Abstract
We investigated the potential of testate amoebae (Protozoa: Rhizopoda) for reconstructing past climate changes in the Rocky Mountain region. Our specific objectives were to determine environmental controls on modem testate amoeba distribution in Sphagnum-dominated peatlands of the region, reconstruct past temporal changes in testate amoebae from a Sphagnum-dominated peatland in southwestern Yellowstone National Park, and assess relationships between climate variability and testate amoebae for the past century. Our results indicate that substrate moisture is the dominant control on modem testate amoeba distribution in the region, consistent with studies from other regions. Temporal changes in testate amoebae reconstructed from a floating peat mat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem show considerable variability during the past several hundred years, and variability during the past century was correlated with the instrumental record of drought at decadal timescales. The patterns suggest that sensitive paleoclimatic reconstructions are possible from floating mats in the region, and perhaps elsewhere. Testate amoebae from peatlands in the Rocky Mountains show great potential for reconstructing past climate variability, corroborating and extending records inferred from other proxies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
