Plant Fragments Research Articles

A review of micromorphological studies of ant and termite's epigean nests located in neotropical soils of Argentina

This publication brings an integral revision about the micromorphology of ant and termite's nests located in neotropical soils. The building materials, wall microstructures, wall coatings, and building techniques are comparatively addressed, and illustrated with new photographic material. The soil nests were assigned to termites Termes saltans, Cortaritermes fulviceps, Cornitermes cumulans, and ants Atta vollenweideri, Camponotus punctulatus, Solenopsis sp, and Acromyrmex fracticornis. These species construct epigean structures, such as mounds and turrets in frequently flooded Mollisols, Ultisols, Alfisols and Entisols of the northern east region of Argentina. The building materials, i.e. soil components, plant fragments, and feces, were distributed and assembled in the nest walls forming characteristics micromorphological features, showing distinct differences with the adjacent soil micromorphology. Termites constructed very hard mounds with compact microstructures composed of soil pellets and grains closely assembled and cemented with feces, showing only thin fissures and very small vughs in their external walls. Interiorly, the walls of growing termite mounds displayed porous microstructures and a distinct parallel arrangement of organic laminae in the hive. Mounds and turrets of ants were constructed with humid soil pellets, firmly adhered without any kind of cement, forming spongy microstructures with mamillated and star-shaped vughs. This porous structure alternated with massive and crack structures, resulting from the breakdown of the wall aggregation by the percolated rain. Many species of ants and termites lined the mound and turret's galleries with feces or fine soil material. An active reorganization of the building materials over time was demonstrated in growing colonies of C. cumulans by means micromorphological analysis of young and mature nests. Likewise, removal of building materials and microstructures was also recorded in turrets of A. vollenweideri constructed in the laboratory with different building materials that were offered consecutively. In addition, the effect of rains on the removal of the pelletal aggregation was experimentally demonstrated. The building technique of turrets of A. fracticornis was revealed in field experiments, recording over time the intermeshing of plant fragments around the nest opening, and its simultaneous cementation with soil pellets.

The Comparative Gut Content Analysis of Some Chironomidae Larvae Living in the Freshwaters at Northern Thrace Region of Turkey

The roles of larval chironomids in the food chain of both the lotic and the lentic ecosystems are very important. On the one hand, chironomid larvae feeding on algae, diatoms, rotting organic matter, plant, and animal residues also play an important role in these systems as a source of food for other carnivores and omnivorous organisms. In this study, the gut contents of Cryptochironomus defectus (Kieffer, 1913), Cladotanytarsus mancus (Walker, 1856), Polypedilum scalaenum (Schrank, 1803), Tanypus kraatzi (Kieffer, 1912) collected from the freshwater ecosystems located in the northern parts of the Thrace region of Turkey were analyzed to compare their feeding habits. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that while plant fragments were dominant in C. defectus species in the gut content (44.3%), algae were dominant for C. mancus (44.7%), P. scalaenum (63.5%), T. kraatzi (65%). According to the results of the Shannon-Wiener (H') index species, diversity of the P. scalaenum was found to be the highest among the larvae (H'= 1.345). Also, according to the Bray-Curtis similarity index, the most similar types of gut contents were P. scalaenum and C. defectus (38%). This low rate indicated that the species have different food preferences.

Microbiomes in forensic botany: a review.

Fragments of botanical material can often be found at crime scenes (on live and dead bodies, or on incriminating objects) and can provide circumstantial evidence on various aspects of forensic investigations such as determining crime scene locations, times of death or possession of illegal species. Morphological and genetic analysis are the most commonly applied methods to analyze plant fragment evidence but are limited by their low capacity to differentiate between potential source locations, especially at local scales. Here, we review the current applications and limitations of current plant fragment analysis for forensic investigations and introduce the potential of microbiome analysis to complement the existing forensic plant fragment analysis toolkit. The potential for plant fragment provenance identification at geographic scales meaningful to forensic investigations warrants further investigation of the phyllosphere microbiome in this context. To that end we identify three key areas of future research: 1) Retrieval of microbial DNA of sufficient quality and quantity from botanical material; 2) Variability of the phyllosphere microbiome at different taxonomic and spatial scales, with explicit reference to assignment capacity; 3) Impacts on assignment capacity of time, seasonality and movement of fragments between locations. The development of robust microbiome analysis tools for forensic purposes in botanical material could increase the evidentiary value of the botanical evidence commonly encountered in casework, aiding in the identification of crime scene locations.

