Late Holocene wetland transgression and 500 years of vegetation and fire variability in the semi-arid Amboseli landscape, southern Kenya

摘要: The semi-arid Amboseli landscape, southern Kenya, is characterised by intermittent groundwater-fed wetlands that form sedimentary geoarchives recording past ecosystem changes. We present a 5000-year environmental history of radiocarbon dated sediment core from Esambu Swamp adjacent to National Park. Although dates suggest an unconformity or gap spans between 3800 and 500 cal year BP, the record provides unique insight into long-term wetland processes, particularly 500 years. Climatic shifts, fire activity recent anthropogenic drive changes in composition. Prior 3800 cal year BP pollen data savanna persisted near wetland. transgressed at some time it difficult constrain this timing further, palustrine peaty sediments have accumulated since 400 cal year BP. Increased abundance Afromontane forest taxa highlands Kilimanjaro Chyulu Hills local arboreal reflect regional moisture budgets. Particularly transformative occurred last five centuries, associated with increased biomass burning coeval arrival Maa-speaking pastoralists intensification ivory trade. Cereal crops consistently around 300 cal year indicative further activity. study link drivers change. Such perspectives are crucial for future climate change livelihood impacts, so suitable responses ensure sustainable management practices can be developed important conservation landscape.