Asian Climate Research Articles

Resilient cooling pathway for extremely hot climates in southern Asia

Global warming is increasing extreme heat conditions, with existing energy efficiency policies showing trade-offs between mitigation objectives and adaptation to climate change. This research aims to identify the best resilient cooling solutions that should be promoted in the built environment of extremely hot countries to increase their heat resilience capacity. The impact of climate change on climate zones, cooling thermal demand (kWh/m2), and indoor heat discomfort hours (DHh, hours) in buildings is evaluated in different extremely hot dry climates of southern Asia through a parametric analysis for 2020, 2050 and 2080 under the A2 (medium–high) emission scenario. Then, cooling alternatives with higher synergies and trade-offs between energy efficiency (energy consumption) and resiliency to extreme heat (passive survivability) are highlighted. TRNSYS simulation software and ASHRAE criteria were used to characterise climate zones and calculate buildings' cooling needs and discomfort hours. Pakistan, in southern Asia, was selected as a hot reference region characterised by various climatic regions. The simulated scenario shows how Pakistan's extremely hot dry climate surface may increase from 36.9 % to 78.1 % by 2080, increasing annual cooling needs ranging from 20.56 to 66.96 kWh/m2 and indoor discomfort hours ranging from 423 to 1267 h. The results demonstrate how the passive solutions with higher synergies between energy savings and indoor comfort hours are, in decreasing order, ventilative cooling, reflective and ventilated roofs, shading in windows, and roof insulation. They can provide energy savings ranging from 13.1 to 7.1 kWh/m2 while reducing indoor discomfort by 320 to 131 h for extremely hot climates. Moreover, the sufficiency action related to higher thermostat settings, from 24 to 25 °C to 25–26.5 °C, was the most effective strategy to decrease energy demand. Additionally, there are trade-offs between energy-saving and heat resilience with highly insulated alternatives when ventilation is not adequately addressed. Despite increasing energy savings by 14.4 kWh/m2, discomfort hours are increased by 256 hours when air conditioning is unavailable, increasing building overheating by 5.1 %.

A high spatiotemporal resolution land surface temperature research over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for 2000–2020

As ‘the third pole of the world’, the land surface temperature (LST) of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has a profound impact on the climate of central Asia and even the whole earth. Studying the impact of the LST over QTP depends on long time and high spatiotemporal resolution LST dataset. However, the unavailability of such dataset has hindered LST-related researches: one of the most important reasons is that traditional spatiotemporal fusion methods such as Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (STARFM) have heavy computation demands to process big data. To fill this gap, this paper outlines one new cloud spatiotemporal fusion method by combining Google Earth Engine and STARFM to develop for the first time a 3-hourly 30 m LST dataset over the QTP from 2000 to 2020 through fusing Landsat and GLDAS-2.1 derived LST data. The outlined method first fuses the LSTs obtained from Landsat and GLDAS-2.1 data within one year to synthesize the LST of the entire QTP on one base time, and then the base time LST is spatiotemporally fused with GLDAS-2.1 LSTs on the base and prediction times to derive the 3-hourly 30 m QTP's LSTs on prediction times. The outlined method provides a promising technical scheme for batch processing big data in combining traditional spatiotemporal fusion methods with cloud computing platforms. Derived LST dataset is validated by station observations at multiple time and spatial scales to have high accuracy, which provides a guarantee for analyzing water and heat exchange and climate change over the QTP.

SSP 시나리오 기반 CORDEX-동아시아 2단계 다중 기후모델의 동아시아 지역 모의 성능평가 및 미래 전망 분석

Recently, the CORDEX-East Asia team completed climate change simulations based on five regional climate models (RCM) under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios. In this study, the performance of five RCMs and their ensemble averages for present-day climate simulations are evaluated. All RCMs have relatively high performance for climatology patterns for Korea, East China and Japan, while relatively low performance is observed for the Tibetan plateau. Many RCMs share cold and wet biases. Future climate changes under four SSP scenarios are analyzed for the end of 21st century (2081 ~ 2100) compared to present day (1995 ~ 2014). East Asia is expected to experience temperature increases of 2.4℃ to 6.2℃ and precipitation increases of 6.7% to 12.6%, with stronger changes in higher-emission scenarios. Among the five RCMs, HadGEM3-RA projects the largest increase in temperature while GRIMs is characterized by the strongest increase in precipitation. In line with mean warming rates, warm extreme days (TX90p) are projected to increase by 35.7 ~ 93.3 days and cold extreme days (TN10p) are projected to decrease by 23.4 ~ 35.2 days. The results of this study can be used as a reference for future detailed analyses of East Asian climate change and its impacts as well as for emphasizing the importance of carbon neutrality.

