Holocene vegetation, environment and anthropogenic influence in the Fuzhou Basin, southeast China

Yue, Yuanfu; Zheng, Zhuo; Rolett, Barry V.; Ma, Ting; Chen, Cong; Huang, Kangyou; Lin, Guanghui; Zhu, Guangqi; Cheddadi, Rachid

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2014.12.004

Cited by 41 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Recent pollen studies from the lower Fuzhou Basin floodplain (Yue et al 2015) and from a peatland in the nearby mountainous region (Yue et al 2012) correspond closely. They show: (1) a dense subtropical forest during the Holocene thermal maximum between ca.…”

Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…These synchronized peak concentrations of large and small particles are consistent with intense, local anthropogenic burning beginning with Neolithic settlement of the site. However, in contrast to the local ZBS evidence, pollen data from a downstream sediment core (FZ4) indicates that regional anthropogenic influence was still quite low during the Neolithic era (Yue et al 2015).…”

Section: Zbs Pollen and Charcoalmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…The onset of a marine regression is recorded after ca. 2,000 cal BP, coinciding with intensifying anthropogenic influence as characterized by sharp rises in pioneer plants (Yue et al 2015). The floodplain and extensive lowlands suitable for rice paddy field systems did not exist until after 2,000 cal BP.…”

Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5,500 and 2,000 cal BP, reflecting moderate climatic cooling. The Fuzhou Basin pollen record (Yue et al 2015) further shows that (1) human induced vegetation change was negligible during the time of Neolithic sedentary village life ca. 5,500-3,500 cal BP, and (2) rising frequencies of Poaceae and taxa (including Cyperaceae and Artemisia) associated with agriculture at ca.…”

Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7). The ZBS pollen assemblages are supplemented by high resolution pollen records for two sediment cores collected in nearby areas (Yue et al 2012(Yue et al , 2015. The charcoal record provides a basis for dating and understanding land clearing associated with the Neolithic occupation of ZBS, as well as the later period of reforestation.…”

Section: Environmental Change and Anthropogenic Influencementioning

confidence: 99%

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New evidence for Neolithic rice cultivation and Holocene environmental change in the Fuzhou Basin, southeast China

Zheng

Rolett

et al. 2016

Veget Hist Archaeobot

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A stratified profile of the Zhuangbianshan (ZBS) archaeological site (Fuzhou Basin, Fujian) was studied to investigate Neolithic era anthropogenic influence and associated environmental changes. Analysis of the archaeological sediments focused on phytoliths, palynomorphs and microcharcoal. Until now, a lack of direct evidence for agriculture has made it difficult to know if Neolithic cultures of this area relied on the exploitation of wild plants such as nuts and sago palm, or a combination of farming and foraging. Three types of rice phytoliths were found in ZBS archaeological deposits, providing robust evidence for rice farming as part of a broad-spectrum Neolithic subsistence economy centered on fishing and hunting. Chronologies based on AMS 14 C dates and artifact typology place the earliest rice during the Tanshishan (TSS) Period (5,000-4,300 cal BP) followed by a shift to economic dependency on rice in the Huangguashan (HGS) Period (4,300-3,500 cal BP). The ZBS phytolith assemblage contains high frequencies of rice husk (peaked-shape glume cells) phytoliths, with far fewer leaf and stem types. This indicates late stage processing activities such as dehusking, implying a focus on consumption rather than rice production. High concentrations of charcoal in the Neolithic ZBS deposits indicate local human settlement and peaks in fire use. The ZBS pollen record also reflects human settlement and peaks in local forest clearance during the Neolithic. Forest cover was renewed when the site was temporarily abandoned following the Neolithic. Rapid formation of the Min River floodplain began *2,000 cal BP in association with retreating sea level and intensifying anthropogenic influence. Prior to that, rice farming in the Fuzhou Basin was limited by the scarcity of wetlands suitable for agriculture.