Standard operation procedures and performance of the MICADAS radiocarbon laboratory at Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Germany

The radiocarbon analysis laboratory at Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is equipped with an accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) MICADAS (MIni CArbon Dating System). The laboratory provides routine 14C analyses on bulk organic matter, plant fragments, dissolved and particulate organic matter, individual molecular lipids, and carbonate (micro-) fossils with the aim to foster international research efforts in vulnerable high latitudes. The AWI MICADAS allows AMS 14C analysis on graphite targets as well as on CO2 samples via gas injection into the hybrid ion source. The laboratory thus provides reliable datasets even if only small amounts of sample material are available, a problem often encountered in polar research. Here we describe the standard operation procedures and sample preparation methods employed, and demonstrate the instrument performance and data quality based on repeat analysis of international reference materials.

(2806) Proposal to conserve the name Cistus violaceus (Helianthemum violaceum) against C. racemosus (Cistaceae)

(2806) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Cistus violaceus</i> (<i>Helianthemum violaceum</i>) against <scp><i>C</i>. <i>racemosus</i></scp> (<i>Cistaceae</i>)

Advances in understanding calcite varve formation: new insights from a dual lake monitoring approach in the southern Baltic lowlands

We revise the conceptual model of calcite varves and present, for the first time, a dual lake monitoring study in two alkaline lakes providing new insights into the seasonal sedimentation processes forming these varves. The study lakes, Tiefer See in NE Germany and Czechowskie in N Poland, have distinct morphology and bathymetry, and therefore, they are ideal to decipher local effects on seasonal deposition. The monitoring setup in both lakes is largely identical and includes instrumental observation of (i) meteorological parameters, (ii) chemical profiling of the lake water column including water sampling, and (iii) sediment trapping at both bi‐weekly and monthly intervals. We then compare our monitoring data with varve micro‐facies in the sediment record. One main finding is that calcite varves form complex laminae triplets rather than simple couplets as commonly thought. Sedimentation of varve sub‐layers in both lakes is largely dependent on the lake mixing dynamics and results from the same seasonality, commencing with diatom blooms in spring turning into a pulse of calcite precipitation in summer and terminating with a re‐suspension layer in autumn and winter, composed of calcite patches, plant fragments and benthic diatoms. Despite the common seasonal cycle, the share of each of these depositional phases in the total annual sediment yield is different between the lakes. In Lake Tiefer See calcite sedimentation has the highest yields, whereas in Lake Czechowskie, the so far underestimated re‐suspension sub‐layer dominates the sediment accumulation. Even in undisturbed varved sediments, re‐suspended material becomes integrated in the sediment fabric and makes up an important share of calcite varves. Thus, while the biogeochemical lake cycle defines the varves’ autochthonous components and micro‐facies, the physical setting plays an important role in determining the varve sub‐layers’ proportion.

(2798) Proposal to conserve the name Cistus laevis (Fumana laevis) against C. pilosus (Cistaceae)

(2798) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Cistus laevis</i> (<i>Fumana laevis</i>) against <scp><i>C</i>. <i>pilosus</i></scp> (<i>Cistaceae</i>)

Disaster microconchids from the uppermost Permian and Lower Triassic lacustrine strata of the Cis-Urals and the Tunguska and Kuznetsk basins (Russia)

AbstractWe describe aggregative microconchid (Lophophorata) tubes from the uppermost Permian (upper Changhsingian) and Lower Triassic (Olenekian) lacustrine and fluvial strata of the Tunguska and Kuznetsk basins and the southern Cis-Urals, Russia. These attach to clam shrimp carapaces, bivalve shells, terrestrial plant fragments and a horseshoe crab head shield, and also form their own monospecific agglomerations. Planispiral tubes of a wide size range (0.1–2.5 mm) create dense settlements on these firm substrates, which likely comprise multiple generations of the same species. These finds confirm that this extinct lophophorate group was inhabiting non-marine continental basins during latest Permian and earliest Triassic time, when they were major suspension feeders in such limnic ecosystems. Microconchids dispersed extensively and rapidly in the aftermath of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction into both marine and continental basins at low and moderately high latitudes, which were notably different in salinity, temperature, depth and redox conditions. This confirms that small lightly calcified microconchids were a genuine disaster eurytopic group, whose expansion may have been promoted by low predator pressure and low competition for substrate.

