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Tree-ring-based reconstruction of streamflow for the Zaqu River in the Lancang River source region, China, over the past 419 years

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Abstract

Tree-ring width standard chronologies were created from juniperus przewalskii Kom data collected in the Lancang River Headwaters region. Statistical analysis results showed high correlation (r = 0.69) between the composite tree-ring chronology and instrumental streamflow records at the Xiangda Hydrological Station during the annual September–August interval. Streamflow of the Zaqu River in the Lancang river source region was reconstructed for the past 419 years. The model was stable and revealed 14 extremely dry years and 6 extremely wet years. The results showed relatively low streamflow periods occurred during 602–1614, 1633–1656, 1684–1697, 1712–1722, 1735–1753, 1817–1829, 1847–1861, 1874–1884, 1946–1959, 1961–1977, and 1990–2000. Relatively high streamflow periods occurred during 1615–1630, 1657–1678, 1698–1711, 1754–1783, 1803–1813, 1830–1840, 1862–1873, 1892–1909, and 1932–1945. Comparison with tree-ring based streamflow reconstructions and chronologies from surrounding areas provided a high degree of confidence in our reconstruction. The empirical mode decomposition analysis suggests the existence of significant periods with intervals of 2–4, 5–9, 11–16, and 26–50 years. Regional comparison indicated that our reconstruction was associated with large-scale atmospheric-oceanic variability, such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) index, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index, and East Asian monsoon variation. This research provides a useful foundation for water resource planning and management guidance in the Three-River Headwaters Region.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by “China Desert Meteorological Science Research Foundation” (Sqj2016002) “Open Research Fund Program of Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province” (PAEKL-2017-C2) and “the National Natural Science Foundation of China” (41375116, and 41405077)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CMA/ Heavy Rain and Drought-Flood Disasters in Plateau and Basin Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Plateau Meteorology, Chengdu, 610072, China

    Dingmu Xiao & Xiaomei Huang

  2. Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610225, China

    Dingmu Xiao

  3. Key Laboratory of Tree-ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, 830002, China

    Dingmu Xiao

  4. Sichuan Provincial Meteorological Observatory, Chengdu, 610072, China

    Dingmu Xiao

  5. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Xuemei Shao

  6. Climate Center of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610072, China

    Ningsheng Qin

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  1. Dingmu Xiao
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Correspondence to Dingmu Xiao.

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Xiao, D., Shao, X., Qin, N. et al. Tree-ring-based reconstruction of streamflow for the Zaqu River in the Lancang River source region, China, over the past 419 years. Int J Biometeorol 61, 1173–1189 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-016-1297-6

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