An MIS 5a/b to MIS 3 bog sequence from Henderson Bay, northern New Zealand

Abstract

A discontinuous Late Pleistocene pollen record from an eroding coastal cliff section at Henderson Bay on the east coast of Northland, New Zealand, reveals changes in vegetation composition and associated palaeosol development under both stadial and interstadial climatic conditions ascribed to the last interglacial–glacial cycle, probably MIS (Marine Isotope Stage) 5a/b to early MIS 3. An increase in charcoal towards the top of the sequence is believed to be due to natural rather than anthropogenic ignition sources which resulted in the development of scrub rather than forest vegetation. The sequence is capped by gravel previously inferred to have been emplaced by tsunami event(s) some time after early MIS 3. A lack of Agathis pollen in our sequence despite unequivocal evidence for the parent trees (gum) strengthens a call for caution when inferring climatic conditions from the abundance of Agathis pollen in New Zealand pollen records.