Southern Exposure Research Articles

The Utility of Prehistoric Predictive Models for Interior Riverine Zones in the Northeast: A View from Fort Dix, New Jersey

In 2004, a planning level (Phase I) survey was completed at the Fort Dix Military Installation, New Jersey. A stratified research methodology was initially employed by placing standardized sampling units into zones of high and low sensitivity. Areas of high and low archaeological sensitivity consisted of testable areas within and beyond 500 feet of stream margins and wetlands, respectively. Although the majority of field tests represented negative-based data, environmental attributes were measured using GPS and GIS; these data were then compared to discovered prehistoric site locations, using simple statistical procedures. Prehistoric sites consist of generalized camp sites (Bases) and specialized extractive stations (Targets) which span the entire prehistory of the region, dating from 11,500 to 350 years B.P. Site distributions produce a dual, or two-level settlement system, where multiple activity base camps were situated on low divides, adjacent to large wetlands and streams, while more specialized loci tended to be found on upland divides and side slopes, further from water. Interestingly, over half of all prehistoric sites are positioned on southern exposures, possibly implying a fall/winter season(s) procurement pattern in this region.

영도 절영산에서의 식물 집단 구조

영도 절영산과 단절된 산림지 3곳에 대한 식물종, 목본류의 다양성 양상을 조사하기 위해 18 plot(12개 50<TEX>$\times$</TEX>50m plot와 6곳 10<TEX>$\times$</TEX>100 m plots)를 설정하였다. 50<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>50m plots에 는 총 68종이 동정되고 목본류의 개체는 1562개였다. 최소 유의성 차이(LSD)에서 A지점(절영산)이 B지점(낮은 구릉지역)보다 높았다. Shannon-wiener의 다양성 지수에서 세 지역간 유의한 차이가 있었다(F=4.12, p＜0.05). 곰솔-갈참나무군락이 대부분 지역에서 우점하였다. 절영산과 태종대 지역에서 곰솔군락이 다른 방향보다 NE방향에 잘 분포하였다. 천선과 나무-곰솔군락은 C지역의 남쪽 plot에 잘 분포하였다. 영도 절영산과 해안 지역에 대한 수목의 공간적 분포는 이질적이며 패치(patchy)구조를 나타내었다. The purpose of the precent investigation was to investigate diversity patterns in a fragmented Young-do forested landscape. It was conducted on sloping 18 plots (twelve 50<TEX>$\times$</TEX>50 m plots and six 10<TEX>$\times$</TEX>100 m plots). Total 1562 individuals were identified and measured in the 50<TEX>$\times$</TEX>50 m plots. These were a total of 68 species of 23 families present in the three sites. Least significant differences (LSD) by post hoc analysis revealed that fragments site A had significantly greater densities than site B. Shannon-Wiener functions differed significantly among forests (F=4.12, p＜0.05), with site A forest having significantly higher value (3.401) than the others (2.590 for site B and 2.648 for site C). Pinus thunbergii and Quercus aliena were dominant on most sites. site. The Pinus densiflora forest of sites A and C is distributed better in the NE exposures compared with the opposite ones. Ficus erecta and Pinus densiflora largely occupied the southern exposures. The spatial distribution in southern Young-do's littoral forest was very heterogeneous, reflected by most species having low densities and patchy distributions.

