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A late Quaternary pollen sequence from Mfabeni Peatland, South Africa: Reconstructing forest history in Maputaland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jemma M. Finch  and
Trevor R. Hill
Jemma M. Finch*
Affiliation:
York Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Dynamics (KITE), Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
Trevor R. Hill
Affiliation:
Discipline of Geography, School of Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
*
*Corresponding author. Fax: +44(0) 1904 432998. E-mail addresses:jmf503@york.ac.uk (J.M. Finch), hillt@ukzn.ac.za (T.R. Hill).
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Abstract

This paper documents a continuous ∼ 44,000-yr pollen record derived from the Mfabeni Peatland on the Maputaland Coastal Plain. A detailed fossil pollen analysis indicates the existence of extensive Podocarpus-abundant coastal forests before ∼ 33,000 cal yr BP. The onset of wetter local conditions after this time is inferred from forest retreat and the development of swampy conditions. Conditions during the last glacial maximum (∼ 21,000 cal yr BP) are inferred to have been colder and drier than the present, as evidenced by forest retreat and replacement of swampy reed/sedge communities by dry grassland. Forest growth and expansion during the Holocene Altithermal (∼ 8000–6000 cal yr BP) indicates warm, relatively moist conditions. Previous records from Maputaland have suggested a northward migration of Podocarpus forest during the late Holocene. However, we interpret a mid-Holocene decline in Podocarpus at Mfabeni as evidence of deforestation. Forest clearance during the mid-Holocene is supported by the appearance of Morella serrata, suggesting a shift towards more open grassland/savanna, possibly due to burning. These signals of human impact are coupled with an increase in Acacia, indicative of the development of secondary forest and hence disturbance.

Keywords

Climate changeForest historyMaputalandAfricaPollenHuman impacts
Type
Original Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , November 2008 , pp. 442 - 450
Copyright
University of Washington

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Footnotes

1 Fax: +27(0) 33 2605344.

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