The vegetation and climate change during Neocene and Early Quaternary in Jiuxi Basin, China

Sporopollen record in the Laojunmiao Section at Yumen in the Hexi Corridor foreland depression at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau revealed that during the period of 13.0-11.15 Ma the ecological environment of the Jiuxi Basin is characterized by steppe vegetation and a semi-moist climate. During 11.16-8.60 Ma prevailed forests of cypress and a still warmer, moister climate; steppe vegetation and dry climate began probably at about 8.6 Ma. Although aridification had been relaxed time and again during 8.40-6.93 Ma (forest-steppe, warm-semi-moist), 6.64-5.67 Ma (open-forest and steppe, warmer-semi-moist) and 5.42-4.96 Ma (steppe, semi-arid), the climate in the region became drier and drier in response to the frequent occurrence of aridity during 6.93-6.64 Ma (steppe, semi-arid), 5.67-5.42 Ma (desert-steppe, arid), 3.66-3.30 Ma (desert-steppe, arid) and 2.56-2.21 Ma (desert, arid). Perhaps the important findings of our study are the notable expansion of drought-enduring plants during 3.66-3.30 Ma and about 2.56 Ma and the replacement of vegetation by vast and desert.