UVic researchers find tree rings predict potential for several coastal droughts
VANCOUVER — Scientists at the University of Victoria say tree-ring data suggest coastal regions of southern British are likely to be hit by severe droughts.
A report recently published in the Journal of Hydrology says droughts in the coming decades could be worse than at any time in the last three to four centuries.
Co-author and PhD graduate Bethany Coulthard compared 350 years of tree-ring data and long-term drought records.
She found at least 16 historical droughts worse than benchmarks used today by hydrologists and water managers in coastal regions.