Provenance Discrimination of Siliciclastic Sediments in the Western Sea of Japan over the Past 30 kyr: Evidence from Major, Trace Elements, and Pb Isotopes

Abstract The Sea of Japan (JS), a unique marginal sea without any large river influxes in the western Pacific, provides ample information about the evolution of sea level, East Asian monsoons (EAM), sea ice activity, and ocean currents in geological time. However, insufficient investigation in the western JS limits our knowledge of East Asian climate change. This study utilizes major and trace elements and Pb isotopes of fine siliciclastic components (<63 μm) of core LV53-18-2 and determines the provenances using statistical methods and discrimination diagrams. The results show that the terrigenous debris of LV53-18-2 was mainly composed of aeolian dust from northeast China, ice-rafted debris (IRD), and volcanic materials from the Far East coast over the last 30 kyr. During the late last glacial period, sea ice activity carried weakly weathered IRD to the study area. Meanwhile, the strengthened East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) brought dust from northeast China to the study site owing to the cold climate and enlarged sandy land. During the late last deglacial period to early Holocene (15-8 kyr), ascending boreal summer insolation drove the intense melting of sea ice. This led to the deposition of large amounts of weakly weathered IRD and remarkably influenced the chemical composition of the core. After 8 kyr, the global sea level rose to -15 m below the modern sea level and opened the Tatar Strait. Consequently, freshwater supplied by the Amur River entered the JS and gave birth to the Liman Cold Current (LCC), which transported more mafic materials from the Kema terrane upstream.

Northward migration of the East Asian summer monsoon northern boundary during the twenty-first century

The northern fringe area of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) between arid and semiarid regions is a fragile eco-environment zone and ecological transition zone, and it is highly sensitive to climate change. Predicting the future migration of the northern boundary of the EASM is important for understanding future East Asian climate change and formulating of decisions on ecological protection and economic development in arid and semiarid regions. The reanalysis dataset and simulations of 23 models from the Coupled Models Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) were used to investigate the response of the boundary of the ESAM to the global warming. The multi-model ensemble showed a northwestward migration of the EASM northern boundary during the near-term (2020–2060) and late-term (2061–2099) of the twenty-first century under various Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The northern boundary migrated northwestward by 23–28 and 74–76 km in the near-term and late-term respectively, under SSP1-2.6, 2-4.5 and 3-7.0 and by ~ 44 km and ~ 107 km respectively during the near-term and late-term under SSP5-8.5. During the twenty-first century, under various SSPs, the surface of the East Asian subcontinent warmed more than the ocean, thereby increasing the contrast of near-surface temperature and sea level pressure in summer between the East Asian subcontinent and the surrounding oceans. In turn, the intensified land–sea thermal contrast reinforced the EASM meridional circulation and thus transported more moisture from the Indian Ocean into northern China. Additionally, a poleward migration and weakening of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet would also favor an increase in precipitation, eventually caused a northwestward migration of the EASM northern boundary. The results suggest that the arid and semiarid ecotone will become wetter, which could dramatically improve the eco-environment in the future.

Recent interdecadal changes in the Tropospheric Biennial Oscillation of the East Asian summer monsoon

This paper focuses on the interdecadal changes in the biennial East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) transition related to the Tropospheric Biennial Oscillation (TBO), which has major impacts on East Asian climate. During 1958–2020, the TBO signal in the EASM exhibits noticeable interdecadal changes around the late 1970s and late 1990s. Among the three periods [1958–1979 (P1), 1980–2000 (P2), 2001–2020 (P3)], the TBO signal is the strongest in P2 and the weakest in P1. Such changes are closely associated with changes in the amplitude and position of wind anomalies over the western North Pacific (WNP). Further analysis indicates that the regime shifts in ENSO properties, including intensity, period, and location of ENSO-related sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, play a crucial role. Compared with P1, the warm SST anomalies in the central Pacific and North Indian Ocean SST associated with the slowly decaying ENSO together induce the stronger WNP wind anomalies in both P2 and P3. However, such SST warming is relatively weaker in P3 compared with those in P2, which is consistent with the weak intensity and short period of ENSO in P3. In comparison, the anomalous circulation over the WNP is thus relatively weaker in P3 than in P2. Therefore, these anomalous SSTs associated with the shift in the ENSO regime are suggested to induce circulation anomalies over the WNP that subsequently contributed to the changes in the EASM TBO around the late 1970s and late 1990s.

Northward Expansion of Desert Climate in Central Asia in Recent Decades

AbstractClimate variation in Central Asia is examined using changes of climate classification to obtain geographically specific information of the variation across the region. Major results show the northward expansion of desert climate by over 100 km in mid‐latitudes of the region since the 1980s. In the meantime, all types of climates in the region have increased temperatures. In mountainous areas, previous cold climate is replaced by warmer and also wetter climate. These changes could have largely resulted in the fast retreat of glaciers and the temporary rise of groundwater and the water levels of lakes in the drainage areas in recent decades. Because different climate types are associated with specific flora and fauna, the shifts of the climate types in locations have elevated the potential to initiate new feedbacks of the ecological systems to the climate and complicate its variation.

Influence of Dust Aerosols on Snow Cover Over the Tibetan Plateau

Dust in the atmosphere and snow on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) remarkably influence the Asian climate, which can influence snow cover by changing radiative forcing. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal distributions of dust and snow cover over the TP from 2009 to 2018 and estimated the relative contributions of atmospheric dust and dust-on-snow to the change in snow cover over the northern TP through the use of reanalysis datasets and satellite retrievals. The results show that the high and low centers of aerosol and dust aerosol optical depth (AOD) are roughly similar. Dust concentrations over the TP generally decrease from north to south and from west to east, showing decreasing trends in the winter half-year (December to May). The correlation coefficients between the dust concentration and snow cover over the northern TP are −0.6 in spring. Dust in the atmosphere and on snow over the TP could significantly influence snow cover by changing the radiative forcing, and the influence of dust deposited on snow is greater than that in the atmosphere. Atmospheric dust reduces the surface net solar radiation by −3.84 W m−2 by absorbing shortwave radiation, decreasing the surface temperature by −2.27°C, and finally increasing the snow cover by 1.04%. However, dust deposited on snow can decrease the surface albedo by −0.004 by reducing the surface optical properties, induce surface warming at 0.42°C, and reduce snow cover by −2.00% by rapid snowmelt in the northern TP.

Depositional Environment Changes during the Cenozoic in the Northeastern Margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) during the late Cenozoic is thought to be one of the crucial factors controlling the Asian climate. However, the complex interaction between tectonics and climate change remains unclear. The carbon and oxygen isotopes and elementary geochemistry of rocks from the early Eocene Lulehe Formation to the Miocene Youshashan Formation in the northern margin of Qaidam Basin, shows important variations in the Rb/Sr, MgO/CaO, Sr/Cu, and V/Cr ratios, together with CMI and CIA, which are interpreted as reflecting relevant regional climate and environmental changes. Combining the above mentioned parameters, we reconstructed the evolution of the sedimentary environment in the Qaidam Basin. The climate is roughly divided into four stages: (1) warm and humid; (2) cold and dry; (3) alternations of cold and dry with warm and humid; and (4) cold and arid. At the same time, there are also minor short-term changes of dry, wet, cold, and warm in each stage. The early Eocene to Miocene climate changes in the Qaidam Basin were mainly affected by global climate changes, the uplift of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, and the long-lasting plate collision, but there was no continuous drought due to the uplift of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. From the early Eocene to the late Miocene, the climate of the Qaidam Basin became warm and humid.

Cenozoic mountain building in eastern China and its correlation with reorganization of the Asian climate regime

Abstract The Cenozoic Asian climate system experienced a transformation from a zonal pattern to a monsoon-dominant pattern around the Paleogene-Neogene boundary. A series of dynamic mechanisms, such as uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, retreat of the Paratethys Sea, expansion of the South China Sea, and decreasing atmospheric CO2 content, has been suggested to be responsible for the transformation of the Asian climate pattern. However, the role of topographic growth in eastern China has been rarely considered. As the natural divides of geography, climate, and biology, the two most distinct sets of topographic relief in eastern China, the Qinling and Taihang Mountains, play an important role in shaping the Asian climate pattern. We report low-temperature thermochronology data from the Qinling and Taihang Mountains and use age-elevation relationships and thermal history modeling to show that both mountain ranges experienced a phase of rapid exhumation during the late Oligocene and early Miocene. The building of the Qinling and Taihang Mountains around the Oligocene-Miocene boundary temporally and spatially coincided with the reorganization of the Cenozoic Asian climate regime, suggesting that the mountain building in eastern China acted as a possible driving mechanism for the alleged reorganization of the Cenozoic Asian climate regime.

