The Holocene vegetation history of the Arfon Platform, North Wales, UK |
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| Authors: | RUTH WATKINS JAMES D SCOURSE JUDY R M ALLEN |
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| Institution: | School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK;School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK;Institute of Ecosystem Science, School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK |
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| Abstract: | Detailed pollen, charcoal and loss on ignition profiles were analysed from Llyn Cororion, North Wales, UK. The chronology was based on 11 radiocarbon dates. This site is particularly important for this region because its high-resolution record improves the spatial and temporal resolution of records of Holocene vegetation change in an area characterized by a highly variable environment. An early Holocene phase of Juniperus-Betula scrub was succeeded by Betula-Corylus woodland. Quercus and Ulmus were established by c. 8600 14C yr BP, with Pinus dominating at c. 8430 14C yr BP. Local disturbance then allowed the spread of Alnus; Tilia was a common component of the forest by 5650 14C yr BP. Charcoal and pollen records suggest that by c. 2600 14C yr BP there was progressive deforestation, increased use of fire and spread of grassland; the first cereal grain was recorded at c. 2900 14C yr BP. Compared with data from upland Snowdonia, the results show that within a topographically diverse region there were significant local variations in forest composition. These variations developed as a response to interactions between many environmental parameters and were further complicated by the influence of human activity. In an area such as North Wales it is therefore unlikely that one site can be representative of regional Holocene vegetational development. The site is additionally important because it contributes to the data available for meta-analyses of environmental change in the North Atlantic region, particularly as detailed pollen diagrams from coastal lake sites around western Europe are rare. |
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