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Holocene environmental changes in the Ugii Nuur basin, Mongolia
Journal
Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology
Volume
279
Number
3-4
Pages / Article-Number
160-171
Keywords
Central Asia, Loess, Lake sediments, Geoarchaeology, Principal component analysis
Abstract
In this study we investigate the Holocene environmental evolution of
the Ugii Nuur basin in the Orkhon Valley, central Mongolia, in order to
gain a better understanding of the climate and landscape dynamics of
the steppe region in Central Asia. We assess terrestrial and lake
sediments using mineralogical, geochemical and statistical techniques
and provide absolute chronologies by radiocarbon datings and infra-red
stimulated luminescence datings including fading correction. Our
findings and their discussion in a broader regional context show that
there is a Mid Holocene climate optimum. The shift towards warmer and
wetter conditions involved changes from Aeolian dynamics of sand
mobilization to loess-like sediment accumulation owing to the
establishment of dust-trapping vegetation. Between 4 and 2.8 ka BP we
track a decline in moisture supply which is then followed by relatively
humid conditions until today. We infer that the region is sensitive to
changes of the westerlies dynamics. In addition, we conclude that the
Late Holocene was characterized by favorable climatic conditions that
probably were an important prerequisite for the repetitive colonization
of the Orkhon Valley throughout the last 3000 years.
