Ecology

Research on archaeobotany described by scientists at Uppsala University

  2009 SEP 11 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "A pollen diagram from a site in the Esbjerg area, western Denmark, is used for reconstruction of the Holocene vegetational and environmental history there. During the Atlantic there was a parallel development of the landscape to that of other areas in Jylland (Jutland)," scientists writing in the journal Vegetation History and Archaeobotany report.

  "From the late Neolithic onwards the development took its own course related to the approaching North Sea, which periodically inundated parts of the Esbjerg area. The record reflects landscape development in a formerly marine valley where sediments seem to be missing from parts of the Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. Consequently the landscape development during these times is only reflected in glimpses in the vegetation record, which shows gradually more open woodland and increasing human impact. During the late part of the Iron Age, Viking period and Middle Ages, the woodland was diverse in taxa but became increasingly open, finally reaching a stage during which there may have been too little wood even for daily use. At the same time the use of the land intensified," wrote E. Kolstrup and colleagues, Uppsala University.

  The researchers concluded: "During the Sub-Atlantic, the Esbjerg area offered good natural resources with extensive grazing areas in the marine marshes in addition to good possibilities for farming and use of the woodland on higher ground, but devastating floods occurred.."

  Kolstrup and colleagues published their study in Vegetation History and Archaeobotany (Vegetational and environmental history during the Holocene in the Esbjerg area, west Jutland, Denmark. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2009;18(5):351-369).

  Additional information can be obtained by contacting E. Kolstrup, Uppsala University, Dept. of Earth Science, Villavagen 16, S-75236 Uppsala, Sweden.

  The publisher of the journal Vegetation History and Archaeobotany can be contacted at: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.

  Keywords: Agricultural, Agriculture, Conservation, Ecology, Environment, Farming, Natural Resources, Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, Uppsala University.

  This article was prepared by VerticalNews Ecology, Environment & Conservation editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, VerticalNews Ecology, Environment & Conservation via VerticalNews.com.