Climate change, vegetation history, and agricultural activity of Lake Li-yu Tan, central Taiwan, during the last 2.6ka BP
Journal
Quaternary International
Journal Volume
325
Pages
105-110
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
Pollen record derived from the sediment core of Lake Li-yu Tan, central Taiwan, provides valuable information of vegetation history, climate change, and agricultural activity. Subtropical evergreen forests dominated the uplands surrounding this lake from 2.6ka BP, indicating the climate was warm. However, the appearance of warm-temperate forest vegetation suggests two relatively cool periods, prior to 2.3ka BP and between 1.6 and 1.2ka BP. Based on the presence of cultivated pollen, including Poaceae (>40μm), Lagerstroemia, and Melia, agricultural activity was expansive between 1.6 and 1.2ka BP and from 0.6ka BP. This study also provides the first charcoal record in Taiwan. Natural fires occurred frequently during the interval 2.6 to 1.7ka BP, as shown by continuous and stable charcoal influxes. Decline in charcoal influxes elucidates that fires decreased during the interval 1.7 to 1.6ka BP. Fire events resulting from agricultural activity occurred between 1.6 and 1.2ka BP. The high fluctuation of charcoal influxes during this period also indicates charcoal production by humans, presumably near the lake, based on the appearance of large charcoal particles (>500μm). Fires decreased gradually from 1.2ka BP. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA.
Other Subjects
agricultural history; agricultural production; charcoal; climate variation; evergreen forest; historical geography; paleotemperature; palynology; vegetation history; Liyu Lake; Taiwan; Citrus maxima; Lagerstroemia; Melia; Poaceae
Type
journal article