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The paper discusses the research and methodological aspects of introducing the new term "catafluvial deposits" into genetic classification of Quaternary deposits. For this purpose, fieldwork was carried out aimed at studying terrace complexes within the Yaloman-Katun zone of Gorny Altai, which has recently become a unique natural laboratory for investigating hypothetical glacial superfloods. Based on original materials and data from other areas with similar geological and physico-geographical conditions, it is concluded that the introduction of a separate genetic type "catafluvial" is currently premature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of changes in the number and morphology of B chromosomes in the populations of mice (Apodemus peninsulae) in the northern region of the Pritelets taiga of the Altai Mountains over a 36-year period (1978‒2014) was traced. Three time phases were distinguished. From 1978 to 2002 (24 years)—a phase of steady growth of the number of B chromosomes, with a relatively uniform average increase of 1.4 chromosomes per decade (from 3.17 ± 0.2 to 6.5 ± 0.54); the phase of stabilization of the indicator when it consistently ranged between 6.3 and 6.9 (2002–2012), although the indicator was at least doubled compared to early 1980s (differences are significant); and the third period (2012‒2014) of the emerging trend of decrease in the number of supplementary chromosomes (differences are also significant). The change in the conditional mass index of B chromosomes (mB) also had similar dynamics, and it was at its maximum for the species during the period of stabilization. The dynamics of different morphotypes of B chromosomes showed an unequal contribution to the overall dynamics. The main contribution was made by large, medium-sized, and small metacentric B chromosomes. Micro-B chromosomes and acrocentrics were absent in the growth phase and appeared in the stabilization phase at the maximum of other indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the bristletail family Machilidae are described: Ditrigoniophthalmus ongudaensis sp. n. and Allopsontus altaicus sp. n. The former, D. ongudaensis sp. n., differs from the known species of the genus Ditrigoniophthalmus Kaplin 1979 by club-shaped paired ocelli, the relative lengths of the urostyli and urocoxites VIII and IX, and the basal and terminal portions of the penis in the male. Allopsontus altaicus sp. n. belongs to the subgenus Anisopsontus Mendes 1990 and is quite similar to the following four consubgenera: A. ciliatus (Wygodzinsky 1970), A. tekelensis Kaplin 2015, A. lineatus Kaplin 2002, and A. zinchenkoi Kaplin 2019. However, A. altaicus sp. n. differs in the number of segments of the ovipositor, the number of digging spines on its anterior and posterior gonapophyses, the number of rosette-shaped sensilla on the anterior femora of the male, the width-to-length ratios of paired ocelli in both sexes, and the length-to-width ratios of the last segment of the labial palps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal dynamics of the upper forest line in the oro-climatic conditions of Katunsky Range is described using the example of the Akkem glacial basin over the past 120 years. Changes in the density of trees and undergrosth (saplings and seedlings) of Siberian pine and Siberian larch on the eastern and western slopes, the establishment and features of the formation of dense and sparse groups, and environmental factors influencing their formation are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a warming climate, temperature extremes have been a main global issue in recent decades due to their potential influence on the sustainable development of human life and natural ecosystems. In this study, 12 indicators of extreme temperature events are used to evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution, periodic structure and teleconnections with large-scale atmospheric circulation in Xinjiang, Northwest China by combining wavelet coherence (WTC) analysis based on continuous wavelet transform (CWT) analysis with the sequential Mann-Kendall test. We find that over the past six decades, the climate in Xinjiang has become warmer and has suffered from increases in the frequency of warm extremes and decreases in the frequency of cold extremes. Warm extremes have mainly occurred in the southern Tianshan Mountains surrounding the Tarim Basin and western part of the Taklamakan Desert, and cold extremes have primarily occurred in the southwestern Altai Mountains and northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Extreme temperature events, including warm extremes, cold extremes, and other temperature indices, have significant interannual variability, with the main oscillation periods at smaller (2–4-year band), intermediate (4–7-year band), and greater time scales in recent decades. Furthermore, cold-extreme indices, including frost days, cool days, and cool nights all show a clear changepoint during 1990–1997 at the 95% confidence level, and both ice days and cold spell duration indicator have a potential changepoint during 1981–1986. However, the changing points for warmextreme indices are detected during 1992–1998. The temperature variables are significantly correlated with the EI Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO), but less well correlated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The phase difference in the WTC spectra is not uniform between temperature extremes and climatic oscillations. Our findings will have important implications for local governments in taking effective measures to mitigate the potential effects of regional climate warming due to human activities in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How climate change in the middle to late Holocene has influenced the early human migrations in Central Asian Steppe remains poorly understood. To address this issue, we reconstructed a multiproxy-based Holocene climate history from the sediments of Kanas Lake and neighboring Tiewaike Lake in the southern Altai Mountains. The results show an exceptionally warm climate during ~6.5–3.6 kyr is indicated by the silicon isotope composition of diatom silica (δ30Sidiatom) and the biogenic silica (BSi) content. During 4.7-4.3 kyr, a peak in δ30Sidiatom reflects enhanced lake thermal stratification and periodic nutrient limitation as indicated by concomitant decreasing BSi content. Our geochemical results indicate a significantly warm and wet climate in the Altai Mountain region during 6.5–3.6 kyr, corresponding to the Altai Holocene Climatic Optimum (AHCO), which is critical for promoting prehistoric human population expansion and intensified cultural exchanges across the Central Asian steppe during the Bronze Age. The impact of climate change on Holocene human activity in the Altai-Sayan region of Central Asia is unclear. Here, the authors use pollen, biogenic silica, and isotope records from lake cores to show that the climate prompted human population expansion and intensified cultural exchange during the Bronze Age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the global warming, it is particularly important to explore the response of extreme climate to global climate change over the arid regions. Based on daily temperature (maximum, minimum, and average) and precipitation data from meteorological