A new sediment study at Lake Khuko in the western Caucasus shows a record of climate in the region going back 10,000 years – a first for the region. Based on their analysis, the researchers concluded that climate variation was the predominant driver of vegetation change in the region rather than human activity. Warm periods were as suggested by increased deposition of organic matter and the expansion of pollen assemblages typical of low and middle mountain zones, whereas cold periods were marked by increased erosion and the expansion of pollen from high-altitude species. In total the researchers were able to identify five principal phases of climatic change. Read the full paper here.
Climate History Network