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Dendrochronological and Inosculation Study of a Merged Ficus Exasperata  (1980–2024)

Author:

   Adarsh Mohandas

Freelance Researcher 

Author Profile: Adarsh Mohandas

Adarsh Mohandas is a self taught freelance researcher and scientist with expertise spanning multiple scientific disciplines, including dendrochronology, geology, paleontology, material sciences, chemistry, environmental studies, physics, and engineering. Despite not holding a formal degree in these fields, he has independently developed a deep understanding of complex scientific concepts through hands-on experimentation, extensive research, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

Approach to Research

Adarsh follows a hands-on, experimental methodology, combining field research, advanced imaging techniques, and software-based analysis to uncover scientific insights. His work spans multiple disciplines, allowing for unique cross-field interpretations.

Unique Perspective

Despite not being a formal graduate in any scientific field, Adarsh's interdisciplinary knowledge, experimental approach, and problem-solving skills enable him to explore scientific frontiers beyond traditional academic constraints. His work is driven by curiosity, innovation, and an unwavering passion for understanding the natural world.

1. Introduction

1.1. Background

Dendrochronology, the study of tree ring growth, provides valuable insight into historical climate patterns. Trees grow one ring annually, with the width of each ring reflecting environmental conditions. Wider rings indicate favorable growth conditions, such as high rainfall, while narrower rings suggest stress factors like drought and competition.

This study focuses on a Ficus Exasperata tree located in Ottakkandam, Kozhikode, Kerala, which has undergone inosculation, a natural grafting process where two saplings merged into a single entity. By analyzing its growth rings over a 44-year period (1980–2024), we aim to:

• Determine the tree's age and growth variations.

• Identify the period of inosculation and its impact on growth.

• Correlate tree growth with climatic conditions, highlighting years of drought and excessive rainfall.

• Investigate regional climate deviations, as seen in 2012 when Kerala experienced low rainfall but Ottakkandam showed robust tree growth.

2. Objectives

• Establish the tree's age using growth ring analysis.

• Detect and analyze inosculation and its effects on structural integrity.

• Correlate climate trends with tree growth, identifying patterns of drought and high rainfall.

• Examine climate variations at a micro-scale, focusing on Ottakkandam compared to broader Kerala trends.

• Document extreme climatic events such as floods and droughts.

3. Methodology

3.1. Data Collection & Image Processing

• A cross-section of the tree trunk was obtained and photographed in high resolution.

• The images were processed using Photoshop Raw to enhance contrast and clarity, ensuring ring visibility.

3.2. Growth Ring Analysis Using ImageJ

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• The processed images were analyzed with ImageJ software, where:

  • Ring counts were determined to estimate the tree's age.

  • Ring width measurements were taken to assess annual growth variations.

• The data was compiled into a structured dataset for interpretation.

3.3. AI-Assisted Data Interpretation

• The processed ring data was imported into ChatGPT to analyze trends and correlate growth rates with historical climate data.

• Inconsistencies and anomalies were identified, such as the discrepancy in 2012 rainfall between Kerala and Ottakkandam.

3.4. Identification of Inosculation Period

• Between 1990 and 1995, irregular ring formations indicated two saplings merging into one.

• Growth patterns stabilized after 1995, confirming successful inosculation.

4. Results and Observations

4.1. Tree Age and Growth Patterns

• The tree is 44 years old, originating in 1980.

• Inosculation occurred between 1990 and 1995, marked by a structural shift in the rings.

• Growth patterns align with climate variations, with narrower rings in drought years and wider rings in high-rainfall years.

4.2. Climate Influence on Growth (1980–2024)

1980-1985

Normal Rainfall

Uniform, stable rings.

1986

Slight Drought

Slight reduction in ring width.

1987-1989

Good Rainfall

Wider rings.

1990-1995

Inosculation Period

Irregular ring structures.

1996

Moderate Rainfall

Normal ring formation resumes.

1997-1999

Strong Growth

Favorable climate, wide rings.

2000-2001

Slightly Drier

Minor ring width reduction.

2002

Drought Year

Significantly narrow rings.

2003-2005

Recovery Phase

Gradual ring expansion.

2006-2007

Normal Rainfall

Consistent ring width.

2008-2010

High Rainfall (Possible Flood)

Extremely wide rings.

2011

Stable Climate

No major variations.

2012

Kerala Drought

Local data indicates good rainfall in Ottakkandam.

2013-2014

Moderate Growth

Stable rings.

2015-2017

Good Rainfall

Wider rings.

2018

Kerala Flood

Large growth ring indicating excess water.

2019

Good growth.

Wider ring width.

2020-2024

Stable Growth

Normal growth pattern.

5. Findings and Major Events

5.1. Drought Years

Year & Observation

1986

Slight reduction in growth.

2000-2001

Narrow rings.

2002

Significant ring width reduction. Severe stress on the tree.

2012

Kerala-wide drought, but Ottakkandam received local rainfall, leading to normal tree growth.

5.2. High Rainfall / Flood Years

Year & Observation

1987-1989

Wider rings, indicating above average rainfall.

1997-1999

Wider rings, heavy rains.

2008-2010

Very wide rings, indicating above-average rainfall.

2018

Kerala Floods resulted in significantly wider rings.

5.3. Inosculation Period

Year Range & Observation

1990-1995

Fusion of two saplings confirmed by irregular ring structure.

5.4. Anomalies & Special Observations

Year & Observation

2002

Very narrow growth.

2012

Despite a Kerala-wide drought, the tree's rings suggest good local rainfall.

2018

Growth increased due to excess water during floods.

6. Discussion

6.1. Climate Trends & Tree Growth Response

• Droughts (2002, 2012) resulted in reduced growth, but 2012 showed a local anomaly.

• Flood years (1987-1989, 1997-1999, 2008-2010, 2018) stimulated strong growth, confirming the tree's positive response to excess water.

• The inosculation event (1990-1995) altered growth temporarily, but the tree adapted post-merger.

• Analysis of tree ring data indicates a potential 10-year cycle of floods or excess rainfall in Ottakkandam, Kozhikode, Kerala. While this could be a coincidence, it may also reflect an underlying climatic or hydrological pattern.

Key observations include:

• Significant flooding or high rainfall events appear to occur approximately every 10 years.
  
  

• This pattern may be linked to climatic cycles, such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) or Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which are known to influence monsoons in Kerala.
  
  

• Hydrological factors, including river overflow, dam regulation, or changes in forest cover, might contribute to this periodic flooding.
  
  

• Climate change and human activities may be amplifying these events.

Further investigation is required to determine whether this pattern is part of a natural climate cycle or influenced by external factors. A detailed comparison with historical meteorological records, hydrological data, and oceanic cycle trends is recommended to validate this hypothesis.

7. Conclusion

This 44-year dendrochronological study provides a comprehensive climate record, demonstrating the correlation between tree growth, rainfall, and extreme weather events. The inosculation process was successfully identified, and major climate fluctuations were recorded in the tree rings.

8. Future Work

• Use X-ray densitometry to analyze ring density variations.

• Conduct regional comparisons with multiple trees in Ottakkandam.

• Implement long-term climate reconstructions using additional tree species.

9. References

• Dendrochronology research studies

• Kerala Water Resource Information system (KWRIS) data. Kerala WRIS 

• ImageJ software documentation