Tree-ring reconstructions of precipitation and streamflow for north-western Turkey

Akkemik U., D'Arrigo R., Cherubini P., Koese N., Jacoby G. C.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, vol.28, no.2, pp.173-183, 2008 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/joc.1522
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.173-183
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

 

We describe tree-ring reconstructions of spring (May-June) precipitation and spring-summer (May-August)
streamflow for north-western Turkey, both beginning in AD 1650. These are among the first such reconstructions for
the region, and the streamflow reconstruction is among the first of its kind for Turkey and the entire Middle East. The
reconstructions, which both emphasize high-frequency variations, account for 34 and 53% of their respective instrumental
variance. Comparison to precipitation and runoff data provides some means of verification for the instrumental streamflow
record, which is very short (30 years). Drought and flood events in the reconstructions are compared to historical archives
and other tree-ring reconstructions for Turkey. The results reveal common climatic extremes over much of the country.
Many of these events have had profound impacts on the peoples of Turkey over the past several centuries.
We describe tree-ring reconstructions of spring (May-June) precipitation and spring-summer (May-August) streamflow for north-western Turkey, both beginning in AD 1650. These are among the first such reconstructions for the region, and the streamflow reconstruction is among the first of its kind for Turkey and the entire Middle East. The reconstructions, which both emphasize high-frequency variations, account for 34 and 53% of their respective instrumental variance. Comparison to precipitation and runoff data provides some means of verification for the instrumental streamflow record, which is very short (30 years). Drought and flood events in the reconstructions are compared to historical archives and other tree-ring reconstructions for Turkey. The results reveal common climatic extremes over much of the country. Many of these events have had profound impacts on the peoples of Turkey over the past several centuries. Copyright (c) 2007 Royal Meteorological Society.