Search Results (103)

Subfossil trees in growth position and their associated organic sediments serve as valuable archives of past ecologies, shedding light on coastal forest responses to post-Glacial sea-level rise. This paper offers an overview of the significance of drowned forests as both ecological and cultural records, with particular emphasis on Australian Indigenous connections to these landscapes. Indigenous use of and cultural connections to coastal trees and forests in Australian contexts are outlined, along with an overview of the formation and preservation processes of submerged forests and the methodological approaches used to study them. Case studies from across Australia illustrate the diversity of these records and their relevance to both science and heritage. The paper highlights the need for a regional database of subfossil trees and peats and underscores the importance of integrating Indigenous and scientific knowledge systems to deepen our understanding of environmental and cultural change. Full article

Palaeoecological investigations connected with extensive pre-bog, stone walls, and field systems at Kilmore, Dingle peninsula, Ireland, are presented. The main pollen profile, KLM I, spans the last 4000 years. When the record opened, pine (Pinus sylvestris) was already a minor tree, oak (probably Quercus petraea) was the main tall-canopy tree, and birch and alder were dominant locally. Substantial farming is recorded between ca. 1530 and 600 BCE (Bronze Age) when the stone walls were likely constructed. From ca. 560 CE onwards, intensive farming was conducted for much of the time. A largely treeless landscape emerged in the late twelfth century CE. Fine-spatial reconstructions of landscape and vegetation dynamics, including the timing of blanket bog initiation, are made. Post-glacial change in the western Dingle peninsula, based on published Holocene lake profiles and drawing on the new information presented here, is discussed. Reported are (a) fossil spores of the filmy ferns Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, H. wilsonii, and Trichomanes speciosum; (b) the first fossil pollen record for Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) in the Dingle peninsula (540 CE); and (c) the first published records for Fagopyrum fossil pollen in Ireland, indicating that buckwheat was grown at Kilmore in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth centuries. Full article

The development of fluvial systems over long time scales is a complex interplay of tectonic, climatic, and lithological factors. The initiation and location of fluvial channels in the landscape is less well understood. Recently exposed surfaces provide opportunities to determine factors controlling fluvial channel initiation. During the Würm Last Glacial Maximum (c. 20 ka), the Ain valley in eastern France transformed into a large proglacial lake. Following deglaciation, new drainage channels initiated on the drained lake floor. Extensive morphological and sedimentological mapping and lithogenetic interpretation of the valley fill enable to determine the forcing factors of fluvial channel initiation. The location of the postglacial channels is determined by the initial topography of the lake floor and lithological variability of the sediments. Tributary channels of the Ain preferentially initiated in depressions of gently sloping former delta bottomsets, which prograded from different directions. In addition, the location of channels is determined by the presence of low-permeability, glacio-lacustrine deposits, that favored overland flow and erosion, compared to the highly permeable terrace deposits on the former lake floor. The differences in erodibility of the fine-grained and coarse-grained deposits resulted in relief inversion. Full article

Quaternary climate has been characterized by pronounced glacial–interglacial cycles, with eustatic sea-level fluctuations directly controlling coastal sedimentary environments. The Yellow River Delta, situated on the southwestern coast of Bohai Bay, bears a distinct stratigraphic imprint of marine–terrestrial environmental transitions. However, critical knowledge gaps persist in reconstructing an integrated continental–marine stratigraphic framework. This study focuses on the nearshore core CB2302, integrating sediment lithology, grain size, foraminiferal assemblages, and geochemical proxies to establish a regional stratigraphic chronology since MIS5. Three depositional units (DU1–DU3) and 12 sedimentary subunits (C1–C12) were identified based on grain-size distributions, geochemical signatures, hydrodynamic, and microfossil assemblages. Integration of AMS ¹⁴C dating and sequence stratigraphic analysis establishes a post-MIS 5 stratigraphic framework for the northern Yellow River Delta, revealing sedimentary responses to three transgressive–regressive cycles (MIS 5e, 5c, and 5a) and confirming widespread terrestrial deposition during MIS 4–2, with no detectable marine influence in MIS 3 strata. Furthermore, correlation with representative cores across the Yellow–Bohai Sea coastal system elucidates a unified model of shoreline migration patterns driven by post-MIS5 sea-level oscillations. These findings advance the understanding of Quaternary sediment–landscape interactions in deltaic systems and provide critical stratigraphic benchmarks for petroleum exploration and coastal engineering in active depositional basins. Full article

