Blanket mire formation at Haramsøy, Møre og Romsdal, Western Norway |
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| Authors: | THYRA SOLEM |
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| Institution: | Department of Botany, University of Trondheim, N-7055 Dragvoll, Norway |
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| Abstract: | Stratigraphical studies, pollen analyses and radiocarbon dating of peat cores from two blanket mire areas, Mannen and Hestevollane, on the central mountain plateau of the hat-shaped island of Haramsøy in the Nordøyane archipelago indicate that blanket mire formation here dates back about 3,000 years and was primarily caused by human activity, namely regular burning to provide or improve grazing areas. Corresponding investigations of peat cores from two strandfiat sites on either side of the island demonstrate that a population existed on the strandfiat at least 6,800 years ago and gradually converted the original vegetation of the strandfiat into pastures and fields. The human influence increased further about 3,000 years ago when the activity was extended to the mountain plateau where grazing and regular burning, in addition to deteriorating climatic conditions, resulted in blanket mire formation. |
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