Paleoecology of Beringian “packrat” middens from central Yukon Territory, Canada

Rodent middens from ice-rich loess deposits are important new paleoenvironmental archives for Eastern Beringia. Plant macrofossils recovered from three middens associated with Dawson tephra (ca. 24,000 14 C yr B.P.) at two sites in Yukon Territory include diverse graminoids, forbs, and mosses. These...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Quaternary Research
Main Authors: Zazula, Grant D., Froese, Duane G., Westgate, John A., La Farge, Catherine, Mathewes, Rolf W.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2005
Subjects:
Arctic
Yukon
Canada
Burrows
Arctic ground squirrel
Dawson
Ice
permafrost
Tundra
Beringia
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2004.11.003
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https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033589400013272
Description
Summary:Rodent middens from ice-rich loess deposits are important new paleoenvironmental archives for Eastern Beringia. Plant macrofossils recovered from three middens associated with Dawson tephra (ca. 24,000 14 C yr B.P.) at two sites in Yukon Territory include diverse graminoids, forbs, and mosses. These data suggest substantial local scale floristic and habitat diversity in valley settings, including steppe-tundra on well-drained soils, moist streamside meadows, and hydric habitats. Fossil arctic ground squirrel burrows and nesting sites indicate that permafrost active layers were thicker during Pleistocene glacial periods than at present on north-facing slopes.

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