Tree-ring based spring precipitation reconstruction in the Sikhote-Alin Mountain Range

Abstract

Abstract. Here, we present precipitation reconstructions based on tree rings from Pinus koraiensis (Korean pine) from three sites placed along latitudinal (330 km) gradient in Sikhote-Alin mountains, Russian Far East. The tree-ring width chronologies were built using standard tree-ring procedures. We reconstructed the April–June precipitation for the southern Sikhote-Alin (SSA), March–June precipitation for the central Sikhote-Alin (CSA) and March–July precipitation for the northwestern Sikhote-Alin (NSA) over the 1609 to 2013, 1804 to 2009 and 1858 to 2013, respectively. We found that an important limiting factor for Korean pine growth was precipitation within the period when the air current coming from the continent during the cold period is replaced with the impact of the wet ocean air current. We identified common wet years for SSA, CSA and NSA occurred in 1805, 1853, 1877, 1903, 1906, 1927, 1983, 2009 and common dry years occurred in 1821, 1869, 1919, 1949 and 2003. Our reconstructions have 3, 15 and 60 year periods and corresponds to influence of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation on the region's climate and relevant processes, respectively. Despite the impact of various global processes, the main contribution to precipitation formation in study area is still made by the Pacific Ocean, which determines their amount and periodicity.