Pollen-based biome reconstructions for Latin America at 0, 6000 and 18 000 radiocarbon years ago

• DOI: 10.5194/cp-5-725-2009
• Publication Date: 2010-04-29T14:41:50Z
• Authors: R. Marchant; A. Cleef; S. P. Harrison; H. Hooghiemstra; V. Markgraf; J. van Boxel; T. Ager; L. Almeida; R. Anderson; C. Baied; H. Behling; J. C. Berrio; R. Burbridge; S. Björck; R. Byrne; M. Bush; J. Duivenvoorden; J. Flenley; P. De Oliveira; B. van Geel; K. Graf; W. D. Gosling; S. Harbele; T. van der Hammen; B. Hansen; S. Horn; P. Kuhry; M.-P. Ledru; F. Mayle; B. Leyden; S. Lozano-García; A. M. Melief; P. Moreno; N. T. Moar; A. Prieto; G. van Reenen; M. Salgado-Labouriau; F. Schäbitz; E. J. Schreve-Bri...; M. Wille
• Keywords: Biome; Tropical vegetation; Shrubland; Temperate rainforest; Evergreen forest; Temperate forest

Abstract. The biomisation method is used to reconstruct Latin American vegetation at 6000±500 and 18 000±1000 radiocarbon years before present (14C yr BP) from pollen data. Tests using modern data 381 samples derived 287 locations broadly reproduce potential natural vegetation. strong temperature gradient associated with the Andes recorded by a transition high altitude cool grass/shrubland mixed forest mid-altitude temperate rain forest, tropical dry, seasonal low altitudes. Reconstructed biomes number of sites do not match due local factors such as human impact, methodological artefacts mechanisms representivity parent At 14C BP 255 are analysed 127 sites. Differences between reconstruction comparatively small; change relative mainly characteristic drier climate in north region slight more mesic shift south. Cool remains dominant western South America. In northwestern America record transitions dry forest. Sites Central show biome assignment, but vegetation, indicative greater plant available moisture, e.g. on Yucatán peninsula warm evergreen replacing presently recorded. 61 34 reflecting generally environment. prevalent southeast Brazil whereas Amazonian Southernmost dominated grass/shrubland, single site retains indicating that was some LGM. Some Mexico lowland Colombia remain unchanged assignments respectively, although affinities these have different present. "unresponsive" nature results their location impact edaphic influence.