Linking two centuries of tree growth and glacier dynamics with climate changes in Kamchatka

Glaciers around the world retreated as the climate warmed substantially. For the majority of alpine and arctic areas, however, the lack of meteorological data over a long period makes it difficult to build long-term climate and glacial fluctuation relationships, emphasizing the importance of natural proxy archives. Here we use the 230-year record of stem radial growth of birch trees (Betula ermanii) from the treeline forests above the receding glaciers in eastern maritime Kamchatka to analyse temporal variations of climate as well as glacial advance and retreat. Glaciers in Kamchatka Peninsula represent the southern limit of glaciation in far eastern Eurasia, which makes them prone to global warming. Using instrumental climate data (1930–1996) from local meteorological stations, we find that the July temperature had most prominent positive impact on birch growth. On the contrary, smaller ring increments are associated with the positive summer and net annual ice mass balance of Koryto Glacier. The prevailing trend of higher summer temperatures and lower snowfall over the past 70 years has enhanced tree growth while causing the glacier’s surface to lower by about 35 m and its front to retreat by about 490 m. Assuming these same relationships between climate, tree growth, and glacier mass balance also existed in the past, we use tree rings as a proxy record of climatically induced temporary halts in the glacier’s retreat over the past two centuries, which in total was over 1,000 m. Both direct observations and tree ring proxies indicate several prolonged warm periods (1990s, 1960s, 1930–1940s, 1880–1900s) interspersed with cooler periods (1984–1985, 1970–1976, 1953–1957, 1912–1926, 1855–1875, 1830–1845, 1805–1820 and 1770–1780) when the glacier re-advanced, creating several consecutive terminal moraine ridges. We conclude that birch tree-rings are suitable for assessing tree growth/climate/glacial relationships over a longer timescale in maritime Kamchatka.     

Simulating forest dynamics in a complex topography using gridded climatic data

The forest model ForClim was used to evaluate the applicability of gap models in complex topography when the climatic input data is provided by a global database of 0.5° resolution. The analysis was based on 12 grid cells along an altitudinal gradient in the European Alps. Forest dynamics were studied both under current climate as well as under four prescribed 2 × CO₂ scenarios of climatic change obtained from General Circulation Models, which allowed to assess the sensitivity of mountainous forests to climatic change.Under current climate, ForClim produces plausible patterns of species composition in space and time, although the results for single grid cells sometimes are not representative of reality due to the limited precision of the climatic input data.Under the scenarios of climatic change, three responses of the vegetation are observed, i.e., afforestation, gradual changes of the species composition, and dieback of today's forest. In some cases widely differing species compositions are obtained depending on the climate scenario used, suggesting that mountainous forests are quite sensitive to climatic change. Some of the new forests have analogs on the modern landscape, but in other cases non-analog communities are formed, pointing at the importance of the individualistic response of species to climate.The applicability of gap models on a regular grid in a complex topography is discussed. It is concluded that for their application on a continental scale, it would be desirable to replace the species in the models by plant functional types. It is suggested that simulation studies like the present one must not be interpreted as predictions of the future fate of forests, but as means to assess their sensitivity to climatic change.     

Differences between CMIP6 and CMIP5 Models in Simulating Climate over China and the East Asian Monsoon

We compare the ability of coupled global climate models from the phases 5 and 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP5 and CMIP6, respectively) in simulating the temperature and precipitation climatology and interannual variability over China for the period 1961–2005 and the climatological East Asian monsoon for the period1979–2005. All 92 models are able to simulate the geographical distribution of the above variables reasonably well.Compared with earlier CMIP5 models, current CMIP6 models have nationally weaker cold biases, a similar nationwide overestimation of precipitation and a weaker underestimation of the southeast–northwest precipitation gradient, a comparable overestimation of the spatial variability of the interannual variability, and a similar underestimation of the strength of winter monsoon over northern Asia. Pairwise comparison indicates that models have improved from CMIP5 to CMIP6 for climatological temperature and precipitation and winter monsoon but display little improvement for the interannual temperature and precipitation variability and summer monsoon. The ability of models relates to their horizontal resolutions in certain aspects. Both the multi-model arithmetic mean and median display similar skills and outperform most of the individual models in all considered aspects.     