Fingerprints of climatic changes through the late Cenozoic in southern Asian flora: Magnolia section Michelia (Magnoliaceae).

Ongoing global warming is a challenge for humankind. A series of drastic climatic changes have been proven to have occurred throughout the Cenozoic based on a variety of geological evidence, which helps to better understand our planet's future climate. Notably, extant biomes have recorded drastic environmental shifts. The climate in southern Asia, which hosts high biodiversity, is deeply impacted by the Asian monsoon. The origins and evolutionary dynamics of biomes occurring between the tropics and sub-tropics in southern Asia have probably been deeply impacted by climatic changes; however, these aspects remain poorly studied. We tested whether the evolutionary dynamics of the above biomes have recorded the drastic, late Cenozoic environmental shifts, by focusing on Magnolia section Michelia of the family Magnoliaceae. We established a fine time-calibrated phylogeny of M. section Michelia based on complete plastid genomes and inferred its ancestral ranges. Finally, we estimated the evolutionary dynamics of this section through time, determining its diversification rate and the dispersal events that occurred between tropical and sub-tropical areas. The tropical origin of M. section Michelia was dated to the late Oligocene; however, the diversification of its core group (i.e. M. section Michelia subsection Michelia) has occurred mainly from the late Miocene onward. Two key evolutionary shifts (dated approx. 8 and approx. 3 million years ago, respectively) were identified, each of them probably in response to drastic climatic changes. Here, we inferred the underlying evolutionary dynamics of biomes in southern Asia, which probably reflect late Cenozoic climatic changes. The occurrence of modern Asian monsoons was probably fundamental for the origin of M. section Michelia; moreover, the occurrence of asymmetric dispersal events between the tropics and sub-tropics hint at an adaptation strategy of M. section Michelia to global cooling, in agreement with the tropical conservatism hypothesis.

Key regions where land surface processes shape the East Asian climate

Land–atmosphere interaction, as one of the key processes affecting the atmosphere and climate over East Asia, has drawn increasing attention during the past few decades. However, the current level of understanding regarding the mechanisms through which land surface processes impact the East Asian climate needs to be improved. Based on existing studies, six key regions where land surface processes affect the East Asian climate are proposed in this study, which can provide a valuable reference for future research into land–atmosphere interaction in East Asia.摘要陆气相互作用是影响东亚大气环流和气候的一个关键过程, 受到了越来越多的关注. 然而, 关于陆面过程影响东亚气候的相关机理的理解还有待提升. 在已有研究基础上, 提出了陆面过程影响东亚气候研究值得关注的青藏高原, 欧亚中高纬地区, 中国东部季风区, 中南半岛, 中亚中纬度区域, 西亚等6个关键区, 期待为加强陆面过程与东亚气候研究提供一定参考.

Distribution and carbon isotopic composition of long-chain leaf wax n-alkanes from Holocene lake sediments in the Altai Mountains

The Altai Mountains are located at the junction of Asia and Europe and pathways linking East Asian climate with the Arctic and North Atlantic. Here, we report a record of n-alkanes from the sediments of Shuanghu Lake in the Altai Mountains. In this forested region, the vegetation is dominated by C3 plants and the long-chain n-alkanes (C29–C31) in the lake sediments are predominantly derived from leaf wax lipids. The compound-specific carbon isotopic values of the long-chain n-alkanes are sensitive to regional moisture. Both the δ13C29–31 value and the Paq index show a decreasing trend since ∼9.0 kyr BP, implying an increase in moisture. This trend is punctuated by abrupt decreases in isotopic values centered at 8.2, 7.4, 5.6, 3.0, 2.0 and 0.2 kyr BP, which may indicate cold and wet events on decadal–centennial timescales. The Holocene hydrological patterns recorded at Shuanghu Lake are different from those from monsoonal Asia and they may reflect a response to decreasing Arctic sea ice cover that provided an enhanced moisture source and promoted increased heavy snowfall in the study region, or an increase in the temperature gradient and strength of the jet stream and extratropical cyclones at mid-latitudes, as proposed previously.

