Late Quaternary Vegetational History of the North York Moors. IX. Numerical Analysis and Pollen Concentration Analysis of Flandrian II Peat Profiles from North Gill, Glaisdale Moor

Abstract

The late Flandrian II pollen data from three correlated pollen profiles at North Gill are subjected to principal components analysis, and the results confirm a previous subjective recognition of a sequence of phases alternately characterized by evidence of woodland stability and disturbance. A previous summary zonation scheme for the site based upon these phases is thus validated and betweenand withinphase variation revealed by the analysis is discussed. The pollen stratigraphy is further investigated by analysis of pollen concentrations at one of the sites, and these data are discussed relative to the pollen percentage based zonation scheme. Agreement between concentration and percentage data is very good. It is concluded that the overall pollen evidence shows the site to have been the focus of pre-elm decline woodland disturbance on three recorded occasions and that these three phases, as well as the elm decline phase at the Flandrian II-III transition, are capable of further spatial and temporal resolution using more detailed analyses of pollen percentages and concentrations, supported by numerical techniques. The disturbance evidence is discussed in terms of possible human activity and the character of North Gill as a multi-phase site of pre-elm decline land-use is considered in relation to other sites in the North York Moors and beyond.