Doctoral Dissertation Research: Deciphering Hydroclimatic Convergence Using a Multi-Parameter Tree-Ring Approach

更好地了解过去的气候变异性以及不同气候系统对水分有效性的影响程度，对于未来的水资源规划和分配至关重要。这项博士论文研究项目将调查中亚两个主要气候系统交汇处附近湿度变异性的历史驱动因素。这位博士生将使用树木年轮数据来描述气候的时空变化，以及气候变化背后的原因，这个地区对气候没有很好的了解。她将提供有关多种气候系统如何决定向易受持续和严重干旱影响的半干旱地区输送水分的新信息。这名学生将与国际自然资源办公室密切合作，并将指导本科生，其中许多人将来自代表性不足的群体。这项研究的水文气候性质对世界各地的水资源管理者在制定未来水资源分配的区域计划时具有重要的影响。作为博士论文研究改进奖，该奖项还将提供支持，使有前途的学生能够建立强大的独立研究生涯。该项目将解决核心问题，即气候系统的变化是否导致空间水文气候变异性的变化，或者这种汇聚是否是对与人类有关的变暖的反应。将使用一种新的具有精细时间分辨率(每年)的多参数树轮方法来了解过去气候变化的驱动因素。年轮参数，包括年轮宽度、晚材密度、碳和氧同位素，将使用标准的树轮年代学程序进行分析。这些分析将提供对驱动大规模干旱动态的因素的定量评估。在世界干旱地区进行的这项研究将更好地了解世界各地(包括美国的一些地区)的水资源利用和分配用于农业、环境和人类用途的情况。

A better understanding of past climatic variability and the extent to which different climate systems influence moisture availability is essential for future water resources planning and allocation. This doctoral dissertation research project will investigate historical drivers of moisture variability near the intersection of two dominant climate systems in Central Asia. The doctoral student will use tree-ring data to characterize spatial and temporal climatic changes and the reasons behind these changes across a region that is not well understood climatically. She will provide new information regarding how multiple climate systems dictate the amount of moisture delivered to semi-arid regions that are susceptible to persistent and severe droughts. The student will work closely with natural resource offices internationally and will mentor undergraduate students, many of whom will be from underrepresented groups. The hydroclimatic nature of this study has important implications for water resource managers around the world as they develop regional plans for future water allocations. As a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement award, this award also will provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career.This project will address the core question of whether shifting climate systems are responsible for changes in spatial hydroclimatic variability or whether such convergences are a response to human-related warming. A new multi-parametric tree-ring approach at a fine temporal resolution (annual) will be used to understand the drivers of past climate variability. Tree-ring parameters including ring width, latewood density, carbon and oxygen isotopes will be analyzed using standard dendrochronological procedures. The analyses will provide a quantitative assessment of the factors driving large-scale drought dynamics. The research in an arid region of the world will provide a better understanding of water resources use and allocation for agricultural, environmental, and human use in a broad range of locales around the world, including some in the U.S.