Profile of Dr. Thomas W. Swetnam

The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: (520) 621-2112
Fax: (520) 621-8229
tswetnam@ltrr.arizona.edu

Current Position: Director, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research; Professor, Dendrochronology

Education: Ph.D., Watershed Management, Dendrochronology, University of Arizona, 1987

Dr. Swetnam studies natural and cultural disturbances of forest ecosystems across a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. He uses dendrochronology (tree rings) in combination with other natural archives and documentary sources to reconstruct the histories of fire, insect outbreaks, human land use, and climate. Dr. Swetnam’s research focuses on better understanding the history and dynamics of forests and woodlands, particularly for application in ecosystem management. He is currently studying disturbance and climate histories in the Southwestern US, northern Mexico, Sierra Nevada of California, Northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana, Blue Mountains of Oregon, Southern Rockies in Colorado, Patagonia region of Argentina, and the Central Plateau of Siberia, Russia.