stations in Xinjiang, China, we analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of extreme temperature and extreme precipitation events via combining thin plate smoothing spline function interpolation, Sen's slope, and Mann–Kendall test. Our results showed that during 1960–2019, the extreme low temperature index of frost days (FD), icing days (ID), cold days (TX10p), cold nights (TN10p), and cold speel duration index (CSDI) all showed the downward trend to varying degrees, and the extreme high temperature index of summer days (SD25), warm days (TX90p), warm night (TN90p), and warm speel duration index (WSDI) all showed an upward trend to varying degrees, and the extreme low temperature index of high altitude mountains decreases more than that of the basin and plains. In addition, all the extreme temperature indices are closely related to the annual average temperature in Xinjiang (R > 0.6). Among the extreme precipitation indices, except for the consecutive dry days (CDD), the other extreme precipitation indices showed increasing trends to different degrees, but the changes in extreme precipitation in Xinjiang were mainly manifested by the increase of heavy precipitation in a short period (the increase of heavy precipitation and extreme heavy precipitation was the largest, 44.8 mm/10a and 17.6 mm/10a, respectively) and spatially concentrated in the Ili River and Altai Mountains in northern Xinjiang. Meanwhile, annual precipitation was positively correlated with the extreme precipitation index (R > 0.4), except for the CDD. This study provides theoretical support for the prevention and control of natural disasters in the dry zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a study (1991–2007) of microalgae communities from a rocky substrate (phytoepilithon) in the littoral zone of Lake Teletskoye found at a depth of up to 1.5 m are presented. The features of the spatial and temporal organization of microalgae communities coexisting in rocky-substrate–water, land–water, and tributary–lake ecotones are presented. It is shown that microalgae of ecotones are adapted to the intensity and instability of the abiotic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between the yellowhammer (Еmberiza citrinella) and the pine bunting (Еmberiza leucocephalos) represent quite a rare case of mass hybridization in a broad sympatry zone. The hybrid population was monitored from 2008 to 2019 in a model area in the Altai Mountains, Russia, with the purpose to identify the potential pre- and postcopulatory isolation mechanisms in these species. The area selected as the model one is the only place in the vast secondary contact zone of the two species distinguished by the maximum hybridization level and a high proportion of birds with phenotypes of both parental species in approximately equal proportions. During the observation period, the proportion of phenotypic hybrids increased from 32 to 58%. Nevertheless, the population retains some precopulatory isolation mechanisms that are manifested in the positive mating assortativity and partial biotopic segregation between the species. On par with individuals featuring parental phenotypes, hybrids participate in breeding and successfully bring out nestlings: the phenotypic composition of feeding birds does not differ from the phenotypic composition of the population as a whole. However, the life span of hybrids is shorter; this applies even to birds featuring parental species phenotypes with slightly expressed characters indicating their hybrid origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New brachiopod species Eoanastrophia tozodoviensis sp. nov. is described from the Tozodov Body, Upper Ordovician of the Teletskoe Lakeside facies zone, Altai Mountains. Amendments are suggested to the diagnosis of Eoanastrophia Nikiforova et Sapelnikov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of tectonophysical methods has been applied to reconstruct the neotectonic stresses of the southeastern Altai Mountains within the Chuya–Kurai depression and its framing structures. It is suggested that at the neotectonic stage, the tectonic structures of the Altai Mountains underwent a transformation of geodynamic conditions—a situation of sublatitudinal horizontal compression with predominant reverse-fault and transpressional movements along faults that existed up to the Neogene was replaced by horizontal shear conditions with a NNE and NE subhorizontal compression axis and WNW and NW extension axis. With such a stress field, the dominant NW-trending faults in this territory are mainly characterized by dextral strike-slip displacements, and NE-trending faults, by sinistral. Submeridionally trending faults that formed at the neotectonic stage show clear signs of extensional structures. A feature of the faults of the Chuya–Kurai depression according to these studies is a fairly small number of megafractures (indicators of shear displacements) in shear zones. This indicates dominant reverse-fault and transpressional movements over large disjunctive structures in the region in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic versus neotectonic shear movements. The results of the research are of practical importance in studying the regional seismicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological and hydrobiogeochemical studies carried out in two areas of active geophagy among herbivorous animals in the area of Teletskoye Lake in the Altai Mountains suggest that consumption of lithogenic substances by animals is typical for mountain-taiga and mountain-steppe landscapes with high soluble REE contents in rocks. The high soluble REE contents were measured in the deluvial deposits of some magmatic and metamorphic rocks, as well as in the associated glacial deposits and in the derived soils and vegetation. The revealed geochemical specificity of landscapes similar to that previously established in the Sikhote-Alin becomes the cause of unbalance in the composition and concentration of REEs in the neuroimmunoendocrine system of the animal body. Being in a state of hormonal stress, animals try to compensate for this problem by consuming mineral sorbents, which, as we found out, can remove excess REEs from the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews significant issues related to the fossil hominins from the Altai Mountains of Siberia (Russia), namely Denisovans, Neanderthals, and early modern humans. Uncritical acceptance of the recovered information by some authors has resulted in unreliable chronologies of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic artifact assemblages and the animal and hominin fossils. We examine the chronostratigraphic contexts and archaeological associations of hominin and animal fossils and the lithics discovered at the Denisova, Okladnikov, Strashnaya, and Chagyrskaya cave sites. Taphonomic, site formation, and geomorphological studies show evidence of disturbance and redeposition caused by carnivore activity and sediment subsidence at these sites, which complicates the dating of the human remains. Our analysis indicates that the Middle Paleolithic is dated to ca. 50,000–130,000 years ago, and the Upper Paleolithic to ca. 12,000–48,000 years ago. The best age estimate for Denisovans is ca. 73,000–130,000 years ago. The ages of Neanderthals can be determined as more than 50,000–59,000 years ago, and of modern humans at roughly 