Thomas W. Swetnam

Director & Professor of Dendrochronology, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research; Professor of Geography & Regional Development; Associate Professor of Watershed Management; Associate Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

PhD, 1987, Watershed Management, School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona
MS, 1980, Watershed Management, School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona
BS, 1977, Biology, University of New Mexico

Phone: (520) 621-2112
FAX: (520) 520-2992
E-mail: tswetnam@ltrr.arizona.edu

Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
USA

Curriculum Vitae

Personal home page

Research

I study natural and cultural disturbances of forest ecosystems across a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. I use dendrochronology (tree rings) in combination with other natural archives and documentary sources to reconstruct the histories of fire, insect outbreaks, human land uses, and climate. My research is aimed at improving basic understanding of the history and dynamics of forests and woodlands, particularly for applications in ecosystem management.

Project Involvement

• Fire history & climate research in Southwestern forests & woodlands (multiple projects)
• Fire history & climate research in Sierra Nevada, CA, and other western US regions
• Western spruce budworm, Pandora moth, and tent caterpillar outbreaks in western US
• Drought and dynamics of pinyon-juniper woodlands in the Southwest
• Wildfire Alternatives (WALTER), fire hazard assessment in the Southwest
• Climate Impacts Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS)