Environmental changes on the northern Taymyr Peninsula (Russian Arctic) during the last 62 ka inferred from the lacustrine pollen record

Abstract

Environmental changes on the northern Taymyr Peninsula were reconstructed based on a new pollen record from a 46‐m‐long sediment core recovered from Lake Levinson‐Lessing (latitude 74°27′54″N, longitude 98°39′58″E). The record is continuous and has a relatively good age control and high temporal resolution. Reaching a basal age of 62 cal. ka BP, it provides a unique environmental archive for the central Russian Arctic. The results reveal that open landscapes dominated 62.0–50.8 cal. ka BP, but presence of shrubs reflects a relatively warm summer climate. Numerous Pediastrum colonies in the sediments point to a rather low lake stand. A decrease in algae remains in the pollen spectra reflects a higher lake level after c. 50.8 cal. ka BP. From c. 47.8 to 25.5 cal. ka BP, lower contents of Betula and higher percentages of herb pollen point to colder and drier conditions. Besides, larger amounts of Pre‐Quaternary palynomorphs and Pediastrum colonies point to increased erosion processes and a lower lake stand. After c. 25.5 cal. ka BP, herb communities further increased. Poaceae and Artemisia show the highest contents between c. 20.3 and 19.2 cal. ka BP, suggesting the coldest and driest climatic conditions during the studied time interval coincident with the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Pollen spectra dated c. 19.20–16.05 cal. ka BP reflect a slightly warmer and wetter climate in comparison to the LGM. Increased amounts of coprophilous fungi spores indirectly indicate that grazing animals were abundant around the lake. After с. 16.05 cal. ka BP, increases in shrubs and sedges reflect somewhat warmer and/or wetter conditions. The pollen data also well document the Allerød warming and Younger Dryas cooling events, reflecting an Atlantic influence on the regional climate development during these times. The transition from the Lateglacial to the Holocene at c. 11.63 cal. ka BP is characterized by drastic increases in pollen of shrubs, which document a significant warming. The Early Holocene (c. 11.63–8.30 cal. ka BP) pollen spectra reflect the Holocene Thermal Maximum in the study region. After c. 8.3 cal. ka BP, gradual cooling prevailed and led to climate conditions similar to modern ones at c. 2 cal. ka BP.