12,000–48,000 years ago. Denisovan and Neanderthal fossils are associated with Middle Paleolithic complexes only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were carried out in the upper reaches of the Akkem River aimed at explaining why the local ungulates consume clay rocks common in the basin of the Yarlu River, a tributary of the Akkem River. Chemical composition of river and spring waters and mineral and chemical composition of clay rocks consumed by wild and domestic ungulates at kudurs were studied. The waters in the local watercourses are ultra-fresh, hydro-carbonate-calcium. Increased concentrations of rare-earth elements (REE) were observed in waters of the Yarlu River. Consumed clayey rocks (kudurits) are represented by finely dispersed quartz-plagioclase-mica-chlorite mineral associations — the products of transformation of shale rocks of the Early Paleozoic age. The comparison of the chemical composition of kudurits and coprolites of red deer showed that when the rocks pass through the digestive tract, out of all macroelements, only Na is reliably assimilated in the body in amounts from 0.1 to 0.3 g per kg of kudurit. In addition, kudurits act as sorbents, removing P, K, Mg, and sometimes Ca from the body. As part of micronutrients, they are most active in sorbing and removing REE from the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 2000 years, a high-resolution pollen record from the Yushenkule Peat (46°45′–46°57′N, 90°46′–90°61′E, 2374 m a.s.l.) in the south-eastern Altai Mountains of northwestern China has been used to explore the changes in vegetation and climate. The regional vegetation has been dominated by alpine meadows revealed from pollen diagrams over the past 2000 years. The pollen-based climate was warm and wet during the Roman Warm Period (0–520 AD), cold and wet during the Dark Age Cold Period (520–900 AD), warm and wet during the Medieval Warm Period (900–1300 AD), and cold and dry during the Little Ice Age (1300–1850 AD). Combined with other pollen data from the Altai Mountains, we found that the percentage of arboreal pollen showed a reduced trend along the NW-SE gradient with decreasing moisture and increasing climatic continentality of the Altai Mountains over the past 2000 years; this is consistent with modern distributions of taiga forests. We also found that the taiga (Pinus forest) have spread slightly, while the steppe (Artemisia, Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae) have recovered significantly in the Altai Mountains over the past 2000 years. In addition, the relatively warm-wet climate may promote high grassland productivity and southward expansion of steppe, which favors the formation of Mongol political and military power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the reconstruction of past vegetation and fire dynamics in northern Altai is performed by a pollen and charcoal investigation into the peat deposits of the Maly Labysh mire located in the upper reaches of the Kondoma River in Shorsky National Park. Lithology and radiocarbon dating have shown that the mire is of lacustrine origin. An oxbow lake originated about 3000 years ago, and about 2200 years ago it turned into a swamp. A spore–pollen (SP) analysis of lacustrine and peat deposits revealed repeated changes in the vegetation cover, probably caused by climate instability during the last 3000 years. In general, two humid millennial periods (3000–1800 cal yr BP and 550–200 cal yr BP) were identified when the role of fir increased in the forests, alternating with two drier periods (1600–900 cal yr BP and 200 cal yr BP—contemporary), when the fir gave way to birch forests. This article also represents data on the dynamics of paleofires in the area of the Maly Labysh mire based on micro- and macrocharcoal analyses. A comparison of the results of pollen and charcoal investigations with other paleoclimatic reconstructions in Western Siberia in the Holocene is given. A conclusion is drawn about the connection between paleofires and the dynamics of humidity of the climate, which together influenced the vegetation change in Gornaya Shoriya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of Silurian sediments in the central part of the Altai Mountains (Gorny Altai) by limestone dissolution has revealed two groups of spherical objects; large microspheres 90–120 µm and small nanofossils (nanospheres) 5–18 µm in diameter. Their double-layered walls are composed of standard-sized siderite microcrystals replaced by goethite. The Altai microspheres have a low Ca content (<0.5 wt %) so cannot be interpreted as calcispheres. The Altai Silurian microspheres and nanofossils (nanospheres) are tentatively attributed to biomineralized remains of loricae (shell-like envelopes) of various euglenoid alga generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snow leopard Panthera uncia is an elusive and globally-threatened apex predator occurring in the mountain ranges of central Asia. As with other large carnivores, gaps in data on its distribution and abundance still persist. Moreover, available density estimates are often based on inadequate sampling designs or analytical approaches. Here, we used camera trapping across a vast mountainous area (area of the sampling frame 850 km2; analysed habitat extent 2600 km2) and spatially-explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models to provide, to our knowledge, the first robust snow leopard population density estimate for the Altai Mountains. This region is considered one of the most important conservation areas for snow leopards, representing a vast portion of suitable habitat and a key ecological corridor. We also provide estimates of the scale parameter (σ) that reflects ranging behaviour (activity range) and baseline encounter probability, and investigated potential drivers of density and related parameters by assessing their associations with anthropogenic and environmental factors. Sampling yielded 9729 images of snow leopards corresponding to 224 independent detections that belonged to a minimum of 23 identified adult individuals. SECR analysis resulted in an overall density of 1.31 individuals/100 km2 (1.15%–1.50 95% CI), which was positively correlated with terrain slope. This estimate falls within the mid-values of the range of density estimates for the species globally. We estimated significantly different activity range size for females and males (79 and 329 km2, respectively). Baseline encounter probability was negatively associated with anthropogenic activity. Our study contributes to on-going efforts to produce robust global estimates of population abundance for this top carnivore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a morphological study for distinguishing the remains of two small equid species that inhabited the south of Western Siberia in the Late Pleistocene: the Ovodov horse (Equus ovodovi Eisenmann et Vasiliev) and the Asiatic wild ass (E. hemionus Pallas). A detailed analysis of metric and nonmetric characters of equid limb bones shows that only metric features can be used for species discrimination. The Asiatic wild ass had smaller and more gracile limb bones than the Ovodov horse. The examination of new fossil remains from Western Siberia suggests that the distribution ranges of the Asiatic wild ass and the Ovodov horse did not overlap in the past. The Ovodov horse inhabited the southeastern