Recent progress in China in the study of ocean's role in climate variation

摘要

Recent (2007-2010) research results about ocean's role in climate variation and change by Chinese scientists are highlighted. This paper reviews a majority contributions by Chinese scientists to the understanding of ocean variability and change. This paper starts with the results about the important role of the tropical Indian Ocean in interannual variation of the Asia summer monsoon, the effect of sea surface temperature (SST) and freshwater flux on climate variability in the Pa- cific, and interannual variability research in other oceans. Then results about ocean dynamic and thermodynamic roles in decadal climate variation are reviewed. Finally, the results about oceanic response to global warming are discussed, again showcasing ocean's important role in climate.