Published in

Cambridge University Press, Quaternary Research, 1(43), p. 55-66

DOI: 10.1006/qres.1995.1006

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Paleoecological studies of a Holocene lacustrine record from the Kangerlussuaq (Søndre Strømfjord) region of West Greenland

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

AbstractA lacustrine sediment record from the Kangerlussuaq region, West Greenland, has resulted in a pollen, macrofossil, and sediment stratigraphy that encompasses the last 5000 14C yr. Deglaciation of the area and subsequent development of a nearby floodplain occurred before 5000 yr B.P. Since that time eolian sand and silt deposition appear to have been continuous, with a significant increase ca. 1000 14C yr B.P. Pollen analysis shows little change in the character of the vegetation throughout the record. Fluctuations in herb pollen taxa indicate changes in the extent and development of eolian sand sheets. The oldest pollen zone records relatively little pollen accumulation and low taxa diversity. This is followed by a zone of high pollen accumulation, presumably a phase of highest vegetation density, from 4400 to 3400 14C yr B.P. Thereafter, declining pollen accumulation rates reveal a gradual environmental deterioration. Macrofossil analyses record significant limnological changes, with an early eutrophic phase followed by a masotrophic phase and a reversal to more eutrophic conditions in the final phase. The preserved record illustrates the interactions of deglaciation, eolian activity, regional vegetation, and limnological change.