Climates and Environments of the Holocene Mega thermal Maximum in China

Based on data from palynology, paleosols, paleolimnology, ice core, archeology, sea levels, etc. , we reconstructed climates and environments of the Holocene Megathermal maximum (7. 2-6. 0 ka B. P. ), particularly vegetation zones, temperatures, precipitation and sea-level fluctuations. Annual mean temperature during that period was estimated at 1 ℃ higher than today for South China, 2 ℃ higher for the Changjiang River Valley, about 3℃ higher for North China, Northeast China and Northwest China and up to 4 - 5 ℃ higher for southern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Relative winter temperatures increased much more than average annual temperatures. The centennial-scale warming was accompanied by the expansion of summer monsoon and recession of winter cold currents as well as northward and westward shift of vegetation zones. Higher lake levels registered in all inland lakes of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai and Xizang indicated that precipitation increased to a certain extent. The Holocene highest sea level i     

The Climatic Fluctuation and Important Events of Holocene Megathermal in China

Data from various sources including the ice core, inland lakes , paleosols in loess and eolian sands, sea level fluctuations, paleozoological, archeological evidences especially palynology and bontanical studies of China are reviewed . Holocene Megathermal mainly appeared during 8. 5-3 ka BP and lasted for 5. 5 ka. There were several strong climatic fluctuations and cooling events during this period, e. g. it was an unstable temperature fluctuation phase during 8. 5-7. 2 ka BP and was accompanied with the increase of the precipitation as well as the northward and westward migration of the vegetation zone ; the rapid development of Neolithic Culture happened in this phase. It was a stable warm and wet phase from 7. 2 to 6 ka BP, i. e. Megathermal Maximum, when monsoon was rainfall almost throughout China, plants were unprecedentedly flourished, and the Yangshao Culture reached its climax. It is characterized by strong climatic fluctuation and adverse environment during 6-5 ka BP and the impact of strong