Dieter Eckstein, 1939-2021 and his rich legacy of dendrochronology in Slovenia and the world

Abstract

Prof. Dr. Dieter Eckstein (1939-2021) was a leading scientist, teacher, mentor, leader, promoter and motivator in the field of dendrochronology and wood biology. After graduating in wood science and receiving a PhD in dendrochronology, he was professor of wood biology at the University of Hamburg. From 1995-2004, he was Director of the Department of Wood Biology, University of Hamburg, and of the Institute of Wood Biology and Wood Protection at the Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products in Hamburg, Germany. His work had a decisive influence on the development of wood anatomy, wood biology and dendrochronology and his laboratory was a reference point for dendrochronology worldwide. He supported dendrochronologists throughout Europe and around the world in their pioneering work to establish dendrochronology laboratories and develop dendrochronology in numerous countries, including Slovenia.

Keywords

• dendrochronology
• wood biology
• wood anatomy
• tree-ring chronologies
• dendrochronology community