Europe's southern exposure

Europe's southern exposure

Small-scale variations in seismic anisotropy near Kimberley, South Africa

SUMMARY We have exploited a new data set of broad-band seismic waveforms recorded near the region of Kimberley, South Africa to place new constraints on seismic anisotropy in an area of extensive mantle modification within an Archaean cratonic setting. The Kimberley region is significant in that it represents Archaean cratonic mantle that has been studied extensively via petrologic, geochemical and seismic means, and provides a unique opportunity to meld the results of a broad range of data sets to examine processes of crust and mantle deformation. Shear wave splitting observations using SKS phases recorded by a dense broad-band seismic array in the Kimberley region exhibit consistent fast polarization directions of ∼NE‐SW and splitting times that range from 0.15 s in the SE to nearly 0.75 s in the NW regions of the array. Multichannel cross-correlation of relative arrival times of teleseismic SKS phases across the array reveals clear azimuthal variations and a relative arrival-time range comparable to the shear wave splitting delay-time range. A like analysis of teleseismic PKPdf phases does not exhibit significant differences in relative arrival times across the array. The combined relative arrival time and splitting analyses indicate that a significant change in the strength of anisotropic structure is required across the region. Our results are most consistent with a model in which variations in seismic anisotropy near the Kimberley region are constrained to the lithosphere with an average anisotropic strength of ∼1.8 per cent, extend to depths no greater than 150 km and are primarily controlled by a significant change in the strength of anisotropy within the lateral bounds of the seismic array. This inferred structural boundary is near the location of the ca 2.9 Gyr old Colesberg magnetic lineament, a prominent aeromagnetic feature interpreted as the primary suture zone joining the eastern Meso-Archaean and western Neo-Archaean blocks of the Kaapvaal craton. The proposed boundary is also located within the southern exposure of the ca 2.7 Gyr old Ventersdorp volcanic-sedimentary sequence, a key continental rifting feature in the region. We hypothesize that the observed seismic anisotropy is the result of straininduced lattice-preferred orientation of olivine caused by the amalgamation and deformation of the eastern and western blocks of the Kaapvaal craton. This collisional process mechanically weakened the region to generate the observed mantle fabric, which was exploited by significant rifting events that may have subsequently enhanced the regional fabric. This model is also consistent with SKS splitting results for the whole of southern Africa, which suggest either weak anisotropic or isotropic mantle structure in the eastern Kaapvaal and coherent mantle anisotropy across much of the western Kaapvaal. Our results support the notion that seismic anisotropy beneath Archaean continental regions is not created (or, alternatively, not preserved) during initial continental formation, but is instead generated during subsequent significant mantle-deforming events.

Distribution of cacti in Larrea spp. shrublands in Mendoza, Argentina

In three Larrea shrublands, cacti grow under Larrea canopy at northern and southern exposures and in open spaces were counted. Cacti distribution was related to environmental variables. Seven out of the 15 cacti present were found to be associated with shrubs, whereas the other species were found in the open spaces. The lower temperature and radiation occurring under shrubs at south exposures would explain the absence of cacti in these places. The higher organic matter, nutrients, and moisture in the soils under shrubs appeared to be correlated with higher cacti density. The presence of cacti seedlings only under shrubs could be attributed to the favourable environmental conditions for cacti seed germination and seedling survival that occurred in these places.

The character and origin of thick base-of-slope sandstone units of the Peïra Cava outlier, SE France

Abstract Many hydrocarbon reservoirs occur within confined turbidite systems in which the depositional pattern of turbidity currents has been strongly influenced by basin-floor topography. In certain settings basin-floor topography may cause the development of anomalously thick (tens of metres) sandstones that are potentially excellent reservoir units. Southern exposures of the Peïra Cava outlier (Eocene-Oligocene; Annot Sandstones) provide well-exposed outcrops of such decametre-thick sandstone bodies. These units are located close to basin margins and downstream from an inferred topographic break-in-slope. Several base-of-slope sandstone bodies are examined that illustrate a common sedimentary theme of a complex basal unit, comprising laterally pinching or inter-fingering debrite and turbidite, abruptly overlain by a single, thick normally graded turbidite deposit. One of these sandstone bodies pinches out laterally over less than several hundred metres and sits within a deep (&gt;20 m) ‘spoon shaped’ erosional scour. The scour is similar to morphological features observed in modern base-of-slope settings recently imaged using high-resolution submarine bathymetric surveys. Several different process interpretations may explain the occurrence of such sandstone bodies including remobilization of newly deposited sediment off basinmargins and enhanced deposition due to flow across a break-in-slope. A submarine channel interpretation is not consistent with the field observations. However, these units do share a number of similar features to channels that could lead to the misinterpretation of reservoir geometry.

Poster 52: Phase advanced circadian sleep disorder in an elderly institutionalized patient: a case report

Setting: Tertiary care university rehabilitation center. Patient: An 85-year-old female resident of a geriatric care facility where she fell and sustained a right hip fracture. Case Description: The patient required a right total hip arthroplasty and was admitted to the rehabilitation center. During inpatient rehabilitation, the patient was noted to have the daily onset of somnolence in the early afternoon, poor nocturnal sleep, and poor daytime performance and alertness. Nighttime administration of sedative hypnotics failed to induce sleep and instead caused agitation and confusion. Assessment/Results: Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography of the brain and serum electrolytes were normal. The sleep referral service was consulted and after quantitative and qualitative studies the patient was noted to have a phase advanced circadian sleep disorder. Because of polypharmacy issues, nonpharmacologic recommendations were instituted to delay sleep onset. The patient was transferred to a room with a southern exposure and more sunlight. When not in therapy, she was kept at the nurses’ station to increase her social interaction. The patient’s therapy sessions were shifted to the early afternoon when she was most prone to sleep. After 2 weeks, the patient had improved daytime performance, had more normal sleep onset, and slept throughout the night. Discussion: The circadian system via the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus governs the sleep-wake cycle in mammals. Zeitgebers, or modulators, of the circadian system include light, exercise, and social interaction. The circadian system can become phase advanced in elderly institutionalized patients due to poor sunlight exposure, limited social interaction in the evening hours, and limited exercise resulting in early sleep onset and poor daytime performance and alertness. Conclusion: Nonpharmacologic measures, such as increasing bright sunlight exposure, increasing social interaction, and timing of therapy sessions, can prevent early sleep onset and improve nighttime sleep in elderly rehabilitation patients.

