PALEOECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF A HOLOCENE LACUSTRINE RECORD FROM THE KANGERLUSSUAQ (SONDRE STROMFJORD) REGION OF WEST GREENLAND

A lacustrine sediment record from the Kangerlussuaq region, West Green land, has resulted in a pollen, macrofossil, and sediment stratigraphy that encompasses the last 5000 C-14 Yr. Deglaciation of the area and subsequent development of a nearby floodplain occurred before 5000 yr B.P. Since that time eolian sand and silt deposition appear to have be en continuous, with a significant increase ca. 1000 C-14 yr B.P. Polle n analysis shows little change in the character of the vegetation thro ughout the record. Fluctuations in herb pollen taxa indicate changes i n the extent and development of eolian sand sheets. The oldest pollen zone records relatively little pollen accumulation and low taxa divers ity. This is followed by a zone of high pollen accumulation, presumabl y a phase of highest vegetation density, from 4400 to 3400 C-14 yr B.P . Thereafter, declining pollen accumulation rates reveal a gradual env ironmental deterioration. Macrofossil analyses record significant limn ological changes, with an early eutrophic phase followed by a mesotrop hic phase and a reversal to more eutrophic conditions in the final pha se. The preserved record illustrates the interactions of deglaciation, eolian activity, regional vegetation, and limnological change. (C) 19 95 University of Washington.