Substantial changes in terrestrial hydroclimate during the Holocene are recorded in geological archives and simulated by computer models. To identify spatial and temporal patterns during the past 12 ka, proxy records sensitive to changing precipitation and effective moisture (precipitation minus evaporation) were compiled from across the globe (
One long-standing issue in the paleoclimate records is whether East Asian Summer Monsoon peaked in the early Holocene or mid-Holocene. Here, combining a set of transient earth system model simulations with proxy records, we propose that, over northern China, monsoon rainfall peaked in the early Holocene, while soil moisture and tree cover peaked in the mid-Holocene. The delayed ecosystem (soil moisture and tree cover) response to rainfall is caused by the vegetation response to winter warming and the subsequent feedback with soil moisture. Our study provides a mechanism for reconciling different evolution behaviors of monsoon proxy records; it sheds light on the driving mechanism of the monsoon evolution and monsoon-ecosystem feedback over northern China, with implications to climate changes in other high climate sensitivity regions over the globe.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10218444
- Publisher / Repository:
- Nature Publishing Group
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Nature Communications
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2041-1723
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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