A reconstruction of Holocene climatic changes from peat bogs in north‐west Scotland

摘要: Continuous palaeoenvironmental sequences from three peat bogs located in north-west Scotland are presented which reveal palaeoclimatic changes during the Holocene, Peat cores were analysed lor humification. pollen and a range of other physical palaeoecological data, chronologies constructed by radiocarbon dating. Reconstruction past bog hydrology formed basis for interpretation. Four regional shifts to wetter conditions two drier inferred. Best estimated aye ranges wet span c. 5120 5070, 4020 3630, 3340 3270 940 800 cal BP, arid dry at 4330 4120 1480 1340 BP. The most distinctive feature record is oscillation around 4300 followed return after 4000 This was probably caused climatic also had an inHuence on dynamics Scots pine within region prior to, during, its mid-Holocene phase decline. Later reflect changes, although evidence human land-use complicates interpretation 3300 Potential causes considered, including circulation North Atlantic Ocean mid-Holocene.