Trees to Predict Climate Change

Following a long-term research a geographer from Guangdong Province has claimed that ancient trees could provide clues to the pattern of global climate change.

Li Pingri, 75, from Guangdong Academy of Sciences has opined that rising temperatures globally is not only a result of the greenhouse effect but in fact was a part of the cyclical order of nature.

'Through the study of ancient trees, I discovered the temperature throughout history has risen and fallen in a rough but regular way, in a cycle of about 400 years,' Li said.

Li has forecasted a peak in the global temperature in 2100 following, which a decrease in temperature was predicted with minimum temperatures to be experienced in approximately 2300.

The results of his study were based upon his research of tree rings. 'Thin rings show the climate in those years was tougher, colder and drier, and thick ones mean the trees were living in more favorable natural conditions.'

Li quoted the example of the idesia polycarpa tree, which was in the province at one time, but was now common on the Korean Peninsular, as one example of climate change.

Li presented these theories at the Dongguan's Guanyin Mountain Old Tree Museum that has a collection of 47 ancient trees. The museum has also received accolades for its contribution to science popularization in the province.

'The museum has recorded the name, time of death, climate around the year of death, and other information,' Li said. 'The oldest tree stored in the museum died 4,420 years ago.' 'However, the amount of trees in the museum is far short of what we need,' Li said.

Li also mentioned that he wanted to create a database recording the trees that died in each century.