Presence-absence species/sample matrix for the measured sections at the area of Maghara, North Sinai, Egypt

As age-diagnostic fossils are rare in the Middle to Upper Jurassic sedimentary succession of Gebel Maghara, North Sinai, Egypt, and in order to ensure maximal stratigraphic resolution, chronostratigraphic boundaries were determined based on quantitative biostratigraphy. A data matrix comprising 231 macrofaunal taxa in 93 samples from four sections has been processed with the Unitary Association (UA) Method. This led to construction of a sequence of 29 UAs (maximal sets of actually or virtually coexisting taxa), which have been grouped into 14 laterally reproducible association zones. The UA method allowed an in-depth analysis of the stratigraphically conflicting taxa, enabled the biostratigraphic subdivision of the studied interval, and also provided stratigraphic correlation among the measured sections and with the Tethyan ammonite zones.

Pollen record and calculated holocene vegetation and climate dynamics from Sihailongwan Maar Lake, NE China

High-resolution palynological analysis on annually laminated sediments of Sihailongwan Maar Lake (SHL) provides new insights into the Holocene vegetation and climate dynamics of NE China. The robust chronology of the presented record is based on varve counting and AMS radiocarbon dates from terrestrial plant macro-remains. In addition to the qualitative interpretation of the pollen data, we provide quantitative reconstructions of vegetation and climate based on the method of biomization and weighted averaging partial least squares regression (WA-PLS) technique, respectively. Power spectra were computed to investigate the frequency domain distribution of proxy signals and potential natural periodicities. Pollen assemblages, pollen-derived biome scores and climate variables as well as the cyclicity pattern indicate that NE China experienced significant changes in temperature and moisture conditions during the Holocene. Within the earliest phase of the Holocene, a large-scale reorganization of vegetation occurred, reflecting the reconstructed shift towards higher temperatures and precipitation values and the initial Holocene strengthening and northward expansion of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Afterwards, summer temperatures remain at a high level, whereas the reconstructed precipitation shows an increasing trend until approximately 4000 cal. yr BP. Since 3500 cal. yr BP, temperature and precipitation values decline, indicating moderate cooling and weakening of the EASM. A distinct periodicity of 550-600 years and evidence of a Mid-Holocene transition from a temperature-triggered to a predominantly moisture-triggered climate regime are derived from the power spectra analysis. The results obtained from SHL are largely consistent with other palaeoenvironmental records from NE China, substantiating the regional nature of the reconstructed vegetation and climate patterns. However, the reconstructed climate changes contrast with the moisture evolution recorded in S China and the mid-latitude (semi-)arid regions of N China. Whereas a clear insolation-related trend of monsoon intensity over the Holocene is lacking from the SHL record, variations in the coupled atmosphere-Pacific Ocean system can largely explain the reconstructed changes in NE China.

Pollen profile and age determination of sediment core Schwanengrabenrinne, Brandenburg, Germany

In der Döberitzer Heide nördlich von Potsdam wurden vegetationsgeschichtliche Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Das Untersuchungsgebiet befindet sich im östlichen Teil der Nauener Platte, die bisher vegetationsgeschichtlich weitgehend unerforscht war. In sechs verschiedenen Mooren wurden acht Bohrungen niedergebracht. Die Bohrkerne wurden stratigraphisch und pollenanalytisch untersucht und für die Radiocarbondatierung beprobt. Die Pollendiagramme ermöglichen die Rekonstruktion der Vegetationsentwicklung der terrestrischen Standorte und der Moore in der Döberitzer Heide in den letzten 14.000 Jahren. Neben einer Revision der Gliederungsprinzipien der spätglazialen Vegetationsentwicklung Brandenburgs und einer vergleichenden Betrachtung der Moorentwicklung in der Döberitzer Heide wurde besonderes Augenmerk auf die Geschichte des Döberitzer Lindenwaldes gerichtet, der einen Sonderfall in der brandenburgischen Vegetation darstellt. Die Untersuchungen boten die Möglichkeit, die Ursachen seiner Entstehung zu klären, Aussagen zu den Perspektiven seiner Entwicklung zu treffen und mögliche Entwicklungspotentiale von Lindenwäldern im Land Brandenburg aufzuzeigen.

Late Miocene palaeoflora and palaeoclimate of Lincang (China)

The Miocene Lincang leaf assemblage is used in this paper as proxy data to reconstruct the palaeoclimate of southwestern Yunnan (SW China) and the evolution of monsoon intensity. Three quantitative methods were chosen for this reconstruction, i.e. Leaf Margin Analysis (LMA), Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP), and the Coexistence Approach (CA). These methods, however, yield inconsistent results, particularly for the precipitation, as also shown in European and other East Asian Cenozoic floras. The wide range of the reconstructed climatic parameters includes the Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) of 18.5-24.7 °C and the Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) of 1213-3711 mm. Compared with the modern Lincang climate (MAT, 17.3 °C; MAP, 1178.7 mm), the Miocene climate is slightly warmer, wetter and has a higher temperature seasonality. A detailed comparison on the palaeoclimatic variables with the coeval Late Miocene Xiaolongtan flora from the eastern part of Yunnan allows us to investigate the development and interactions of both South Asian and East Asian monsoons during the Late Miocene in southwest China, now under strong influence of these monsoon systems. Our results suggest that the monsoon climate has already been established in southwest Yunnan during the Late Miocene. Furthermore, our results support that both Southeast Asian and East Asian monsoons co-occurred in Yunnan during the Late Miocene.

