Methods used in paleobotany and paleoentomology for the investigation of post-glacial forest history

• Applicant: Dr. Britt Kniesel
• Subject Area: Forestry
• Term: Funded in 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 165892039

The historical evolution of forest ecosystems can be reconstructed by means of the dendrochronological and dendroecological tree-ring analysis of deceased and living trees. Characteristical tree-ring patterns enable the building of chronologies for several decades to centuries to comprehend the development of a forest stand. Single impacts like storms, drought, floodings, late frost or insect calamities can often be tracked in tree rings. Such analyses are possible only by means of climatical data or historical sources. Methods and techniques of paleoecology and paleobotany can provide farther evidence of forest history. By the use of macrofossiles like fruits, seeds and wooden parts as well as microfossiles like pollen and spores the evolution of plant communities can be analysed. Dating of charcoal findings and fire scars on old tree stumps allows the reconstruction of regionally important forest fires in the past. Further a combination of paleobotanical and paleoentomological techniques using pollen and fossile insects can document the historical insect population together with the plant species composition. In Sweden the profound analysis of the postglacial development of forest ecosystems is still possible in certain valuable nature reserves.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Sweden
• Host: Professor Dr. Matts Lindbladh