Tree-ring derived millennial precipitation record for the south-central Tibetan Plateau and its possible driving mechanism

Knowledge of Asian monsoon variability remains limited because of sparse instrumental data available only for short time series. Here, an updated tree-ring width record covering the period ad 1037–2009 was developed for the south-central Tibetan Plateau (TP). Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship (r = 0.71) between the tree-ring index and annual (previous July to current June) precipitation series for the instrumental period 1963–2008, which accounts for 50.41% of the rainfall variability. Based on a linear regression model, the longest available regional precipitation history was reconstructed. Spatial correlation between tree ring width and annual precipitation data from previous July to current June indicates that the reconstruction is representative of precipitation changes on the south-central TP. Regional wet conditions occurred during ad 1095–1161, 1376–1403, 1414–1446, 1518–1537, 1549–1572, 1702–1757, 1848–1878 and 1891–1913, while dry periods were identified during ad1189–1242,...