Multi-millennial Record of Erosion and Fires in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, USA

摘要: Bottomland sediments from the southern Blue Ridge Mountains provide a coarse-resolution, multi-millennial stratigraphic record of past regional forest disturbance (soil erosion). This is represented by 12 separate vertical accretion profiles that have been dated radiocarbon, luminescence, cesium-137, and correlation methods continuously spanning 3,000 years pre-settlement (pre-dating widespread European American settlement) post-settlement strata. Post-settlement began in late 1800s, appears to be about an order magnitude faster than rates, attributable deforestation for timber harvest, farming, housing development, other erosive activities people. Natural, climate-driven, or non-anthropic subtle difficult recognize deposits. There no indication Mississippian Cherokee agricultural accelerated erosion sedimentation region. A continuous 11,244 before present (BP) meander scar Upper Little Tennessee River valley indicates abundant charcoal (prevalent fires) at very beginning Holocene (11,244–10,900 BP). In contrast, moderate low levels are apparent over remaining until 2,400 BP when influx registers pronounced increase. These data consistent with idea Native Americans used fire extensively manage forests expanded during Woodland later cultural periods 3000 years. However, there prehistoric intentional use agriculture caused sedimentation.