Publication Abstracts

Jones et al. 2009

Jones, M.C., D.M. Peteet, D. Kurdyla, and T. Guilderson, 2009: Climate and vegetation history from a 14,000-year peatland record, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Quat. Res., 72, 207-217, doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2009.04.002.

Analysis of pollen, spores, macrofossils, and lithology of an AMS 14C-dated core from a subarctic fen on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska reveals changes in vegetation and climate beginning 14,200 cal yr BP. Betula expansion and contraction of herb tundra vegetation characterize the Younger Dryas on the Kenai, suggesting increased winter snowfall concurrent with cool, sunny summers. Remarkable Polypodiaceae (fern) abundance between 11,500-8500 cal yr BP implies a significant change in climate. Enhanced peat preservation and the occurrence of wet meadow species suggest high moisture from 11,500-10,700 cal yr BP, in contrast to drier conditions in southeastern Alaska; this pattern may indicate an intensification and repositioning of the Aleutian Low (AL). Drier conditions on the Kenai Peninsula from 10,700-8500 cal yr BP may signify a weaker AL, but elevated fern abundance may have been sustained by high seasonality with substantial snowfall and enhanced glacial melt. Decreased insolation-induced seasonality resulted in climatic cooling after 8500 cal yr BP, with increased humidity from 8000-5000 cal yr BP. A dry interval punctuated by volcanic activity occurred between 5000-3500 cal yr BP, followed by cool, moist climate, coincident with Neoglaciation. Tsuga mertensiana expanded after ∼1500 cal yr BP in response to the shift to cooler conditions.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{jo01100t,
  author={Jones, M. C. and Peteet, D. M. and Kurdyla, D. and Guilderson, T.},
  title={Climate and vegetation history from a 14,000-year peatland record, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska},
  year={2009},
  journal={Quaternary Research},
  volume={72},
  pages={207--217},
  doi={10.1016/j.yqres.2009.04.002},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - jo01100t
AU  - Jones, M. C.
AU  - Peteet, D. M.
AU  - Kurdyla, D.
AU  - Guilderson, T.
PY  - 2009
TI  - Climate and vegetation history from a 14,000-year peatland record, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
JA  - Quat. Res.
JO  - Quaternary Research
VL  - 72
SP  - 207
EP  - 217
DO  - 10.1016/j.yqres.2009.04.002
ER  -

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