Vegetation changes in western central region of Korean Peninsula during the last glacial (ca. 21.1–26.1 cal kyr BP)

Abstract

Age-controlled pollen record from wetland sediments of Hanam, western central Korean Peninsula (KP), reveals vegetation dynamics response to climate changes during the last glacial, 26.1−20.1 cal kyr BP. The Hanam pollen assemblages are dominated by conifers, Picea and Pinus and cold tolerant deciduous broadleaved Betula, together with common xerophytic herb like Artemisia and Gramineae. Principal taxa are similar to those of subalpine forest in modern vegetation of KP. Humidity variation reconstructed by semi aridity index (AI) indicates that, during 26.1−22.7 cal kyr BP, cold and dry conditions were prevailed with an expansion of subalpine coniferous forest and high value of AI. From 22.5 to 20.5 cal kyr BP, cool and wet conditions were reconstructed with low value of AI due to climatic amelioration, enhanced conifers and temperate deciduous broadleaved mixed forests flourished. Between 20.3 and 20.1 cal kyr BP, an abundance of Picea and Betula associated with high value of AI infers that subalpine conifers forest colonized again in hinterland montane along with open, low grassland under colder and drier conditions owing to climatic deterioration. The principal pollen taxa suggest that prevailing climate conditions were annual mean temperature about 5−6 o C colder and annual mean precipitation 40% drier than today.

Last Glacial Maximum climate over Korean Peninsula in PMIP3 simulations

“…Principal taxa are similar to the subalpine forest, indicating cold and dry conditions. From 22.5 ka BP to 20.5 ka BP, cold and wet conditions were reconstructed with low aridity index, with conifers and temperate deciduous broadleaved mixed forests (Yi and Kim, 2010). From 22.5 ka BP to 20.5 ka BP, climate changed into colder and drier conditions with an abundance of Picea and Betula associated with high aridity index and subalpine conifers.…”

“…In particular, using principal taxa and aridity index, Yi and Kim (2010) suggested annual mean surface cooling in the LGM by about 5e6 C . This reconstruction of surface temperature change is the same range of the simulated results in the PMIP3 models.…”

“…Using age-controlled pollen record from wetland Hannam, western central Korea, Yi and Kim (2010) found that during last glacial time cold and dry conditions prevailed with the expansion of subalpine coniferous forest and high aridity. These proxy reconstructions provide useful information for the climate and environment conditions for the two periods.…”

Population history of the terrestrial orchidCremastra appendiculatavar.variabilisfrom Korea, inferred from levels and distribution of genetic diversity

“…21 000 years ago) (e.g. Choi, ; Chung, Lim & Yoon, ; Chung, ; Chung, Lim & Lee, ; Yi & Kim, ). The warmer and more humid conditions of the Holocene allowed the return of the warm‐temperate and subtropical vegetation, the first appearance of which on the peninsula has been dated at c .…”

“…The few available pollen records suggest that the warmtemperate and subtropical vegetation, in contrast to temperate and boreal vegetation adapted to colder habitats, was probably absent from the Korean Pen-insula during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, c. 21 000 years ago) (e.g. Choi, 1998;Chung, Lim & Yoon, 2006;Chung, 2007;Chung, Lim & Lee, 2010;Yi & Kim, 2010). The warmer and more humid conditions of the Holocene allowed the return of the warmtemperate and subtropical vegetation, the first appearance of which on the peninsula has been dated at c. 8500 years ago (Chung, 2011), and somewhat earlier on Jeju Island (Fig.…”