This dataset is a csv file of abundance data of chironomid larvae subfossils isolated from surface sediments collected from lakes in arctic and subarctic Russia between 61 and 72 °N and 50 - 132 °E. The 81 lakes form the calibration dataset used to develop a chironomid-based inference model to estimate past mean July air temperatures. The data comprise lake code, July air temperatures estimated for each lake by spatial interpolation of meteorological records and percentage abundance data of the chironomid taxa. Further details of the lakes and development of the inference model are given in the following reference:

A.E. Self, S.J. Brooks, H.J.B. Birks, L. Nazarova, D. Porinchu, A. Odland, H. Yang and, V.J. Jones (2011). The distribution and abundance of chironomids in high-latitude Eurasian lakes with respect to temperature and continentality: development and application of new chironomid-based climate-inference models in northern Russia. Quaternary Science Reviews 30: 1122-1141.