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22 pages, 20012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mixed Temperature-Moisture Signal in δ¹⁸O Records of Boreal Conifers from the Permafrost Zone

by Mikhail S. Zharkov, Marina V. Fonti, Tatyana V. Trushkina, Valentin V. Barinov, Anna V. Taynik, Trevor J. Porter, Matthias Saurer and Olga V. Churakova (Sidorova)

Atmosphere 2021, 12(11), 1416; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12111416 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2276

Abstract

Global climatic changes have been observed for all natural biomes, with the greatest impact in the permafrost zone. The short series of direct observations of air temperature and precipitation from meteorological stations for this territory make it difficult to use them in studies [...] Read more.

Global climatic changes have been observed for all natural biomes, with the greatest impact in the permafrost zone. The short series of direct observations of air temperature and precipitation from meteorological stations for this territory make it difficult to use them in studies of the impact of climate change on forest and forest-tundra ecosystems, but only longer series of gridded data expand the temporal-spatial resolution of this analysis. We compared local and gridded air temperature, precipitation and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) data, analyzed the trends of their changes over the last century for three sites in the permafrost zone (YAK and TAY in Russia, and CAN in Canada), and estimated the effect of their variability on oxygen isotopes in the tree-ring cellulose (δ¹⁸O_cell) of three different species (Larix cajanderi Mayr, Larix gmelinii Rupr. Rupr and Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss). Climate trend analysis showed strong changes after the 1980s, and even more pronounced from 2000 to 2020. We revealed that δ¹⁸O_cell-YAK showed mixed signals of the July temperature (r = 0.49; p = 0.001), precipitation (r = −0.37; p = 0.02) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) (r = 0.31; p = 0.02), while δ¹⁸O_cell-CAN captured longer March–May (r = 0.37, p = 0.001) and July (r = 0.32, p < 0.05) temperature signals as well as spring VPD (r = 0.54, p = 0.001). The δ¹⁸O_cell-TAY showed a significant correlation with air temperature in July (r = 0.23, p = 0.04) and VPD in March (r = −0.26, p = 0.03). The obtained eco-hydrological relationships indicate the importance of temperature and moisture to varying degrees, which can be explained by site- and species-specific differences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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23 pages, 12169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Permafrost Biases Climate Signals in δ¹⁸O_tree-ring Series from a Sub-Alpine Tree Stand in Val Bever/Switzerland

by Jussi Grießinger, Wolfgang Jens-Henrik Meier, Alexander Bast, Annette Debel, Isabelle Gärtner-Roer and Holger Gärtner

Atmosphere 2021, 12(7), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12070836 - 28 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2755

Abstract

During recent decades, stable oxygen isotopes derived from tree-ring cellulose (δ¹⁸O_TRC) have been frequently utilised as the baseline for palaeoclimatic reconstructions. In this context, numerous studies take advantage of the high sensitivity of trees close to their ecological distribution [...] Read more.

During recent decades, stable oxygen isotopes derived from tree-ring cellulose (δ¹⁸O_TRC) have been frequently utilised as the baseline for palaeoclimatic reconstructions. In this context, numerous studies take advantage of the high sensitivity of trees close to their ecological distribution limit (high elevation or high latitudes). However, this increases the chance that indirect climatic forces such as cold ground induced by permafrost can distort the climate-proxy relationship. In this study, a tree stand of sub-alpine larch trees (Larix decidua Mill.) located in an inner alpine dry valley (Val Bever), Switzerland, was analysed for its δ¹⁸O_TRC variations during the last 180 years. A total of eight L. decidua trees were analysed on an individual base, half of which are located on verified sporadic permafrost lenses approximately 500 m below the expected lower limit of discontinuous permafrost. The derived isotope time series are strongly dependent on variations in summer temperature, precipitation and large-scale circulation patterns (geopotential height fields). The results demonstrate that trees growing outside of the permafrost distribution provide a significantly stronger and more consistent climate-proxy relationship over time than permafrost-affected tree stands. The climate sensitivity of permafrost-affected trees is analogical to the permafrost-free tree stands (positive and negative correlations with temperature and precipitation, respectively) but attenuated partly leading to a complete loss of significance. In particular, decadal summer temperature variations are well reflected in δ¹⁸O_TRC from permafrost-free sites (r = 0.62, p < 0.01), while permafrost-affected sites demonstrate a full lack of this dependency (r = 0.30, p > 0.05). Since both tree stands are located just a few meters away from one another and are subject to the same climatic influences, discrepancies in the isotope time series can only be attributed to variations in the trees’ source water that constraints the climatic fingerprints on δ¹⁸O_TRC. If the two individual time series are merged to one local mean chronology, the climatic sensitivity reflects an intermediate between the permafrost-free and –affected δ¹⁸O_TRC time series. It can be deduced, that a significant loss of information on past climate variations arises by simply averaging both tree stands without prior knowledge of differing subsurface conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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15 pages, 2761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Teak Tree-Ring Cellulose δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and Tree-Ring Width from Northwestern Thailand Capture Different Aspects of Asian Monsoon Variability

by Nathsuda Pumijumnong, Paramate Payomrat, Supaporn Buajan, Achim Bräuning, Chotika Muangsong, Uthai Chareonwong, Piyarat Songtrirat, Kritsadapan Palakit, Yu Liu and Qiang Li