Habitat use and diet of the red foxVulpes vulpes in an agricultural landscape in Poland

Red foxVulpes vulpes density, diet and den site selection were studied in a unwooded farmland of western Poland. During years 1999–2000 snow tracking was performed, and in 1999 dens were counted. Estimated population densities based on snow tracking were 2.1 and 1.79 individuals/km2 respectively, while den counts gave a value of 2.20 individuals/km2. Almost all dens were located on steep slopes, mainly on banks of drainage ditches (51%) and marsh banks (18%). Foxes markedly preferred southern exposure, while western slopes were avoided. The relatively high number of dens, their clumped distribution and the small number of breeding dens show that the studied population was organised in 5 clans. 26% of the dens were used only temporarily indicating that some of individuals use more than one den. Scat analyses revealed a high frequency of rodents, birds (mainly poultry) and garbage items in fox food (65.6, 47.9, 16.0% occurrence in scats, respectively). Fox adaptation to anthropogenic food sources and change in den site selection are discussed as main factors responsible for the occupation of farmland and in consequence, for the increase of fox densities in Poland.

Assessment of Swiss Needle Cast Disease: Temporal and Spatial Investigations of Fungal Colonization and Symptom Severity

AbstractIncreasing severity of Swiss needle cast (SNC), a foliar disease of Douglas‐fir caused by the fungus Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii, has become a matter of concern in forest plantations throughout coastal Oregon and Washington. This study monitored SNC disease in three Oregon Douglas‐fir plantations bi‐annually in 1998–1999, and compared differences in fungal colonization and symptom development in trees from north‐ and south‐facing plots at each plantation. Fungal colonization as quantified by ergosterol content, pseudothecia density and quantitative PCR was significantly correlated with symptom severity (needle retention and needle cholorosis). All three measures of fungal colonization were highly correlated with each other; and only the ergosterol–pseudothecia relationship differed between plots, presumably due to the non‐species specific nature of ergosterol measurements. Differences in symptom severity and fungal colonization between north‐ and south‐aspect plots were consistent with climate differences. At low to moderate levels of infection, trees growing on warmer (i.e. south slopes in the western, and north slopes in the eastern Coast Range) slopes had higher levels of colonization, particularly during the winter months. Plots with southern exposures, which received greater amounts of solar radiation, had greater amounts of needle abscission compared to north‐aspect plots with similar amounts of fungal colonization. As a result, greater fungal abundance and symptom expression developed on south‐aspect slopes within the Oregon Coast Range.

Southern Exposure

Southern Exposure

Simulating radiation distribution in a heterogeneous Norway spruce forest on a slope

Simulating the dynamics of heterogeneous forests calls for spatially explicit radiation transmission models at the scale of individual trees and requiring only a short computing time. Such a model was developed for spatially heterogeneous coniferous forest canopies. Based on the interception of light rays by parabolic crowns, it simultaneously calculates the radiation intercepted by each tree and the distribution of irradiance on the ground. For every sky direction, parallel rays aim at ground cell centres and are intercepted by tree crowns on their way. Slope and exposure are taken into account eliminating rays coming from above the slope. Optimisation in computing time is obtained by pre-selecting for each ray direction a rectangular cell neighbourhood around the target cell in such a way that potentially intercepting trees can only be found in this neighbourhood. Model evaluation was done by comparing hemispherical photographs with model predictions in a spatially heterogeneous Norway spruce ( Picea abies, L. Karst) stand at the upper montane level in the Alps. Thanks to a satisfactory fit between model and data and a reasonably short computing time (about 2 min for 0.25 ha), the model can be considered for integration into a forest dynamics simulator. In the reference stand, 42% of incident radiation was intercepted by the highest trees (132 ha −1). Due to the clumped structure, 23% of incident radiation reached the soil. Interception by individual trees varied considerably as a function of tree size and location (from 0 to 60% of the potential interception of a tree growing in isolation). Irradiance at ground level was also extremely variable (between 0 and 50% of irradiance above the canopy), illustrating the need for spatial models in heterogeneous stands. The interception of radiation by trees was not affected by slope and exposure, unlike irradiance at ground level, which increased for southern exposures. Therefore, in terms of dynamics, regeneration should be the most sensitive to changes in these factors. Because the model produces precise radiation values at the ecosystem level, it allows analysis of the links between the structure of a forest stand and its energetic functioning synthetically.

