Tree-ring samples from Dahurian Larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) were collected at three sites in the northern Da Hinggan Mountains. Using samples measured by X-ray densitometry, measurements of tree-ring maximum latewood density chronologies of two sites were found to be significantly correlated with summer temperature. These two sites' tree-ring series were combined to form a single standard regional chronology. This was used to reconstruct the May-August monthly mean maximum temperature for the period 1855-2008 AD, and it explained 39.5% of the total temperature variance. In the past 154 years, there were 4 cold periods (1874-1893, 1927-1948, 1951-1960 and 1992-2002) and 4 warm periods (1855-1873, 1894-1916, 1961-1991 and 2003-2008). The summer temperature rose more obviously than that of winter in this region. Having been validated by other temperature reconstructions from the surrounding area, the reconstruction could indicate the summer temperature changes of large-scale regions.
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, R2adj =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.