Indian Ocean marine biogeochemical variability and its feedback on simulated South Asia climate

Abstract. We investigate the effect of variable marine biogeochemical light absorption on Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) and how this affects the South Asian climate. In twin experiments with a regional Earth system model, we found that the average SST is lower over most of the domain when variable marine biogeochemical light absorption is taken into account, compared to the reference experiment with a constant light attenuation coefficient equal to 0.06 m−1. The most significant deviations (more than 1 ∘C) in SST are observed in the monsoon season. A considerable cooling of subsurface layers occurs, and the thermocline shifts upward in the experiment with the activated biogeochemical impact. Also, the phytoplankton primary production becomes higher, especially during periods of winter and summer phytoplankton blooms. The effect of altered SST variability on climate was investigated by coupling the ocean models to a regional atmosphere model. We find the largest effects on the amount of precipitation, particularly during the monsoon season. In the Arabian Sea, the reduction of the transport of humidity across the Equator leads to a reduction of the large-scale precipitation in the eastern part of the basin, reinforcing the reduction of the convective precipitation. In the Bay of Bengal, it increases the large-scale precipitation, countering convective precipitation decline. Thus, the key impacts of including the full biogeochemical coupling with corresponding light attenuation, which in turn depends on variable chlorophyll a concentration, include the enhanced phytoplankton primary production, a shallower thermocline, and decreased SST and water temperature in subsurface layers, with cascading effects upon the model ocean physics which further translates into altered atmosphere dynamics.

EFFECTS OF SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW ON THE SURFACES OF PIGEON TOWERS IN CENTRAL ASIA: CASE STUDIES IN IRAN, QATAR, EGYPT AND SAUDI ARABIA

In many parts of the world, especially Central Asia, pigeon towers have been constructed as traditional buildings with different forms and types to keep pigeons. These buildings are cylindrical, cubic, dome-like and multi-cylinder in shape. This study was conducted to identify the effects of sunlight and shadow on the surfaces of pigeon towers in Iran, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia with hot and dry or humid climates. Several pigeon towers with different types and structures in these countries were selected and modeled in detail in Rhino 5. Radiance and Ecotect were then employed to measure solar radiation and shadow on the surfaces of the pigeon towers on the hottest day of the year. According to the graphical and numerical results obtained, sunlight and shadow differently affected the surfaces of the different pigeon towers. The effect level of sunlight and shadow on the single-form pigeon towers was higher than on the vaults. In fact, solar radiation was lower and shadow was higher per square meter of the surfaces of the vaults constructed as pigeon towers in close proximity. These houses were therefore found to be the optimal type for the hot and dry or humid climate in Central Asia.

Study on Sedimentary Environment Elements and Sedimentary Model of Lacustrine Shale in E1f2 Member, Gaoyou Depression, Subei Basin

Although the potential of lake facies shale oil and gas resources is enormous, the lithology is complex, heterogeneous, and obviously controlled by a sedimentary environment. By integrating cores, thin sections, X-ray diffraction analysis, trace elements, organic geochemical indexes, and paleontological data, this work studies sedimentary environment elements and sedimentary model of shale in the E1f2 member, Gaoyou Depression, Subei Basin. The shale in the E1f2 member is completely shore lacustrine deposits forming into the hot dry climate of tropical central and south Asia. The lake basin extended continuously, with brackish water, strong reduction, and medium water stratification. The transgression resulted in the rapid rise of water, salinity, reducibility, and water stratification. As the climate becomes wetter, the E1f2 water level, salinity, reduction, and stratification decrease. The shale in E1f2 members is characterized by sedimentary zones, which are divided into muddy water desalination deposit in the flooded zone, clear water salinization deposit in the transition zone, and still water salinization deposited in the clear water zone. Under palaeotopography settings of E1f2 members, combining characteristics of vertical stratification and the plane zone of the lake, an integrated sedimentary model of lacustrine shale in a flat platform has been established under climate and transgression control. The plane area of the lake could be divided into the slow slope zone, sub-depression zone, processes zone, deep slope zone, and deep depression zone, corresponding roughly to the sedimentary zones of the flooded zone, transition zone, and clear water zone. Moreover, the oil shale enriched in low-lying parts of the paleotopography is mainly deposited at the end of muddy water areas and clear water areas.