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Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Zbs Pollen and Charcoalmentioning

confidence: 68%

Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Environmental Change and Anthropogenic Influencementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

New evidence for Neolithic rice cultivation and Holocene environmental change in the Fuzhou Basin, southeast China

Zheng

Rolett

et al. 2016

Veget Hist Archaeobot

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Optically stimulated luminescence ages of the Hengyu site and their implications for anthropogenic activities in the Fuzhou Basin, South China

Jin

Huang

Zhang³

et al. 2019

J Quaternary Science

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The chronologies of few Neolithic sites in the lower reaches of the Min River of China have been well investigated for the middle to late Holocene. In this study, the Hengyu Neolithic site in Fujian Province, South China, which has significant archaeological remains, was dated using blue‐stimulated optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS14C) techniques. The results, comprising nine OSL and three AMS14C ages through the Neolithic sequence, provide new evidence towards understanding the relationship between environmental evolution and human activities in the middle to late Holocene in the Fuzhou Basin and coastal areas of South China. The ages of the site deposits vary from 6.83 to 1.67 ka and can be divided into two main phases: the Keqiutou–Tanshishan culture period and the Bronze culture period. In contrast, the persistent periods of ancient human activities at the Hengyu site seem to correspond to regional sea‐level changes and the East Asian winter monsoon as a secondary factor, which can affect human activities through sea‐level impacts. The warm and high sea level conditions provided a liveable environment for the ancient humans of Fujian and even South China. The ages of two building column bases are linked to the early stage of the Han dynasty, suggesting a potentially favourable habitation environment; that is, ancient humans occupied and settled this area for the long term within this time period, which is consistent with sea‐level changes and palynology records. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Chronology of drill cores and the inferred coastal environmental evolution on Haitan Island, South China

Qiu,

Jin,

Zuo

et al. 2024

J Quaternary Science

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Southeastern China's coastal region is considered one of the key areas for studying prehistoric human–land relationships in the Western Pacific region. This region, which is rich in records of marine civilization, provides an ideal location for recording coastal environmental evolution. In this study, the chronological framework of three borehole cores recovered from Haitan Island, South China, near the Keqiutou group of sites, was established using both optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dating techniques. Various analyses, including lithologic characteristics, chroma, clay–water electric conductivity (EC), grain size and elemental geochemistry, were conducted to elaborate the sedimentary sequence and its paleoenvironmental implications. The findings suggest that (i) since the late Quaternary, the Haitan Island sedimentary sequence can be divided into three deposition stages: Old Red Sand formed during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3), intermittent sedimentation during the Last Glacial Maximum and coastal aeolian deposition during the Holocene. Furthermore, the study reveals that terrestrial debris was significant as a material source for Haitan Island. (ii) Due to the absence of tectonic uplift, Haitan Island has no thick marine sedimentary record during the Holocene period of high sea level. The Luyangpu coastal sand sheet can be dated to 2.78 ka, which is consistent with previous reports giving dates of 2.4 ka. Prior to the formation of the sand sheet, the sedimentary environment in the area was characterized by lagoon or marsh facies. (iii) Paleoanthropological activities were influenced by sedimentary environmental evolution and geomorphic processes, among others. The Keqiutou Culture experienced high sea levels, which created an intertidal environment near the site and facilitated fishing. However, regression at 5.7 ka led to terrestrial environments, which prompted the inhabitants to migrate. Approximately 3 ka ago, sea levels rose again, coinciding with the initiation of rice cultivation. These factors may have influenced the transition from the Neolithic to Bronze Age culture. This study reconstructs evolution of the sedimentary sequence since the late Quaternary, enhancing our understanding of past human–terrestrial relationship in the region.

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Holocene vegetation, environment and anthropogenic influence in the Fuzhou Basin, southeast China

Cited by 41 publications

References 30 publications

New evidence for Neolithic rice cultivation and Holocene environmental change in the Fuzhou Basin, southeast China

New evidence for Neolithic rice cultivation and Holocene environmental change in the Fuzhou Basin, southeast China

Optically stimulated luminescence ages of the Hengyu site and their implications for anthropogenic activities in the Fuzhou Basin, South China

Chronology of drill cores and the inferred coastal environmental evolution on Haitan Island, South China

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