Landscape change in central Latvia since the Iron Age: multi-proxy analysis of the vegetation impact of conflict, colonization and economic expansion during the last 2,000 years

Stivriņš, Normunds; Brown, Alex; Reitalu, Triin; Veski, Siim; Heinsalu, Atko; Banerjea, Rowena; Elmi, Kati

doi:10.1007/s00334-014-0502-y

Cited by 24 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Using the Askja AD 1875 tephra as an isochrone, it is possible to improve chronologies and compare data of human activities such as the history of rye ( Secale cereale ) cultivation at Lake Āraišu (Stivrins et al ., ) and Lake Trikātas (Stivrins et al ., ). Based on the pollen data, intensive rye cultivation has been practised at Lake Āraišu since AD 700, with the peak at AD 1880 (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Synchronized rye ( Secale cereale ) pollen abundance (%) over the last 2000 years for Lakes Āraišu (Stivrins et al ., ) and Trikātas (Stivrins et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The topmost 0.5 m of unconsolidated sediment was sampled using a Willner‐type gravity sampler. Lake Āraišu revealed a 12.4‐m‐long sediment sequence of homogeneous gyttja (Stivrins et al ., ), while an 8‐m‐long sequence of alternating silt and homogeneous gyttja was obtained from Lake Trikātas (Stivrins et al ., ). Both sequences were analysed for pollen, non‐pollen palynomorphs, loss‐on‐ignition and magnetic susceptibility (Stivrins et al ., , 2016).…”

Section: Study Sites and Background Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sediment chronology of Lake Āraišu is based on 12 bulk 14 C dates and spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs). The peak in SCP emissions occurred in AD 1982±10 (Latvenergo electric utility company emissions data; Stivrins et al ., ). The age model of the Lake Trikātas sediment sequence was established by six accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14 C dates (Stivrins et al ., ).…”

Section: Study Sites and Background Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Detection of the Askja AD 1875 cryptotephra in Latvia, Eastern Europe

Stivriņš

Wulf

Wastegård

et al. 2016

J Quaternary Science

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We report the first geochemically confirmed findings of the Askja volcano (Iceland) AD 1875 eruption cryptotephra in Eastern Europe. The cryptotephra finding in Latvia is the easternmost finding of the Askja AD 1875 so far, providing an important time marker in the sediments. Although low concentrations of Askja AD 1875 rhyolitic glass shards were recorded, our findings suggest the possibility of also tracing other historical cryptotephras in lacustrine and peat sediments in Eastern Europe. We use the Askja AD 1875 tephra isochrone to synchronize pollen data of human activities, i.e. rye (Secale cereale) cultivation. Our comparison of Secale pollen from two sites reveals that there were minor dissimilarities in the timing of highest rye cultivation, and that a synchronous decrease of rye cultivation occurred at both sites few years after the Askja eruption at AD 1875.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Synchronized rye ( Secale cereale ) pollen abundance (%) over the last 2000 years for Lakes Āraišu (Stivrins et al ., ) and Trikātas (Stivrins et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sites and Background Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sites and Background Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Detection of the Askja AD 1875 cryptotephra in Latvia, Eastern Europe

Stivriņš

Wulf

Wastegård

et al. 2016

J Quaternary Science

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“…According to Vasks et al (1999), farming became the dominant form of economy in Latvia in the middle of the Bronze Age (ca 3 000 cal BP). Significant changes in the terrestrial environment induced by human activity as indicated from palynological data appear only in the last two millennia (Stivrins et al 2014).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Main drivers affecting the Holocene sedimentary record – implications from small lake in Latvia

Terasmaa¹,

Puusepp²,

Vandel³

et al. 2016

Baltica

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A multi-indicator paleolimnological study of sediments from Lake Ķūži (central Latvia) was used to obtain a comprehensive record of environmental changes in the Holocene. Periodicity in the changes and the main drivers (lake basin development, catchment properties, climate, human activities) of the sedimentary record was studied. In order to comprehend the whole-lake sedimentation during the Holocene, a detailed multiindicator record from the central part of the lake was integrated with records of sediment mass accumulation rates from four cores from different parts of the lake and a GPR (ground-penetrating radar) survey of the lake basin. The observed changes in the sedimentation regime that took place during the early Holocene are strongly linked with variations in climatic conditions, but the catchment and lake basin also played an important role. In the middle Holocene the water level was stable and the lake was influenced by climate mediated through changes in the catchment vegetation. Around 5 000 cal. BP sedimentation pattern changed, and three of the four main drivers made a comparably strong impact on the sedimentary signal. Since 2 000 cal. BP multiple indicators point to a major disturbance clearly related to human activity, which conceals the impact of the natural drivers.

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Determining the responses of vegetation to natural processes and human impacts in north-eastern Poland during the last millennium: combined pollen, geochemical and historical data

Wacnik

Tylmann

Bonk

et al. 2016

Veget Hist Archaeobot

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Pollen, charcoal and geochemical investigations were carried out on annually laminated sediments of Lake _ Zabińskie (54°07 0 54.5 00 N; 21°59 0 01.1 00 E) and the results were combined with historical and climate data to better understand the mechanism behind plant cover transformations. A millennium-long record of environmental history at 6-years time resolution permitted an assessment of vegetation responses to past human impact and climate fluctuations. Our results show that the history of the region with repeated periods of warfare, epidemics, famine and crop failures is well reflected by environmental proxies. Before the Teutonic Order crusade (AD 1230-1283), agricultural activities of the Prussian tribes were conducted at a distance from the studied lake and caused slight disturbances of local forests. A stronger human impact was registered after ca AD 1460. We confirm that co-domination of pine forests with spruce and oakhornbeam forests on drier habitats as well as the presence of birch and alder woods on wet surfaces near the lake lasted until AD 1610. We identified a transition period of 20 years between AD 1590 and 1610, when forest cover was significantly reduced and the area was partly transformed into open land used for farming activities. The comparison of our data with other pollen datasets from the region confirms significant spatio-temporal differences in the initiation of large-scale woodland clearings in the Great Masurian Lake District. A strong increase in local cultivation was noted after AD 1750 and became even stronger in the period AD 1810-1940. The last 60 years experienced a succession from arable fields and open grasslands to more tree-covered habitats overgrown by birch and alder.

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Landscape change in central Latvia since the Iron Age: multi-proxy analysis of the vegetation impact of conflict, colonization and economic expansion during the last 2,000 years

Cited by 24 publications

References 67 publications

Detection of the Askja AD 1875 cryptotephra in Latvia, Eastern Europe

Detection of the Askja AD 1875 cryptotephra in Latvia, Eastern Europe

Main drivers affecting the Holocene sedimentary record – implications from small lake in Latvia

Determining the responses of vegetation to natural processes and human impacts in north-eastern Poland during the last millennium: combined pollen, geochemical and historical data

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