Tree-ring reconstruction of March-June precipitation from the Atlas cedar forest of Mount Takoucht, Béjaïa (northern Algeria)

Abstract

Aim of study: A March-June precipitation has been reconstructed for the period 1830-2015 using Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica Manetti) tree-ring records. Area of study: Atlas cedar forest of Mount Takoucht (Béjaïa, northern Algeria). Material and methods: Seasonal correlations were computed in order to identify the best period of the year for the climate reconstruction. The temporal stability of the tree-ring signal for precipitation was checked using the split-sample calibration-verification procedure. The reconstruction was performed using the transfer function method. Main results: The reconstructed data revealed high interannual to decadal variation in late winter to early summer precipitation. Wet conditions dominated during the 1830s and 1840s and were followed by sustained dry conditions during the mid-19th century, which registered two of the most severe droughts (1858 and 1869) over the period of reconstruction. Relatively moderate climate conditions marked the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A gradual return towards drier conditions was observed from the 1920s and reached high frequencies of drought around mid-20th century. After an exceptional prolonged wet period of 24 years (1966-1989), the reconstruction registered its highest frequency in extreme dry/wet events: the decade 1993-2002 recorded the highest drought frequency of the reconstruction, with the third most severe dry event (1999), while the last years were marked by a clear shift toward wet conditions. Research highlights: These findings provide relevant records on past climate variability in one of the rainiest areas in Algeria and constitute valuable knowledge for specific drought and wet periods monitoring in the region.