part of the study area, from the Ob Plateau to the Altai Mountains and Kuznetsk Alatau. The remains of the Asiatic wild ass were found only in the southwest and southeast of Western Siberia, thus indicating a restricted distribution of this species in the area during the Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present climate-dependent changes in the high-mountain forest ecotone, old-growth forests, alpine phytocenoses, and deglaciated forelands in the Aktru glacial basin (Altai Republic, Russia). A number of independent sources (variations in upper treeline altitude, dendrochronological data, analysis of lacustrine sediments and botanical and geographical studies linked with the dynamics of glacial-dammed lakes in the Chuya and Kurai intermountain depressions) suggest Holocene temperatures reached about 4 °C higher than today. Unlike the European Alps, glaciers in the continental Altai Mountains disappeared before forming again. Also, the upper altitudinal limit of mountain forests during the Holocene was greater than in the European Alps. The high variability of mountain ecosystems in southern Siberia suggests their potential instability in a currently changing climate. However, periglacial successions associated with the strong continental climate and glacier retreat represent an area of increasing biodiversity and plant cover. The historical and current sensitivity of the continental mountains to climate variations which exceeds that of the European Alps requires greater understanding, environmental protection, and increased social responsibility for the consequences of anthropogenic contributions to climate change: the isolated Altai areas contribute little to climate changes, but are greatly affected by them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controversial problems of stratigraphy, geomorphology, and chronology of the Early Paleolithic Karama site in the Altai Mountains are considered. This work is a response to the article by Ya.V. Kuzmin and A.Yu. Kazansky "Comments on the 'Debatable Aspects of Initial Human Colonization of Siberia and Age of the Karama Site in the Altai Mountains'" by V.S. Zykin, V.S. Zykina, and L.G. Smolyaninova, published in the journal Stratigraphy and Geological Correlation (2020, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 157–160). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed the content and localization of phenolic compounds, in particular phenylpropanoids, of Rodiola rosea plants of Altai Mountains ecotype during the introduction period of 2–4 years in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia. The plant material for the introduction experiment was obtained by in vitro method. HPLC was used to identify 11 phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, rosarin, rosavin, rosin, cinnamyl alcohol, rhodiosin, rhodionin, and kaempferol. The highest content of phenylpropenoids was found in rhizomes of the 4-year-old R. rosea plants: 1.02% rosarin, 2.64% rosavin, 1.05% rosin, 3.39% cinnamyl alcohol. Analysis of the phenylpropanoid profile showed that the predominant component in all the studied samples was cinnamyl alcohol (up to 58%). Histochemical studies identified phenolic substances in the rhizomes and roots of R. rosea, which are localized in parenchymal and vascular tissues. It was revealed that the total rhizome biomass exceeded that of the root, and by the 4th year of introduction, it was approximately 2-fold greater in dry weight. The study showed high biosynthetic potential and biological productivity of the studied R. rosea ecotype upon introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thorough understanding of regional differences in change patterns of surface air temperature (SAT) at various spatial scales can help people cope well with global warming. In this study, a SAT change pattern recognition method was firstly established based on k-mean++ algorithm. By creating a clustering effect evaluation index (DBWk) to select the optimal cluster number k, the pattern of SAT change in 1960–2016 of China was recognized at national and regional scales. Results showed that China's SAT change patterns were grouped into 3 clusters, namely, Clusters I, II and III, at the national scale. These clusters were further divided into 3, 7, and 4 subclusters at the regional scale, respectively. The SAT change in Cluster I was intense, with a relatively cold period (1960–1987) and a relatively warm period (1988–2016). The SAT of Cluster II decreased slightly in the first phase (1960–1983), minimally increased in the third phase (1999–2016), but rose strongly in the second phase (1984–1998). The linear trend (LT) of SAT increase of Cluster III was high and statistically significant, especially in 1983–2016. The analysis of the SAT change pattern of subclusters showed that the SAT fluctuations of the Altai Mountains and Junggar Basin were the strongest. The Northern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau had the highest warming rate, and the LT of warming was statistically the most significant in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Denisova Cave, a Pleistocene site in the Altai Mountains of Russian Siberia, has yielded significant fossil and lithic evidence for the Pleistocene in Northern Asia. Abundant animal and human bones have been discovered at the site, however, these tend to be highly fragmented, necessitating new approaches to identifying important hominin and faunal fossils. Here we report the results for 8253 bone fragments using ZooMS. Through the integration of this new ZooMS-based data with the previously published macroscopically-identified fauna we aim to create a holistic picture of the zooarchaeological record of the site. We identify trends associated with climate variability throughout the Middle and Upper Pleistocene as well as patterns explaining the process of bone fragmentation. Where morphological analysis of bones from the site have identified a high proportion of carnivore bones (30.2%), we find that these account for only 7.6% of the ZooMS assemblage, with large mammals between 3 and 5 more abundant overall. Our analysis suggests a cyclical pattern in fragmentation of bones which sees initial fragmentation by hominins using percussive tools and secondary carnivore action, such as gnawing and digestion, likely furthering the initial human-induced fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of small vertebrate remains found in the Pleistocene deposits of the East Chamber of Denisova Cave indicates that throughout the history of sedimentation, biotopes in the vicinity of the cave remained highly mosaic. Woodlands alternated with areas covered by meadow and steppe vegetation. Climate fluctuations led to changes in the ratio of areas occupied by different natural complexes, but there was no fundamental restructuring of the landscape and plant associations. It is shown that changes in the composition of fossil assemblages at various levels correlate with climate dynamics reflected by the stages of the Marine isotope scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New results of Optically-Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating that make it possible to clarify the age of the Chibitskii glaciation in the Altai Mountains are reported. Three dates were obtained from the upper part of the lacustrine–glacial Baratal sands, logically distributed