Book Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:Chiu–Yee Cheung, Lu Xun: the Chinese “Gentle” NietzschePamela Kyle Crossley, The ManchusGloria Davies (ed.), Voicing Concerns: Contemporary Chinese Critical InquiryAndrew F. Jones, Yellow Music—Media Culture and Colonial Modernity in the Chinese Jazz AgeKam Louie, Theorising Chinese MasculinityLung–Kee Sun, The Chinese National Character: From Nationhood to IndividualityMichael Lewis, Becoming Apart: National Power and Local Politics in Toyama, 1868–1945Michael Molasky and Steve Rabson (eds.), Southern Exposure: Modern Japanese Literature from OkinawaRajyashree Pandey, Writing and Renunciation in Medieval Japan: the Works of the Poet–Priest Kamo no ChōmeiTakamizawa Junko, My Brother Hideo KobayashiI. Qadeer, K. Sen and K. Nayar, Public Health and the Poverty of ReformJaved Ahmad Khan, India and West Asia: Emerging Markets in the Liberalisation EraPhilip J. Eldridge, The Politics of Human Rights in Southeast AsiaKasian Tejapira, Commodifying Marxism. The Formation of Modern Thai Radical Culture, 1927–1958Nicholas Tarling, A Sudden Rampage: the Japanese Occupation of Southeast Asia, 1941–1945B. A. Hussainmiya, The Brunei Constitution of 1959: an Inside HistoryDavid E. Pollard, The Chinese EssayEva Hung (ed), City Women: Contemporary Taiwan Women WritersP. J. Moore, A Concise History of Dutch Mauritius, 1598–1710: a Fruitful and Healthy LandHenry Yuhuai He, Dictionary of the Political Thought of the People's Republic of ChinaWilliam Duiker, Historical Dictionary of VietnamRizal Sukma, Indonesia and China: the Politics of a Troubled RelationshipNicholas Tarling (ed), Indonesia after SoehartoRoy Davis Linville Jumper, Orang Asli Now: the Orang Asli in the Malaysian Political WorldLiang Xiaosheng, Panic and Deaf: two Modern SatiresLeo Douw, Cen Huang and Michael R. Godley (eds), Qiaoxiang Ties: Interdisciplinary Approaches to ‘Cultural Capitalism’ in South ChinaCyril Birch, Scenes for Mandarins: the Elite Theatre of the MingJi Giles Ungpakorn, Thailand: Class Struggle in an Era of Economic CrisisJi Ungpakorn, The Struggle for Democracy and Social Justice in Thailand

Geochemistry, mineralization, structure, and permeability of a normal-fault zone, Casino mine, Alligator Ridge district, north central Nevada

We examine the geochemical signature and structure of the Keno fault zone to test its impact on the flow of ore-mineralizing fluids, and use the mined exposures to evaluate structures and processes associated with normal fault development. The fault is a moderately dipping normal-fault zone in siltstone and silty limestone with 55–100 m of dip-slip displacement in north-central Nevada. Across-strike exposures up to 180 m long, 65 m of down-dip exposure and 350 m of along-strike exposure allow us to determine how faults, fractures, and fluids interact within mixed-lithology carbonate-dominated sedimentary rocks. The fault changes character along strike from a single clay-rich slip plane 10–20 mm thick at the northern exposure to numerous hydrocarbon-bearing, calcite-filled, nearly vertical slip planes in a zone 15 m wide at the southern exposure. The hanging wall and footwall are intensely fractured but fracture densities do not vary markedly with distance from the fault. Fault slip varies from pure dip-slip to nearly pure strike-slip, which suggests that either slip orientations may vary on faults in single slip events, or stress variations over the history of the fault caused slip vector variations. Whole-rock major, minor, and trace element analyses indicate that Au, Sb, and As are in general associated with the fault zone, suggesting that Au- and silica-bearing fluids migrated along the fault to replace carbonate in the footwall and adjacent hanging wall rocks. Subsequent fault slip was associated with barite and calcite and hydrocarbon-bearing fluids deposited at the southern end of the fault. No correlation exists at the meter or tens of meter scale between mineralization patterns and fracture density. We suggest that the fault was a combined conduit-barrier system in which the fault provides a critical connection between the fluid sources and fractures that formed before and during faulting. During the waning stages of deposit formation, the fault behaved as a localized conduit to hydrocarbon-bearing calcite veins. The results of this study show that fault-zone character may change dramatically over short, deposit- or reservoir-scale distances. The presence of damage zones may not be well correlated at the fine scale with geochemically defined regions of the fault, even though a gross spatial correlation may exist.

