Late Quaternary environmental change inferred from phytoliths and other soil-related proxies: Case studies from the central and southern Great Plains,USA |
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| Authors: | Carlos E Cordova William C Johnson Rolfe D Mandel Michael W Palmer |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Geography, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;2. Department of Geography, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;3. Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA;4. Department of Botany, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA |
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| Abstract: | This study investigates stable carbon isotopes (δ13C), opal phytolith assemblages, burnt phytoliths, microscopic charcoal and Sporormiella spores from modern soils and paleosols in Kansas and Oklahoma. Grass and dicot phytoliths in combination with δ13C are used as proxies for reconstructing the structure of grasslands and woodlands. Burnt grass phytoliths and microscopic charcoal are evaluated as proxies for reconstructing paleofire incidence. Concentrations of the fungal spore Sporormiella are used as a proxy for assessing large herbivore activity. These proxies were tested on various modern grassland communities of the central and southern Great Plains, including areas with bison, cattle, and small herbivores, and areas under different fire frequencies. |
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| Keywords: | Opal phytoliths Paleosols Sporormiella Stable carbon isotopes Charcoal Great Plains |
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