within the chronological interval from 21.0 to 14.4 ka. Fluvioglacial sands from the drift moraines of the last Kuekhtanar glacier, three OSL-ages of which are in the interval of 30–24 ka, correlate with the Baratal limnoglacial. The origin of Sukor Lake is associated with the Sukor landslide, which dammed the Chuya River valley. According to eight OSL dates, which have been obtained for the Sukor sands, the dammed Sukor Lake existed in the interval from 16 to 11 ka. New OSL dates provide a more reliable reconstruction of the Chibit glaciation age and the position of the corresponding sediments in the Quaternary stratigraphic chart of the Altai–Sayan Mountain Country, as corresponding to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), i.e., the fourth stage of the Upper Neopleistocene of the Russian stratigraphic chart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term provision of ecosystem services by grasslands is threatened by increasing stocking densities. The functions of grassland ecosystems depend on a mutual relationship between aboveground and belowground biota. While the effects of increasing stocking density on plant biomass are well studied, little is known about its impact on soil microbial properties. To fill this knowledge gap a grazing experiment was conducted on a summer pasture in the Chinese Altai Mountains during the summers of 2014 and 2015 using a randomized block design with stocking densities of 0, 8, 16, and 24 sheep ha−1 replicated four times. After two summer grazing periods (each 56 days), topsoil samples (1–7 cm) were taken in September 2015 and analyzed for major physical, chemical, and microbial soil properties. Except for the metabolic quotient (qCO2; p < 0.05), the examined soil properties remained unaffected by the increasing stocking densities, likely due to high spatial variability. The qCO2 declined from 13.5 mg CO2–C g−1 microbial biomass C d−1 at zero grazing to 12.2 mg CO2–C g−1 microbial biomass C d−1 at a stocking density of 24 sheep ha−1. Low values of qCO2 indicate an aged and dormant microbial community that diverts less soil organic carbon (SOC) to catabolic processes within their cells, characteristic for C limiting conditions. The aboveground biomass affected by grazing intensity correlated positively with SOC (rs = 0.60, p = 0.015) and ergosterol (rs = 0.76, p = 0.001) pointing indirectly to the effect of stocking density. Additionally to the relatively high values of qCO2, highest values of SOC (39.2 mg g−1 soil), ergosterol (6.01 µg g−1 soil), and basal respiration (10.7 µg g−1 soil d−1) were observed at a stocking density of 8 sheep ha−1 indicating that a low grazing intensity is recommendable to avoid soil degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49930-3. Correction to: I Scientific Reports i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49930-3, published online 26 September 2019 The original version of this Article contained errors in Figure 3, in panels (a) and (b), where the "Initial Upper Palaeolithic" was incorrectly given as "Initial Middle Palaeolithic". [Extracted from the article]

Different agricultural and metallurgical systems had developed at the eastern and western ends of Eurasia continent before 3000 BC. As one of the earliest Bronze Age cultures in the Eurasian steppe, the Afanasyevo Culture originating from Southern Siberia, Russia, had played an extremely significant role in facilitating cultural interactions and the spread of domestic species in Eurasia. Hence, investigating the diets of Afanasyevo populations during their movements across the Eurasian steppe possibly provides important clues to explore when, where, and how the earlier cultural interactions happened. Here, we present the isotopic analysis of Afanasyevo humans found in Ayituohan Ι Cemetery (ca. 2836–2490 cal BC) in the southern Altai Mountains, Xinjiang of China, and compare with those of Afanasyevo humans from the different regions in Southern Siberia of Russia. All of the high δ15N values indicate that the subsistence strategies of Afanasyevo populations were dominated by the animal husbandry during their movements; meanwhile, the obviously high δ13C values in this study suggest that a certain amount of millet-based foods (millet crops and/or domesticated animals fed on millets) appeared in their diets as they settled in the southern Altai Mountains in Xinjiang of China. It provides new evidence for the millet transmission along Inner Asian Mountain Corridor and especially for the early interaction of multiregional agropastoralism between Eurasian steppe and northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of the soluble forms of 41 elements were determined by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) along with pH, Eh, and total dissolved solids in water of lakes and streams in the Kucherla River basin. The abundant rains, which enhance water exchange, along with meltwater from glaciers and snowfields are the governing factors in the dynamics of physicochemical characteristics. The rivers and lakes examined in the Kucherla basin show concentrations of Al, Fe, and Zn in excess of MACs of hazardous substances for water bodies used for fishery and the MACs for Al and Sb introduced for drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of satellite images revealed by 25% decrease of the Altai mountains' glaciation area over last 50 years. In 2008–2017, deglaciation rate increased twice. This tendency is in good agreement with an observed increase in the Katun River flow by 9% in 2008–2017 as compared to 1940–1968 (under invariable total precipitation). The analysis of trends of main meteorological parameters based on weather station data and the ERA-Interim reanalysis demonstrated that statistically significant warming in the region occurs only during the warm season and does not exceed 0.5°С/10 years. For this reason, "atmosphere–glaciers" turbulent heat transfer has increased by 4 W/m2 in last two years, that caused an annual melting layer increase by 100 mm water equivalent (w.e.). However, the main reason for the Altai mountains' deglaciation is an increase of downward solar radiation flux, which amounted to 5 W/m2 per decade and increased the melting layer by 365 mm w.e. per year. A positive trend in net radiation agrees well with a decrease in cloud amount, which is associated with an increase in the moisture divergence flux and geopotential height and with the weakening of zonal winds in the middle troposphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluminous Silurian-Devonian granitoids intruded a greywacke-dominated Ordovician accretionary wedge in the Chinese Altai. These granitoids are characterized by significant Nd-Hf isotopic decoupling, the underlying mechanism of which, so far, has been poorly understood. This issue is addressed in this study by the integration of our new and regional published geological and geochemical data. Geological studies indicated a close spatial relationship between the regional anatexis of the Ordovician wedge and the formation of the granitoids, which is characterized by a gradual textural evolution from the partial molten Ordovician wedge sedimentary rocks (the Habahe Group) to the granitoid bodies. Compositionally, these granitoids and the Ordovician Habahe Group rocks displayed close geochemical similarities, in the form of arclike trace elemental signatures as well as