Advantages and disadvantages of phytolith analysis for the reconstruction of Mediterranean vegetation: an assessment based on modern phytolith, pollen and botanical data (Luberon, France) - INSU - Institut national des sciences de l'Univers Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology Année : 2004

Advantages and disadvantages of phytolith analysis for the reconstruction of Mediterranean vegetation: an assessment based on modern phytolith, pollen and botanical data (Luberon, France)

Résumé

We present here the results of a first study comparing modern soil phytolith assemblages with pollen and botanical data at a North Mediterranean site. This work has shown the following limitations and advantages of phytolith analysis for the reconstruction of Mediterranean vegetation: (1) Phytoliths are produced in sufficient quantities for analysis and are well preserved in limestone environments, widespread in the Mediterranean area. (2) Young stands of Quercus ilex and Quercus coccifera, widely distributed in the Mediterranean area do not produce characteristic phytolith types in sufficient quantities to allow the calculation of a reliable index of tree cover density. (3) Pine forests, dominated by Pinus halepensis and Pinus sylvestris, are not recorded in the studied phytolith assemblages. (4) Grassland and shrubland assemblages can be distinguished through their associated phytolith assemblages, in particular by the proportion of crenate phytoliths produced in the short cells of the grass epidermis. (5) The different vegetation groups on the massif cannot be distinguished by pollen analysis. Further studies, comparing modern phytolith assemblages and quantitative vegetation data, should be carried out on forest plots that have been established for several centuries to further assess the role of phytolith analysis in vegetation reconstructions in the Mediterranean region. D
Fichier principal
Vignette du fichier
Bremond et al., 2004 (Luberon).pdf (773.91 Ko) Télécharger le fichier
Origine : Publication financée par une institution
Loading...

Dates et versions

hal-01909607 , version 1 (14-12-2018)

Identifiants

Citer

Laurent Bremond, Anne Alexandre, Errol Véla, Joel Guiot. Advantages and disadvantages of phytolith analysis for the reconstruction of Mediterranean vegetation: an assessment based on modern phytolith, pollen and botanical data (Luberon, France). Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2004, 129 (4), pp.213 - 228. ⟨10.1016/j.revpalbo.2004.02.002⟩. ⟨hal-01909607⟩
257 Consultations
581 Téléchargements

Altmetric

Partager

Gmail Facebook X LinkedIn More