Temperature data used to determine a theoretical start to forest tree growth in spring

Summary The beginning of tree growth in the spring, denoted by the arrival of a phenophase, varies from year to year. The ambient air temperature is probably the most important factor for vegetation growth in spring. Starting from an initial concept of the beginning of the vegetation period as being seven days with a mean temperature of 5.0 °C or greater, we modify the threshold (going down to 2 °C) and the length of the reaction period (five to nine days). To estimate the effect of these changes on the results at several geographical sites, we calculated the modifications obtained for three weather stations in Switzerland: Zurich (590 m), Einsiedeln (914 m) and Davos (1600 m). To obtain a clear picture of the influence of these changes, we used a frequency of data obtained during the period 1931–1970 (maximum, 90%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 10%, minimum). In conclusion, the lower the threshold of temperature, the earlier the computed start date for growth. Similarly, the shorter the lapse time, the earlier the date produced for the phenophase. Both modifications have no significant influence on the picture of the frequential distribution of the results.With 5 Figures     

Climatic drivers of tree growth at tree line in Southwest Yukon change over time and vary between landscapes

Growth of trees at their altitudinal and latitudinal range limits is expected to increase as climate warms, but trees often exhibit unexplained spatial and temporal variation in climate-growth responses, particularly in alpine regions. Until this variability is explained, predictions of future tree growth are unlikely to be accurate. We sampled Picea glauca (white spruce) growing at forest and tree line on north and south aspects in two mountain ranges of southwest Yukon to determine how and why ring-width patterns vary between topographic settings, and over time. We used multivariate statistical analysis to characterize variation in ring-width patterns between topographic factors and time periods, and calculated correlations between ring-width indices and climate variables to explain this variation. Ring-width patterns varied more between mountain ranges than elevations or aspects, particularly in recent decades when ring-widths increased in one mountain range but not the other. Growth responses to summer temperature were notably weaker during warmer time periods, but growth was not positively correlated to summer precipitation, suggesting trees may not be suffering from temperature-induced drought stress. Rather, ring-width indices began responding positively to spring snow depth after 1976. We conclude that tree growth is unlikely to increase in synchrony with rising air temperatures across subarctic tree lines in southwest Yukon. Instead, they may decline in areas that are prone to thin snowpacks or rapid spring runoff due to the negative influence warming springs will have on snow depth and, consequently, early growing season soil moisture.     

大气环流模式IAP AGCM4.0对东亚高空副热带西风急流的模拟及偏差原因分析

基于中国科学院大气物理所大气环流模式IAP AGCM4.0总共30年(1979~2008年)的AMIP(大气环流模式比较计划)数值模拟试验结果,评估了模式对东亚高空副热带西风急流的模拟能力,分析了模式模拟偏差的可能原因,以及不同对流参数化方案对模拟结果的影响。结果表明,IAP AGCM4.0可以较好地模拟出东亚高空副热带西风急流冬季和夏季的空间结构及其季节变化特征;与JRA-25再分析资料相比,模式模拟的急流强度总体偏弱;就急流位置而言,模式模拟的急流位置冬季略偏南,夏季则相对偏北;模式可以较好地模拟出夏季西风急流的季节内演变特征,包括夏季西风急流位置逐月北跳的特征,只是模式模拟的逐月西风急流位置仍偏北。夏季200 h Pa纬向风EOF分解结果表明,模式模拟和再分析资料的EOF第一模态空间型态较为接近,均反映了西风急流的年际变化特征,但两者的时间系数相关较小,表明模式对西风急流南北位置年际变化的模拟偏差较大。针对模式模拟的地表感热通量及对流层中上层经向温度差(MTD)的分析结果表明,模式对阿拉伯半岛东南部、阿拉伯海西北部及印度北部的地表感热通量的模拟存在偏差,影响到对流层中高层温度场、高度场的模拟,使得IAP AGCM4.0模拟的MTD强度较再分析资料相对偏弱,MTD变化最大的区域位置相对偏北,且模式模拟的MTD年际变化与再分析资料相比也有较大偏差,从而造成模式对西风急流模拟的偏差。此外,不同积云对流参数化方案也可影响对流层中上层经向温度差的模拟,进而影响模式对东亚高空副热带西风急流的模拟。     

