Radiocarbon dates on peat and tree remains from James Bay area, subarctic Quebec

Abstract

14C dates on peat and tree remains from the southern part of James Bay Lowlands, subarctic Quebec, indicate that forests and peatland conditions began at least 1000 years after the deglaciation of the area. Inception of forest and organic deposition in bogs varies within the main geological events of the late-glacial and postglacial times in the area: the drainage of glacial Lake Ojibway, the Tyrrell Sea transgression, and the emergence. The oldest age recorded for the beginning of peat deposition is 6890 ± 120 years before present (BP) at an elevation of 240 m and the youngest age is 3830 ± 120 years BP at an elevation of 60 m. A delay ranging from 400 to 900 years between forest occupation and the establishment of bog conditions is recorded.