Improvement of isotope-based climate reconstructions in Patagonia through a better understanding of climate influences on isotopic fractionation in tree rings
Primary climatic controls on specific δ13Cδ13C chronologies are related to temperature. Tree physiological responses are assessed through dual isotope analyses. iWUE variations are mainly driven by photosynthetic assimilation rate in F. cupressoides and by stomatal conductance in N. pumilio. δ13Cδ13C variations represent a useful proxy for reconstructing past changes in summer temperature.