WORKSHOPS
TRACE 2023 is preceded by six really nice pre-conference workshops. The difficulty is to choose!
Registration for the workshops is done via the online conference registration process on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fees of 10 Euros per workshop are billed, and include lunch and coffee breaks.
NOTE: in the second day there are two workshops of one day and one workshop of half-day (in the afternoon). If you want to choose the half-day workshop, and in case you are interested, you can attend the morning of one of the other workshops. In this case, you just pay the fee for one workshop.
MONDAY, 8th of May
Workshop 1 (one-day)
Introducing TreeRingJ: A tool to measure and record tree rings based on the free image-analysis platform ImageJ
Ignacio García González, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
TreeRingJ is a plugin that has been developed for ImageJ, a widely used, platform independent, and freely distributed ImageJ analysis software. This plugin can be easily used to trace the tree rings, calculate and correct the measurements, as well as recording multiple features that can be useful for crossdating and further processing. TreeRingJ is especially aimed at working with samples that require the observation of multiple characteristics to assist crossdating. It is fully integrated in ImageJ, from where the user can interact with the plugin to extend its capabilities, as for example to recognize ring boundaries and transform them into TreeRingJ objects for further processing. This workshop will show the main functionalities of the plugin by using it with different dendrochronological samples.
Workshop 2 (one-day)
Sampling roofs: an exchange of sampling procedures and protocols.
Kristof Haneca, Flanders Heritage Agency, Belgium
We grasp the opportunity of TRACE being organised in the town of Coimbra – a UNESCO World Heritage site – to visit some historical roof structures. During our visits to these impressive timber constructions, the participants of this workshop will sample historical timbers with their favourite toolkit (dry-wood borer, starter, sample holders, …) and demonstrate their usual workflow (sample registration, documentation of the roof’s typology). Meanwhile, we'll draw the attention to difficulties experienced during previous sampling campaigns (stuck cores inside the borers, …), exchange ideas on the application of special techniques (stabilization of sapwood/degraded wood, …) and reflect on safety measures that should be taken during sampling. We hope to bring together a group of experienced and starting dendrochronologists, and to exchange and discuss each other’s protocols, preferences and skills applied when sampling historical timber constructions. More practical information will be provided once we have settled access to the historical buildings and permits for sampling have been acquired. We’ll ask you to bring along: …
- A headlamp,
- the borer(s) you use,
- standardized forms you use to document the sampling,
- examples of your fieldnotes,
- the sample holders you use during fieldwork,
- archived samples after measuring and analysis (sanded and glued on holders, wrapped in special holders, …).
Workshop 3 (one-day)
Identifying wood
Alan Crivellaro, Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania
Wood identification lies at the base of dendroarchaeology and is a crucial piece of information towards dating wood. But identifying the wood we are dealing with is an often neglected step leading to possible misinterpretations. Therefore, observing a transverse wood section and identifying the pattern of cells relevant to a given species should be common knowledge for novice and experienced dendrochronologists. Building upon my experience in identifying commercial timbers, I will guide you through a step-by-step procedure to learn how to identify woods based on their anatomical characteristics in this one-day workshop. Once you know the process and valuable wood identification resources, you can apply it over and over as the base for your dendrostudies.
TUESDAY, 9th of May
Workshop 4 (one-day)
Tools and techniques for analysis of xylogenesis and wood anatomical data
Emanuele Ziaco and Edurne Martinez del Castillo, University of Mainz, Germany
This workshop will provide an overview of the current and latest tools available for the processing of raw phenological and wood anatomical data. The workshop will consist of two parts, one focused on xylogenesis and cambial phenology (led by Martinez del Castillo) and one focused on wood anatomy (led by Emanuele Ziaco). Using existing datasets, we will provide practical examples on the calculations of phenological dates of wood formation and analysis of intra-annual wood anatomical features at the whole tree-ring level as well as along radial paths (i.e. tracheidograms). A basic knowledge of the statistical software R is required. All participants are required to bring their own laptop with the software R already installed.
Workshop 5 (one-day)
Design and Deliver Effective Scientific Presentations
Alan Crivellaro, www.presenting-scientist.com
The phrase "giving a presentation" strikes fear into the hearts of many. But presenting scientific research is an essential skill for young and experienced researchers. Therefore, I designed this hands-on workshop to guide students and scientists through what they need to know to deliver an effective presentation. The workshop is organized in two sessions of about 3 hours each (1 day in total).
Session 1 (morning). Learn the critical elements of an effective presentation. This first session will provide information, practical exercises and plenty of opportunities for discussion. It will explore how to refine speaking style, increase personal impact, and plan and structure an effective presentation.
Session 2 (afternoon). Practice your presentation and receive peer and tutor feedback. It aims to practice a short presentation in a supportive and friendly environment and to sharpen the skills required for an effective presentation.
Workshop 6 (half-day, in the afternoon)
Tree-ring analysis using X-ray CT: theory, practice and hands-on visualization and analysis
Jan Van den Bulcke and Tom De Mil, University of Ghent and University of Liège, Belgium
This half-day workshop consists of 3 related parts:
1. a background on X-ray CT scanning that gives you insight in how to use the technique and the 3D data obtained with it for particular research questions using cores
2. a number of case studies highlighting important aspects to consider when scanning, analysing and visualizing: increment cores and micro-cores
3. hands-on: handling and analysis of 3D increment cores, obtaining tree-ring width and density parameters such as MXD. Visualisation demo of 3D data and if possible, a few participants will get sequential remote access to a visualisation workstation during the hands-on session.
Send us your tree core or sample ==> Depending on the number of participants, we can offer X-ray CT scanning of a limited number of increment cores or wood samples beforehand, such that participants can use their own virtual wood volumes during the hands-on session. Please contact first Cristina Nabais if you want to send your samples for X-ray CT scanning.
BYOD: Bring-Your-Own-Device policy