comparable Nd isotopic characteristics. Combined with regional available data, we suggest that the Silurian-Devonian granitoids originated from the immature and chemically primitive Habahe Group rocks. Since Nd and Hf isotopic data for the Habahe Group rocks show significant Nd-Hf isotopic decoupling, we propose that the Silurian-Devonian granitoids inherited the Nd and Hf isotopic signatures from their sources, i.e., the Habahe Group rocks. In other words, the Nd-Hf decoupling in the Habahe Group rocks is the primary causative factor leading to the prevailing Nd-Hf isotopic decoupling of the Silurian-Devonian granitoids in the Chinese Altai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on numerical experiments undertaken with nine climate models, the glacier equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) in western China during the last glacial maximum (LGM) are investigated to deepen our understanding of the surface environment on the Tibetan Plateau. Relative to the preindustrial period, the summer surface air temperatures decrease by 4–8°C while the annual precipitation decreases by an average of 25% across the Tibetan Plateau during the LGM. Under the joint effects of reductions in summer temperature and annual precipitation, the LGM ELAs in western China are lowered by magnitudes that vary with regions. The ELAs in the southern margin and northwestern Tibetan Plateau decline by approximately 1100 m; the central hinterland, by 650–800 m; and the eastern part, by 550–800 m, with a downward trend from southwest to northeast. The reduction in ELAs is no more than 650 m in the Tian Shan Mountains within China and approximately 500–600 m in the Qilian Mountains and Altai Mountains. The high-resolution models to reproduce the low values of no more than 500 m in ELA reductions in the central Tibetan Plateau, which are consistent with the proxy records from glacier remains. The accumulation zones of the Tibetan Plateau glaciers are mainly located in the marginal mountains during the LGM and have areas 2–5 times larger than those of the modern glaciers but still do not reach the central part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with remote sensing capabilities to monitor rangeland dynamics could lead to more acceptable, efficient, and beneficial rangeland management schemes for stakeholders of grazing systems. We contrasted pastoralists' perception of summer pasture quality in the Altai Mountains of Central Asia with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) metrics obtained from Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor. The spatial relationship between satellite-based assessment of the grassland quality and on-the-ground evaluation by local herders was first assessed for a single year using 49, 1 × 1 km grassland blocks sampled in July 2013. Herder-derived forage value was positively and strongly (63% of variance explained) related to satellite-derived NDVI values (MODIS 1 km monthly data, MOD13A3) as well as field estimates of % vegetation cover (62% explained) and to a lesser degree to vegetation height (28% explained). Herders' multi-year perception (i.e., recall ability) was also contrasted with satellite observations of their herding areas over the period of 2006–2016 during which NDVI temporal anomaly explained >11% of variance in estimates of pasture quality recalled. Few herders in Kazakhstan could recall pasture conditions, most herders in Russia and China could but inconsistently (4 and 7% variation explained, respectively), whereas most herders in Mongolia could recall pasture conditions in strong agreement with NDVI anomaly (30% variation explained), patterns reflecting herders' regional dependence on herding as a livelihood. Corroboration of herder-derived estimates and satellite-derived vegetation indices creates opportunity for re-expression of satellite data in map form as TEK-derived indices more compatible with herder perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass-spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was applied to determine the dissolved forms of 26 elements in the water of lakes of the Mul'tinskii Basin. Specific features were identified in the formation of water chemistry in the water bodies of high-mountain Altai territories which suffer little anthropogenic impact. Water quality and the effect of natural factors on it were assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this publication, the discussion is focused on issues related to the stratigraphy and chronology of the Karama Lower Paleolithic site in the Altai Mountains in light of the article "Debatable Aspects of Initial Human Colonization of Siberia and Age of the Karama Site in the Altai Mountains" by V.S. Zykin, V.S. Zykina, and L.G. Smolyaninova published in Stratigraphy and Geological Correlation in 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The analysis of the taphocoenosis of Paleolithic sites in the Charysh River Basin of the Northwestern Altai Mountains has shown that the main members of mammal communities were the Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, argali Ovis ammon, bison Bison priscus, and horses. A constant component of communities was the woolly rhinoceros Coelodonta antiquitatis. A significant role was played antelopes, dzeren and saiga. The Asiatic red deer and roe deer were widespread. The value of the red deer as prey was almost twice greater than that of roe deer. The most important elements of communities and the main competitors of humans were large carnivores, hyena and wolf. The main competitors in the use of cave cavities were bear and hyena. The general characteristics of mammals of the Altai Mountains in the late Middle Pleistocene and Late Pleistocene are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on the taxonomic composition of taphocoenoses of the main Paleolithic sites of the Anui River Basin within the northwestern Altai Mountains, the structure of mammal communities and potential composition of bioresources of the prehistoric man are reconstructed. It is shown that the basis of communities was composed of medium- and large-sized ungulates, including the Siberian ibex, argali, bison, and horses. A constant and important component of communities was the woolly rhinoceros. The following antelopes are regularly recorded in the Anui Basin: dzeren (Mongolian gazelle) and saiga. Roe deer and Asiatic red deer dwelt everywhere. The Asiatic red deer played a twice greater role than the roe deer as prey of humans. The major elements of communities and main competitors of humans were large carnivores, hyena and wolf. The main competitors in using caves were bear and hyena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the temporal variations of extreme floods that occur in response to climate change is essential to anticipate the trends in flood magnitude and frequency in the context of global warming. However, long-term records of paleofloods in arid regions are scarce, thus preventing a thorough understanding of such events. In this study, a reconstruction of paleofloods over the past 300 years was conducted through an analysis of grain sizes from the sediments of Kanas Lake in the Altay Mountains of northwestern China. Results showed that grain parameters and frequency distributions can be used to infer possible abrupt environmental events within the lake sedimentary sequence, and two