhutan's longest-known tree-ring chronology of 638 years (A.D. 1376 to 2013) from Eastern Himalayan spruce (Picea spinulosa) was used for seasonal and annual temperature reconstructions. Many other tree species of temperate conifer and broadleaved forests are continuously being discovered as potential candidates for use in climate and ecology work in Bhutan. Our review identifies that both national and international collaborations are necessary to conduct robust studies spanning different aspects of dendrochronology including dendrogeomorphology, dendroglaciology, dendroentomology, and dendroseismology to contribute to science and informed decision-making.