Note on Paper 'Growth Rings and Rainfall Correlations in a Mangrove Tree of the Genus Diospyros (Ebenaceae)', by N.C. Duke et al

Abstract

The paper by Duke et al. [Aust. J. Bot. (1981) 29, 135-421 on growth rings in a mangrove tree of Diospyros is discussed. The authors seek to demonstrate a relationship between annual rainfall, annual growth and growth rings but both the techniques they employ and the close dependence of growth upon annual rainfall seem dubious. An alternative interpretation of the data is presented using climatic growth indices.