Wildfire-vegetation-climate-human interactions in the central Taiwan region during 17.3-2.0 cal kyr BP, inferred from sediments of Toushe Basin

Rahman, Abdur1,2; Chang, Yuan-Pin3,4; Li, Hong-Chun5; Chung, Ling-Ho6,7; Chou, Yu-Min8; Wang, Liang-Chi1,2

2024-08-15

10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108820

QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS   影响因子和分区

0277-3791

1873-457X

In this study, a long-term relationship amongst wildfire, vegetation, climate, and human in the central Taiwan region, spanning from 17.3 to 2.0 cal kyr BP, is explored. To investigate this relationship, multiple proxy approaches were employed, including charcoal (CHAR and fire frequency), pollen data (Liew et al., 2006), magnetic susceptibility, and the carbon isotopic composition of organic carbon, along with the elemental ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen in the core sediments of the Toushe Basin, central Taiwan. From 17.3 to 14.5 cal kyr BP, the Toushe Basin experienced drier climate conditions, leading to high-intensity fires and reduced area of wetland. Between 14.5 and 11.5 cal kyr BP, a wetter climate corresponded with low-intensity fires and an increase in tree prevalence. From 11.5 to 5.0 cal kyr BP, the climate remained relatively stable with peaks of extreme wet phases, with frequent low-intensity fires promoting herbaceous plant growth. During the period from 5.0 to 2.0 cal kyr BP, wetter conditions persisted, but increased human activities likely intensified high-intensity fires, resulting in reduced tree and herbaceous plant populations and an expansion of wetlands, leading to complex impacts on the region's ecological dynamics. The pollen diversity index (PDI) and pollen richness index (PRI) showed that ecological diversity in the Toushe Basin decreased with high-intensity fires and increased with low-intensity fires, highlighting the complex interactions between natural and human factors during 17.3-2.0 cal kyr BP. In addition, this study showed a strong link between El-Nino o events and increased wildfire activity in the Toushe Basin. El-Nino o conditions, with reduced rainfall and increased dryness, likely heightened wildfire frequencies and intensity by lowering moisture levels and ignition thresholds. Increased lightning during these periods further exacerbated wildfires. This connection highlights El-Nino o 's role in driving high-intensity fires, impacting the region's vegetation and ecological dynamics.

Wildfire Charcoal Taiwan climate Stable isotope Human activities

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan["NSTC 112-2116-M-194-018-","112-2811-M-194-002-","112-2811-M-194 -001-","111-2116-M-194-024-","110-2116-M-194-008-","109-2116-M-002-022-"]

Physical Geography ; Geology

Geography, Physical ; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

WOS:001267475300001

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

20242816689179

Charcoal ; Ecology ; Isotopes ; Magnetic susceptibility ; Organic carbon ; Vegetation ; Wetlands

Ecology and Ecosystems:454.3 ; Solid Fuels:524 ; Magnetism: Basic Concepts and Phenomena:701.2 ; Organic Compounds:804.1 ; Fires and Fire Protection:914.2

GEOSCIENCES

Web of Science

1.Natl Chung Cheng Univ, Dept Earth & Environm Sci, Chiayi 621, Taiwan
2.Natl Chung Cheng Univ, Environm & Disaster Monitoring Ctr, Chiayi 621, Taiwan
3.Natl Sun Yat Sen Univ, Dept Oceanog, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
4.Natl Sun Yat sen Univ, Sustainable Ocean Governance Ctr, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
5.Natl Taiwan Univ, Dept Geosci, Taipei 106, Taiwan
6.Natl Museum Nat Sci, Taichung 404, Taiwan
7.Natl Chung Cheng Univ, Ctr Gen Educ, Chiayi 621, Taiwan
8.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Ocean Sci & Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China

Rahman, Abdur,Chang, Yuan-Pin,Li, Hong-Chun,et al. Wildfire-vegetation-climate-human interactions in the central Taiwan region during 17.3-2.0 cal kyr BP, inferred from sediments of Toushe Basin[J]. QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS,2024,338.

Rahman, Abdur,Chang, Yuan-Pin,Li, Hong-Chun,Chung, Ling-Ho,Chou, Yu-Min,&Wang, Liang-Chi.(2024).Wildfire-vegetation-climate-human interactions in the central Taiwan region during 17.3-2.0 cal kyr BP, inferred from sediments of Toushe Basin.QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS,338.

Rahman, Abdur,et al."Wildfire-vegetation-climate-human interactions in the central Taiwan region during 17.3-2.0 cal kyr BP, inferred from sediments of Toushe Basin".QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS 338(2024).