一次中亚低涡造成的新疆暴雪天气过程分析

利用实况观测资料、EC/T639数值模式预报资料和NCEP1°×1°再分析资料,对2012年2月一次由中亚低涡造成的冬季新疆西部地区典型暴雪天气过程的环流特征和物理量场进行了综合分析。结果表明:此次暴雪天气过程属欧洲脊发展、中亚低涡东移造成的新疆西部及天山北坡的降雪过程。200 hPa西南急流使高层辐散,起到"抽气机"作用;500 hPa偏南气流与700 hPa东风急流为暴雪提供了水汽和热量的输送,同时加强了抬升运动;高层辐散、低层辐合以及较强的上升运动是暴雪发生的动力条件,上升运动的强盛发展阶段对应降雪强度最大时段;水汽的垂直输送导致局地比湿显著增大,深厚的湿层和强烈的水汽辐合为暴雪提供了充沛的水汽条件;云图上"干侵入"出现的时间与位置可以大致判断强降雪出现的时间和位置。     

The role of ocean thermodynamics and dynamics in Asian summer monsoon changes during the mid-Holocene

Studies of climate change 6,000 years before present using atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) suggest the enhancement and northward shift of the summer Asian and African monsoons in the Northern Hemisphere. Although enhancement of the African monsoonal precipitation by ocean coupling is a common and robust feature, contradictions exist between analyses of the role of the ocean in the strength of the Asian monsoon. We investigated the role of the ocean in the Asian monsoon and sought to clarify which oceanic mechanisms played an important role using three ocean coupling schemes: MIROC, an atmosphere–ocean coupled general circulation model [C]; an AGCM extracted from MIROC coupled with a mixed-layer ocean model [M]; and the same AGCM, but with prescribed sea surface temperatures [A]. The effect of “ocean dynamics” is quantified through differences between experiments [C] and [M]. The effect of “ocean thermodynamics” is quantified through differences between experiments [M] and [A]. The precipitation change for the African and Asian monsoon area suggested that the ocean thermodynamics played an important role. In particular, the enhancement of the Asian monsoonal precipitation was most vigorous in the AGCM simulations, but mitigated in early summer in ocean coupled cases, which were not significantly different from each other. The ocean feedbacks were not significant for the precipitation change in late summer. On the other hand, in Africa, ocean thermodynamics contributed to the further enhancement of the precipitation from spring to autumn, and the ocean dynamics had a modest impact in enhancing precipitation in late summer.     

Simulating urban flow and dispersion in Beijing by coupling a CFD model with the WRF model

The airflow and dispersion of a pollutant in a complex urban area of Beijing, China, were numerically examined by coupling a Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） model with a mesoscale weather model. The models used were Open Source Field Operation and Manipulation （OpenFOAM） software package and Weather Research and Forecasting （WRF） model. OpenFOAM was firstly validated against wind-tunnel experiment data. Then, the WRF model was integrated for 42 h starting from 0800 LST 08 September 2009, and the coupled model was used to compute the flow fields at 1000 LST and 1400 LST 09 September 2009. During the WRF-simulated period, a high pressure system was dominant over the Beijing area. The WRF-simulated local circulations were characterized by mountain valley winds, which matched well with observations. Results from the coupled model simulation demonstrated that the airflows around actual buildings were quite different from the ambient wind on the boundary provided by the WRF model, and the pollutant dispersion pattern was complicated under the influence of buildings. A higher concentration level of the pollutant near the surface was found in both the step-down and step-up notches, but the reason for this higher level in each configurations was different： in the former, it was caused by weaker vertical flow, while in the latter it was caused by a downward-shifted vortex. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the coupled WRF-OpenFOAM model is an important tool that can be used for studying and predicting urban flow and dispersions in densely built-up areas.     

Effects of crop growth and development on regional climate: a case study over East Asian monsoon area

In this study, the CERES phenological growth and development functions were implemented into the regional climate model, RegCM3 to give a model denoted as RegCM3_CERES. This model was used to represent interactions between regional climate and crop growth processes. The effects of crop growth and development processes on regional climate were then studied based on two 20-year simulations over the East Asian monsoon area conducted using the original regional climate model RegCM3, and the coupled RegCM3_CERES model. The numerical experiments revealed that incorporating the crop growth and development processes into the regional climate model reduced the root mean squared error of the simulated precipitation by 2.2–10.7% over north China, and the simulated temperature by 5.5–30.9% over the monsoon region in eastern China. Comparison of the simulated results obtained using RegCM3_CERES and RegCM3 showed that the most significant changes associated with crop modeling were the changes in leaf area index which in turn modify the aspects of surface energy and water partitions and lead to moderate changes in surface temperature and, to some extent, rainfall. Further analysis revealed that a robust representation of seasonal changes in plant growth and developmental processes in the regional climate model changed the surface heat and moisture fluxes by modifying the vegetation characteristics, and that these differences in simulated surface fluxes resulted in different structures of the boundary layer and ultimately affected the convection. The variations in leaf area index and fractional vegetation cover changed the distribution of evapotranspiration and heat fluxes, which could potentially lead to anomalies in geopotential height, and consequently influenced the overlying atmospheric circulation. These changes would result in redistribution of the water and energy through advection. Nevertheless, there are significant uncertainties in modeling how monsoon dynamics responds to crop modeling and more research is needed.     

