Dynamics of natural conditions around modern glaciation location at the Eastern Sayan

Abstract

Mountain massif Munku-Sardyk presents the highest mountain range and adjacent Stanovoy ridge highlands of the Eastern Sayan. There is situated modern glaciation site which was the most studied in the course of last 160 years. This periglacial area experienced different periods of cooling and warming in the Holocene and retained traces of the Sartan glaciation of Subboreal (3000–5000 years ago), the Little Ice Age, the evidences of Holocene optimum and general warming last time. The authors examined the variability of activity of modern glaciation and variation of natural conditions of the periglacial zone on climate and on dendrochronological data. Results of larch and Siberian stone pine growth data were revealed at the higher border of forest communities. Analysis of the growth of the “fossil” tree in the Holocene optimum showed that the absolute magnitude of its increment was two times higher than for up-to-date long-lived trees. Identified periods of the Peretolchin glacier retreat in 1900–1965 and 1983–2000 years took place with increased growth of trees and the rate of sedimentation in proglacial lake, and vice versa glacier advance on in 1965–1980 years was accompanied by slowing of tree increments and reduction in sedimentation rate. Since 2000, there has been growth of trees instability associated with a decrease in average monthly summer temperatures.