Tree-ring based February–April precipitation reconstruction for the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, southeastern China

摘要: Abstract February–April drought strongly affects agriculture and socio-economics in southeastern China, yet its long-term variability has not been assessed due to the shortness of instrumental records. In this study, we reported a 168-year tree-ring width chronology from steep, low-elevation site with thin soil layers Xianxia Mountains, China. Contrary existing chronologies that are mostly temperature sensitive, contained strong precipitation signal, indicating great potential for based reconstructions The reconstruction explained 47.8% variance during 1951–2012. full indicated there were 3 dry periods (1873–1896, 1924–1971, 1995–2012) 2 wet (1856–1872, 1972–1994) 1856–2013. extreme 2011 was unprecedented past 168 years, recent severe droughts may be part interdecadal variations regional precipitation. Our results also suggested China highly influenced by tropical Pacific climate system, particular El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).