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Lithology along with radiocarbon dates in Chachi (A) and Luna (B) cores. Images of sampling and wetlands are also provided.
Abstract:
Tropical grasslands and savannas are globally extensive, and are of significant environmental, economic, and ecological importance. These ecosystems are anticipated to be particularly sensitive to future changes in climate, and understanding how these systems have responded to climatic changes in the past can provide us with insights into their potential responses to future global change. In this study, the temporal dynamics of C3-C4 vegetation changes in response to changes in moisture availability, local fire events and changing levels of herbivory in a summer-rainfall region of Western India are reconstructed for the past ~ 4600 cal yr BP. Paleodata such as stable carbon isotope of bulk organic matter (δ13Corg), oxygen isotope from carbonate shells (δ18Oshell), macro-charcoal and herbivore dung fungal spores are reported from the retrieved cores of two wetland sites located in the Banni grasslands of Western India. Results show that vegetation in the Banni was composed mostly of C3 vegetation from ~ 4600 to ~ 2500 cal yr BP, after which there was a decline in C3 vegetation. From the late-Holocene to the present, there was a mix of both C3 and C4 vegetation, with C4 grasses being more abundant in the ecosystem. These shifts were coincident with rainfall changes from more mesic conditions during ~ 4600 to ~ 2500 cal yr BP to more arid conditions towards the present as indicated by δ18Oshell isotope data. The period of increase in C4 vegetation also coincides with a period of increased biotic disturbances in the ecosystem, particularly fire. Given the current scenarios of global warming, recurrent drought events and increased anthropogenic use of similar ecosystems, such studies can provide us insights into potential future trajectories of these ecosystems.
Regional and global comparison of Banni climate data with other paleoclimate records: A. δ18Oshell of Chachi core (Current study); B. palynology, phytolith and carbon isotope data from Wadhwana Lake in the semi-arid region of mainland Gujarat, Western India (V. Prasad et al., 2014); C. presence of evaporite minerals in Lonar lake, Central India (Anoop et al., 2013, Prasad et al., 2014a); D. Al2O3 (wt%) from continental shelf sediments near Rushikulya river, Eastern India (Ankit et al., 2017); E. δ18Ocarb data from Tso Moriri Lake, NW Himalayas (Mishra et al., 2015); F. Carbon isotope data from biomarkers derived from the Godavari catchment (Ponton et al., 2012); G. Palynological, isotope and molecular proxy records from tropical Africa (Salzmann et al., 2002, Schefuß et al., 2005, Berke et al., 2012); H. Palynological and δ13Corg data from tropical South America (Behling and Hooghiemstra, 1999, Behling and Hooghiemstra, 2000, Baker et al., 2001, Marchant et al., 2001) and I. Palynological data from tropical Northern Australia (Shulmeister and Lees, 1995).
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