scholarly journals Neogene precipitation, vegetation, and elevation history of the Central Andean Plateau

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (35) ◽  
pp. eaaz4724 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Martínez ◽  
C. Jaramillo ◽  
A. Correa-Metrío ◽  
W. Crepet ◽  
J. E. Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Plant Fossil ◽  
History Of ◽  
Andean Uplift ◽  
Climate Model Simulations ◽  
Fossil Data

Andean uplift played a fundamental role in shaping South American climate and species distribution, but the relationship between the rise of the Andes, plant composition, and local climatic evolution is poorly known. We investigated the fossil record (pollen, leaves, and wood) from the Neogene of the Central Andean Plateau and documented the earliest evidence of a puna-like ecosystem in the Pliocene and a montane ecosystem without modern analogs in the Miocene. In contrast to regional climate model simulations, our climate inferences based on fossil data suggest wetter than modern precipitation conditions during the Pliocene, when the area was near modern elevations, and even wetter conditions during the Miocene, when the cordillera was around ~1700 meters above sea level. Our empirical data highlight the importance of the plant fossil record in studying past, present, and future climates and underscore the dynamic nature of high elevation ecosystems.

scholarly journals The biomass burning aerosol influence on precipitation over the Central Amazon: an observational study

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 18879-18904 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Gonçalves ◽  
L. A. T. Machado ◽  
P.-E. Kirstetter
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Droplet Size Distribution ◽  
Particulate Material ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Aggregate Information ◽  
Wet Scavenging ◽  
Biomass Burning Aerosol ◽  
Climate Model Simulations

Abstract. Understanding the aerosol influence on clouds and precipitation is an important key to reduce uncertainties in simulations of climate change scenarios with regards to deforestation fires. Here, we associate rainfall characteristics obtained by an S-Band radar in the Amazon with in situ measurements of biomass burning aerosols for the entire year of 2009. The most important results were obtained during the dry semester (July–December). The results indicate that the aerosol influence on precipitating systems is modulated by the atmospheric instability degree. For stable atmospheres, the higher the aerosol concentration, the lower the precipitation over the region. On the other hand, for unstable cases, higher concentrations of particulate material are associated with more precipitation, elevated presence of ice and larger rain cells, which suggests an association with long lived systems. The results presented were statistically significant. However, due to the limitation imposed by the dataset used, some important features such as wet scavenging and droplet size distribution need further clarification. Regional climate model simulations in addition with new field campaigns could aggregate information to the aerosol/precipitation relationship.

scholarly journals Regional climate model simulations of North Atlantic cyclones: frequency and intensity changes

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Semmler ◽  
S Varghese ◽  
R McGrath ◽  
P Nolan ◽  
S Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Climate Model ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Intensity Changes ◽  
Climate Model Simulations
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document