Atmosphere 2021, 12(6), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12060778 - 17 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3138

Abstract

The inter-annual variability in tree-ring cellulose δ¹³C (δ¹³C_TR, δ¹⁸O_TR), and tree-ring chronology in teak (TRW) (Tectona grandis L.f.) trees from Northwestern Thailand during 1901–2009 AD was performed. The δ¹³C [...] Read more.

The inter-annual variability in tree-ring cellulose δ¹³C (δ¹³C_TR, δ¹⁸O_TR), and tree-ring chronology in teak (TRW) (Tectona grandis L.f.) trees from Northwestern Thailand during 1901–2009 AD was performed. The δ¹³C_TR and δ¹⁸O_TR have a positive correlation, significant at r =0.400, p <0.0001, and both of the stable isotopes were not significantly related to the TRW. The TRW is related to rainfall in the first half of the rainy season and has a strong relationship with the relative humidity. The δ¹⁸O_TR captured moisture well throughout the rainy season, and the δ¹³C_TR had a strong correlation with rainfall in the second half of the rainy season and had a high correlation with cloud fraction and vapor pressure. The δ¹³C_TR and δ¹⁸O_TR were associated with the stomata conductance response, but had no effect on photosynthesis. The three indices of the teak annual ring respond well to the variability in the Asian monsoon, and give us a better understanding of both the hydrological cycle and the factors that contribute to the growing of tropical broadleaf trees under changing climates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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13 pages, 2160 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tree-Ring Isotopes Provide Clues for Sink Limitation on Treeline Formation on the Tibetan Plateau

by Xing Pu, Xiaochun Wang and Lixin Lyu

Atmosphere 2021, 12(5), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12050540 - 23 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2303

Abstract

Identifying what determines the high elevation limits of tree growth is crucial for predicting how treelines may shift in response to climate change. Treeline formation is either explained by a low-temperature restriction of meristematic activity (sink limitation) or by the photosynthetic constraints (source [...] Read more.

Identifying what determines the high elevation limits of tree growth is crucial for predicting how treelines may shift in response to climate change. Treeline formation is either explained by a low-temperature restriction of meristematic activity (sink limitation) or by the photosynthetic constraints (source limitation) on the trees at the treeline. Our study of tree-ring stable isotopes in two Tibetan elevational transects showed that treeline trees had higher iWUE than trees at lower elevations. The combination of tree-ring δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O data further showed that photosynthesis was higher for trees at the treeline than at lower elevations. These results suggest that carbon acquisition may not be the main determinant of the upper limit of trees; other processes, such as immature tissue growth, may be the main cause of treeline formation. The tree-ring isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) suggests that Tibetan treelines have the potential to benefit from ongoing climate warming, due to their ability to cope with co-occurring drought stress through enhanced water use efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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9 pages, 1016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Response of Oxygen Isotopic Compositions in Tree-Ring Cellulose in Java: Evaluation Using a Proxy System Model

by Ryo Hisamochi, Yumiko Watanabe, Naoyuki Kurita and Takahiro Tagami

Atmosphere 2021, 12(3), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12030310 - 27 Feb 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2115

Abstract

Tree-ring cellulose oxygen isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O) is controlled by several hydrological factors such as precipitation, relative humidity, and temperature. A proxy system model can reveal how these factors affect tree-ring cellulose δ¹⁸O. In this study, to identify a key [...] Read more.

Tree-ring cellulose oxygen isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O) is controlled by several hydrological factors such as precipitation, relative humidity, and temperature. A proxy system model can reveal how these factors affect tree-ring cellulose δ¹⁸O. In this study, to identify a key control on tree-ring cellulose δ¹⁸O variations, we performed model calculation of year-to year variation of tree-ring cellulose δ¹⁸O of Javanese teak in Indonesia from 1960 to 1998. Our model results reasonably reproduce the observed δ¹⁸O values and their temporal variations (r = 0.6; p < 0.001). Moreover, the sensitivity test shows that the cellulose δ¹⁸O values are sensitive to the teak growing period. The simulation result with earlier or later shifts of the growing period captured the amplitude of observed δ¹⁸O variations over 39 years. These results indicate that the tree-ring cellulose δ¹⁸O of Javanese teak might be influenced by a subtle shift of the intra-annual growing period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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11 pages, 3490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxygen Isotopes in Tree Rings from Greenland: A New Proxy of NAO

by Chenxi Xu, Brendan M. Buckley, Shih-Yu Simon Wang, Wenling An, Zhen Li, Takeshi Nakatsuka and Zhengtang Guo

Atmosphere 2021, 12(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12010039 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4650

Abstract

We present the first Greenlandic tree ring oxygen isotope record (δ¹⁸O_GTR), derived from four birch trees collected from the Qinguadalen Valley in southwestern Greenland in 1999. Our δ¹⁸O record spans from 1950–1999 and is significantly and positively [...] Read more.

