Tree-ring based annual precipitation reconstruction since AD 1480 in south central Tibet

A tree-ring width chronology of 528 years was developed from Tibetan junipers (Juniperus tibetica Kom.) from south-central Tibet in western China. The correlation and response analysis displays high correlation between tree-ring width and observed mean annual precipitation series during the period 1960–2008. Based on a linear regression model, an annual (prior July to current June) precipitation series from AD 1480 to 2008 was reconstructed. This is the first well-calibrated precipitation reconstruction for south-central Tibet. The results show that periods of wet years occurred in AD 1480–1535, 1626–1639, 1651–1671, 1704–1798, 1845–1872, 1888–1907, 1917–1940 and after 1994, whereas relatively dry periods prevailed during AD 1536–1625, 1640–1650, 1672–1703, 1799–1844, 1873–1887, 1908–1916 and 1914–1993. The dry intervals in AD 1500s–1550s, 1710s–1800s, 1850s–1870s and 1900s–1920s, and the wet intervals in AD 1550s–1630s, 1680s–1720s, 1800s–1850s and 1960s–1990s occurred contemporaneously in northeastern Tibet, reflecting regional climatic variations.