IMAGES: Southern Exposure

IMAGES: Southern Exposure

An Eocene to early Oligocene unconformity‐bounded sequence in the Punakaiki‐Westport area, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

The late Eocene to earliest Oligocene sediments between Punakaiki and Westport on the West Coast of the South Island, including the Brunner Coal Measures and the Rapahoe Group, comprise an unconformity‐bounded transgressive‐regressive sequence. The lower unconformity, below the Brunner Coal Measures, is formed on Cretaceous and Paleozoic granitoids, metamorphic rocks, and the Paleozoic Greenland Group metasediments. The upper bounding unconformity is located below the shoreline Little Totara Sand (a part of the Rapahoe Group) around Cape Foulwind, and between other elements of the Rapahoe Group and the overlying Nile Group limestones south of Charleston. The upper unconformity is usually erosional, and at Woodpecker Bay dissolution of a layer of rhodolithic limestone indicates subaerial exposure of the unconformity surface. An Early Whaingaroan age for the upper unconformity has been obtained at Gibsons Beach: the more southern exposures of the upper unconformity are poorly dated but consistent with this age. No correlative unconformity has been recognised in the Eocene‐Oligocene successions at Greymouth and Murchison, but an exposure at Whitecliffs near Inangahua contains an unconformity related to sea‐level fall, and of a similar age. Breccia deposition at the Little Wanganui River mouth was initiated in the Early Whaingaroan, and may be causally related to the upper unconformity. The restriction of the upper unconformity to the area north of Punakaiki suggests that a local tectonic event, or tectonic basin controls, may be the cause of the erosion. Global sea‐level charts do not suggest a major sea‐level fall at this time. Whaingaroan unconformities that are observed in the South Pacific are younger than the age of the upper unconformity. The Brunner Coal Measures ‐ Rapahoe Group sequence (Rapahoe sequence) is an example of a preserved unconformity‐bounded transgressive‐regressive sequence created by tectonic and/ or subsidence controls.

Southern exposure: modern Japanese literature from Okinawa

Southern Exposure is the first anthology of Okinawan literature to appear in English translation, and it appears at a propitious time. Although Okinawa Prefecture comprises only one percent of Japan's population, its writers have been winning a disproportionate number of literary awards in recent years-including the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for fiction, which was awarded to Matayoshi Eiki in 1996 and to Medoruma Shun in 1997. Both Matayoshi and Medoruma are represented in this anthology, which includes a wide range of fiction as well as a sampling of poetry from the 1920s to the present day. Modern Okinawa has been forged by a history of conquest and occupation by mainland Japan and the United States. Its sense of dual subjugation and the propensity of its writers to confront their own complicity with Japanese militarism imbues Okinawa's literary tradition with insightful perspectives on a wide range of issues. But this tradition is as deeply rooted in the region's lush semitropical landscape as in the forces of history. As this anthology demonstrates, Okinawan writers often suffuse their works with a lyricism and humor that disarms readers while bringing them face to face with the region's richly ambiguous legacy.

Attraction of Scolytus unispinosus bark beetles to ethanol in water-stressed Douglas-fir branches

