| Title | Comparing palaeolimnological and instrumental evidence of climate change for remote mountain lakes over the last 200 years |
| Abstract | This paper compares the palaeolimnological evidence for climate change over the last 200 years with instrumental climate data for the same period at seven European remote mountain lakes. The sites are Øvre Neådalsvatn (Norway), Saanajärvi (Finland), Gossenköllesee (Austria), Hagelseewli (Switzerland), Jezero v Ledvici (Slovenia), Estany Redó (Spain, Pyrenees), and Nizcaronné Terianske Pleso (Slovakia). We used multiple regression analysis to transfer homogenised lowland air temperature records to each of the sites, and these reconstructions were validated using data from on-site automatic weather stations. These data showed that mean annual temperature has varied over the last 200 years at each site by between 1 and 2 °C, typical of the high frequency variability found throughout the Holocene, and appropriate, therefore, to test the sensitivity of the various proxy methods used. Sediment cores from each site were radiometrically dated using 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am and analysed for loss-on-ignition, C, N, S, pigments, diatoms, chrysophytes, Cladocera and chironomids. Comparisons between the proxy data and the instrumental data were based on linear regression analysis with the proxy data treated as response variables and the instrumental data (after smoothing using LOESS regressions) as predictor variables. The results showed few clear or consistent patterns with generally low or very low r2 values. Highest values were found when the data were compared after smoothing using a broad span, indicating that some of the proxy data were capturing climate variability but only at a relatively coarse time resolution. Probable reasons for the weak performance of the methods used include inaccurate dating, especially for earlier time periods, the influence of confounding forcing factors at some sites e.g., air pollution, earthquakes, and the insensitivity of some methods to low amplitude climate forcing. Nevertheless, there were trends in some proxy records at a number of sites that had a relatively unambiguous correspondence with the instrumental climate records. These included organic matter and associated variables (C and N) and planktonic diatom assemblages at the majority of sites and chrysophytes and chironomids at a few sites. Overall for longer term studies of the Holocene, these results indicate the need to be cautious in the interpretation of proxy records, the importance of proxy method validation, the continuing need to use reinforcing multi-proxy approaches, and the need for careful site and method selection. |
| Source | Journal of paleolimnology 28 (1), pp. 161–179 |
| Keywords | ChironomidsChrysophytesCladoceraClimate changeDiatomsInstrumental recordsPalaeolimnologyPigmentsRemote mountain lakes |
| Journal | Journal of paleolimnology |
| Editor | Kluwer Academic, Boston, Paesi Bassi |
| Year | 2002 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1023/A:1020384204940 |
| Authors | Battarbee, Richard W.; Grytnes, John Arvid; Thompson, Roy; Appleby, Peter G.; Catalan, Jordi; Korhola, Atte; Birks, H. J B; Birks, H. J B; Heegaard, Einar; Lami, Andrea |
| Text | 346907 2002 10.1023/A 1020384204940 ISI Web of Science WOS 000178212200011 ISI Web of Science WOS 000178212200011 Scopus 2 s2.0 0036592218 Chironomids Chrysophytes Cladocera Climate change Diatoms Instrumental records Palaeolimnology Pigments Remote mountain lakes Comparing palaeolimnological and instrumental evidence of climate change for remote mountain lakes over the last 200 years Battarbee, Richard W.; Grytnes, John Arvid; Thompson, Roy; Appleby, Peter G.; Catalan, Jordi; Korhola, Atte; Birks, H. J B; Birks, H. J B; Heegaard, Einar; Lami, Andrea UCL; Universitetet i Bergen; University of Edinburgh; University of Liverpool; Universitat de Barcelona; Helsingin Yliopisto; Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia This paper compares the palaeolimnological evidence for climate change over the last 200 years with instrumental climate data for the same period at seven European remote mountain lakes. The sites are Øvre Neådalsvatn Norway , Saanajarvi Finland , Gossenkollesee Austria , Hagelseewli Switzerland , Jezero v Ledvici Slovenia , Estany Redo Spain, Pyrenees , and Nizcaronne Terianske Pleso Slovakia . We used multiple regression analysis to transfer homogenised lowland air temperature records to each of the sites, and these reconstructions were validated using data from on site automatic weather stations. These data showed that mean annual temperature has varied over the last 200 years at each site by between 1 and 2 °C, typical of the high frequency variability found throughout the Holocene, and appropriate, therefore, to test the sensitivity of the various proxy methods used. Sediment cores from each site were radiometrically dated using 210Pb, 137Cs and 241Am and analysed for loss on ignition, C, N, S, pigments, diatoms, chrysophytes, Cladocera and chironomids. Comparisons between the proxy data and the instrumental data were based on linear regression analysis with the proxy data treated as response variables and the instrumental data after smoothing using LOESS regressions as predictor variables. The results showed few clear or consistent patterns with generally low or very low r2 values. Highest values were found when the data were compared after smoothing using a broad span, indicating that some of the proxy data were capturing climate variability but only at a relatively coarse time resolution. Probable reasons for the weak performance of the methods used include inaccurate dating, especially for earlier time periods, the influence of confounding forcing factors at some sites e.g., air pollution, earthquakes, and the insensitivity of some methods to low amplitude climate forcing. Nevertheless, there were trends in some proxy records at a number of sites that had a relatively unambiguous correspondence with the instrumental climate records. These included organic matter and associated variables C and N and planktonic diatom assemblages at the majority of sites and chrysophytes and chironomids at a few sites. Overall for longer term studies of the Holocene, these results indicate the need to be cautious in the interpretation of proxy records, the importance of proxy method validation, the continuing need to use reinforcing multi proxy approaches, and the need for careful site and method selection. 28 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 0036592218 origin=inward Articolo in rivista Kluwer Academic 0921 2728 Journal of paleolimnology Journal of paleolimnology J. paleolimnol. andrea.lami LAMI ANDREA MOLAR Measuring and Modelling the Dynamic Response of Remote Mountain Lake Ecosystems to Environmental Change |