Responding to a growing concern about impacts from anthropogenic activity on several dozen lakes, a group of citizens initiated and led a water quality sampling program that included characterizing groundwater dependence. The small lakes are located on hummocky glacial terrain near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. A team of volunteers collected lake samples for a variety of limnological and ecological analyses to document lake health and trophic state, and collaborated with a university research group to identify groundwater dependence using specific environmental tracers (δ²H, δ¹⁸O, and ²²²Rn). Water chemistry and isotopic measurements are largely explained by the position of a lake within the local groundwater flow system. A simple metric to express the likelihood of groundwater dependence was calculated using the total dissolved solids (TDS), δ¹⁸O, and ²²²Rn values. Across the relatively small study area, a greater likelihood of groundwater dependence was determined for lakes located downgradient from an elevated recharge area. In contrast, where the water table was relatively flat, a lower likelihood of groundwater dependence was found. These results were similar to the spatial pattern of a trophic state, indicating that groundwater dependence may be one of the factors responsible for lake ecological status. The data generated by citizens and the knowledge gained about the hydrology of this area will help discussions between landowners and decision makers on how to best manage land use in this diverse landscape. Full article

Agia Bay is located on the southeastern coast of Lemnos Island. The coastal area today is characterized by aeolian sandy deposits (dunes). The systematic investigation of a 15.5-m long sediment core from the coastal plain of Agia Bay aimed to shed light to the paleoenvironmental evolution of the area that prehistoric groups occupied. The exhaustive study of the faunal and floral remains of the deposits including benthic foraminifera, ostracods, mollusks, pollen, and dinoflagellate cysts as well as plant remains was further supported by sedimentological, micromorphological, and elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ERT, and absolute dating. Four main evolutionary stages have been identified since the Late Glacial. At the base of the sequence, the fluvial activity dominated the sedimentation in the area forming a small shallow wetland, while after 12,500 cal BP, a marine signal was observed at the wetland. At 7500 cal BP, the wetland increased in size and depth, whereas at 6000 up to 4000 cal BP, a connection of the wetland to the sea was established, and an inner lagoon formed. After 4000 cal BP, a nearshore environment developed due to the sea-level rise. Pollen assemblages record the occurrence of a mixed deciduous oak forest in the island interior around 6000 cal BP, while after 5000 cal BP, an expansion of Mediterranean vegetation, shaped by human activity, is inferred. Full article

The Ross Sea I glaciation, marked by the northward advance of the Ross Ice Sheet (RIS) in the Ross Sea, east Antarctica, corresponds with the last major expansion of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet during the last glacial period. During its advance, the RIS was grounded along the southern Victoria Land coast, completely blocking the mouths of several of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs). Several authors have proposed that very large paleolakes, proglacial to the RIS, existed in many of the MDVs. Studies of these large paleolakes have been key in the interpretation of the regional landscape, climate, hydrology, and glacier and ice sheet movements. By far the most studied of these large paleolakes is Glacial Lake Washburn (GLW) in Taylor Valley. Here, we present a comprehensive review of literature related to GLW, focusing on the waters supplying the paleolake, signatures of the paleolake itself, and signatures of past glacial movements that controlled the spatial extent of GLW. We find that while a valley-wide proglacial lake likely did exist in Taylor Valley during the early stages of the Ross Sea I glaciation, during later stages two isolated lakes occupied the eastern and western sections of the valley, confined by an expansion of local alpine glaciers. Lake levels above ~140 m asl were confined to western Taylor Valley, and major lake level changes were likely driven by RIS movements, with climate variables playing a more minor role. These results may have major implications for our understanding of the MDVs and the RIS during the Ross Sea I glaciation. Full article

Monitoring land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics facilitates effective management and mitigation measures by providing timely and accurate information on the landscape. This study investigates LULC dynamics in Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), one of the most popular destinations for mountain tourism, and Khaptad National Park (KNP), which are emerging destinations, though popular among domestic tourists. A random forest classification algorithm was employed to generate LULC dynamics using Landsat data. High-resolution Planet Scope images and Google Earth images were used for accuracy assessment. Archived tourist and climatic data were analyzed to explore the impacts on LULC change. Cellular automata–artificial neural network (CA-ANN)-based LULC predictions were employed to predict future LULC. LULC dynamics of SNP revealed an increase in bare land, grassland, shrubland, glacial lakes, agriculture, and water bodies; however, snow/glacier and forest cover experienced substantial decreases of 140.25 km² and 15.36 km², respectively, from 1989 to 2021. In KNP, LULC dynamics showed an increasing trend in grassland, agriculture, water bodies, and bare land; however, forest and shrubland experienced a decrease of 18.63 km² and 10.48 km². The forest loss (19.33 km²) in the buffer zone of KNP was greater compared to the buffer zone of SNP (13.45 km²). The increment in built-up area was 0.80 km² in SNP and 1.11 km² in KNP, indicating escalating tourist activities and population growth. For SNP, the mean annual precipitation and temperature data from 1994 to 2023 showed decreasing and increasing patterns, respectively. However, the mean annual precipitation and temperature trends in KNP demonstrated an increasing pattern. Under the business-as-usual scenario, the estimated forest loss will be 1.61 km² in SNP by 2032 and 23.8 km² in KNP by 2030. A significant decline in snow/glaciers is projected for the core zone of SNP, with a loss of 22.84 km² expected by 2032. This study provides a baseline information on LULC changes in SNP and KNP. Further, it showcases the necessity of diversified national park policies as per the requirement. Full article