Three similar-sized branches on each of seven Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees with a southern exposure were selected randomly to receive a water-stress, defoliation, or control treatment. All water-stressed branches were attacked by Scolytus unispinosus LeConte at 12–24 days after imposing the treatments, resulting in a significantly higher mean density of gallery holes (107 m −2) than in the defoliated or control branches, which were not attacked. Needles and woody tissues from stressed branches, sampled after being attacked, contained significantly higher ethanol concentrations (ranging from 2.91 to 15.26 μmol g −1 fresh weight) than tissue from defoliated or control branches (0.005–0.12 μmol g −1 fresh weight). Ethanol concentrations did not differ between defoliated and control branches. The water content in woody tissues and needles of stressed branches was 40.9 and 28.1% of the amount in control branches, respectively, when sampled for ethanol analysis. Woody tissues in defoliated branches remained moist, with 91.3% of the water in controls. Drying needles from water-stressed branches also lost 18.3–33.7% of their total monoterpenes compared to needles on the controls. The mechanism for ethanol synthesis in water-stressed branches appears to be distinctly different from that of logs overwintering on the forest floor. Ethanol synthesis in stressed branches probably was initiated by cytoplasmic acidification as a result of damage to cellular membranes from drying and heating. The ethanol that accumulated in needles and woody tissues of stressed branches functioned as a primary host attractant for S. unispinosus at our Willamette Valley, Oregon, site.

Translational and Fluctuating Asymmetry as Tools to Detect Stress in Stress‐Adapted and Nonadapted Plants

Plants having experienced previous exposure to a stress are expected to be more resistant to further stress than those not having been exposed. While the assessment of stress in plants is a difficult task, particularly for stress-adapted plants, developmental instability has proven a useful tool for assessing stress in organisms. We examined the effect of water availability on developmental instability (translational asymmetry and fluc- tuating asymmetry) and growth of Anthyllis cytisoides L. under a precipitation gradient. We compared A. cytisoides in very xeric (Almero´a, 256 mm of average rainfall) and subhumid (Malaga, 613 mm of average rainfall) areas, from north- and south-facing slopes, after both a period of extreme drought (1995) and a humid period (1997). Translational symmetry varied between north- and south-exposed plants but differently for the Almero´a and Malaga populations. We observed that developmental stability was enhanced in south- exposed plants in the population from the more xeric habitat (Almero´a) after both dry and humid periods. In contrast, A. cytisoides living in a subhumid habitat did not alter their developmental stability in response to exposure after a humid period but exhibited a decline in stability in south-exposed slopes after a dry period. That is interpreted as a consequence of the adaptation of A. cytisoides to aridity. Growth patterns were also investigated. By reducing growth, plants can mitigate stress through a reduction of water and nutrient demands, allowing the maintenance of a steady supply of nutrients for developmental stability. This strategy was followed by plants acclimated to drought. But in mild weather, such as that of Montes de Malaga, a high growth rate cannot be supported when water is scarce. We also observed that floral fluctuating asymmetry was greatest on north-facing slopes at both the Almero´a and Malaga sites. That is, southern exposure enhanced floral homeostasis during development. Additionally, comparisons between translational and fluctuating asymmetry showed that translational asymmetry is more sensitive to environmental change than fluctuating asymmetry.

Coleoptera from the Late Weichselian deposits at Nørre Lyngby, Denmark and their bearing on palaeoecology, biogeography and palaeoclimate

The freshwater sediments exposed on the cliffs at Nørre Lyngby northern Jutland has long been a classical locality for the study of Danish Quaternary geology, palaeontology and archaeology. These deposits date from the latter part of the Allerød period (i.e. G I‐1). Samples for insect analysis have been taken from both the northern and southern exposures of these deposits. Ninety‐five‐ taxa of Coleoptera (beetles) were obtained, of which 69 could be named to species. Of the latter, 23 are not found living in Denmark today. Most of these are still living in northern Fennoscandia but one species is now confined to Mongolia. These assemblages have enabled a detailed picture of the local environment to be reconstructed, showing that the basin‐like profile of the deposits represents a section through a channel with slowly moving water. It has been possible to quantify the thermal climate of the time using the Mutual Climatic Range method indicating that mean July temperatures were about 10°C and mean January temperatures were about – 12°C. These figures are considered in the context of Lateglacial climatic reconstructions obtained from coleopteran assemblages elsewhere in northwestern Europe.

The forest edge as a border between forest and meadow. Vegetation and Collembola communities

Four well-developed, spontaneous ecotone zones between forest plantations and meadows were chosen for the study. A belt of shrubs and juvenile trees formed these zones. Communities of meadow plants change into the community of forest plants within the zones of 5 to 18 metres wide. These zones were narrower in the ecotones with a southern exposure and wider in northern ones. The soil pH changed gradually from neutral or slightly acidic in the meadow to acidic or strongly acidic in the forest interior. Eurytopic species predominated within the collembolan ommunities, but their percentage was lower in the meadow. Species typical of open land, which dominated in the meadows, did not occur in the forest interiors; however, they were still present in the shrub zones. There were no species which occurred only in the transitional zones but the forest edge had positive effect on diversity of Collembola communities in these zones.