Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2018-29
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2018-29
03 Apr 2018
 | 03 Apr 2018
Status: this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors.

Past, present and future biomes in Beringia: Comparison between simulations and pollen analysis

Kazuyuki Saito, Amy Hendricks, John Walsh, and Nancy Bigelow

Abstract. Past, present and future biomes in Beringia, a region including Alaska and Eastern Russia, were simulated using an equilibrium vegetation model, BIOME4 and a statistical downscaling method in order to illustrate their geographical and temporal changes. Outputs form five CMIP5 models were utilized to represent the climate for four time periods, i.e., the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21 ka), the mid-Holocene Optimum (6 ka), the modern period, and the near future (the end of this century under a RCP8.5 scenario). Present-day biome simulations were generally consistent with current vegetation observations in the study region. Pollen samples indicate that the Bering Land Bridge was covered almost entirely by cushionforb and graminoid tundra during the LGM, whereas the paleoclimate simulations show large across-model variations in this region. Three out of the five modelsʼ climate data produce evergreen and deciduous taiga at 21 ka in what is now southwestern Alaska and southeastern Bering continental shelf. The 6 ka simulations are in better agreement with pollen-based distributions of biomes. Future simulations show a general northward shift of biomes, including intrusions of cool and warm-temperate mixed, and cool coniferous forests above 60° N, especially in southwest Alaska.

This preprint has been withdrawn.

Kazuyuki Saito, Amy Hendricks, John Walsh, and Nancy Bigelow

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Status: closed
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Interactive discussion

Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Kazuyuki Saito, Amy Hendricks, John Walsh, and Nancy Bigelow
Kazuyuki Saito, Amy Hendricks, John Walsh, and Nancy Bigelow

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Latest update: 27 Mar 2024
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This preprint has been withdrawn.

Short summary
Vegetation in Beringia, between Alaska and Eastern Russia, were simulated for a glacial (LGM) and warm past (mid-Holocene), the modern, and the end of this century. Modern and mid-Holocene biomes were simulated consistent with observations. Pollens indicate cold tundras covered the Bering Land Bridge almost entirely at the LGM, but the simulations show large variations, with the majority producing northern forests at southeastern. The future results show a general northward shift of biomes.