Understanding paleo-ice flow chronology is essential for reconstructing past ice mass dynamics, interpreting the current landscape, and identifying the sources of Quaternary sediments in deglaciated regions. A recent systematic mapping of striated bedrock and streamlined landforms south of Lake Mistassini in Canada reveals a complex sequence of five ice flows. The earliest flow was directed to the southeast (SE) and originated from a NE-SW ice divide located northwest of Lake Mistassini at the Last Glacial Maximum. A progressive clockwise rotation of this ice divide, likely triggered during the early deglaciation, appears to have generated ice flows toward the south–southeast (SSE) and then toward the south (S). During the later stages of deglaciation, the flow originated from the Québec–Labrador Dome, initially toward the south–southwest (SSW) and then toward the southwest (SW). This study presents new data on ice flows south of Lake Mistassini and shows that the southward and south–southeastward ice events occurred before the late stage of deglaciation. This interpretation contradicts some previous studies and will contribute to the discussion on the dynamics of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in the Mistassini area and support mineral exploration efforts in the region. Full article

Iran is a country characterized by high biodiversity and complex biogeographic patterns. Its diverse landscape and steep climatic gradients have resulted in significant faunal diversity and high level of endemism. To better understand these patterns, we investigated the historical environmental drivers that have shaped Iran’s current geological and climatological conditions, and, consequently, have shaped the current zoological distribution patterns. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the country’s zoological diversity and zoogeography by reviewing published studies on its fauna. We analyzed nearly all available catalogs, updated checklists, and relevant publications, and synthesized them to present a comprehensive overview of Iran’s biodiversity. Our review reports approximately 37,500 animal species for Iran. We also demonstrated that the country serves as a biogeographic transition zone among three zoogeographical realms: the Palearctic, Oriental, and Saharo-Arabian, where distinct faunal elements intersect. This biogeographic complexity has made it challenging to delineate clear zoogeographical zones, leading to varying classifications depending on the taxon. The uplift of mountain ranges, in particular, has played a crucial role in shaping faunal diversity by serving as barriers, corridors, and glacial refugia. These mountains are largely the result of orogeny and plate collisions during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, coupled with the development of the Tethyan Sea and the uplift of several ranges during the Miocene. Despite these insights, our understanding of biodiversity distribution in Iran remains incomplete, even for some well-studied taxa, such as certain vertebrate families and arthropods. We highlight the existing gaps in knowledge regarding zoogeographical patterns and propose approaches to address these gaps, particularly concerning less-studied species and the highly diverse group of insects. Full article

The morphogenetic diversity of an area often determines its high geodiversity, which is subsequently used for geotourism. Areas where geotourism is being intentionally developed note the funded impacts resulting from increased interest in the area by tourists. This paper presents a morphogenetically diverse area that has been formed by glacial activity, cosmic factors—meteorite impacts, fluvial factors and anthropogenic factors—especially those related to industrial activities and settlement processes. In this manuscript, we identified and assessed geosites in the diverse landscape of the Poznań region (Poland), as well as analyzed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in relation to possible activities aimed at the development of geotourism. The multi-criteria assessment of existing and proposed geosites and SWOT analysis was used by us to assess geotourism development potential in this genetically highly diverse landscape. The work presented here demonstrates that not all formally created geosites by geological institutions are potentially attractive from the point of view of geotourism. The main factors that reduce the attractiveness of geosites are the lack of recreational infrastructure, poor accessibility and low educational values. The spectacularity of geosites is most often determined by their aesthetic value, representativeness, rareness and paleogeographical interest. The Poznań region has a high potential for the development of geotourism due to its valuable sites (Morasko Meteorite Reserve, Dziewicza Hill, post-mining area Szachty, Genius Loci and Ostrów Tumski); however, there is a need to develop a geotourism development strategy in the area. Given the morphogenetic diversity of the study area, there is a need to create a unique landscape geointerpretation center in this part of Europe, with a role in integrating tourism and especially geotourism activities. Full article

