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Stable-Carbon Isotope Time Series From Tropical Tree Rings Indicate A Precipitation Signal

Although studies on stable-carbon isotopes in trees from temperate zones provide abundant
paleoclimatic data, tropical trees are still understudied in this context. Therefore this study examined the variability of intra- and inter-annual stable-carbon isotopic pattern in several tree species from various tropical climates. The 𝛿¹³C values of samples of 12 broadleaved trees (seven species) from various paleotropical and neotropical sites along a climatic moisture gradient were investigated. The inter-annual variability between species and sites was studied. Further the relationship between 𝛿¹³C and precipitation time series was analyzed. Results show that tropical tree species show a similar variability in carbon isotopic composition as temperate tree species. Significant correlations between annual precipitation and tree-ring 𝛿¹³C time series were negative. Successful crossdating of a tree-ring 𝛿¹³C time series highlights the potential of carbon isotope measurements for tropical tree-ring analytical studies. Tropical broadleaved trees are able to capture a carbon isotopic signal in their annual rings even under everwet conditions and show good potential for paleoclimatic research.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/622616
Date01 1900
CreatorsFichtler, Esther, Helle, Gerhard, Worbes, Martin
ContributorsGeorg August Universität Göttingen, Department of Crop Sciences, Agronomy in the Tropics, Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere, Research Centre Jülich
PublisherTree-Ring Society
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeArticle, text
RightsCopyright © Tree-Ring Society. All rights reserved.
Relationhttp://www.treeringsociety.org

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