Статья

Ecological and societal effects of Central Asian streamflow variation over the past eight centuries

Feng ChenKey Laboratory of Alpine Ecology, CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences and Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, ChinaYujiang YuanKey Laboratory of Tree‑ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration/Xinjiang Laboratory of Tree‑ring Ecology, Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, ChinaValérie TrouetLaboratory of Tree‑Ring Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USAUlf BüntgenDepartment of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UKJan EsperDepartment of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, GermanyFahu ChenKey Laboratory of Alpine Ecology, CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences and Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, ChinaShulong YuKey Laboratory of Tree‑ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration/Xinjiang Laboratory of Tree‑ring Ecology, Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, ChinaMiaogen ShenState Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, ChinaRuibo ZhangKey Laboratory of Tree‑ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration/Xinjiang Laboratory of Tree‑ring Ecology, Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, ChinaHuaming ShangKey Laboratory of Tree‑ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration/Xinjiang Laboratory of Tree‑ring Ecology, Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, ChinaYouping ChenKey Laboratory of Tree‑ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration/Xinjiang Laboratory of Tree‑ring Ecology, Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, ChinaHeli ZhangKey Laboratory of Tree‑ring Physical and Chemical Research of China Meteorological Administration/Xinjiang Laboratory of Tree‑ring Ecology, Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, China

2022en

ABI

Аннотация

Abstract Understanding changes in water availability is critical for Central Asia; however, long streamflow reconstructions extending beyond the period of instrumental gauge measurements are largely missing. Here, we present a 785-year-long streamflow reconstruction from spruce tree rings from the Tien Shan Mountains. Although an absolute causal relationship can not be established, relatively high streamflow rates coincided roughly with the period of Mongol expansion from 1225 to 1260 CE and the rise of the Timurid Empire from 1361 to 1400 CE. Since overall wetter conditions were further found during the Zunghar Khanate period 1693–1705 CE, we argue that phases of streamflow surplus likely promoted oasis and grassland productivity, which was an important factor for the rise of inner Eurasian steppe empires. Moreover, we suggest that the streamflow variation might be critical for plague outbreaks in Central Asia, and propose several explanations for possible links with Europe’s repeated Black Death pandemics. We demonstrate that 20th-century low streamflow is unprecedented in the past eight centuries and exacerbated the Aral Sea crisis, which is one of the most staggering ecological disasters of the twentieth century.

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Идентификаторы

DOI: 10.1038/s41612-022-00239-5

Цитирования и источники

Цитирований: 2Использованных источников: 0

Показатели — AkademScholar