Treeline history in Northwestern Chukotka during the Last Interglacial and Holocene

Sergey Vartanyan, Gleb Danilov, Dmtiry Gromyko, Fedor Maksimov, Alexei Oskolski, Diana Solovyeva, Valeriya Tsigankova

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The fluctuations of the forest/tundra boundary are among the most significant indicators of climate change in the Arctic. The most reliable information regarding the historical position of this boundary is obtained through spatial-temporal analysis of wood remains collected from permafrost deposits. We conducted extensive research in the tundra zone of northwestern Chukotka, aiming to establish a comprehensive collection of fossil wood samples; to identify these samples to the genus/species levels; and to date samples through radiocarbon dating (over 60 dates) and uranium-thorium methods. Our findings demonstrate that trees extended into the present tundra zone in the Rauchua-Chaun Lowland at least twice during the Last Interglacial and the Holocene. During the Last Interglacial (MIS-5), larch forests (taiga) interspersed with birch were prevalent in what is now tundra. In the early Holocene (11,000–8700 cal BP), riparian forests featuring willow, сhosenia, and poplar, along with tree birch, thrived in river valleys.

Original languageEnglish
Article number109666
JournalQuaternary International
Volume718
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2025

Keywords

  • Th/U-dating
  • Holocene
  • Last interglacial
  • Northwestern chukotka
  • Radiocarbon dating
  • Wood remains

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Earth-Surface Processes

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