extreme flood events corresponding to ca. 1736-1765 AD and ca. 1890 AD were further identified based on canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and coarse percentile versus median grain size (C-M) pattern analysis, both of which occurred during warmer and wetter climate conditions by referring to tree-ring records. These two flood events are also evidenced by lake sedimentary records in the Altay and Tianshan mountains. Furthermore, through a comparison with other records, the flood event from ca. 1736-1765 AD in the study region seems to have occurred in both the arid central Asia and the Alps in Europe, and thus may have been associated with changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammal population of the northwestern Altai included residents, autochthonous species, cosmopolitans, and migrants. The last clearly indicate biogeographical relationships of the biota of the Altai Mountains in the Pleistocene. Most of them penetrated into the Altai from the south. The majority of ungulates and rodents migrated from Central Asia. Yak, red dog, and snow leopard came from the Himalayas, Pamir, and Tien Shan. The natural environment of the Altai Mountains in the Pleistocene enabled migrations of these mammals from the south to north. The same opportunity was true of the ancient man. It is possible to assume that humans migrated from southeastern Asia and Indochina along the eastern foothills of the Himalayas and Nan Shan Mountains to the northwest, to the Zaisan Depression and Altai. This resulted in inevitable exchange of gene material of Paleolithic human populations of southeastern Asia and the Altai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To predict future spatio-temporal patterns of climate change, we should fully understand the spatio-temporal patterns of climate change during the past millennium. But, we are not yet able to delineate the patterns because the qualities of the retrieved proxy records and the spatial coverage of those records are not adequate. Northern Xinjiang of China is one of such areas where the records are not adequate. Here, we present a 500-yr land-surface moisture sequence from Heiyangpo Peat (48.34°N, 87.18°E, 1353 m a.s.l) in the southern Altai Mountains within northern Xinjiang. Specifically, peat carbon isotope value of cellulose (δC) was used to estimate the warm-season moisture variations and the degree of humification was used to constrain the δC-based hydrological interpretation. The climatic attributions of the interpreted hydrological variations were based on the warm-season temperature reconstructed from Belukha ice core and the warm-season precipitation inferred from the reconstructed Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillations (AMO). The results show that humification decreased and the δC-suggested moisture decreased from ~1510 to ~1775 AD, implying that a constant drying condition may have inhibited peat decay. Our comparison with reconstructed climatic parameters suggests that the moisture-level decline was most likely resulted from a constant decline of precipitation. The results also show that humification kept a stable level and the δC-suggested moisture also decreased from ~1775 to ~2013 AD, implying that peat decay in the acrotelm primarily did not depend on the water availability or an aerobic environment. Again, our comparison with reconstructed climatic parameters suggests that the land-surface moisturelevel decline was most likely resulted from a steady warming of growing-season temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With changing climatic conditions and snow cover regime, regional hydrological cycle for a snowy basin will change and further available surface water resources will be redistributed. Assessing snow meltwater effect on runoff is the key to water safety, under climate warming and fast social-economic developing status. In this study, stable isotopic technology was utilized to analyze the snow meltwater effect on regional hydrological processes, and to declare the response of snow hydrology to climate change and snow cover regime, together with longterm meteorological and hydrological observations, in the headwater of Irtysh River, Chinese Altai Mountains during 1961-2015. The average δ18O values of rainfall, snowfall, meltwater, groundwater and river water for 2014-2015 hydrological year were -10.9‰, -22.3‰, -21.7‰, -15.7‰ and -16.0‰, respectively. The results from stable isotopes, snow melting observation and remote sensing indicated that the meltwater effect on hydrological processes in Kayiertesi River Basin mainly occurred during snowmelt supplying period from April to June. The contribution of meltwater to runoff reached 58.1% during this period, but rainfall, meltwater and groundwater supplied 49.1%, 36.9% and 14.0% of water resource to annual runoff, respectively. With rising air temperature and increasing snowfall in cold season, the snow water equivalent (SWE) had an increasing trend but the snow cover duration declined by about one month including 13-day delay of the first day and 17-day advancement of the end day during 1961-2016. Increase in SWE provided more available water resource. However, variations in snow cover timing had resulted in redistribution of surface water resource, represented by an increase of discharge percentage in April and May, and a decline in June and July. This trend of snow hydrology will render a deficit of water resource in June and July when the water resource demand is high for agricultural irrigation and industrial manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of tree waves (hedges and ribbons) formation within the alpine ecotone in Altai Mountains and its response to observed air temperature increase was considered. At the upper limit of tree growth Siberian pine ( Pinus sibirica) forms hedges on windward slopes and ribbons on the leeward ones. Hedges were formed by prevailing winds and oriented along winds direction. Ribbons were formed by snow blowing and accumulating on the leeward slope and perpendicular to the prevailing winds, as well as to the elevation gradient. Hedges were always linked with microtopography features, whereas ribbons were not. Trees are migrating upward by waves and new ribbons and hedges are forming at or near tree line, whereas at lower elevations ribbons and hedges are being transformed into closed forests. Time series of high-resolution satellite scenes (from 1968 to 2010) indicated an upslope shift in the position ribbons averaged 155±26 m (or 3.7 m yr) and crown closure increased (about 35%-90%). The hedges advance was limited by poor regeneration establishment and was negligible. Regeneration within the ribbon zone was approximately 2.5 times (5060 vs 2120 ha) higher then within the hedges zone. During the last four decades, Siberian pine in both hedges and ribbons strongly increased its growth increment, and recent tree growth rate for 50 year-old trees was about twice higher than those recorded for similarly-aged trees at the beginning of the 20 century. Hedges and ribbons are phenomena that are widespread within the southern and northern Siberian Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the changes in precipitation regime in the Altai Mountains for 1959-2014 and estimate the influence of atmospheric circulations on these changes. Our study showed that during last 56 years the changes in the