Climate-driven peatlands development and vegetation dynamics in Northeastern China since the mid-Holocene: New evidence from Huanan peatlands

Studying peatland evolution and vegetation patterns in response to climate change provides valuable insights into future ecosystem trends. This study focuses on the Huanan peatland located in Changbai Mountain regions in Northeast China, utilizing phytolith analysis and stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) to reconstruct late Holocene vegetation dynamics. Additionally, grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) analyses were conducted to understand peatland development and paleoclimate since the late Holocene. The research identifies three distinct climate periods since 5500 cal yr BP: an initial warm, humid phase (5500–4000 cal yr BP) characterized by high river levels that formed lacustrine sediments; a subsequent transition to cold, dry conditions (4000–1500 cal yr BP) that initiated peat formation; and continued dry, cold conditions (1500 cal yr BP to the present) with sustained peat growth. Phytolith data reveal a dominant forest vegetation type since 2000 cal yr BP, further divided into three periods: 2000–1300 cal yr BP, marked by diverse and dense vegetation; 1300–750 cal yr BP, with declining plant cover; and 750 cal yr BP to the present, characterized by an increase in woody plants but a reduction in local grass cover. •The development of Huanan peatland and changes in patterns of vegetation covering the peatland since the mid-Holocene have been mainly driven by climate.•Since 5500 cal yr BP, climate change in Huanan has transitioned from warm and humid to cold and dry.•The Huanan Peatland experienced the process of developing from lake to peat, and peat began to accumulate around 4000 cal yr BP.•The main regional vegetation type in the Huanan peatland since 2000 cal yr BP has been forest vegetation, and the local vegetation type has been meadow steppe.