Open AccessMulti‐proxy climate and environmental records from a Holocene eutrophic mire, southern taiga subzone, West Siberia
Author(s) -
Kurina Irina V.,
Veretennikova Elena E.,
Il’ina Anna A.,
Egorova Marina L.,
Salisch Lyudmila V.,
Dolgin Vladimir N.,
Udaloi Albert V.,
Golovatskaya Evgeniya A.,
Dyukarev Egor A.,
Smirnov Sergei V.
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
boreas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1502-3885
pISSN - 0300-9483
DOI - 10.1111/bor.12604
Subject(s) - mire , macrofossil , ombrotrophic , peat , holocene , geology , taiga , physical geography , testate amoebae , boreal , permafrost , water table , subfossil , bog , oceanography , groundwater , geography , paleontology , archaeology , forestry , geotechnical engineering
Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions from peat are strongly focused on ombrotrophic mires, but this study demonstrates that eutrophic mires can also be used. A multi‐proxy approach was applied to a eutrophic mire on a floodplain terrace in the southern taiga of West Siberia. The results of the reconstruction were considered in the wide geographic context of the surrounding regions, including Siberia and Central Asia. Different palaeoecological proxies (analysis of plant macrofossils, testate amoebae, oribatid mites, molluscs, peat humification, ash content and spectral characteristics of humic acids) were used in this study. The results of different proxies showed a high level of consistency among themselves, which allowed for a robust interpretation of Holocene mire development. Throughout the ~7800 years history of the mire, there was a high level of surface wetness. The presence of mineral matter in the peat between 7800 and 5100 cal. a BP indicates regular flooding caused by the intensive fluvial activity, apparently resulting from increased precipitation. This was followed by a trend towards a gradual decrease in surface wetness from conditions of high surface moisture (stagnant water) between 5100 and 3000 cal. a BP to present day conditions of moderate surface moisture with a water table slightly below the mire surface. This pattern is consistent with the well‐documented long‐term trend from palaeoecological records throughout the taiga and arctic zones in West Siberia and central arid Asia. Our data further support the idea that the westerlies were the dominant driver of climate for the southern taiga of West Siberia during the Middle to Late Holocene.