Holocene paleoecology of an estuary on Santa Rosa Island, California

Quaternary Research
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Abstract

The middle to late Holocene history and early Anglo-European settlement impacts on Santa Rosa Island, California, were studied through the analysis of sediments in a small estuarine marsh. A 5.4-m-long sediment core produced a stratigraphic and pollen record spanning the last 5200 yr. Three major zones are distinguishable in the core. The lowermost zone (5200 to 3250 yr B.P.) represents a time of arid climate with predominantly marine sediment input and high Chenopodiaceae and Ambrosia pollen values. The intermediate zone (3250 yr B.P. to 1800 A.D.) is characterized by greater fresh water input and high values for Asteraceae and Cyperaceae pollen and charcoal particles. The uppermost zone (1800 A.D. to present) documents the unprecedented erosion, sedimentation, and vegetation change that resulted from the introduction of large exotic herbivores and exotic plants to the island during Anglo-European settlement. The identification of pollen grains of Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana) documents the persistence of this endemic species on the island throughout the middle to late Holocene.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Holocene paleoecology of an estuary on Santa Rosa Island, California
Series title Quaternary Research
DOI 10.1006/qres.1994.1037
Volume 41
Issue 3
Year Published 1994
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Publisher location Amsterdam, Netherlands
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description p. 326-335
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Quaternary Research
First page 326
Last page 335
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