Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T15:54:30.341Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Holocene aeolian sand mobilization, vegetation history and human impact on the stabilized sand dune area of the southern Nyírség, Hungary

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2012

Tímea Kiss ,
György Sipos ,
Barbara Mauz  and
Gábor Mezősi
Tímea Kiss*
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography and Geoinformatics, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Egyetem u. 2-6, Hungary
György Sipos
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography and Geoinformatics, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Egyetem u. 2-6, Hungary
Barbara Mauz
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L697ZT, UK
Gábor Mezősi
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography and Geoinformatics, University of Szeged, 6722 Szeged, Egyetem u. 2-6, Hungary
*
⁎Corresponding author. Fax: + 36 62 4544158. Email Address:kisstimi@gmail.com, gyuri@earth.geo.u-szeged.hu, mauz@liverpool.ac.uk, mezosi@earth.geo.u-szeged.hu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Almost 20% of the territory of Hungary is covered by stabilized dunes formed during the Pleistocene. With the climate amelioration during the early Holocene the aeolian activity ceased. However, various environmental and anthropogenic factors could have reactivated the aeolian processes. Today, there is an increasing climatic stress on the dune fields of the Carpathian Basin, which is coupled with inadequate land use. It is therefore necessary to determine the timing and circumstances of sand mobilization during the Holocene. The site of the present study is located in a dune–interdune system on the southern part of the Nyírség alluvial fan, where periods of Holocene aeolian activity and environmental change were investigated using palynological and sedimentological methods, optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon dating. The data achieved show climate-driven Boreal aeolian activity at approximately 8.2 ka, and also demonstrate for the first time that during the Atlantic Phase (6.4 and 5.3 ka), in spite of the relatively humid climate and dense vegetation, aeolian activity has taken place, induced probably by agricultural practices. Following Subboreal morphological stability, aeolian activity occurred several times in the Subatlantic Phase (2.4–2.2, 1.2–0.8 and 0.4–0.1 ka) as a result of vegetation changes and human activity.

Keywords

HoloceneAeolian activityHuman impactOSL datingPalynology
Type
Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 78 , Issue 3 , November 2012 , pp. 492 - 501
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adamiec, G., and Aitken, M. Dose-rate conversion factors: update. Ancient TL 16, 2 (1998). 37–49.Google Scholar
Aitken, M.J. An Introduction to Optical Dating: The Dating of Quaternary Sediments by the Use of Photon-Stimulated Luminescence. (1998). Oxford University Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Arens, S.M. Patterns of sand transport on vegetated foredunes. Geomorphology 17, (1996). 339–350.Google Scholar
Banerjee, D., Boetter-Jensen, L., and Murray, A.S. Retrospective dosimetry: estimation of the dose to quartz using the single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 52, (2000). 831–844.Google Scholar
Borhidi, A., and Sánta, A. Plant associations of Hungary. Természetbúvár. (1999). (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Borsy, Z. Physical geography of the Nyírség. (1961). Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
Borsy, Z. Evolution of the Alluvial Fans of the Great Hungarian Plain. Rachocki, A.H., and Church, M. Alluvial Fans. (1990). John Wiley and Sons, Chichester. 229–245.Google Scholar
Borsy, Z. Blown sand territories in Hungary. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie Suppl. 90 (1991). 1–14.Google Scholar
Borsy, Z., Félegyházi, E., Hertelendi, E., Lóki, J., and Sümegi, P. Sedimentological, palynological and malacological analyses of the Bócsa drilling. Acta Geographica Debrecina 28–29, (1991). 263–277. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Böse, M., and Brande, A. Regional patterns of Holocene sand transport in the Berlin–Brandenburg area. Dulias, R., and Pelka-Gosciniak, P. Aeolian Processes in Different Landscape Zones. (2000). University of Silesia, Sosnowiec. 51–59.Google Scholar
Braun, M., Sümegi, P., Szűcs, L., and Gy., Szöőr Development of the Kállósemjén Nagy-Mohos swamp. Year Book of the Jósa András Museum 33–35, (1992). 335–367. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Clarke, M.L., and Käykhö, J.A. Evidence of Holocene aeolian activity in sand dunes from Lapland. Quaternary Science Reviews 16, (1997). 1334–1348.Google Scholar