&lt;strong&gt;Lectotypification of the names &lt;em&gt;Festuca makutrensis&lt;/em&gt; and its variety, &lt;em&gt;F. makutrensis&lt;/em&gt; var. &lt;em&gt;obtecta&lt;/em&gt; (Poaceae)&lt;/strong&gt;

The name Festuca makutrensis is currently accepted and considered to be applicable to a presumably hybridogenous species at present reliably known from Ukraine and Poland (records from other countries need confirmation), where it occurs mainly on humus-rich shallow soils on carbonates (rendzinas) as a component of floristically rich extrazonal meadow steppes and similar dry grasslands. The species is considered endangered in Poland. The previous attempt at type designation of F. makutrensis proved to be ineffective for nomenclatural reasons. Lectotypes are designated here for the names F. makutrensis and F. makutrensis var. obtecta, both validated by Zapałowicz simultaneously, based on specimens collected by Raciborski at the Makitra Hill (also known as Makutra Mount of the Podolia Upland; Brody District, Lviv Region, Ukraine). Since the available original herbarium sheets contain plants and plant fragments belonging to both var. makutrensis and var. obtecta (mixed collections, with plants of two varieties mounted on the same sheets), only parts of specimens/sheets from KRAM are designated as lectotypes for each name.

Las chullpas incas en las quebradas Ucriamayo Y Tulpaisa, Caylloma, Arequipa

En las inmediaciones de la Unidad Minera (U. M.) Tambomayo se ubican las quebradas de Ucriamayo y Tulpaisa; y asociadas a estas áreas geográficas se registraron mediante la prospección arqueológicas los sitios arqueológicos Gentilmach’ay y Pushkanawasi. La zona se localiza en la parte alta del valle del Colca (área de influencia de la etnia Collagua), en el distrito de Tapay, provincia de Caylloma, departamento de Arequipa. Los sitios corresponden a estructuras chullparias con presencia de material cultural, como fragmentos de cerámica, restos vegetales, textiles, óseo animal y humano. La filiación cultural del material cerámico es inca y se observa la modificación cultural de cráneos. Ambos sitios presentan particularidades que sugiere la existencia de diferencias sociales de los individuos enterrados en los diferentes ambientes. Según las evidencias registradas, se proponen diferentes investigaciones con el material cultural registrado en ambos sitios arqueológicos.

Differences in the development of the Szczecin Lagoon area in the Late Glacial and Holocene based on the geochemical analysis of carbonate sediments from Lake Nowowarpieńskie (NW Poland)

This paper presents the results of geochemical analysis performed for the more-than-10-m-long core of sediments derived from Lake Nowowarpieńskie. Contrary to what its geographical name would suggest, it is in fact a peripheral bay &nbsp;of the Szczecin Lagoon (NW Poland). A characteristic feature of the sedimentary cover of this water body is the several-metre-thick layer of lacustrine chalk, which is unique in the lithology of the sediments of today's Szczecin Lagoon. This sediment has been analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The chalk sediment from Lake Nowowarpieńskie is of chemical origin, bearing no fragments of vascular plants, but only traces of C-org in the form of small plant remains. The analysis of individual crystals using the EDS method also show Ca contents of over 99%. SEM images reveal that the sediment is characterised by a loose, disordered pack-ing of individual crystals, often combined to form aggregates with a tabular structure. The individual calcite grains are usually a few micrometres in size, while developed ones are mostly hypidiomorphic and show signs of corrosion. The sedimentation of the lacustrine chalk indicates that the post-glacial natural development of this part of what today constitutes Szczecin Lagoon differed from that of the rest of the lagoon. This sediment was deposited in a shallow but fertile isolated lake. The full profile of sediments from Lake Nowowarpieńskie reveals its distinct bipartite character, indicating two main stages of its evolution: carbonate and post-carbonate. In the first, the water body showed similarities to the neighbouring lakes of the Wkrzańska Plain. Its evolution was driven by climatic factors. The second stage was initiated by a palaeohydrological factor – Littorina transgression, which resulted in the lake being included into the hydrological system of the Szczecin Lagoon.

