Phytolith and Carbon Isotope Evidence for Late Quaternary Vegetation and Climate Change in the Southern Black Hills, South Dakota

Authors: Fredlund G.G.¹; Tieszen L.L.²

Source: Quaternary Research, Volume 47, Number 2, March 1997 , pp. 206-217(12)

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Abstract:

Analyses of phytoliths and carbon isotopes document change in late Quaternary grasslands in the Red Valley of the southern Black Hills. Late Pleistocene grassland composition was equivalent to the C 3 grass parklands of modern central Alberta. The rise of mixed grassland occurred rapidly between 11,000 and 9000 yr B.P. Early Holocene mixed grasslands included both short and tall C 4 grasses. A mid-Holocene erosional unconformity (ca. 8000 to 4500 yr B.P.) precludes phytolith or isotope analysis, but suggests lack of vegetation and landscape denudation caused by a drier climatic. Basin-wide stability and soil development followed the erosional episode (ca. 4500 to 3600 yr B.P.). Mesic-adapted C 4 panicoid grasses increased during this period of soil development. Low-magnitude fluctuation in the C 4 -dominated mixed grassland occurred throughout the late Holocene (3600 yr B.P. to present). Rise in delta 13 C values during the last 1000 yr without corresponding change in phytoliths may indicate a decrease in woodlands caused by increased fire frequency.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53201 2: Department of Biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57197

Publication date: 1997-03-01