Abstract

Paleoclimate records can provide insights into natural climate variability prior to instrumental records. Here, we use speleothem records from a cave in central China to reconstruct climate changes over the last millennium. The δ^18O and δ^13C values of these speleothems were measured with high resolution, which allowed for reconstruction of past temperature and precipitation changes. Our results show that the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) was warmer than the Little Ice Age (LIA), and that temperatures have been increasing since the end of the LIA. Furthermore, our results suggest that precipitation has been decreasing since the MWP, which may have contributed to drought conditions in central China. Our study provides important insights into natural climate variability over the last millennium in central China using speleothem records. Our findings highlight how sensitive this region is to global climate change and its potential impacts on local conditions. These findings could be useful in forecasting future climatic trends and developing appropriate mitigation strategies for water resources and ecosystem services in central China.