Palynological evidence for a warmer boreal climate in the Late Pliocene of the Yukon Territory, Canada

Matthew Pound, Robert Lowther, Jeff Peakall, Robert Chapman, Ulrich Salzmann

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    13 Citations (Scopus)
    33 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The Late Pliocene (3.6–2.6 Ma) was a period of significant global warmth, considered a potential analogue for future anthropogenic climate change. Newly discovered fine-grained sediments from between the gold-bearing lower and upper White Channel Gravels show the presence of a wetland or lake within Bonanza Creek, Dawson Mining District, Yukon. This environment was surrounded by a diverse Pinaceae-dominated boreal forest with significant stands of angiosperms in favourable sites. Quantitative climate reconstructions derived from pollen and spores reveal a mean annual temperature at least 6 °C warmer than today with warm summers and relatively mild winters. Finally, the new pollen assemblage is used to discuss the age of the White Channel Gravels.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)91-102
    JournalPalynology
    Volume39
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 18 Sept 2015

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