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) in physical geography education offer significant potential to aid students in acquiring the essential skills for the environmental interpretation of glacial and periglacial environments for geoscience careers. Simulated real-world field experiences aim to help the student evaluate landscapes for natural hazards, assess their intensity, and translate and communicate this information to various stakeholders in human systems. The TREE-PG framework and VRUI model provide a philosophical and practical foundation for VLE architects, aiming to cultivate students’ knowledge, skills, and identity as geoscientists, specifically as physical geographers and geomorphologists. These frameworks emphasize the importance of translating scientific knowledge from physical features into engaging, accessible online lessons, exemplified by landscapes like those in Glacier National Park, Montana. Open-source software and open educational resources (OERs) can broaden access and incorporate diverse perspectives in these experiences, which are necessary to address the impacts of vulnerable communities to global deglaciation. Designing and creating virtual proxies of field-based education may help address issues associated with inclusion and belonging within geoscience disciplines to connect all students with dynamic physical environments beyond the classroom. Ethical AI approaches and discipline-specific repositories are needed to ensure high-quality, contextually accurate VLEs. AI’s tendency to produce output necessitates using domain-specific guardrails to maintain relevance and precision in virtual educational content. Full article

In the midlatitudes of the planet, we are facing the imminent disappearance of one of our best high-resolution (pre)historic climate and anthropogenic pollution archives, namely the loss of glacial ice, through accelerated global warming. To capture these records and interpret these vanishing archives, it is imperative that we extract ice-cores from midlatitude regions where glaciers still survive and analyse them within frameworks of inter-disciplinary research. In this paper, we focus on Georgia, part of the Greater Caucasus. Results of ice-core analyses from the region have never, to date, been integrated with its other abundant palaeo-environmental, archaeological and historical sources. We review the results of international projects on palaeo-environmental/geoarchaeological sediment archives, the archaeology of metal economies and preliminary ice-core data in Georgia. Collectively, we show that the different strands need to be integrated to fully explore relationships between climate/landscape change and human societal transformations. We then introduce an inclusive interdisciplinary framework for ongoing research on these themes, with an ultimate future goal of using data from the past to inform societal resilience strategies in the present. Full article

One of the more visible consequences of anthropogenic climate change is the ongoing retreat of glaciers worldwide. Rates of primary succession in the resulting glacial forelands are commonly calculated from a single measurement set using a single set of measurements across a landscape of varying age, but repeated measurements over decadal scales may be a more effective means of examining the rates and trends of colonization and community development. Repeated measurements of vegetation groups in a glacial foreland in southern Iceland demonstrate that successional changes are measurable, as shown by the calculation of the dissimilarity index at sites over a 15 year interval. Inter-site dissimilarity validates the essential paradigm of primary succession, where vegetative coverage increases in the glacial foreland as a function of time and supports earlier interpretations saying that species richness decreases on older surfaces, even as the total vegetation cover increases. However, successional processes are subject to major abiotic factors, such as aspect, which is controlled by landscape topography, and the substrate composition. The glacial moraines and outwash plain are underlain by different substrates which produce separate successional trajectories. Succession on the moraines ultimately produces a birch-shrub-heath community, while the outwash deposits promote development of a moss-heath community. Full article

Xinjiang in China is distinguished by its distinctive regional landscape and high ecological sensitivity. Trollius wildflowers represent a unique and iconic element of the mountain flower landscape in Xinjiang. However, their populations are predominantly distributed in mountainous areas, making them susceptible to climate change. Despite this, the impacts of climate change on the distribution of suitable habitats and ecological niche differentiation for Trollius wildflowers have rarely been quantified. Consequently, simulations were conducted using the R-optimized MaxEnt model to predict the suitable habitat distribution of Trollius wildflowers. This was based on the occurrence data and environmental variables for the four species of Trollius (T. altaicus, T. asiaticus, T. dschungaricus, and T. lilacinus) that exist in the study area. The simulation was conducted over a period of time, beginning with the past glacial period and extending to the present, and then to the future (2050s, 2070s, and 2090s) under multiple scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5). The simulation of suitable habitats enabled the measurement of the ecological niche breadth and differentiation. The results demonstrate that the model predictions are precisely accurate, with AUC values exceeding 0.9. Annual mean temperature (Bio1), isothermality (Bio3), and precipitation in the warmest quarter (Bio18) are the dominant climate variables, in addition to vegetation, elevation, and soil factors. The proportion of suitable habitats for Trollius wildflowers varies considerably over time, from 0.14% to 70.97%. The majority of habitat loss or gain occurs at the edges of mountains, while stable habitats are concentrated in the core of the mountains. The gravity center of suitable habitats also shifts with spatial transfer, with the shifts mainly occurring in a northeasterly–southwesterly direction. The SSP1-2.6 scenario results in the sustained maintenance of habitats, whereas the SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios present challenges to the conservation of habitats. The threshold of ecological niche breadth for Trollius wildflowers is subject to fluctuations, while the ecological niche differentiation also varies. The study aims to examine the evolution of the habitat and ecological niche of Trollius wildflowers in Xinjiang under climate change. The findings will provide theoretical support for delineating the conservation area, clarify the scope of mountain flower tourism development and protection of mountain flower resources, and promote the sustainable development of ecotourism and effective utilization of territorial space in Xinjiang. Full article