Diet Selection of Heteracris littoralis in a Cultivated Environment, Mzab Valley, Septentrional Sahara, Algeria

This paper presents the results of a study on the diet of Heteracris littoralis in an agro-ecosystem at Mzab valley, Ghardaïa Province, Northern Sahara, Algeria. The diet was determined by the analysis of plant fragments in the feces of H. littoralis sampled in the field. The studied grasshopper consumed 12 of the 30 plant species found in the cultivated environment. The results showed that the locust predominantly fed on a few plants, such as Lagenaria siceraria and Solanum lycopersicum, although their diet includes over 12 plant species. Its food niche breadth was narrow (0.51), with a selectivity index of 0.61 for females, 0.52 for males and 0.42 for larvae. The plants consumed by the two sexes and larvae were not significantly different. This study suggests that Eyprepocnemidinae is a polyphagous grasshopper species, in spite of pronounced preference towards Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae. This property results in a low Berger-Parker index value (0.24). Results are of great significance, increasing the understanding of insect herbivore feeding behavior and how to control the damage caused by this Orthoptera.

Depositional and environmental controlling factors on the genesis of Quaternary tufa deposits from Bonito region, Central-West Brazil

The Pleistocene and Holocene tufas of the Serra da Bodoquena (Bonito region, Brazilian Midwest) consist of several deposits related to a karstic system developed in the carbonatic rocks of Corumbá Group. Tufas currently forming in the Serra da Bodoquena area (Mimoso and Formoso rivers) were investigated for a better understanding of which environmental changes control the deposition of different types of tufa facies. The Mimoso River displays waterfalls, cascades, barriers and large pools as morphological elements. The topographic breaks on the bedrock of this river control the distribution of these main morphological elements. Five facies were identified: (i) stromatolitic boundstones, characterized by an alternation of dense and porous laminae; (ii) phytohermal boundstones, corresponding to bryophyte cushions; (iii) phytoclastic rudstones, formed by the accumulation of leaves and plant fragments; (iv) oncoidal rudstones, composed by coated grains with concentric laminae (oncoids); and (v) unconsolidated detrital sediment, formed by bioclasts and tufa fragments. SEM images indicated the presence of microorganisms such as Oocardium stratum Nägeli 1849 and Phormidium incrustatum Gomont ex Gomont 1892, as well as diatoms and fungi filaments colonizing tufa samples. On the other hand, the Formoso River is more sinuous, lacking significative topographic breaks and presents flooded sub-environments, such as inactive barriers and other shallow fluvial areas, containing unconsolidated detrital sediment, lime mud and oncoidal rudstones. No microbial remains have been observed. The Bonito region has a humid warm climate with a rainy summer season and a dry winter season, and temperatures barely varying through year. The seasonality of rainy and dry seasons influences both the physicochemical changes of water and, indirectly, the microbial communities of tufa. However, the very different facies displayed by each river, Mimoso and Formoso, are not directly linked to climate. The stepped profile of the Mimoso River allows fast flowing waters producing fast CO2 outgassing that leads to high calcite precipitation rates. The gentle slope of the Formoso River and its slow flowing waters leads to slow passive CO2 outgassing and photosynthesis controlling calcite precipitation at lower rates than in the Mimoso River.

Weed pressure and turfgrass establishment in response to mulching media

AbstractTurfgrass establishment on the Texas High Plains is often compromised by wind desiccation, high temperatures, and reduced water inputs. Application of cotton gin trash at seeding may help increase germination through buffering and insulation. Therefore, field experiments were conducted to examine weed pressure and establishment of ‘Sahara’ common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and ‘Bowie’ buffalograss [Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus] in response to cotton gin trash and industry standards (hydro‐mulch and wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] straw) used as mulching media. The greatest amount of common bermudagrass cover 12 wk after planting (WAP) was observed in response to hydro‐mulch (89%) and no mulch (85%), while wheat straw and gin trash mulch only resulted in 70 and 60% cover, respectively. The greatest amount of buffalograss cover 12 WAP was observed in response to hydro‐mulch (55%). All other treatments resulted in ≤20% buffalograss cover 12 WAP. Weed cover in bermudagrass 12 WAP was highest in response to gin trash (33%) followed by (fb) wheat straw (24%) fb no mulch (12%) and hydro‐mulch (10%). Weed cover in buffalograss 12 WAP was highest in response to wheat straw (72%) fb gin trash (52%) fb no mulch (36%) fb hydro‐mulch (22%). Utilization of gin trash as mulch only resulted in 60% bermudagrass cover and 20% buffalograss cover, while weed pressure was 33–52% cover. Further refinement of gin trash may improve use as a mulch through the reduction of weed seed and removal of cotton plant fragments that limit light infiltration to the soil surface.

