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Reconstructing Fire History: An Exercise in Dendrochronology

Abstract Dendrochronology is used widely to reconstruct the history of forest disturbances. I created an exercise that introduces the use of dendrochronology to investigate fire history and forest dynamics. The exercise also demonstrates how the dendrochronological technique of crossdating is employed to age dead trees and identify missing rings. I assigned the exercise to upper-level undergraduate students in a field geography course during Fall 2003. Good student performance on the exercise indicates students were able to interpret the exercise and apply dendrochronological concepts to the problem of forest disturbance history. Strong evaluations of the exercise by students demonstrate its clarity and perceived usefulness. The exercise aligns with contemporary emphases in geographic education, including student-centered teaching, experiential learning, and constructivist pedagogy.