Climate modeling at various spatial and temporal scales: where can dendrochronology help?

This paper provides a brief overview of certain issues related to climate modeling and the role that dendrochronology can play, and has already played, in this context. Modeling is an essential approach to investigating the future evolution of the climate system in response to human activities. Tree-ring chronologies, on the other hand, have the capability of providing key parameters for model validation purposes, as well as baseline climates against which the possibly anomalous nature of current and future trends may be assessed. The paper thus provides a succinct overview of climate models, their advantages and limitations, the manner by which dendrochronology can be used in model validation studies, and how models can be used to give insight into processes that explain the tree-ring chronologies. Recommendations for future research, based on the Third Assessment of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) are included to highlight areas where dendrochronology may have added value in issues related to climate and environmental change.