Early stage of critical clusters growth in phenomenological and molecular dynamics simulation models

The growth of critical clusters is discussed in the paper according to the classical and molecular dynamics (MD) approaches. A new formula for molecule numbers in critical clusters has been derived within the framework of the classical approach. A set of equations controlling the early stage of growth in a neighborhood of a critical size is presented. As far as molecular dynamics simulation is concerned, a computational technique based on the DL_POLY code is described in brief. Computation results are presented concerning cluster formation of H₂O vapor, distribution of clusters versus time, cluster growth and radial density distribution of isolated clusters. A comparison with the classical results is made for a case of dense vapor, where the mechanism of strong condensation is predominant. The Hertz–Knudsen formula seems to be verified by the molecular dynamics results.     

Early stage of critical clusters growth in phenomenological and molecular dynamics simulation models

The growth of critical clusters is discussed in the paper according to the classical and molecular dynamics (MD) approaches. A new formula for molecule numbers in critical clusters has been derived within the framework of the classical approach. A set of equations controlling the early stage of growth in a neighborhood of a critical size is presented. As far as molecular dynamics simulation is concerned, a computational technique based on the DL_POLY code is described in brief. Computation results are presented concerning cluster formation of H₂O vapor, distribution of clusters versus time, cluster growth and radial density distribution of isolated clusters. A comparison with the classical results is made for a case of dense vapor, where the mechanism of strong condensation is predominant. The Hertz–Knudsen formula seems to be verified by the molecular dynamics results.     

深对流系统中初始误差增长和传播的热动力机制

利用WRF模式模拟一个典型的超级单体风暴,揭示了深对流系统中初始误差增长和传播的热动力机制,讨论了系统的高度非线性作用和可预报性等问题。结果表明:影响深对流系统发展强度的不稳定能量和潜热释放是影响误差增长和空间分布的主要因素;误差增长主要集中在对流区,对流区域外的初始扰动有向对流区域传播的趋势,并可在对流区域内迅速增长。随着对流系统的强烈发展,量级为O(10-2)的初始扰动在210 min时即可达到量级O(100),反映了系统高度的非线性作用和单一确定性预报显著的局限性。另外还发现,初始扰动对的相关性迅速增加,这将导致集合离散度偏低,给集合预报捕获极端天气的能力设置了障碍。误差的传播主要以声波和重力波两种波动形式传播。声波主要表现在积分初期,能量较小。重力波则能够在对流系统以外的区域激发新的对流中心(目前这种误差是不可预报的),进而限制了系统的可预报性。     

“碧利斯”与“圣帕”引发湘东南特大暴雨雷达回波对比分析

利用多普勒天气雷达、常规气象观测等资料,从雷达气象学和中小尺度天气学出发,对引发湘东南特大暴雨的两次强热带风暴"碧利斯"与超强台风"圣帕"进行了对比分析.结果表明:两次过程均为东风带系统影响,地形增幅作用显著.螺旋带状、弥合加波阶段是造成强降水的主要时段.均有低质心暖性降水虽波特征,降水效率高."列车效应"是造成特大暴雨的关键,但形成方式不同:"碧利斯"主要由带状回波形成,而"圣帕"主要由回波在同一区域加强形成."碧利斯"回波强度、回波顶高均大于"圣帕"过程,对流更旺盛,范围小而雨强大,与西风带冷式切变线暴雨回波相似."圣帕"回波均匀,持续时间长,与西风带暖式切变线暴雨回波特征相似,回波移动缓慢,降水总量大.两次过程都有暖平流上叠加辐合风场的特征,形成了有利于强降水的环境背景.中γ尺度"大风核"造成有组织的次级环流,可能是"列车效应"形成和维持的主要原因.谱宽表明,受地面的摩擦作用,低层有强烈的湍流和乱流,有利于低压中心从低层减弱.中层为强而稳定的气流,有利于气旋强度的维持,形成长时间强降水.     