Importance of integration of subseasonal predictions to improve climate services in Sri Lanka case study: Southwest monsoon 2019

The climate outlook for the 2019 southwest monsoon (SWM) season was prepared through an expert assessment of the prevailing global climate conditions and forecasts from different climate models from around the world during the fourteenth session of the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF14). Above-normal rainfall was predicted over Sri Lanka for SWM 2019, and information was shared at the monsoon forum. Even though SWM 2019 seasonal rainfall wasslightly above average, highly uneven rainfall distribution with a deficit of rainfall at the beginning and a surplus of rainfall during the latter part of the season was observed. Unusual dry conditioned prevailed during the month of May 2019, which led to delay the onset of SWM by 2 weeks. Due to the delay of onset and rainfall deficit during the early part of2019 SWM, late cultivation of paddy was observed.Hydro-catchment areas recorded large shortfalls in early part Southwest Monsoon rainfall reducing hydropower generation to 15–18%, from May to July.The suppressed phase of Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) (phase 6 to 8) with anomalous easterly winds over Sri Lanka was evident from 04th May to 25th May. As MJO being a major predictive source in subseasonal timescale and Sri Lanka being a country located in the heart of the MJO envelope, integration of subseasonal information into seasonal outlook provide much greater value to decision-makers in Agriculture and Energy sector.

A Long‐Lasting Precipitation Deficit in South China During Autumn‐Winter 2020/2021: Combined Effect of ENSO and Arctic Sea Ice

AbstractA severe persistent drought occurred in South China during autumn–winter 2020/2021, causing enormous economic losses and severe water shortage in South China. Focusing on this event, this study analyzed the climate anomalies associated with this event, and investigated the underlying mechanisms as well as their relationship with the leading modes of the autumn and winter precipitation in eastern China. The results suggest that the drought in South China during autumn 2020 is mainly attributed to the water vapor divergence anomalies induced by an anomalous anticyclone over eastern China and an anomalous cyclone over the South China Sea, which are caused by an anomalous Eurasian atmospheric wave‐train triggered by the negative sea ice anomalies in the Barents Sea‐Kara Sea region and a La Niña‐like condition in the tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures, respectively. The continued drought in South China during winter 2020/2021 is mainly attributed to the water vapor divergence anomalies induced by an anomalous cyclone over the western North Pacific, which is caused by the continued La Niña‐like condition. The mechanisms of the first two leading modes of autumn precipitation in eastern China both contributed to the drought in South China during autumn 2020, whereas the mechanisms of the first leading mode of winter precipitation in eastern China played an important role in causing the drought in South China during winter 2020/2021. Numerical experiments demonstrate important impact of the ENSO and Arctic sea ice anomalies on the East Asian climate anomalies during autumn–winter 2020/2021.

Southern China Winter Rainfall Modulated by South China Sea Warming

AbstractNew insight into the contribution of anomalous South China Sea (SCS) warming is proposed to understand strong southern China (SC) winter rainfall. El Niño events, which weaken the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM), favor SC winter rainfall. However, the changes in SC winter rainfall are not always in phase with the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, making the prediction of East Asian climate challenging. Here, we show that the increased moisture associated with the warming SCS induced by the weakening western boundary current leads to increased meridional moisture transport to SC. Particularly, during the El Niño mature winter phase, this effect works jointly with a weakened EAWM to determine an increased rainfall over SC. Therefore, we suggest that the thermal state of the SCS should be considered when large‐scale tropical ocean‐atmosphere variability is utilized to predict SC winter rainfall.

Introduction to the special issue “Tibetan tectonics and its effect on the long‐term evolution of climate, vegetation and environment”

AbstractThe long‐term evolution of the Tibetan Plateau significantly influenced Asian climate, nearby ocean physics and chemistry, and terrestrial biodiversity. This range of impacts has attracted research attention from a correspondingly broad range of disciplines, providing important new insights into prolonged and emerging debates concerning the Himalayan–Tibetan morphotectonic evolution and its impacts on the long‐term evolution of climate, biodiversity, and the environment on regional to global scales. To communicate the latest advances on this coupled tectonic, climatic and biological system, we have launched a special virtual issue in Terra Nova and solicited submissions of 20 papers in total. The papers cover a wide range of topics that fall in the following, partially overlapping, categories: pre‐India–Asia collision tectonic configuration; post‐collision deformation; sedimentary system: source to sink studies, climatic forcing, and river incision; and climatic and biospheric influence of the Tibetan Plateau.