New perspectives for wood anatomical analysis in dendrosciences: The GSL1-microtome

Published Date
Dendrochronologia
2014, Vol.32(1):47–51, doi:10.1016/j.dendro.2013.07.002
Technical note

Author 

Holger Gärtner ^a,,

Sandro Lucchinetti ^b

Fritz Hans Schweingruber ^a

• aSwiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Landscape Dynamics, Dendroecology, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
• bSchenkung Dapples, Mechanische Werkstatt, Flühgasse 80, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland

Received 26 February 2013. Accepted 27 July 2013. Available online 4 October 2013. 

Abstract

The variability of wood anatomical features in the rings of trees and shrubs is known to be dependent on multifaceted environmental parameters. The ability to determine anatomical variations over longer time periods as decades or centuries is a step forward in dendroecological and dendroclimatological research. In this regard micro sectioning is still one of the basic requirements but sectioning devices (microtomes) designed for wood anatomical purposes are rarely available. We present an affordable heavy duty, but light-weight microtome operated with removable blades. This portable device enables the production of large sections for dendroclimatological reconstructions as well as various types of common sections for wood anatomical studies.

Keywords

• Micro sectioning
• Cell structures
• Time series analysis
• Wood anatomy
• Dendroecology

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