CAREER: High-Resolution Modeling of Late Holocene Environmental Volatility in Temperate North America: Using Quantitative Wood Anatomy to Improve Understanding of Extreme Weather

Understanding how extreme weather varies in type, magnitude, and frequency is critical for anticipating future risks to the social, ecological, and economic security of the nation. This project will use novel methods of tree-ring analysis to produce detailed records of past rainfall and temperature extremes during the last millennium across temperate North America. The project will also develop accessible visual materials and tutorials, connecting students across wide-ranging fields to create a unique project-based learning environment that enhances participation and capacity in the STEM workforce. With this CAREER award, the project will apply novel dendrochronological techniques in quantitative wood anatomy (QWA) to develop high-resolution temperature and precipitation proxy records to augment an existing network of baseline paleoclimate information. QWA parameters will then be used to improve the temporal precision of reconstructed environmental volatility over the Common Era, with an increased emphasis on the trends and drivers of extreme weather conditions. In doing so, the project will address these specific research objectives: 1) increase the spatiotemporal coverage of high-resolution paleoclimate records across North America, 2) use QWA methods to improve the resolution and robustness of paleoclimate estimates from tree-rings in the temperate latitudes of North America, and 3) identify and quantify the natural forcing mechanisms on extreme weather conditions prior to the Industrial era. The education plan of this CAREER award emphasizes integrating QWA research with creative visual methods to 1) motivate young students to pursue STEM-based inquiry through easily accessible and engaging opportunities for in-depth exploration of paleoenvironmental and atmospheric science, and 2) involve interdisciplinary groups of undergraduate students in hands-on, engaging experiences where they learn STEM skills through the development of paleoenvironmental science tutorial videos and a visual art exhibition. These education and outreach tools will be developed using data and images from the research. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2540613 | Program: 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01002930DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Karen King | Institution: University of Tennessee Knoxville, KNOXVILLE, TN | Award Amount: $434,286 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2540613 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2540613.html