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Tree cellulose 13C/12C isotope ratios and climatic change

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Abstract

Because tree cellulose is formed from carbon acquired through photosynthesis, its 13C/12C isotope ratio reflects that of atmospheric CO2. Fractionation changes related to photosynthetic reactions also influence 13C/12C values, and an offset between atmospheric and tree cellulose isotope ratios results. Here, we measured the pre-1850 cellulose 13C/12C isotope ratios of 19 North American coniferous trees and found a strong dependency of the ratios on latitude. Relative humidity and perhaps temperature appear to be important for this relationship. Assuming climate change to be the dominant factor influencing pre-1850 tree cellulose isotope ratios, we compare a 2,000-yr-long record of 13C/12C isotope change with existing records of ice acidity and temperature1. When accepting a lag in 13C/12C response to climatic change of 70 to 90 yr, correlation coefficients of 0.8 are found for the 1100–1850 interval.

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  1. Department of Geological Sciences and Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    Minze Stuiver & Thomas F. Braziunas

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  1. Minze Stuiver
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  2. Thomas F. Braziunas
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Stuiver, M., Braziunas, T. Tree cellulose 13C/12C isotope ratios and climatic change. Nature 328, 58–60 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/328058a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/328058a0

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