CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
Search Results
Author : Gajewski, K.; and Viau , A.
Date : 2007.
Title : Pollen databases in paleoenvironmental reconstructions.
Publication : CANQUA Ottawa 2007. Canadian Quaternary Association Conference, June 4-8, 2007. Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The availability of large paleoenvironmental databases permits the study of paleoclimate questions not otherwise possible. In particular, the North American Pollen database and a new modern pollen database for calibration contain sufficient data such that continental-scale analyses are possible. The primary use of the pollen database has been to create maps of past climates and document the postglacial migrations of the major tree species. More recently analysis of time sequences is bringing new insight into high frequency climate variability. Data mining can bring new insight into paleoenvironmental changes, as illustrated by a study of the importance of taxonomic precision in paleoecological studies. These data can also provide insight into question not traditionally studied, for example quantifying the accumulation of carbon in Sphagnum peatlands. An attempt to investigate large-scale changes in pollen influx to sediments indicates some of the difficulties involved in data mining. We will show examples of novel types of analyses that are bringing new insight into biogeographic questions and increasing our understanding of the spatio-temporal nature of climate change.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology