Pine stumps in Irish peats: is their occurrence a valid proxy climate indicator?

McGeever, A H; Mitchell, Fraser

doi:10.1002/jqs.2793

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…Therefore, the possibility of the population simply being too geographically isolated to experience the decline can be dismissed. The main causal mechanisms suggested for the decline of P. sylvestris in Ireland are (1) being out‐competed by Alnus glutinosa and (2) habitat loss to blanket bogs (3) human exploitation (Bennett, ; Roche et al ., ; McGeever & Mitchell, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A combination of these, and other putative drivers such as climate change, human activity and pathogens, led to a widespread decline in P. sylvestris (Roche et al ., ; McGeever & Mitchell, ). This decline was asynchronous in nature affecting populations throughout Europe and P. sylvestris became extirpated in England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark (Bradshaw & Browne, ; Birks, ; Hannon et al ., ; Lust et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From 8350 cal bp, the spread of Alnus glutinosa significantly restricted the distribution of P. sylvestris , particularly in lowland habitats. In the uplands and the western seaboard, the populations of P. sylvestris were also reduced by the spread of blanket bog (Bennett, ; McGeever & Mitchell, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Re‐defining the natural range of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.): a newly discovered microrefugium in western Ireland

McGeever

Mitchell

2016

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim Native Pinus sylvestris became extirpated in Ireland, during a massive population decline experienced throughout Europe. It was extensively replanted in Ireland during the 18th century from Scottish stock. We test the hypothesis that P. sylvestris in Rockforest Co. Clare did not become extirpated during the P. sylvestris decline, and persisted to present day independent of 18th century plantations. Location Rockforest, Co. Clare in Ireland. Methods Fossil pollen was counted from a terrestrial core. Radiocarbon dates and age‐depth modelling was used to ascertain the core chronology. Loss‐on‐ignition was carried out to investigate sediment accumulation history. Pollen was also counted from moss polster pollen traps to explore the deposition of P. sylvestris pollen in the surrounding landscape. Historical maps were consulted to investigate the longevity of other nearby P. sylvestris populations. Results A continuous record of P. sylvestris is reported. The core extends through the last two millennia, and reports a clear decline of P. sylvestris at c. 1550 cal bp. The P. sylvestris pollen curve recovers quickly after the decline event and persists at high levels up until the present day. The loss‐on‐ignition data reveal a stable accumulation of sediment with no major erosion events. The moss polster pollen traps show the core site is a suitable location for collecting pollen from the Rockforest P. sylvestris population. Historical maps demonstrate that none of the other nearby P. sylvestris populations extends further back than plantations in the early 18th century. Main conclusions The population of P. sylvestris in Rockforest Co. Clare survived the regional P. sylvestris decline, recovered and persisted right up to the present day, independent of introduction by human agency. Hence, we identify this microrefugium population of native Irish stock outside of the current understanding of the native range for this tree species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Re‐defining the natural range of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.): a newly discovered microrefugium in western Ireland

McGeever

Mitchell

2016

Journal of Biogeography

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“…11) fall within the two main phases of dated wood preservation within peat ( c . 8600–6000 cal bc and c. 4000–2000 cal bc : Figs 11 & 15, Table 6), the latter of which appears to reflect a regional pattern of fossil wood preservation occurring elsewhere in North-west Europe (McGeever & Mitchell 2015). Bennett et al (1997, 129) similarly observe that ‘trees tend to be preserved when, on a regional scale, woodland is in decline’ and Wilkins (1984, 256) proposes that macroscopic wood remains are likely to represent ‘the end of a period of tree cover’.…”

Section: Research Question 3: What Does the Regional Pollen And Plant Mmentioning

confidence: 92%

Deforestation and Human Agency in the North Atlantic Region: Archaeological and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence from the Western Isles of Scotland

Bishop

Church

Lawson

et al. 2018

Proc. Prehist. Soc.

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This paper considers the timing and mechanisms of deforestation in the Western Isles of Scotland, focusing in particular on the landscape around the Calanais stone circles, one of the best preserved late Neolithic/early Bronze Age monumental landscapes in north-west Europe. We present new archaeological and palaeoenvironmental evidence from a soil and peat sequence at the site of Aird Calanais, which spans the main period of use of the Calanais circles. We then draw on a new synthesis of archaeobotanical and palynological evidence from across the Western Isles and a review of comparable data from the wider North Atlantic zone, before assessing the role of early farming communities in clearing the wooded landscapes of the region. Pollen and radiocarbon dating at the site of Aird Calanais reveal that a layer of birch branches, dating to the late Neolithic (2912–2881 cal bc), was contemporaneous with a decline in woodland at the site, as well as with the major phase of Neolithic activity at the Calanais stone circle complex. However, our synthesis of the pollen and plant macrofossil evidence from across the Western Isles suggests that the picture across these islands was altogether more complex: woodlands declined both before, as well as during, the Neolithic and deciduous woodlands remained sufficiently abundant for Neolithic fuel procurement. Finally, we consider the implications of the results for understanding the interactions between first farmers and woodlands in the wider North Atlantic region.