Clarke, M.L., and Rendell, H.M. Late Holocene dune accretion and episodes of persistent drought in the Great Plains of Northeastern Colorado. Quaternary Science Reviews 22, (2003). 1051–1058.Google Scholar
Duller, G.A.T. Distinguishing quartz and feldspar in single grain luminescence measurements. Radiation Measurements 37, (2003). 161–165.Google Scholar
Félegyházi, E., and Lóki, J. Study on the formation of a sand sheet in the Nyírség. Kiss, A., Mezősi, G., Sümeghy, Z. Landscape, Environment and Society (2006). SZTE, Szeged. 191–203.Google Scholar
Forman, S.L., and Pierson, J. Formation of linear and parabolic dunes on the eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho in the nineteenth century. Geomorphology 56, (2003). 189–200.Google Scholar
Gábris, G. Subdivisions and blown-sand movement stages of the last 30,000 years in Hungary. Földrajzi Közlemények 51, (2003). 1–13. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Gill, T.E. Eolian sediments generated by anthropogenic disturbance of playas: human impacts on the geomorphic system and geomorphic impacts on the human system. Geomorphology 17, (1996). 207–228.Google Scholar
Hilgers, A., (2007). The chronology of Late Glacial and Holocene dune development in the northern Central European lowland reconstructed by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. PhD Thesis, University of Köln, 353.Google Scholar
Járainé-Komlódi, M. Vegetational history of the Carpathian Basin. Tilia 9, (2000). 5–60. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Kalembasa, S.J., and Jenkinson, D.S. A comparative study of titrimetric and gravimetric methods for the determination of organic carbon in soil. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 27, (1973). 1085–1090.Google Scholar
Kalicz, N. Neolithic and Copper Age Findings in Hungary. (1970). Corvina Könyvkiadó, Budapest. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Kiss, T., (2000). Geomorphic dynamics of blown-sand areas in the light of physical and social influences, case study in the Southern Nyírség. PhD Thesis, DE, Debrecen. (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
Kiss, T., and Sipos, G. Anthropogenic reactivation of aeolian processes on the southern part of the Nyírség alluvial fan, Hungary. Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria 30, (2007). 197–202.Google Scholar
Kiss, T., Nyári, D., and Sipos, G. Blown sand movement in historical times near Csengele, Danube-Tisza Interfluve, Hungary. Kiss, A., Mezősi, G., Sümeghy, Z. Landscape, Environment and Society (2006). SZTE, Szeged. 373–383.Google Scholar
Kiss, T., Sipos, G., and Kovács, F. Human impact on fixed sand dunes revealed by morphometric analysis. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 37, (2009). 700–711.Google Scholar
Koster, E.A. Ancient and modern cold-climate aeolian sand deposition: a review. Journal of Quaternary Science 3, 1 (1988). 69–83.Google Scholar
Leenders, J.K., van Boxel, J.H., and Sterk, G. The effect of single vegetation elements on wind speed and sediment transport in the Sahelian Zone of Burkina Faso. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 32, (2007). 1454–1474.Google Scholar
Lóki, J., and Schweitzer, F. Dating recent sand movements on the Danube–Tisza Interfluve. Papers from the Institute of Geography, DE, Debrecen 221, (2001). 175–181. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Lynch, E.A., Calcote, R., and Hotchkiss, S. Late-Holocene vegetation and fire history from Ferry Lake, northwestern Wisconsin, USA. The Holocene 16, 4 (2006). 495–504.Google Scholar
Lytle, D.E. Paleoecological evidence of state shifts between forest and barrens on a Michigan sand plain, USA. The Holocene 15, 6 (2005). 821–836.Google Scholar
Magri, D., and Parra, I. Late Quaternary western Mediterranean pollen records and African winds. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 200, (2002). 401–408.Google Scholar
Mason, J.A., Swinehart, J.B., Goble, R.J., and Loope, D.B. Late-Holocene dune activity linked to hydrological drought, Nebraska Sand Hills, USA. The Holocene 14, 2 (2004). 209–217.Google Scholar
Mauz, B., and Lang, A. Removal of the feldspar-derived luminescence component from polymineral fine silt samples for optical dating applications: evaluation of chemical treatment protocols and quality control procedures. Ancient TL 22, 1 (2004). 1–8.Google Scholar
Mauz, B., Bode, T., Mainz, H., Blanchard, W., Hilger, R., Dikau, R., and Zöller, L. The luminescence dating laboratory at the University of Bonn: equipment and procedures. Ancient TL 20, (2002). 53–61.Google Scholar
