Catena最新文献

{"title":"Micromorphology of ornithogenic soils and its paleoenvironmental implications in the Victoria Land, Antarctica","authors":"Carlo Baroni ,&nbsp;Sara Pescio ,&nbsp;Maria Cristina Salvatore ,&nbsp;Anna Masseroli ,&nbsp;Luca Trombino","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ornithogenic soils retain relevant information regarding the history of Adélie penguin colonization and settlement in the Antarctic region. Studies on present and past penguin colonies extension and distribution also furnish significant data to understand global environmental changes, with particular attention to the ecological factors that limit penguin presence and population dynamics.</div><div>In order to better characterize the ornithogenic soils located along the Victoria Land coasts and to acquire new information on paleoenvironmental development of the region, this work focuses on micromorphological characterization of nine radiocarbon-dated ornithogenic soils, covering a period of approximately 40 kyr, and located in key sites of this region. The detailed micromorphological study of 58 thin sections, was carried out at the optical petrographic microscope and supported by SEM-EDS and XRD analyses of samples belonging to ornithogenic soils from the Victoria Land coasts. All the soils studied have some common characteristics, mainly related to the layers of ornithogenic material (e.g., the presence of rock fragments transported by birds to construct their nests, the remains of birds or evidence of bird activity, and the notable phosphorus content), with some peculiarities between the different profiles, indicating the presence of a local micro-variability (e.g., the relative abundance of water-driven pedofeatures, both illuvial and microcrystalline, and also of frost-related pedofeatures). This study allows these soils to be regarded as ornithic arenosols/cryosols/regosols/gelisols, and, in addition, it highlights the differences between ornithogenic soils developed in the Victoria Land compared to those described in the Maritime Antarctica. Different microstructures and pedofeatures (i.e., a weaker microstructural development, a less pronounced mixing between mineral and organic components, a less aggressive process of phosphatisation and also a lower frequency of frost-induced pedofeatures in Victoria Land ornithogenic soils) seem to be related to the reduced availability of liquid water in Victoria Land and most probably reflect different climatic/environmental conditions respect to Maritime Antarctica, since at least the deglaciation after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).</div><div>Our results demonstrate that ornithogenic soils represent a powerful proxy for characterizing past and ongoing environmental condition in the coastal areas of Antarctica, and, furthermore, they offer new opportunity to study pre- LGM relict soils, which survived the overriding of the Antarctic Ice Sheet along the Victoria Land coast.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108545"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transport characteristics of aeolian sand near different thresholds","authors":"Ting Jin ,&nbsp;Ping Wang ,&nbsp;Bo Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108541","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The characteristics of wind-blown sand have mainly been derived from steady and continuous sediment transport studies. However, aeolian sand transport exhibits spatiotemporal variability near the threshold, with intermittent transport becoming prominent. This study employs three-dimensional numerical simulations to explore the transport characteristics of wind-blown sand near different thresholds. The results demonstrate varying transport capacities close to the rebound and impact entrainment thresholds, which are 0.38 and 0.7 times the fluid threshold respectively, driven by distinct entrainment mechanisms. Aerodynamic entrainment predominates near the rebound threshold, which shows that the ratio of aerodynamic entrainment particles to splash entrainment particles exceeds 100 with Shields number 0.003. However, splash entrainment becomes dominant when wind velocity surpasses the impact entrainment threshold. The differences in particle energy associated with these entrainment modes alter the transport dynamics of aeolian sand. Understanding these near-threshold behaviors is crucial to comprehensively understanding aeolian processes and accurately mitigating wind erosion hazards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108541"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advanced growing-season precipitation peak promotes soil nitrogen mineralization in a semi-arid grassland","authors":"Jiayin Feng ,&nbsp;Xiaojing Yue ,&nbsp;Benqing Li ,&nbsp;Jingyi Ru ,&nbsp;Zhenxing Zhou ,&nbsp;Lingjie Kong ,&nbsp;Jiajun Zhang ,&nbsp;Jiaxin Zhou ,&nbsp;Guilin Zhou ,&nbsp;Wenjing Ma ,&nbsp;Yaru Lyu ,&nbsp;Jian Song ,&nbsp;Shiqiang Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil nitrogen (N) mineralization is a key process of global N cycling and profoundly regulates plant productivity and soil nutrient pools in the terrestrial biosphere. However, its response to seasonal precipitation redistribution remains largely unexplored. As part of a nine-year (2013–2021) field experiment that simulated advanced and/or delayed growing-season precipitation peaks in a semi-arid grassland on the Mongolian Plateau, this study was conducted for two years (2020–2021) <em>in situ</em> to examine the effects of changing precipitation distributions in the growing seasons on soil mineralization processes. The results showed that advanced precipitation peak (AP) increased soil ammonification (R_amm), nitrification (R_nit), and net mineralization rates (R_min) by 45.8 %, 26.0 %, and 84.4 %, respectively (all <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), whereas delayed