Stable isotope records of plant cover change and monsoon variation in the past 2200 years: evidence from laminated stalagmites in Beijing, China

Two stalagmites collected from the Shihua cave in the southwestern suburb of Beijing were dated by annual layer counting. The results are consistent with thermal ionization mass spectrometry 230 Th dating. Stable carbon isotope variation of stalagmites is dominated by plant cover change, which largely reflects climate change and monsoon variation. Oxygen isotopes are mainly affected by precipitation, which is related to summer and winter monsoon intensity. The combination of carbon and oxygen isotopes can therefore be a proxy of plant cover change and monsoon variation. Our stable isotope results show that lower carbon isotope values of the stalagmites between 200 BC and AD 1000 probably imply dense plant cover and an episode dominated by humid summer monsoon. From ~1000 to AD 1450, the dominant monsoon alternated between the winter monsoon and the summer monsoon. Since ~AD 1450, a significant jump in carbon isotope ratios and increasing oxygen isotope ratios has been demonstrated, indicating less plant cover and the probable dominance of dry winter monsoon. The results are consistent with historical documents of the region.