Raw counts of pollen and spores for the sediment core Te2019 (Svalbard, Colesdalen valley, lake Tenndammen (N 78°06.118; E 15°02.024) and for 10 soil samples collected from the lake shores

• Published in: Palynology
• Main Authors: Poliakova, Anastasia, Brown, Antony G, Alsos, Inger Greve
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA
• Subjects: Anthropogenic impact; exotic pollen; long-distance pollen component; pollen analysis; Svalbard vegetation history; Svalbard; Colesdalen; Tenndammen; Brant; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.942567

We analysed for pollen lacustrine sediments from Svalbard (lake Tenndammen) as well as ten soil probs collected from the lake's shores. In total, 56 pollen taxa were registered in the sediments, whilst in the soil 35 pollen types were revealed. Major changes in pollen assemblages after ca 1900 CE were associated with human impact. Around 1920 CE, the first signs of introduced plant taxa were identified, i.e., by the presence of Apiaceae and Fabaceae, pollen. Besides, large-sized pollen with a thick exine and annulus diameter of 10.6-13 μm identified as Poaceae/Cerealia type were constantly present since ca 1920 CE. Other exotic pollen, that includes Ulmus, Juglans, and tropical pollen of Albizia / Mimosa type, Eucalyptus type, Acalupha type, Passiflora type, those are found in the sediments exclusively during 1950s, the period associated with the most intensive mining activity and human migration to and from Colesdalen. Additionally, occurrence of Myrica (gale) type, Erica type occurring both in the sediment throughout all ca 800 study period and distinguished in the soil probs are discussed in terms of brant geese feeding migration to and from Scotland (UK). Our research demonstrates how well human history can be reflected in the lake sediments.