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“…Such changes, rather than factors such as storms or fire, facilitated pine establishment and growth on bog surfaces (Eckstein et al, 2009). McGeever and Mitchell (2015), however, on a basis of a compilation of 14 C dates of Irish bog-pine timbers, question the validity of regarding climate change as the main factor leading to the high frequency of bog pine during the mid-Holocene in Ireland. We appreciate that several factors are undoubtedly involved, but, in our view, the regional synchroneity of the pine flush favours a climate-change explanation.…”

Section: Mid-holocene Environmental Change and Human Population Dynammentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term human impact and environmental change in mid-western Ireland, with particular reference to Céide Fields – an overview

O’Connell¹,

Molloy²,

Jennings³

2020

E&G Quaternary Sci. J.

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How to cite:O'Connell, M., Molloy, K., and Jennings, E.: Long-term human impact and environmental change in mid-western Ireland, with particular reference to Céide Fields -an overview, E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 69, 1-32, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-69-1-2020, 2020. Abstract:This paper presents new palaeoecological data from north County Mayo (Co. Mayo), western Ireland, and reviews published data with a view to achieving a better understanding of the timing and nature of early farming in the region, its impact on the natural environment, and the factors, including climate change, that influenced mid-and late-Holocene vegetation dynamics and farming in the region. A long pollen profile from Glenulra, a deep basin situated within Céide Fields, and short profiles from blanket peat that overlies the prehistoric stone-wall field system provide unambiguous evidence for substantial farming, including widespread woodland clearance, in the early British and Irish Neolithic (beginning ca. 3800 BCE). This was followed by a distinct lull that lasted several centuries until farming activity resumed again, at first modestly (at ca. 2700 BCE) and then more markedly from 2350 BCE, i.e. at the Neolithic-Chalcolithic transition. It is argued on the basis of this and other palaeoecological evidence, including pollen analytical investigations at nearby Garrynagran, that, contrary to recent suggestions, there is no reason to doubt the widely held view that the stone-wall field system -unique in a western European Neolithic context -is correctly ascribable to the earlier part of the British and Irish Neolithic. The history of pine growing in bog contexts (mainly blanket bog) in the region is considered in the light of 14 C dates derived from pine timbers, and the results of dendrochronological investigations at Garrynagran that have enabled two floating pine chronologies to be constructed, are presented. The climatic implications of these data are discussed within local and wider regional contexts. Kurzfassung: Diese Studie präsentiert neue paläoökologische Daten aus dem nördlichen Co. Mayo (Grafschaft Mayo), Westirland, und überprüft bereits veröffentlichte Daten in Hinblick auf ein besseres Verständnis der Zeitstellung und des Typus früher Landwirtschaft in der Region, deren Auswirkungen auf die natürliche Umwelt, und auf Faktoren, einschließlich des Klimawandels, die die mittelbis spätholozäne Vegetationsdynamik und Landwirtschaft der Region beeinflusst haben. Ein langes Pollenprofil aus Glenulra, einem tiefen Becken im Bereich der Céide Fields, und kurze Profile aus Torfen, die das prähistorische System aus Steinmauern flächenhaft überlagern, liefern eindeutige Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the Deutsche Quartärvereinigung (DEUQUA) e.V. 2 M. O'Connell et al.: Holocene environmental change in western Ireland Beweise für umfangreiche Landwirtschaft, einschließlich ausgedehnter Rodung von Waldgebieten, im frühen Britischen und Irischen Neolithikum (beginnend ca. 3800 BC). Daran schloss eine ausgeprägte Flaute der l...

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Pine stumps in Irish peats: is their occurrence a valid proxy climate indicator?

Cited by 9 publications

References 38 publications

Re‐defining the natural range of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.): a newly discovered microrefugium in western Ireland

Re‐defining the natural range of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.): a newly discovered microrefugium in western Ireland

Deforestation and Human Agency in the North Atlantic Region: Archaeological and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence from the Western Isles of Scotland

Long-term human impact and environmental change in mid-western Ireland, with particular reference to Céide Fields – an overview

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