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Late Holocene environmental reconstruction using cave sediments from Belize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jason S. Polk ,
Philip E. van Beynen  and
Philip P. Reeder
Jason S. Polk*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Policy Program, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Philip E. van Beynen
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Policy Program, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Philip P. Reeder
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Policy Program, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Fax: +1 813 974 2184.E-mail address:jspolk@mail.usf.edu (J.S. Polk)
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Abstract

Cave sediments collected from Reflection Cave on the Vaca Plateau, Belize show variations in the δ13C values of their fulvic acids (FAs), which indicate periods of vegetation change caused by climatic and Maya influences during the late Holocene. The δ13C values range from − 27.11‰ to − 21.52‰, a shift of ∼ 5.59‰, which suggests fluctuating contributions of C3 and C4 plants throughout the last 2.5 ka, with C4 plant input reflecting periods of Maya agriculture. Maya activity in the study area occurred at different intensities from ∼ 2600 cal yr BP until ∼ 1500 cal yr BP, after which agricultural practices waned as the Maya depopulated the area. These changes in plant assemblages were in response to changes in available water resources, with increased aridity leading to the eventual abandonment of agricultural areas. The Ix Chel archaeological site, located in the study area, is a highland site that would have been among the first agricultural settlements to be affected during periods of aridity. During these periods, minimal water resources would have been available in this highly karstified, well-drained area, and supplemental groundwater extraction would have been difficult due to the extreme depth of the water table.

Keywords

Cave sedimentsCentral AmericaFulvic acidsMaya collapseClimate changeKarstPaleoclimateδ13C carbon isotopeITCZBelize
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 68 , Issue 1 , July 2007 , pp. 53 - 63
Copyright
University of Washington

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