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Holocene vegetation dynamics in the northeastern Rub' al-Khali desert, Arabian Peninsula: a phytolith, pollen and carbon isotope study

Parker, A. G., Eckersley, L., Smith, M. M., Goudie, A. S., Stokes, S., Ward, S., White, K. and Hodson, M. J. (2004) Holocene vegetation dynamics in the northeastern Rub' al-Khali desert, Arabian Peninsula: a phytolith, pollen and carbon isotope study. JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE , 19 (7). pp. 665-676.

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1002/jqs.880

Abstract/Summary

The Holocene vegetation history of the Arabian Peninsula is poorly understood, with few palaeobotanical studies to date. At Awafi, Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, a 3.3 m lake sediment sequence records the vegetation development for the period 8500 cal. yr BP to similar to3000 cal. yr BP. delta(13)C isotope, pollen and phytolith analyses indicate that C3 Pooid grassland with a strong woody element existed during the early Holocene (between 8500 and 6000 cal. yr BP) and became replaced by mixed C3 and C4 grasses with a strong C4 Panicoid tall grass element between 5900 and 5400 cal. yr BP. An intense, arid event Occurred at 4100 cal. yr BP when the lake desiccated and was infilled by Aeolian sand. From 4100 cal. yr BP the vegetation was dominated by C4 Chloridoid types and Cyperaceae, suggesting an incomplete vegetation cover and Aeolian dune reactivation owing to increased regional aridity. These data outline the ecosystem dynamics and carbon cycling in response to palaeomon-soon and north-westerly variability during the Holocene. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Item Type:Article
Divisions:Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science
Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Earth Systems Science
Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre
ID Code:3954
Uncontrolled Keywords:phytolith pollen carbon isotopes vegetation history Arabian Peninsula
Additional Information: Conference Information: Symposium on Late Quaternary Ecosystem Dynamics and Carbon Cycling in the Tropics held at the 16th INQUA Congress Reno, NV, JUL 23-30, 2003

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