Late Holocene paleoclimatic events and evolution of environments in southeastern Transbaikalia

Changes in climate and landscapes of the steppe ecotone in South-eastern Transbaikalia in the late Holocene have been reconstructed using results of lacustrine and floodplain deposit studies as a basis. The depositional environments were reconstructed for the Little Climatic Optimum of the Holocene and for the Little Ice Age. A regular succession of processes, the lithogenous stage followed by soil formation, has been established on floodplains in small river valleys. The changes in the relief-forming process were mainly controlled by the climate. The dynamics of moisture supply was the main controlling factor, while the temperature fluctuations were of secondary importance.