Bridging the Gap With Subfossil Douglas-Fir At Mesa Verde, Colorado

Research at Mesa Verde National Park has revealed that subfossil Douglas-fir logs and living trees provide critical new insights into the climate history of southwestern Colorado, particularly during the 'Great Drought' of the late 13th century. By analyzing earlywood (EW), latewood (LW), and total ring width (TRW) chronologies spanning AD 722–2011, scientists have shown that cool-season drought was more severe and sustained than previously thought, offering a potential explanation for the depopulation of the region during this period. This study bridges a significant chronological gap (AD 1250–1400) in the Central Pueblo chronology, improving our understanding of past climate conditions and their impact on human settlements.

Stahle, D. W., Edmondson, J. R., Burns, J. N., Stahle, D. K., Burnette, D. J., Kvamme, E., Lequesne, C., & Therrell, M. D. (2015). Bridging the Gap With Subfossil Douglas-Fir At Mesa Verde, Colorado. Tree-Ring Research, 71(2), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.3959/1536-1098-71.2.53