precipitation regime had a positive trend for the warm seasons (April-October), but weakly positive or negative trends for the cold seasons (November-March). It was found that these changes correspond to the decreasing contribution of 'Northern meridional and Stationary anticyclone (Nm-Sa)' and 'Northern meridional and East zonal (Nm-Ez)' circulation groups and to the increasing contribution of 'West zonal and Southern meridional (Wz-Sm)' circulation groups, accordingly to the Dzerdzeevskii classification. In addition, it was found that the variation of precipitation has a step change point in 1980. For the warm seasons, the precipitation change at this point is associated with the reduced influence of 'West zonal (Wz)', 'Northern meridional and Stationary anticyclone (Nm-Sa)' and 'Northern meridional and Southern meridional (Nm-Sm)' circulation groups. For the cold seasons, a substantial increase of 'Wz-Sm' and a decrease of 'Nm-Sa', 'Nm-Ez' circulation groups are responsible for the precipitation change in the two time periods (1959-1980 and 1981-2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We project glacier surface mass balances of the Altai Mountains over the period 2006-2100 for the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios using daily near-surface air temperature and precipitation from 12 global climate models in combination with a surface mass balance model. The results indicate that the Altai glaciers will undergo sustained mass loss throughout the 21st for both RCPs and reveal the future fate of glaciers of different sizes. By 2100, glacier area in the region will shrink by 26 ± 10 % for RCP4.5, while it will shrink by 60 ± 15 % for RCP8.5. According to our simulations, most disappearing glaciers are located in the western part of the Altai Mountains. For RCP4.5, all glaciers disappearing in the twenty-first century have a present-day size smaller than 5.0 km, while for RCP8.5, an additional ~7 % of glaciers in the initial size class of 5.0-10.0 km also vanish. We project different trends in the total meltwater discharge of the region for the two RCPs, which does not peak before 2100, with important consequences for regional water availability, particular for the semi-arid and arid regions. This further highlights the potential implications of change in the Altai glaciers on regional hydrology and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial and temporal dynamics of fir stands damage caused by a large-scale outbreak of the Siberian silk moth ( Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv.) in the Altai Mountains has been studied using remote sensing and GIS methods. It is ascertained that forest damages are dissimilar relative to the surface features. The pest outbreak initially occurred on the southwest slopes with mean values of 10° and elevation of 400 m asl. The damages further extended both upward and downward, involving slopes of high steepness and the eastern exposure. The total area of the dead stands comprised 6000 ha, 45% of which were lost due to secondary pest (xylophagous insects) attacks. It is indicated that the use of remote sensing made it possible to determine the beginning of a pest outbreak with one-decade precision. The Siberian silk moth large-scale outbreak occurred against an increase in air temperatures, a decrease in precipitation, and a reduction in late frosts. The tree plants weakened by the Siberian silk moth and water stress were affected by xylophagous insect attacks. The observed and predicted warming and climate aridity increase will facilitate Siberian silk moth outbreaks both within its range and northward of the current margins of the range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data presented introduce substantial changes into Quaternary stratigraphy, paleogeography, and the geological history of the Altai Mountains. The purpose of this investigation was thorough study of block accumulations in the Chuya and Katun river valleys. The new data shed light on the structure of these deposits, their composition, the geomorphological and stratigraphic position, and the morphology of blocks. The revealed morphological features of individual blocks imply their glacial origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents original authors' data on aluminous schists in the Tsogt tectonic plate in the Southern Altai Metamorphic Belt. The nappe includes a medium-temperature/medium-pressure zonal metamorphic complex, whose metamorphic grade varies from the greenschist to epidote-amphibolite facies. The garnet and garnet-staurolite schists contain three garnet generations of different composition and morphology. The P-T metamorphic parameters estimated by mineralogical geothermometers and geobarometers and by numerical modeling with the PERPLEX 668 software provide evidence of two successive metamorphic episodes: high-gradient (of the andalusite-sillimanite type, geothermal gradient approximately 40-50°/km) and low-gradient (kyanite-sillimanite type, geothermal gradient approximately 27°/km). The P-T parameters of the older episode are T = 545-575°C and P = 3.1-3.7 kbar. Metamorphism during the younger episode was zonal, and its peak parameters were T = 560-565°C, P = 6.4-7.2 kbar for the garnet zone and T = 585-615°C, P = 7.1-7.8 kbar for the staurolite zone. The metamorphism evolved according to a clockwise P-T path: the pressure increased during the first episode at a practically constant temperature, and then during the second episode, the temperature increased at a nearly constant pressure. Such trends are typical of metamorphism related to collisional tectonic settings and may be explained by crustal thickening due to overthrusting. The regional crustal thickening reached at least 15-18 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debatable aspects of age, stratigraphic position, and natural conditions of the oldest stratified Early Paleolithic Karama site in the Altai Mountains are critically revised. The extensive geological, stratigraphic, and paleontological data allow the sufficiently well-substantiated assumption that accumulation of the Karama Formation and existence of the Early Paleolithic Karama site correspond to a long period of climate warming in the Early Pleistocene correlated with the Tiglian of northwestern Europe lasting from 2.23 to 1.59 Ma. The age model proposed for the formation of the Quaternary sequence in the Anui River valley, which includes the artifact-containing deposits of the Karama site, seems to be the most probable one proceeding from interpretation of available data on the geological structure, stratigraphy, paleomagnetism, and paleontological and lithological properties of Upper Cenozoic sequences observable both in the Anui River valley and in Siberian areas adjacent to the Altai mountainous region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostracods from the lacustrine-alluvial beds of intermontane troughs of the Altai Mountains are examined. Ostracods similar in species composition are recorded in the Lower-Middle Miocene of southeastern Kazakhstan. Changes in species composition and abundance of ostracods in the section of boreholes caused by changes in paleogeographical conditions of water bodies are analyzed. A new species of the genus Candona is described. For the previously known ostracod species, figures are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]