It became known when forests disappeared in Altai

In order to find out what historical events preceded the deforestation, scientists collected

 samples of bottom sediments of lakes Kuchuk and Maloye Yarovoye, located in the Kulundinskaya steppe of the Altai Territory.The lakes were formed about 14,000 years ago, in the period before the beginning of the current geological epoch.

It is believed that at this time the places were covered with glaciers formed during the last glaciation.

For the samples taken, the scientists made a paleoclimatic reconstruction, and then built a chain of significant events in natural history that were associated with the human factor. 

As a result, it became clear that it was during the Holocene that abnormally volumetric precipitation was observed on the territory of the Steppe Altai, which led to the intensive development of forest cover.

Experts determined when major fires occurred, and also suggested that nomads could have been the cause of the fires.Scientists have not been able to find a direct relationship between changes in precipitation and high temperatures.Nomads supposedly burned pastures to increase their fertility.

The authors hope that their study will help to understand the current issues of climate change, as well as predict the development of the region in the near future.

Read also

Scientists have figured out exactly how heat stress damages sperm

The annual mission in the Arctic has ended and the data are disappointing. What awaits humanity?

On day 3 of illness, most COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell and often suffer from a runny nose