precipitation peak (DP) enhanced R_amm by 55.7 % (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) only, but did not change R_nit or R_min. The elevated soil N mineralization under the AP treatment could be primarily attributed to the increased soil water availability and microbial biomass N in the early growing season, both of which play essential roles in meditating biological processes in the soil. In addition, the large consumption of soil inorganic N in the early and middle growing seasons may lead to an enhancement of ammonification in September. These observations suggest that advanced rather than delayed growing-season precipitation peak has a stronger influence on soil N dynamics in the growing seasons. Moreover, our findings highlight the positive contributions of altered N transformations to soil respiration and net ecosystem productivity under the AP treatment and imply the crucial roles of intra-annual redistribution of precipitation in regulating ecosystem nutrient and carbon cycling in semi-arid regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108546"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Podzolization in a 150-year chronosequence of soils under pine timber forest on inland dunes in the Toruń Basin (Northern Poland)","authors":"Michał Jankowski,&nbsp;Paulina Anna Rutkowska","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Studies on mechanisms and rates of podzolization have mostly been realized in natural landscapes and chronosequences. In this work, an artificial chronosequence of soils managed as a habitat for regularly planted and clear-cut, even-aged, monocultural pine stands (<em>Pinus sylvestris</em>) varying in age between 27 and 150 years has been investigated to determine changes in soil properties and development of genetic horizons with time and growth of pine trees. The soils in five profiles under 27-, 52-, 70-, 105- and 150-year-old pine stands are developed from poor aeolian quartz sands and situated in similar habitat conditions to one another on northern slopes of inland dunes in the Toruń Basin (northern Poland).</div><div>The studied soils represent consecutive, early stages of podzolization corresponding to the age of the tree stands. In the organic horizon, the whole sequence of three subhorizons typical of the <em>mor</em> type of humus (Oi-Oe-Oa) develops after ∼100 years. Organic carbon, pedogenic Fe and Al content in the eluvial (AE-E) horizon achieve relative equilibrium after 70 years of forest growth. In the illuvial (Bhs-Bs) horizon, these elements continue to accumulate along the whole chronosequence and its development is certainly not finished after 150 years. Only the soils of more than 100-year-old fulfill the criteria of Podzols according to the WRB (2022) soil classification. Younger soils, although undoubtedly podzolized, have to be classified as Arenosols. The youngest profiles (under 27 and 52-year-old pines) have inherited traces of a former cycle of pedogenesis that ran under the previous generation of pine forest. The soil cover of dune areas in the Torun Basin, which have been managed as productive pine timber forests over the last two centuries, is entirely secondary and polycyclic and does not achieve maximal developmental stage and ecological efficiency, including carbon sequestration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108551"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Suspended sediment connectivity analysis: Snowmelt-driven dynamics in an alpine basin","authors":"Giacomo Pellegrini ,&nbsp;Luca Mao ,&nbsp;Riccardo Rainato ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Martini ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Picco","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108539","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108539","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding snowmelt and its related suspended sediment transport in mountain streams is a crucial issue in the world of hydraulic and sediment research. Field-based approaches are still poorly used to investigate the response of mountain basins to different stages of snowmelt. To explain the suspended sediment dynamics of the Rio Cordon basin (Italy, Dolomites), the snowmelt in the year 2021 was analysed. First, a descriptive analysis of temporal trends of meteorological, hydrological, and sedimentological variables was carried out. Second, suspended sediment budgets of the main channel were quantified, considering the contribution of the tributaries at week- and event- scale, and supported by hysteresis analyses. Third, the role of sediment sources and snow cover was examined and integrated to comprehend variations in sediment supply from tributaries. Data were collected using a (i) multiparametric sonde installed at the outlet, (ii) water and sediment samples at significant points along the channel network, (iii) satellite images and sediment sources inventory. The whole snowmelt period 2021 featured 210.8 mm of precipitation and a mean temperature of 4.6°C. The total load of suspended sediment was 100 t. The main period of ablation was May, which showed contrasting suspended sediment dynamics in the four weeks. Sediment availability exceeded transport capacity in the initial two weeks, whereas transport capacity exceeded sediment availability in the subsequent two weeks. The main snowmelt event analysis mirrored the same trend: limited transport during the rising limb and the opposite during the falling limb. Such results were confirmed by the hysteresis analysis, proving to be an effective tool for detecting changes in suspended sediment connectivity. The variations of snow cover and the extent of sediment sources across the sub-basins influence the sediment supply. This study enhances our comprehension of snowmelt-driven hydrological and sedimentological dynamics, providing insights into the resilience of mountains