Late Holocene vegetation history and monsoonal climate change from the Core Monsoon Zone of India

To understand the vegetation response to climate change and the Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall (ISMR) variability during the Late Holocene (approx. 2.5 ka), pollen analysis was conducted on a 1.2-m-long lacustrine sediment profile from the Korba District of Chhattisgarh, central India, within the core monsoon zone (CMZ). The pollen evidence suggest that between approx. 2500 and 1950 cal yr BP, open tropical deciduous forest vegetation occupied the landscape under a warm and relatively less humid climate, coupled with decreased ISMR. Between approx. 1950 and 1035 cal yr BP, a warm and relatively more humid climate prevailed, along with moderate ISMR, leading to the transition of the existing vegetation to an open mixed tropical deciduous forest. Between approx.1035 and 220 cal yr BP (CE 915-1730), the mixed tropical deciduous forest became established under a warm and humid climate with increased ISMR, coinciding globally with the Medieval Climatic Anomaly (MCA). Mixed tropical deciduous forest expanded and transformed into a dense mixed tropical deciduous forest between approx. 220 cal yr BP to the present (CE 1730 onwards). This transformation occurred under a warm and relatively more humid climate, accompanied by intensified ISMR, aligning with the Current Warm Period (CWP). Gradual forest transformation from open vegetation to dense mixed tropical deciduous forests, as well as in the ISMR has been observed since the last approx. 2.5 ka in central India. Cereal-based agricultural practices and other anthropogenic activities have been documented in the study area since approx. 2.5 ka, with an accelerated pace observed from 1035 cal yr BP to the present.