(Xinhua) 14:36, August 16, 2023 BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have provided new insight into the regional climate history in southwest China's Yunnan Province through scientific analysis of the annual rings of trees in that region. The study was recently published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. The researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, collected samples of Tsuga dumosa, one of the oldest local tree species, from the Wuliang Mountain area in central Yunnan. The researchers then constructed the tree ring-width chronology of Tsuga dumosa, and analyzed its correlation with climatic factors. They found that moisture availability during the spring-to-early summer season was the key factor that limited tree growth of Tsuga dumosa in the Wuliang Mountain region. Based on the analysis, the study reveals drought fluctuations at both inter-annual and inter-decadal scales in central Yunnan, along with an increased occurrence of extreme dry or wet events in recent decades. Moreover, 11 extreme drought years were identified in this region over the past two centuries, with most of them confirmed by historical evidence. "The study helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the trends and patterns of regional climate change on a 100-year scale," said Fan Zexin, a researcher at XTBG. "Our study also highlights the dendroclimatic potential of conifer tree species growing in subtropical regions and their ability to capture regional hydroclimate signals," said Fan, adding that the study provides crucial information for evaluating long-term climate change in this region. |
Alesha Dixon storms off Britain's Got Talent stage following a contestant's 'offensive' act'Civil War’ continues boxFacebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, 39, stuns the internet with his WILD 'glow up'Forest appears to question integrity of match official after 2Sizzling Phillies finish homestand 8Phillies finish threeThe Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend, but it may be hard to see itTens of thousands of Colombians protest against leftist president's reform agendaSarah Ferguson remembers the late Queen Elizabeth with a sweet message on her birthdaySarah Jayne Dunn sets pulses racing in animal print bra as she joins chic Georgia May Foote at CO