On linking climate to Chinese dynastic change: Spatial and temporal variations of monsoonal rain
Journal
Chinese Science Bulletin
Journal Volume
55
Journal Issue
1
Pages
77-83
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
The causal correlation or linkage between the East Asian Monsoon (EAM) intensity and rise/fall of Chinese dynasties recently proposed by high-resolution paleoclimate reconstructions is examined in detail. Aside from many exceptions to the correlation, both instrumental and historical climate records show strong spatial variations of rainfall on annual-to-decadal scales over eastern China. The relationship between rainfall and EAM intensity also exhibits regional disparity. These observations suggest: (1) Taking paleo-proxy records from a single locality in eastern China to imply changes in drought/wetness as to affect the cultural and political history of China is fraught with uncertainty. (2) On annual-to-decadal scales, the thesis that δ 18O in speleothems can be used as a proxy for the EAM strength lacks empirical underpinnings. © Science China Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009.
SDGs
Type
journal article