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Dendrochronology for the last 1400 years in eastern Tibet

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Abstract

Twentyfour tree-ring chronologies of various tree-species(Picea, Abies, Larix, Juniperus) from sites near the upper timberline in eastern Tibet were established, the longest one dating back to 620 A.D. A new classification of pointer intervals is presented, distinguishing between different kinds of signatures in a tree-ring series and amount of growth change in relation to the previous year. The various types of signatures can be related to meteorological events like cold winters and summers, summer drought or to recreation reactions after years of reduced growth. The distribution pattern and type of pointer intervals combined with ring width variation enables the detection of periods of favourable or unfavourable growth conditions with regard to climate history. Based on far-distance correlations and signature analysis regions of similar tree-growth are mapped out.

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Bräuning, A. Dendrochronology for the last 1400 years in eastern Tibet. GeoJournal 34, 75–95 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00813972

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