Aquatic ecosystem responses to Holocene climate change and biome development in boreal, central Asia

► Holocene insolation dominant control on Siberian boreal vegetation. ► Chironomid variation controlled mainly by climate. ► Diatom variation controlled by climate and biome development. ► Due to continuous permafrost, Sayan Mountain lake did not undergo Holocene acidification. ► Major ecosystem response coincident with onset of Little Ice Age.