The mid- and Late Holocene history of forest fires in Central Evenkia inferred from macrocharcoal analysis

Abstract

The paper presents the reconstruction of the Mid- and Late Holocene frequency of forest fires in the Lower Tunguska River basin in the vicinity of the settlement of Tura (central Evenkia) revealed from plant macro remains and macroscopic charcoal analysis of peat cores from two peatlands. The results of analysis showed similar patterns of charcoal accumulation rates in peat deposits from both bogs during the Holocene and their significant temporal variability. According to the data obtained, the stages of increased frequency and intensity of fires in Central Evenkiya occurred during the periods 7800-6500 cal years BP and 3800-2900 cal years BP and were influenced by climatic factors. The period of increasing fire activity, which has been observed from the first half of the XVII century to the present day, was caused by a combination of anthropogenic and natural factors. A decline in the charcoal accumulation rate in peatlands and an increase in the length of fire return intervals were characteristic for periods 6500-3800 cal years BP and 2900-600 cal years BP. Perhaps the cooling climate created unfavorable conditions for the occurrence and spread of forest fires.