Multiple tree-ring chronologies (ring width, δ13C and δ18O) reveal dry and rainy season signals of rainfall in Indonesia

Abstract

Climatic hazards, such as severe droughts and floods, affect extensive areas across monsoon Asia and can have profound impacts on the populations of that region. The area surrounding Indonesia, including large portions of the eastern Indian Ocean and Java Sea, plays a key role in the global climate system because of the enormous heat and moisture exchange that occurs between the ocean and atmosphere there. Here, we evaluate the influence of rainfall variability on multiple treering parameters of teak (Tectona grandis) trees growing in a lowland rain forest in Central Java (Indonesia). We assess the potential of, annually resolved, tree-ring width, stable carbon ( 13 C) and oxygen ( 18 O) isotope records to improve our understanding of the Asian monsoon variability.Climate response analysis with regional, monthly rainfall data reveals that all three tree-ring parameters are significantly correlated to rainfall, albeit during different monsoon seasons. Precipitation in the beginning of the rainy season (Sep-Nov) is important for tree-ring width, confirming previous studies. Compared to ring width, the stable isotope records possess a higher degree of common signal, especially during portions of the peak rainy season (

ENSO flavors in a tree-ring δ<sup>18</sup>O record of <i>Tectona grandis</i> from Indonesia

“…The according TRW chronology dates back to AD 1714. This δ 18 O TR chronology and its dendroclimatological potential as a rainfall indicator has been described in detail in Schollaen et al (2013). Indonesia receives significant rainfall year-round but experiences a distinct wet and dry season.…”

“…In previous studies we investigated relationships between seasonal rainfall variability and tree-ring stable isotope records from Javanese teak trees on inter-to intra-annual timescales (Schollaen et al, 2013(Schollaen et al, , 2014. In this study we explore the signal strength of ENSO flavors in our annually resolved δ 18 O TR record from Java, the only well replicated, centennial δ 18 O record from Javanese teak in existence.…”

“…In tropical regions, oxygen isotope data from tree rings (δ 18 O TR ) are often more sensitive to precipitation than ring width (e.g., Brienen et al, 2012;Schollaen et al, 2013). δ 18 O TR data are primarily controlled by the isotopic composition of precipitation, i.e., the source water, and relative humidity (e.g., Barbour, 2007;McCarroll and Loader, 2004).…”

Alpha-cellulose extraction procedure for the tropical tree sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack) by using an improved vessel for reliable paleoclimate reconstruction

“…Sano et al (2010) concluded that the tree ring δ 18 O of Abies spectabilis is more sensitive to rainfall than is ring width or density, because δ 18 O is usually unaffected by a tree's internal factors (Ramesh et al, 1985). The oxygen isotopic ratio of tree-ring alpha-cellulose can be a proxy for paleoclimate reconstruction in areas where little correlation is found between tree-ring widths and climatic factors (e.g., Lipp et al, 1991;Saurer et al, 1995;Robertson et al, 1997;Waterhouse et al, 2002;Rinne et al, 2005;Schollaen et al, 2013). Continuous paleoclimate data in tropical areas that drive the global climate system can be obtained from tropical trees forming annual growth rings or even lacking annual rings, based on high-resolution δ 18 O measurements (e.g., Poussart et al, 2004;Evans and Schrag, 2004).…”

Tree Growth Rings in Tropical Peat Swamp Forests of Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…To date, a large number of studies on tropical tree ring formation have been carried out in many regions of the world and on a huge number of tree species [10]. Recent tree ring studies on Java concentrated on the potential of teak chronologies for climate reconstruction [11][12][13][14]. These studies were based on the fact that tree rings are a consequence of seasonally varying precipitation patterns with annually occurring dry seasons.…”