Paleogene planktonic foraminifera of DSDP Hole 29-277

Stratigraphy of Paleogene deposits from high latitudes of the Pacific region (Koryak Highland, Kamchatka Peninsula, Karaginsky Island - in the northern hemisphere, Australian-Antarctic region - in the southern hemisphere) on planktonic foraminifera are under consideration in the book. Correlation with Paleogene of the warm Pacific belt is given. On the basis of geographic and stratigraphic distributions of planktonic foraminifera climatic zonation and the Paleogene climatic curve are analyzed. Description and photos of 115 species and varieties of planktonic foraminifera are given in the palaeontological part of the book.

Neogene planktonic foraminifers from Wombat and Exmouth Plateau

Diverse, warm-water planktonic foraminiferal faunas prevailed on the Wombat and Exmouth plateaus during the Neogene, in spite of the northward drift of Australia across 10° to 15° latitude since the early Miocene. Invasions of cool-water species occurred during periods of global cooling in the late middle Miocene, late Miocene, and Pleistocene, and reflect periods of increased northward transport of cool surface water, probably via the West Australian Current. The sedimentary record of the Neogene on Wombat and Exmouth Plateau is interrupted by two hiatuses (lower Miocene, Zone N5, and upper middle to upper Miocene, Zones N15-N17), and one redeposited section of upper Miocene to uppermost Pliocene sediments. Mechanical erosion or nondeposition by increased deep-water flow or tilting and uplift of Wombat and Exmouth plateaus, resulting in sediment shedding, are the most likely explanations for these Miocene hiatuses, but which of these processes were actually operative on the Wombat and Exmouth plateaus is uncertain. The redeposited section of upper Miocene to uppermost Pliocene sediments in Hole 761B, however, certainly reflects a latest Pliocene period of uplift and tilting of the Wombat Plateau. An important finding was the occurrence of Zone N15-correlative sediments in Hole 762B without any representative of Neogloboquadrina. Similar findings in Java and Jamaica indicate that the earliest spreading of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis in the tropical region resulted from migration. The evolution of this species, therefore, must have taken place in higher latitudes. I suggest that Neogloboquadrina acostaensis evolved from Neogloboquadrina atlantica in the North Atlantic within Zone NN9, but how and where in the region this speciation took place is still uncertain

MARECHIARA-mesozooplankton long-term time-series at the fixed coastal station in the Gulf of Naples: abundance and biomass, data for the years 1984-2006

The MARECHIARA-mesozooplankton dataset contains mesozooplankton data collected in the ongoing time-series at Sation MC (40°48.5' N, 14°15' E) in the Gulf of Naples. This dataset spans over the period 1984-2006 and contains data of mesozooplankton abundance and species composition as well as biomass (as dry weight). Mesozooplankton was regularly sampled in 1984-1990 and 1995-2006, only a few samples were collected in 1991-1992 and no samples in 1993-1994. During the first period of the series sampling frequency was fortnightly, and weekly since 1995.

Climate reconstruction and oxygen isotope composition of sediment core Dethlingen, Germany

To gain insights into the mechanisms of abrupt climate change within interglacials, we have examined the characteristics and spatial extent of a prominent, climatically induced vegetation setback during the Holsteinian interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 11c). Based on analyses of pollen and varves of lake sediments from Dethlingen (northern Germany), this climatic oscillation, here termed the "Older Holsteinian Oscillation" (OHO), lasted 220 years. It can be subdivided into a 90-year-long decline of temperate tree taxa associated with an expansion of Pinus and herbs, and a 130-year-long recovery phase marked by the expansion of Betula and Alnus, and the subsequent recovery of temperate trees. The climate-induced nature of the OHO is corroborated by changes in diatom assemblages and ?18O measured on biogenic silica indicating an impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the Dethlingen paleolake. The OHO is widely documented in pollen records from Europe north of 50° latitude and is characterized by boreal climate conditions with cold winters from the British Isles to Poland, with a gradient of decreasing temperature and moisture availability, and increased continentality towards eastern Europe. This pattern points to a weakened influence of the westerlies and/or a stronger influence of the Siberian High. A comparison of the OHO with the 8.2 ka event of the Holocene reveals close similarities regarding the imprint on terrestrial ecosystems and the interglacial boundary conditions. Hence, in analogy to the 8.2 ka event, a transient, meltwater-induced slowdown of the North Atlantic Deep Water formation appears as a plausible trigger mechanism for the OHO. If correct, meltwater release into the North Atlantic may be a more common agent of abrupt climate change during interglacials than previously thought. We conclude that meltwater-induced climate setbacks during interglacials preferentially occurred when low rates of summer insolation increase during the preceding terminations facilitated the persistence of large-scale continental ice-sheets well into the interglacials.