Abrupt climate and vegetation variability of eastern Anatolia during the last glacial

Detailed analyses of the Lake Van pollen, Ca/K ratio, and stable oxygen isotope record allow the identification of millennial-scale vegetation and environmental changes in eastern Anatolia throughout the last glacial (similar to 111.5-11.7 ka BP). The climate of the last glacial was cold and dry, indicated by low arboreal pollen (AP) levels. The driest and coldest period corresponds to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 (similar to 28-14.5 ka BP), which was dominated by highest values of xerophytic steppe vegetation.