Temperature variability since AD 1837 inferred from tree-ring maximum density of Abies fabri on Gongga Mountain, China

Two tree-ring MXD (maximum latewood density) chronologies of Abies fabri were developed from the eastern slopes of Gongga Mountain, and a regional chronology (RC) was established based on the two MXD chronologies. There were significant positive correlations between the three MXD chronologies and August-September temperature, and the RC had the highest correlation (r=0.733, n=48, P < 0.001) with mean August-September temperature. Based on growth-climate analyses, we reconstructed mean August-September temperature during the past 171 years for the study area. The reconstruction explained 53.5% of the instrumental temperature variance during the period 1960-2007 (F=52.8, R (2) (adj) =52.4%). In the past 171 years, there were 22 very warm years and 23 very cold years, four cold periods (1837-1842, 1884-1891, 1899-1905 and 1984-1989) and three warm periods (1966-1973, 1916-1924 and 1876-1881). Our reconstruction was validated by other tree ring-based temperature reconstructions from the surrounding area and documented climate disaster events.