to changing climate conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108539"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiple element coupling and molecular-chemical diversity of organic matter control how much energy is retained in soils in mountain ecosystems","authors":"Luan Sang ,&nbsp;Wenwen Zhao ,&nbsp;Haobo Wu ,&nbsp;Shan Jiang ,&nbsp;Zimo Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhongsheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Haitao Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organic matter is the primary repository of chemical energy driving biogeochemical cycles and maintaining ecological functions in soils. Therefore, revealing factors controlling energy in soils is critical but has less been studied so far. In this study, we investigated energy stored in soils and litter biomass, 12 elements level (macroelements including C, N, P, Fe, and K, microelements including Cu, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and molecular-chemical composition of soil organic matter (SOM) among four vegetation zones along the elevation in the Changbai Mountain. The calorific values in soils (Qs) and litters (Ql) were determined using oxygen bomb calorimetry. The complexity of SOM was reflected by molecular diversity of pyrolytic products of SOM (SHID), and relations among 12 elements were represented by defining coupling extent (<em>MEC</em>). Potential impacts of <em>MEC</em> and <em>SHID</em> on energy stored in soils were discussed. Results indicated that the average Qs and Ql were 565 cal/g and 3799 cal/g, respectively. The proportion of Qs to Ql (Qr) ranged from 6.28 % to 43.65 % with a mean of 14.74 %. Significant differences in Qs and Ql were observed among four vegetation zones along the elevation. Significantly positive relations were observed between elevation and Ql, between <em>MEC</em> and Qr or Qs, and between Qs and SHID. The VPA analysis indicated that <em>MEC</em> itself could explain 19 % variation of Qs, and the exploration raised to 60 % when <em>MEC</em> was in conjunction with elevation, pH, and <em>SHID</em>. The structure equation model confirmed positive effects of <em>MEC</em> and <em>SHID</em> on Qs. In conclusions, <em>MEC</em> was primarily associated with energy holding by mountain soils, proving that a conceptual advance was required to link element biogeochemical cycle and energy flow in ecosystems, thereby bridging the potential gap between matter and energy in ecological research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108548"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of surface flow conditions on WEPP interrill erodibilities","authors":"P.I.A. Kinnell","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Water Erosion Prediction Project erosion model (WEPP) was developed as an event-based more process-based replacement for Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) based models in predicting soil erosion as a guide to conserving soil in the USA. However, WEPP has not been shown to predict event soil losses for bare fallow USLE plots better than USLE-based models when stipulated input values have been used. To some extent, this problem can be attributed to the availability of more refined and site-specific input parameters for the USLE-based models. This is true with respect to WEPP’s capacity to model raindrop-driven erosion on USLE plots under natural rainfall. Stipulated values for WEPP interrill erodibilities in the USA were determined only for ridge side slopes but USLE-based models focus on the prediction of long-term average annual soil loss caused by both sheet and rill erosion on planar surfaces. The interrill erodibilities determined for ridge side slopes did not correlate well with those on adjacent flat surfaces sloping along the land slope under the same rainfall conditions. Surface flow conditions, particularly flow depth, differ between the short high gradient side slopes associated with ridges, and the lower gradient slopes in interrill and sheet erosion areas on USLE plots. Failure of WEPP to account for the influence of different flow conditions between ridged and flat areas on raindrop-driven erosion affects the veracity of WEPP to predict average annual soil loss on USLE plots under natural rainfall and the use of WEPP to act as a replacement for USLE based models as an aid to make land management decisions to conserver soil in the USA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108547"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Precipitation alleviates microbial C limitation but aggravates N and P limitations along a 3000-km transect on the Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Junxiao Pan ,&nbsp;Xinyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuang Liu ,&nbsp;Ning Liu ,&nbsp;Mengjie Liu ,&nbsp;Chen Chen ,&nbsp;Xinyuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuli Niu ,&nbsp;Jinsong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108535","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108535","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil microbial resource limitations, which reflect the imbalance between microbial demand and soil resource supply, critically control microbial metabolism and biogeochemical processes. However, disentangling the confounding effects of climatic, edaphic, plant, and microbial factors on microbial resource limitation at broad spatial scales remains challenging. Here, we used the ecoenzymatic vector model to investigate patterns of soil microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) limitation across alpine grasslands along a 3000-km aridity gradient on the Tibetan Plateau. We further linked these patterns to plant characteristics (e.g., plant biomass, coverage, and root biomass), soil nutrient properties (e.g., total soil C, N, and P), nutrient stoichiometry (e.g., C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios, and