We present the first Greenlandic tree ring oxygen isotope record (δ¹⁸O_GTR), derived from four birch trees collected from the Qinguadalen Valley in southwestern Greenland in 1999. Our δ¹⁸O record spans from 1950–1999 and is significantly and positively correlated with winter ice core δ¹⁸O from southern Greenland. δ¹⁸O_GTR records are positively correlated with southwestern Greenland January–August mean temperatures. North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) reconstructions have been developed from a variety of proxies, but never with Greenlandic tree rings, and our δ¹⁸O_GTR record is significantly correlated with NAO (r = −0.64), and spatial correlations with sea-level pressure indicate a classic NAO pressure seesaw pattern. These results may facilitate a longer NAO reconstruction based on long time series of tree ring δ¹⁸O records from Greenland, provided that subfossil wood can be found in areas vacated by melting glaciers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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21 pages, 6296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Asian Summer Monsoon-Related Relative Humidity Record from Tree-Ring δ¹⁸O in Gansu Province, North China

by Yan Wang, Yu Liu, Qiang Li, Huiming Song, Changfeng Sun and Congxi Fang

Atmosphere 2020, 11(9), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11090984 - 15 Sep 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2968

Abstract

The monsoon fringe region in North China (NC) is also an ecologically fragile zone. Improving our comprehension of the paleoclimate variations and their driving mechanisms in this region has great significance for environmental protection and agricultural economic development. In order to provide more [...] Read more.

The monsoon fringe region in North China (NC) is also an ecologically fragile zone. Improving our comprehension of the paleoclimate variations and their driving mechanisms in this region has great significance for environmental protection and agricultural economic development. In order to provide more reliable data for future climate forecasting and reduce the effects of climatic disasters in NC, we established a 328-year stable oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) chronology based on four Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. from Mt. Hasi, Gansu Province, and found that the tree-ring δ¹⁸O inherited the signals of summer (July–August) monsoonal precipitation δ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O_P). Correlation function analysis indicated that the tree-ring δ¹⁸O series responded significantly to the observed local relative humidity from July to August (RH_JA) with r = −0.65 (n = 55, p < 0.001). Based on the clear physiological mechanism, we reconstructed the RH_JA variations from 1685 to 2012 using a transfer function. Our reconstruction was very stable and had strong spatial representativeness, it was significantly positively correlated with Asian summer monsoon (ASM) indices, indicating that our reconstruction reflected the variations of ASM to a large extent. The RH_JA series successfully captured the weakening of the ASM since the 1930s. There was a close connection between the reconstructed sequence and the East Pacific sea surface temperature (SST). Further analyses revealed that El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may play important roles in the summer monsoon precipitation in NC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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21 pages, 4825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

501 Years of Spring Precipitation History for the Semi-Arid Northern Iran Derived from Tree-Ring δ¹⁸O Data

by Zeynab Foroozan, Jussi Grießinger, Kambiz Pourtahmasi and Achim Bräuning

Atmosphere 2020, 11(9), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11090889 - 22 Aug 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3921

Abstract

In semi-arid regions of the world, knowledge about the long-term hydroclimate variability is essential to analyze and evaluate the impact of current climate change on ecosystems. We present the first tree-ring δ¹⁸O based hydroclimatic reconstruction for northern semi-arid Iran spanning the [...] Read more.

In semi-arid regions of the world, knowledge about the long-term hydroclimate variability is essential to analyze and evaluate the impact of current climate change on ecosystems. We present the first tree-ring δ¹⁸O based hydroclimatic reconstruction for northern semi-arid Iran spanning the period 1515–2015. A highly significant correlation between tree-ring δ¹⁸O variations of juniper trees and spring (April–June) precipitation reveals a major influence of spring water availability during the early growing season. The driest period of the past 501 years occurred in the 16th century while the 18th century was the wettest, during which the overall highest frequency of wet year events occurred. A gradual decline in spring precipitation is evident from the beginning of the 19th century, pointing to even drier climate conditions. The analysis of dry/wet events indicates that the frequency of years with relatively dry spring increased over the last three centuries, while the number of wet events decreased. Our findings are in accordance with historical Persian disaster records (e.g., the severe droughts of 1870–1872, 1917–1919; severe flooding of 1867, the 1930s, and 1950). Correlation analyses between the reconstruction and different atmospheric circulation indices revealed no significant influence of large-scale drivers on spring precipitation in northern Iran. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate and the Oxygen Isotope Patterns from Trees)

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