@article{MalikBookhagenMarwanetal.2012,
  author    = {Malik, Nishant and Bookhagen, Bodo and Marwan, Norbert and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen},
  title     = {Analysis of spatial and temporal extreme monsoonal rainfall over South Asia using complex networks},
  series = {Climate dynamics : observational, theoretical and computational research on the climate system},
  volume    = {39},
  journal   = {Climate dynamics : observational, theoretical and computational research on the climate system},
  number    = {3-4},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {0930-7575},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00382-011-1156-4},
  pages     = {971 -- 987},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {We present a detailed analysis of summer monsoon rainfall over the Indian peninsular using nonlinear spatial correlations. This analysis is carried out employing the tools of complex networks and a measure of nonlinear correlation for point processes such as rainfall, called event synchronization. This study provides valuable insights into the spatial organization, scales, and structure of the 90th and 94th percentile rainfall events during the Indian summer monsoon (June-September). We furthermore analyse the influence of different critical synoptic atmospheric systems and the impact of the steep Himalayan topography on rainfall patterns. The presented method not only helps us in visualising the structure of the extreme-event rainfall fields, but also identifies the water vapor pathways and decadal-scale moisture sinks over the region. Furthermore a simple scheme based on complex networks is presented to decipher the spatial intricacies and temporal evolution of monsoonal rainfall patterns over the last 6 decades.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BoersBookhagenMarwanetal.2016,
  author    = {Boers, Niklas and Bookhagen, Bodo and Marwan, Norbert and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen},
  title     = {Spatiotemporal characteristics and synchronization of extreme rainfall in South America with focus on the Andes Mountain range},
  series = {Climate dynamics : observational, theoretical and computational research on the climate system},
  volume    = {46},
  journal   = {Climate dynamics : observational, theoretical and computational research on the climate system},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {0930-7575},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00382-015-2601-6},
  pages     = {601 -- 617},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The South American Andes are frequently exposed to intense rainfall events with varying moisture sources and precipitation-forming processes. In this study, we assess the spatiotemporal characteristics and geographical origins of rainfall over the South American continent. Using high-spatiotemporal resolution satellite data (TRMM 3B42 V7), we define four different types of rainfall events based on their (1) high magnitude, (2) long temporal extent, (3) large spatial extent, and (4) high magnitude, long temporal and large spatial extent combined. In a first step, we analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of these events over the entire South American continent and integrate their impact for the main Andean hydrologic catchments. Our results indicate that events of type 1 make the overall highest contributions to total seasonal rainfall (up to 50\%). However, each consecutive episode of the infrequent events of type 4 still accounts for up to 20\% of total seasonal rainfall in the subtropical Argentinean plains. In a second step, we employ complex network theory to unravel possibly non-linear and long-ranged climatic linkages for these four event types on the high-elevation Altiplano-Puna Plateau as well as in the main river catchments along the foothills of the Andes. Our results suggest that one to two particularly large squall lines per season, originating from northern Brazil, indirectly trigger large, long-lasting thunderstorms on the Altiplano Plateau. In general, we observe that extreme rainfall in the catchments north of approximately 20 degrees S typically originates from the Amazon Basin, while extreme rainfall at the eastern Andean foothills south of 20 degrees S and the Puna Plateau originates from southeastern South America.},
  language  = {en}
}