Reconstructed temperature for Yong'an, Fujian, Southeast China: Linkages to the Pacific Ocean climate variability

Variations in ring width of Pinus massoniana were used to develop high-resolution climate proxy data to extend the existing climate record in Yong'an, Fujian Province, Southeast China. Growth–climate response analyses showed that the total ring width (TRW) in the subtropical zone of Fujian Province is mainly influenced by summer–autumn temperature variability. Based on the total ring width chronology derived from one chronology site (LBY), we developed July–October minimum temperature reconstruction for the period A.D. 1803–2008. The climate/tree-growth model accounts for 42.2% of the instrumental temperature variance during the period 1954–2008. Warm periods occurred during 1808–1815, 1833–1853, 1862–1871, 1895–1906, 1914–1927 and 1973–present; while the periods of 1803–1807, 1816–1832, 1854–1861, 1872–1894, 1907–1913 and 1928–1972 were relatively cold. There is a reasonable agreement with the cold and warcum periods previously estimated from tree-rings around Western Pacific Ocean. The climate correlation analyses with summer APO and gridded climate dataset revealed that our season temperature reconstruction contains the strong climate signals for Asian-Pacific.

► We describe ring width chronologies from one site of Southeast China. ► The chronologies were assessed for their usefulness in providing climate reconstructions. ► We describe a tree-ring reconstruction of July–October temperature. ► Our reconstruction is agreed with other temperature reconstructions from nearby regions. ► Our temperature reconstruction contains the strong regional climate signals.