Spatially differentiated changes in regional climate and underlying drivers in southwestern China

Abstract The climate in Southwest China are predominantly under the influences of three contrasting systems, namely East Asian monsoon, South and westerlies. However, it is unclear if diversified combination with complex terrain varying vegetation types, would result patterns changes across region. Based on CRU TS data for period 1901−2017, we examined spatiotemporal characteristics regional climate, identified types change drivers. Overall, region experienced significant increases annual mean temperature during occurrence a turning point 1954 more pronounced warming (0.16 °C/10 a). precipitation fluctuated greatly over study without apparent trend, albeit 1928 slight increase later (1.19 mm/10 Spatially multi-year averages selective variables 1901–2017 displayed trend decreases from southeast to northwest, but increasing variability. We five major region, including warmer (T + ), drier (P − warmer-drier P warmer-wetter no (NSC). type T mainly occurred western parts plateau sub-frigid semiarid ecozone (77.0%) semihumid (19.9%). central characterized by , corresponding six ecozones, mid-subtropical humid (33.1%), temperate humid-semihumid (28.8%), sub-rigid (9.5%), southern subtropical (8.1%), arid (7.3%), (6.6%). No was detected eastern (67.3%), (19.5%) (8.8%). together accounted less than 5% entire which Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau south southeastern Xizang, ecozone. Across within zonal topography both played role determining variability magnitude changes. Our results suggest that southwestern intensified southeasterly monsoon southerly while westerly alpine subsided; affected magnitudes directional at local scale.