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Plant phenological data and tree-rings as palaeoclimate indicators in south-west Finland since AD 1750

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Abstract

Plant phenological data and tree-rings were tested for their palaeoclimatic value in south-west Finland since AD 1750. The information from fragmentary, partly overlapping, partly non-systematically biased plant phenological records of 14 different phenomena (a total of 3,144 observations) was combined into one continuous time series of phenological indices. All site- and phenomenon-specific series were standardized to present an average of zero and standard deviation of one. The mean phenomenon-specific series were then averaged as arithmetic means for annually resolved time series representing the variability in the particular plant phenomenon. Consequently, each phenomenon-specific mean series was based on spatially normalized site-specific index series. These series were compared to each other, living-tree and subfossil tree-rings, and to early and modern meteorological time series. Phenological indices showed strong positive correlation with February to June temperatures. On the other hand, the correlations between phenological indices and precipitation data were around zero. Analysis using time-dependent running correlations showed non-stationary relationship between the tree-rings and phenological indices and observed spring temperatures. The skill of phenological data for reconstructing the spring temperatures was statistically proved.

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Acknowledgements

The work of J.H. was made possible by the Academy of Finland research program Research Unit on Physics, Chemistry and Biology of Atmospheric Composition and climate change (grant 1211483 to Prof. Markku Kulmala) and the Integrated Land Ecosystem - Atmosphere Processes Study (iLEAPS). The work of S.H. was made possible by a German Research Foundation (DFG) grant within the framework of the Emmy Noether Program (SCHO 793/1). Mr. Pentti Pirinen from Finnish Meteorological Institute and Dr.Tapio Linkosalo are greatly acknowledged for providing us with the missing data of late nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. We are also grateful to Mr. Achim Drebs from Finnish Meteorological Institute for modern precipitation data. Thanks are also due to Dr. Anni Reissell for helpful comments on the manuscript. Comments from two anonymous referees improved the manuscript and are acknowledged.

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Author notes

  1. Jari Holopainen

    Present address: Department of Geology, Gustaf Hällströmin Katu 2a, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. iLEAPS Project, Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Physical Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 68, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Jari Holopainen

  2. Institute for Geology and Palaeontology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Samuli Helama

  3. Finnish Forest Research Institute, Rovaniemi Research Station, P.O. Box 16, 96301, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Mauri Timonen

  4. Department of Geology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Jari Holopainen

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  1. Jari Holopainen
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Correspondence to Jari Holopainen.

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Holopainen, J., Helama, S. & Timonen, M. Plant phenological data and tree-rings as palaeoclimate indicators in south-west Finland since AD 1750. Int J Biometeorol 51, 61–72 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-006-0037-8

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