microbial attributes (e.g., microbial biomass C and N) to identify key drivers of variation in microbial resource limitation. Our results highlight a predominant co-limitation by N and P nutrients in microbial metabolism for alpine grasslands, with a notable shift from relative N limitation in alpine deserts to P limitation in alpine meadows, coinciding with the increasing precipitation. Furthermore, soil nutrient availability and stoichiometry were more influential than plant and microbial factors in shaping patterns of microbial relative N/P limitation. In contrast, microbial relative C limitation decreased with increasing precipitation from alpine deserts to meadow ecosystems, primarily driven by soil nutrient availability and plant characteristics. These findings underscore distinct patterns and drivers of microbial C versus N/P limitation in alpine ecosystems, advancing our understanding of microbial-mediated soil C, N, and P recycling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108535"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Landscape evolution of the Torres Trough, Paraná Basin, southern Brazil, based on morphostructural analysis","authors":"Lucas Masnik Kosciuv,&nbsp;Luana Moreira Florisbal,&nbsp;Breno Leitão Waichel","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108530","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The upper Paraná Basin units of the Serra Geral Group comprise the aeolian sandstones of the Botucatu Formation and overlying lava flows. Since distinct altitudes of the boundary between these units are observed (from 0 m up to 1200 m m.s.l), referred to as the Botucatu aeolian sandstones-lava flow boundary (BLB), it is as a key reference surface for identifying and quantifying major vertical faults and relative displacements across these faults. To map and model these displacements, integrated data from stratigraphic wells, fieldwork in key areas and remote sensing image analysis were utilized. Block displacements were observed in SSW-NNE profiles along the Southern escarpment, where the contact surface boundary ranges from sea level in the South to over 1200 m to the Northwest, indicating a progressively increasing elevation of the BLB towards the North. This trend is also evident in the ESE-WNW cross-section on the Serra Geral Plateau, where the BLB varies in stratigraphic well data from −534 m to 691 m from SW to NE. Additionally, the altitudes of the boundary between the Paraná Basin and the basement rocks (Basin-Basement Boundary − BBB) were analyzed, revealing the lowest points in a stratigraphic well in the NW (−3000 m) near the Torres Trough and the highest points in the NE (400 m). The significant altitude variations at both boundaries are constrained by the main lineaments observed in the area defining horst and graben domains. Notably, the Torres Trough, also referred to as the Torres Syncline, is identified as a structural low trending SE-NW. This suggests that the SE borders of the basin form part of the flanks of the Cretaceous rift, while the NE region represents a prominently uplifted block. The integration of lineaments delineates an extensive horst and graben system that developed post-Gondwana breakup, configuring four main domains based on the BLB altitudes: Torres, RS (−120 to 150 m), Timbé do Sul (200 to 500 m), Serra do Rio do Rastro (600 to 900 m), and Urubici, SC (1000–1300 m). Phanerozoic and later Cenozoic tectonic activity significantly altered the configuration of the Paraná Basin, through major block tilting and faulting, particularly along the<!--> <!-->escarpments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108530"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The interplay between prehistoric vegetation, climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic activities in Central China","authors":"Panpan Chen ,&nbsp;Peng Lu ,&nbsp;Yan Tian ,&nbsp;Ye Li ,&nbsp;Hui Wang ,&nbsp;Jiaqiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiangli Zhao ,&nbsp;Duowen Mo","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108540","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2024.108540","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The interaction between climate, hydrological environment, and human activities in prehistoric times has consistently attracted significant interest. However, the process and mechanism of this interaction remain unclear due to a lack of detailed materials that provide information on both human activity and environmental evolution. Here we present a comprehensive dataset of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating and pollen analysis derived from lacustrine facies deposits in the vicinity of the Dongzhao Site in Central China, which is a key region for the origin and development of Chinese civilization. These data have revealed the existence of multiple cycles of environment-human interaction during prehistoric periods. The gradual improvement in the climate and minor fluctuations facilitated the settlement of prehistoric populations in the region, fostering uninterrupted cultural development for millennia since the early Holocene. The increase in population and intensification of human activities significantly affected regional vegetation, resulting in a decrease in the number of trees around 4.0 ka BP. Environmental changes influenced the prehistoric architectural style, resulting in a decrease in houses with “wood bone and mud walls” that were prevalent during the Yangshao periods (7.0–5.0 ka BP) due to a lack of trees. Our research once again highlights the perpetual cycle of interdependence and interaction between natural environments and human activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"247 ","pages":"Article 108540"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142663057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}