CLIMATIC TEMPERATURE RECORDS IN DELTA-D DATA FROM TREE-RINGS

The delta D time series for seven trees from six locations in North America were analyzed and compared with the regional temperature and precipitation records. Correlations between the delta D and temperature are found to be particularly good for low-frequency variations or long-term trends. Trees from locations with simple climate regimes and Aat topography are potentially good temperature recorders. The moisture-dependent effect on the delta D values of tree cellulose is only evident for the delta D record of a valley oak collected from an arid valley near Los Angeles, California, USA. In such an arid environment, the correlation between delta D and temperature may be poor due to limited number of rainy days during a year and the strong effect of the amount of precipitation on the delta D values of trees.