Holocene vegetation history of western Chukotka (Northeastern Asia) inferred from pollen records

Abstract

Although paleoecological studies in the high Arctic has intensified in recent decades, many regions of the northeastern Siberia remain understudied. We present 5 new Holocene pollen records from northwestern Chukotka, Northeastern Asia. These findings contribute to our knowledge of landscape transformation in the Arctic since the end of Lateglacial time and are important for climate change predictions. Study sites are located in the basin of the Yurumkuveem River, the Chaun Lowland nd the lower flow of Pegtymel’ River. The results indicate, that the climatic conditions in the Early Holocene were more favorable for the local vegetation than those of today. The lower reaches of the Pegtymel’ River were occupied by southern tundra; several woody plant species grew in the river valleys of the Chaun Lowland, while larch accompanied by poplar and chosenia gallery forests reached Nyrki Lake the in northern part of the Anadyr River basin. With the onset of the Mid Holocene, trees and shrubs began to gradually disappear from the local vegetation communities indicating a climatic deterioration. Modern like vegetation was established in study region at the beginning of the Late Holocene.