LONG-TERM CHANGES IN 14C AGE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HUMIC ACID AND PLANT FRAGMENTS AND THEIR LINKS TO PAST CLIMATE CHANGE

ABSTRACTRadiocarbon (14C) dating has been widely used to determine the age of deposits, but there have been frequent reports of inconsistencies in age among different dating materials. In this study, we performed radiocarbon dating on a total of 33 samples from 8-m-long sediment cores recovered from the wetland of the Muljangori volcanic cone on Jeju Island, South Korea. Ten pairs of humic acid (HA) and plant fragments (PF) samples, and three pairs of HA and humin samples, from the same depths were compared in terms of age. The PF were consistently younger than the HA. Interestingly, the age difference between HA and PF samples showed a long-term change during the past 8000 years. To test whether there was an association between this long-term age difference and climate change, we compared with the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios and total organic carbon isotope (δ13CTOC) values of the sediments, as indicators of the relative abundance of terrestrial and aquatic plants; these parameters showed similar long-term trends. This suggests that the increasing (decreasing) trend in age difference was influenced by long-term dry (wet) climate change.

Diversity of endophytic fungi in the leaflets and branches of Poincianella pyramidalis, an endemic species of Brazilian tropical dry forest

ABSTRACT Plants harbour diverse communities of fungal species in their internal compartments. Endophytic fungi help their hosts to establish, survive, and adapt to different environments. Here, we examined the diversity of endophytic fungi in the leaflets and branches of Poincianella pyramidalis, a plant species endemic to the Brazilian tropical dry forest (Caatinga). A total of 360 fragments of leaflets and branches were analysed and 189 endophytic fungi were isolated and distributed among 21 ascomycetous genera based on their ITS and LSU rDNA sequences. Diaporthe was the most frequently identified genus, followed by Didymella and Rhytidhysteron. The colonisation rate of plant fragments was higher in the branches (74 %) than in leaflets (14 %). The richness of the genera of endophytic fungi was also higher in the branches than in leaflets, whereas no difference was observed in endophyte diversity between the plant parts, based on Shannon-Wiener and Fisher alpha diversity indices. Our results indicate that endemic plant species from Brazilian dry forest, such as P. pyramidalis, are predominantly colonised by ascomycetous fungi, especially members of the class Dothideomycetes.

Contribution of plant anatomy to forensic investigation: Tree bark morphology

Plant science has been more and more utilized in forensic investigation, although its full potential is still to be reached. Plant macroremains are a powerful tool to link a body or other evidence back to a primary crime scene as they can provide detailed information about its previous ecological and geographic location. However, plant macroremains are often poorly preserved and difficult to identify, as diagnostic elements are seldom present within the assemblage occurring on the scene. Plant fragments most likely to be found are those exposed to the environment and resistant to degradation. The bark of woody plants meets these requirements but the possibility of its identification at species level from small fragments is not known.Starting from a real homicide case, where bark splinters were found on the victim, we aimed to assess the forensic potential of bark identification from small fragments like those likely to occur on a crime scene. Two identification keys were prepared for 16 common lowland tree species from Northern Italy; one key used all the available anatomical traits, the second only those from the outer bark. The second key was not able to discriminate some couples of species unambiguously, but could identify the bark fragments of the homicide as Robinia pseudoacacia, as confirmed from direct comparison with a reference sample. Bark fragments deserve to be included into the macroremains to be analyzed during an investigation, but small samples could easily lack diagnostic traits, and the building of a reference collection should be encouraged.

