Micropaleontological observations on a Sphagnum bog in East Carpathian region – testate amoebae (Rhizopoda: Testacea) and their potential use for reconstruction of micro- and macroclimatic changes

Abstract

We investigated the possibilities of reconstructing the hydrological history of an East Carpathian Sphagnum bog (Fenyves-tető, near Erzsebetbanya) based on the Testacea fauna and the humification. A Russian-type sampler was used to supply undisturbed cores of 400 cm in depth. The exotic marker method (Lycopodium clavatum as a marker) was used for quantitative estimation of the abundances. Humic acid concentration was measured by photometry. The age of the peat layers was determined by radiocarbon method. Altogether we identified 33 testate amoebae taxa; there were 10 taxa which were frequent in the samples and have remarkable faunistic and ecological significance. Based on the relative abundance of Testacea taxa, eight zones were identified. The following species were characteristic of dry conditions: Assulinamuscorum, Difflugiapulex, and Nebelamilitaris, while wet conditions were indicated by Amphitrema flavum and Hyalospheniapapilio. We found strong qualitative correlation between the humification and the relative frequencies of the testate amoebae. Major changes of the moisture conditions can be appropriately reconstructed from the quantitative and qualitative analysis of testate amoebae, and offer a good characterization for the rapid changes of the moisture conditions and the stable periods. We have demonstrated that the analysis of Testacea and the study of humification are useful for reconstructing hydrological changes.