Spatiotemporal patterns of northern lake formation since the Last Glacial Maximum

The northern mid- to high-latitudes have the highest total number and area of lakes on Earth. Lake origins in these regions are diverse, but a large extent coupled glacial, permafrost, peatland histories. synthesis 1207 lake initiation records presented here provides an analog for rapid landscape-level change response climate warming, its subsequent attenuation by physical biological feedback mechanisms. Our compilation reveals two peaks formation, 13,200 10,400 years ago, both following increases North Atlantic air temperature. Placing our findings within context existing paleoenvironmental records, we suggest that solar insolation-driven changes (temperature water balance) led deglaciation permafrost thaw likely contributed high rates formation during last Deglacial period. However, further landscape development stabilization dramatically reduced beginning ∼10,000 ago. This suggests temperature alone may not control future development; rather, multiple factors must align enable respond with increase area. We propose land surfaces strongly geared toward increased were highly conditioned glaciation. Thus, it is unlikely warming this century will cause as or widespread