Mayer, J.H., and Mahan, S.A. Late Quaternary stratigraphy and geochronology of the western Killpecker Dunes, Wyoming, USA. Quaternary Research 61, (2004). 72–84.Google Scholar
Mejdahl, V. Thermoluminescence dating: beta-dose attenuation in quartz grains. Archaeometry 21, (1979). 61–72.Google Scholar
Mezősi, K. History of Bihar County after the Turkish Occupation. (1943). MTTI, Budapest (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
Muhs, D.R., and Holliday, V.T. Evidence of active dune sand on the Great Plains in the 19th century from accounts of early explorers. Quaternary Research 43, (1995). 198–208.Google Scholar
Müller, H.W., Dohrmann, R., Klosa, D., Rehder, S., and Eckelmann, W. Comparison of two procedures for particle-size analysis: Köhn pipette and X-ray granulometry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 172, (2009). 172–179.Google Scholar
Murray, A.S., and Clemmensen, L.B. Luminescence dating of Holocene aeolian sand movement, Thy, Denmark. Quaternary Science Reviews 20, (2001). 751–754.Google Scholar
Murray, A.S., and Wintle, A.G. Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol. Radiation Measurements 32, (2000). 57–73.Google Scholar
Nordstrom, K.F., Jackson, N.L., Hartman, J.M., and Wong, M. Aeolian sediment transport on a human-altered foredune. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 32, (2007). 102–115.Google Scholar
Pelka-Gosciniak, J. Development of aeolian relief in areas transformed by human impact. Dulias, R., and Pelka-Gosciniak, P. Aeolian Processes in Different Landscape Zones. (2000). University of Silesia, Sosnowiec. 129–143.Google Scholar
Prescott, J.R., and Hutton, J.T. Cosmic ray contributions to dose rates for luminescence and ESR dating: large depths and long-term time variations. Radiation Measurements 23, (1994). 497–500.Google Scholar
Roberts, H.M., Wintle, A.G., Maher, A.M., and Hu, M. Holocene sediment accumulation rates in the western Loess Plateau, China, and a 2500-year record of agricultural activity, revealed by OSL dating. The Holocene 11, 4 (2001). 477–483.Google Scholar
Schlaak, N. Typical aeolian sand profiles and paleosols of the Glien till plain in the northwest of Berlin. Schirmer, W. Dunes and Fossil Soils. (1999). LIT, Münster. 97–107.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M., and Reimer, P.J. Extended 14C data base and revised CALIB 3.0 14C age calibration program. Radiocarbon 35, 1 (1993). 215–231.Google Scholar
Su, Y.Z., Li, Y.L., Cui, J.Y., and Zhao, W.Z. Influences of continuous grazing and livestock exclusion on soil properties in a degraded sandy grassland, Inner Mongolia, Northern China. Catena 59, (2005). 267–278.Google Scholar
Szabó, M. Celtic Tribes in Hungary. (1971). Corvina Könyvkiadó, Budapest (in Hungarian).Google Scholar
Szczypek, T., Wach, Human impact and intensity of aeolian processes in the Silesian-Cracow Upland (Southern Poland). Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplement 90, (1991). 171–178.Google Scholar
Székyné-Fux, V. The limonite in Bagamér and Nagyléta. Papers from the Mineralogical and Geological Institute, University of Debrecen. (1942). (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Szendrey, I. History of Debrecen before 1693. Debrecen. (1984). (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Újházy, K., Gábris, G., and Frechen, M. Ages of periods of sand movement in Hungary determined through luminescence measurements. Quaternary International 111, (2003). 91–100.Google Scholar
Vandenberghe, D., Kasse, C., Hossain, S.M., Corte, F., Haute, P., Fuchs, M., and Murray, A. Exploring the method of optical dating and comparison of optical and 14C ages of Late Weichselian coversands in the southern Netherlands. Journal of Quaternary Science 19, (2004). 73–86.Google Scholar
Visy, Zs. Hungarian archaeology in the Millennium. (2003). NKÖm, Budapest. (in Hungarian) Google Scholar
Wintle, A.G., and Murray, A.S. A review of quartz optically stimulated luminescence characteristics and their relevance in single-aliquot regeneration dating protocols. Radiation Measurements 41, (2006). 369–391.Google Scholar
Wolfe, S.A., Ollerhead, J., Huntley, D.J., and Lian, O.B. Holocene dune activity and environmental change in the prairie parkland and boreal forest, central Saskatchewan, Canada. The Holocene 16, 1 (2006). 1–729.Google Scholar
Zólyomi, B. Histoire de 1'évolution du tapis végétal de la Hongrie depuis la derniére époque glaciaire. Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Biológiai Osztályának Közleményei 1, (1952). 491–530.Google Scholar