| What is the North American Dendroecological Fieldweek? | |
|
The North American Dendroecological Fieldweek (NADEF)
provides an |
 |
| Why study the past? | |
| Human history often does not adequately cover the range of past
variability in many natural processes because of either the short length of available records or gaps in their spatial coverage, or both. Information about past variability is necessary to identify boundary conditions against which to assess future variability, especially to detect unprecedented changes that may be the result of human-induced climate or ecological change. Researchers in many natural science disciplines must therefore turn from instrumental or other written records to proxy data to broaden our understanding of temporal and spatial variability in natural phenomena under study. |
 |
| How is the NADEF organized? | |
| During the fieldweek, we spend the first day taking a tour of
the local area and listen to engaging lectures from experts familiar with the local region. The group leaders (usually five) also briefly explain their proposed projects so that participants can be thinking about in which project they wish to participate. The 40 participants choose which group to join for the rest of the week. Each group spends 1-2 days conducting fieldwork, followed by three days of laboratory preparation and analyses. We also have a series of evening presentations and workshops during the week with topics ranging from different applications of dendrochronology to how to sharpen and care for an increment borer. On the last day of the fieldweek, the groups get back together to present their findings to the other participants. |
 |
| What benefits are gained from the NADEF? | |
| Without question, learning through experience has no equal.
Since 1990, the Fieldweek has successfully challenged participants to explore new approaches to multi-disciplinary research. While we emphasize tree-ring research methods, we feel that Fieldweek projects have effectively combined elements from many different disciplines to design novel solutions to ecological hypotheses. The Fieldweek attracts a diverse audience from disciplines from locations around the world, never stays in one place, and addresses research topics concerning all types of natural science. It is usually a very intense week, with a vast amount of work accomplished by dedicated participants who come to learn. Past Fieldweek projects have been published, used as bases for proposals to funding agencies, or formed core parts of theses or dissertations. |
 |
| Top Ten Reason to participate in the NADEF | |
| Attending this years NADEF? Consider bringing some of these supplies... |