Eastern European mammoth distribution and environments during the Middle Valdai Briansk Interstade (33,000-24,000 BP) [Répartition du mammouth d’europe de l’Est et son environnement durant l’interstade Briansk du Valdai moyen].

Résumé

One of the most remarkable intervals within the Valdai Glaciation was a time of significant warming - the Briansk Interstade (33,000-24,000 yr. BP). there are abundant palaeotheriologic and palaeobotanic data, including mammoth finds, available for this interval. The principal goal of this study was an integrated analysis of the extensive database with respect to main features of mammoth environments during this Interstade. For this purpose we used mathematical as well as traditional research methods. Information on mammal and plant species composition, geology and geographical position of the sections as well as absolute and relative ages of localities has been included into databases. All data were organized in PARADOX software and then moved to ARC/VIEW GIS, the latter formed the basis for construction of electronic maps of indicator mammal and plant ranges and recognition of the principal biomes.