The timing and causes of the final pre-settlement expansion of Betula pubescens in Iceland

Palynological data from southern and western Iceland show rising values for the pollen of Betula pubescens for the period AD 600—800. The increased values for B. pubescens probably stem from both improved flowering conditions and increased coverage and density of woodlands associated with short-live...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Holocene
Main Authors: Erlendsson, Egill, Edwards, Kevin J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publications 2009
Subjects:
Paleontology
Earth-Surface Processes
Ecology
Archeology
Global and Planetary Change
Iceland
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0959683609341001
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0959683609341001
Description
Summary:Palynological data from southern and western Iceland show rising values for the pollen of Betula pubescens for the period AD 600—800. The increased values for B. pubescens probably stem from both improved flowering conditions and increased coverage and density of woodlands associated with short-lived climatic amelioration within a phase of longer-term harsh climate. The swift response to climate change in the palynological record and good correlation with comparative data from other proxies indicates that Icelandic palynology offers an important, yet largely underexploited, tool for the reconstruction of Icelandic Holocene environments.

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