Testing the sensitivity of the palaeoclimatic signal from ombrotrophic peat bogs in northern England and the Scottish Borders

Abstract

Quantitative plant macrofossil, colorimetric humification and testate amoebae analyses have been used to reconstruct proxy climate records from two raised peat bogs in the Scottish Borders, Raeburn Flow and Bell’s Flow. Detrended correspondence analysis was used to transform the raw floral data into latent indices of mire surface wetness. The chronology of each peat profile was determined by radiocarbon assay, supported by pollen/landuse correlations. The palaeoclimate reconstructions generated from Raeburn Flow and Bell’s Flow match some of those previously generated from Coom Rigg Moss and Felecia Moss in northern England, although the latter sites register more climatic deteriorations since ca. 850 cal. BC. The water balance, size, and shape of each site have been investigated in an attempt to explain the differences between their palaeoclimatic records. The absence of potential summer water deficits may explain the greater palaeoclimatic sensitivity of Coom Rigg Moss and Felecia Moss, as the Sphagnum mosses may experience optimal growth conditions at those two sites.