A global planktic foraminifer census data set for the Pliocene ocean.

Marci Robinson,Kevin Foley,Harry Dowsett

doi:10.1038/sdata.2015.76

Abstract

This article presents data derived by the USGS Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping (PRISM) Project. PRISM has generated planktic foraminifer census data from core sites and outcrops around the globe since 1988. These data form the basis of a number of paleoceanographic reconstructions focused on the mid-Piacenzian Warm Period (3.264 to 3.025 million years ago). Data are presented as counts of individuals within 64 taxonomic categories for each locality. We describe sample acquisition and processing, age dating, taxonomy and archival storage of material. These data provide a unique, stratigraphically focused opportunity to assess the effects of global warming on marine plankton.

Highlights

Background and SummaryThe Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago (Ma)), the mid-Piacenzian[1,2] (3.6 to 2.6 Ma), has been a focus of synoptic paleoclimate research for the past 25 years
With widespread recognition by most experts that anthropogenic drivers are extremely likely to have been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century[4], and surface temperatures projected to rise over the 21st century under all emission scenarios[5], understanding the Pliocene climate has taken on new importance
The PRISM reconstructions serve two purposes: (1) they provide a conceptual model of mid-Piacenzian conditions and (2) they are formatted for use as boundary condition data sets as well as verification data for climate models

Summary

Introduction

Background and SummaryThe Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago (Ma)), the mid-Piacenzian[1,2] (3.6 to 2.6 Ma), has been a focus of synoptic paleoclimate research for the past 25 years. Since 1988 the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a large-scale data collection project: PRISM (Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping)[6].

Results

Conclusion