Multiproxy analysis (Phytoliths, stable isotopes, and C/N) as indicators of paleoenvironmental changes in a Cerrado site, southern Brazil

Leandro Domingos Luz, Mauro Parolin, Luiz Carlos Ruiz Pessenda, Giliane Gessica Rasbold, Edward Lo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cerrado vegetation is associated with the semi-humid climate of the Central Brazil highlands. The presence of this vegetation in small and sparse areas in Paraná, Southern Brazil, can be associated with its past climate conditions. Paleoenvironmental changes of Cerrado vegetation in the Campo Mourão region (24º06’S-52º23’W) are discussed in this study. The environmental changes were characterized using proxy data that includes stable isotopes and phytolith analyses in peaty sediments. Two drill cores obtained in alluvial plains were analyzed. Results were compared with the isotopic record (δ¹³C) from a trench in the Cerrado Ecological Station. Based on the results, we can infer that in ~48,800±270 yrs BP, the vegetation was mainly composed of grasses and at ~42,280 cal yrs BP a wetter climate allowed the expansion of arboreal vegetation. During the Middle Holocene (~7280 cal yrs BP), a drier period is also reported. Current climatic conditions (wet) were established since ~3280 cal yrs BP, after which the data suggests the expansion of subtropical forests over the Cerrado.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15-29
Number of pages15
JournalRevista Brasileira de Paleontologia
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Paleontology

Keywords

  • Holocene
  • Phytoliths
  • Pleistocene
  • Stable isotopes

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