Holocene environmental changes in Mongolia: A review

Holocene environmental change in Mongolia is reconstructed on the basis of recently published paleoclimate records, including lake levels, pollen assemblages, and eolian sediment records. These data indicate that the early Holocene of Mongolia is characterized by increasing temperature and humidity. Paleosol development, high lake-stands, and a more southward distribution of forest-steppe environments suggest the early-mid Holocene was humid. The mid-Holocene however is characterized by enhanced aridity, even though the onset and termination of the dry interval differs from place to place. Finally, humidity increased again during the late Holocene, as evaporation decreased in concert with dropping temperatures in Mongolia. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.