东亚地区闪电产生Nox的时空分布特征

利用NASA提供的2.5°×2.5°卫星闪电格点资料(1995-2002年), 并根据纬度区分云闪和地闪后, 对东亚地区(75°～155°E, 0°～55°N)闪电产生NOX的时空分布进行分析, 结果表明 闪电产生的NOX在东亚地区的年总产量平均值为2.30 Tg, 自南向北存在7个极值中心, 它们分别集中于南部、中部和北部极值群内, 三个极值群的最大值分别为16.4, 12.7和5.46 Bg/grid/yr.与该地区NOX的非闪电排放源相比较, 闪电产生NOX的分布范围大, 年产量约为非闪电源年排放总量的23.闪电产生NOX的量在夏季最大, 其区域性特征很明显.地球表面特性的差异造成了闪电产生的NOX在经度分布上存在较大的不平衡性.在气候冷暖交替月份的中低纬度地区闪电产生NOX的增加对强雷暴活动年闪电产生NOX的贡献最为明显.     

区域海气耦合模式模拟的2003年东亚夏季风季节内振荡

评估了一个区域海气耦合模式(由区域环境系统集成模式RIEMS和普林斯顿海洋模式POM组成)对2003年东亚夏季风季节内振荡(ISO)的模拟性能。通过与观测海温驱动单独大气模式结果的比较,分析了海气耦合过程对东亚夏季大气ISO模拟性能的影响。结果表明:耦合模式能够模拟出2003年中国东部地区夏季降水的气候态分布,模拟的中国东部尤其是江淮地区大气ISO活动较单独大气模式更为显著。同时,耦合模式能够较好地再现大气ISO经向上北传的传播特征,模拟的江淮流域降水处于活跃和中断期时西北太平洋地区低频降水和环流异常在强度和空间分布上较单独大气模式都更为合理。相比于单独大气模式,耦合模式对大气ISO模拟的改善,一方面与其对气候态西北太平洋副热带高压和相关对流层底层风场模拟的改善有关,另一方面与其包含海气相互作用,因而对低频降水与海温和水汽辐合位相关系模拟的改善有关。     

Seasonal and Intraseasonal Variations of East Asian Summer Monsoon Precipitation Simulated by a Regional Air-Sea Coupled Model

The performance of a regional air-sea coupled model, comprising the Regional Integrated Environment Model System (RIEMS) and the Princeton Ocean Model (POM), in simulating the seasonal and intraseasonal variations of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) rainfall was investigated. Through comparisons of the model results among the coupled model, the uncoupled RIEMS, and observations, the impact of air-sea coupling on simulating the EASM was also evaluated. Results showed that the regional air-sea coupled climate model performed better in simulating the spatial pattern of the precipitation climatology and produced more realistic variations of the EASM rainfall in terms of its amplitude and principal EOF modes. The coupled model also showed greater skill than the uncoupled RIEMS in reproducing the principal features of climatological intraseasonal oscillation (CISO) of EASM rainfall, including its dominant period, intensity, and northward propagation. Further analysis indicated that the improvements in the simulation of the EASM rainfall climatology and its seasonal variation in the coupled model were due to better simulation of the western North Pacific Subtropical High, while the improvements of CISO simulation were owing to the realistic phase relationship between the intraseasonal convection and the underlying SST resulting from the air-sea coupling.     

The climatology and interannual variability of the East Asian summer monsoonsimulated by a weakly coupled data assimilation system

为了改进耦合模式对东亚夏季风的模拟,本文发展了一个基于中国科学院地球系统模式的海洋资料同化系统。基于该同化系统,本文开展了同化观测海温的试验,并将同化试验的结果与传统的AMIP试验进行比较。结果表明,同化系统显著改进了对西北太平洋地区降水的气候态和季节循环、与ENSO和东亚夏季风相关联的东亚地区的降水和环流异常等的模拟。本文的工作表明,海气相互作用对东亚夏季风的模拟非常重要。耦合框架下的海洋资料同化系统可以在引入观测信息的同时不切断海气相互作用,这是同化试验较之AMIP试验有显著改进的原因所在。