Based on 11004 satellite images from CBERS CCD and Landsat TM/ETM, changes in the spatial characteristics of all lakes in China were determined following pre-established interpretation rules. This dataset was supported by 6843 digital raster images (1:100000 and 1:50000), a countrywide digital vector dataset (1:250000), and historical literature. Comparative data were corrected for seasonal variations using precipitation data. There are presently 2693 natural lakes in China with an area greater than 1.0 km 2 , excluding reservoirs. These lakes are distributed in 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and have a total area of 81414.6 km 2 , accounting for ~0.9% of China's total land area. In the past 30 years, the number of newly formed and newly discovered lakes with an area greater than 1.0 km 2 is 60 and 131, respectively. Conversely, 243 lakes have disappeared in this time period.
High-resolution pollen and charcoal records from Qinghai Lake in south-western China are presented. The records reveal variations in vegetation, fire and climate history since 18 500 cal a BP. The results show that seven significant vegetation changes are recorded, which are responses to climate changes and/or fire events. Frequent and intensive fires occurred during the periods 17 900-15 000, 13 000-11 500 and 4280-980 cal a BP, corresponding to relatively dry climatic conditions. Combined with the climatic record from Tiancai Lake, the regional climatic changes since 18 500 cal a BP in western Yunnan Province are reconstructed. Namely, the Heinrich Event 1, the Bølling-Allerød warm period and the Younger Dryas event during the last deglaciation are ubiquitous in western Yunnan Province. The start of the Holocene is recorded at 11 500 cal a BP. The Holocene climatic optimum occurred between 8450 and 4280 cal a BP. After 4280 cal a BP, the climate deteriorated, accompanied by evidence for human impact. Based on this study, we consider that vegetation and climatic changes since 18 500 cal a BP in south-western Yunnan Province are primarily driven by September and average summer solar insolation, with some associated influence from regional sea-surface temperature and sealevel rise.
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