Effect of AuNPs and AgNPs on the Antioxidant System and Antioxidant Activity of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) from In Vitro Cultures.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gold and silver nanoparticles on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and catalase (CAT)), the free radical scavenging capacity, and the total polyphenol capacity of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) cultivar “Munstead” propagated in vitro. In the experiment, fragments of lavender plants were cultivated in vitro on medium with the addition of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg∙dm−3 of AgNPs or AuNPs (particle sizes 24.2 ± 2.4 and 27.5 ± 4.8 nm, respectively). It was found that the nanoparticles increase the activity of the antioxidant enzymes APX and SOD; however, the reaction depends on the NP concentration. The highest APX activity is found in plants propagated on media with 2 and 5 mg∙dm−3 of AgNPs. AuNPs significantly increase the APX activity when added to media with a concentration of 10 mg∙dm−3. The highest SOD activity is recorded at 2 and 5 mg∙dm−3 AgNP and AuNP concentrations. The addition of higher concentrations of nanoparticles to culture media results in a decrease in the APX and SOD activity. The addition of AuNPs to culture media at concentrations from 2 to 50 mg∙dm−3 increases the POX activity in comparison to its activity when AgNPs are added to the culture media. No significant influence of NPs on the increase in CAT activity was demonstrated. AgNPs and AuNPs increased the free radical scavenging capacity (ABTS•+). The addition of NPs at concentrations of 2 and 5 mg∙dm−3 increased the production of polyphenols; however, in lower concentrations it decreased their content in lavender tissues.

Depositional processes of plant fragment-concentrated sandstones in turbiditic sequences recorded by plant biomarkers (Miocene Kawabata Formation, Japan)

Occasionally, distinctive plant fragment (PF)-concentrated sandstone beds are found in the turbiditic sequence of the Miocene Kawabata Formation (Yubari, central Hokkaido, Japan) deposited in a foredeep basin. Sedimentological and organic geochemical analyses were carried out on the PF-concentrated sandstone bed to investigate the transport and depositional processes of the abundant PFs in the basin. The PF-concentrated sandstone bed was subdivided into lower and upper PF-concentrated layers based on their sedimentary structures. The lower layer contains chaotically dispersed PFs, and the upper layer is characterized by PF laminae. The dispersed PFs in the lower layer were likely deposited by rapid depositional processes such as freezing or rapid fall-out of suspended particles. The huge amount of PF deposition was confirmed by biomarker data such as sterane distributions and pristane/phytane ratios. The compositions of n-alkanes and diterpenoids in the PF-concentrated sandstone bed are distinct from those in the other sandstone and mudstone beds. These results imply that the terrigenous particles originated from specific terrestrial higher plants that were effectively transported and deposited, resulting in formation of the PF-concentrated sandstone bed. The distinctive sedimentary structures observed in the sequences could be attributed to a large flood discharge and the huge volume of PFs might have been transported directly from an upper reach of river and then reached the deep-sea basin by density flows, such as relatively concentrated hyperpycnal flows.

Climatic and environmental changes in the Yana Highlands of north‐eastern Siberia over the last c. 57 000 years, derived from a sediment core from Lake Emanda

The sediment succession of Lake Emanda in the Yana Highlands was investigated to reconstruct the regional late Quaternary climate and environmental history. Hydro‐acoustic data obtained during a field campaign in 2017 show laminated sediments in the north‐western and deepest (up to ̃15 m) part of the lake, where a ̃6‐m‐long sediment core (Co1412) was retrieved. The sediment core was studied with a multi‐proxy approach including sedimentological and geochemical analyses. The chronology of Co1412 is based on 14C AMS dating on plant fragments from the upper 4.65 m and by extrapolation suggests a basal age of c. 57 cal. ka BP. Pronounced changes in the proxy data indicate that early Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 was characterized by unstable environmental conditions associated with short‐term temperature and/or precipitation variations. This interval was followed by progressively colder and likely drier conditions during mid‐MIS 3. A lake‐level decline between 32.0 and 19.1 cal. ka BP was presumably related to increased continentality and dry conditions peaking during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). A subsequent rise in lake level could accordingly have been the result of increased rainfall, probably in combination with seasonally high meltwater input. A milder or wetter Lateglacial climate increased lake productivity and vegetation growth, the latter stabilizing the catchment and reducing clastic input into the lake. The Bølling‐Allerød warming, Younger Dryas cooling and Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) are indicated by distinct changes in the environment around Lake Emanda. Unstable, but similar‐to‐present‐day climatic and environmental conditions have persisted since c. 5 cal. ka BP. The results emphasize the highly continental setting of the study site and therefore suggest that the climate at Lake Emanda was predominantly controlled by changes in summer insolation, global sea level, and the extent of ice sheets over Eurasia, which influenced atmospheric circulation patterns.