Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Vegetation History and Climate Changes in Africa North and South of the Equator (10° S to 10° N) During the Last Glacial Maximum

  • Chapter
Southern Hemisphere Paleo- and Neoclimates

Abstract

This work presents vegetation maps and paleoenvironmental data for central Africa, covering both the last glacial maximum (LGM) and present times. The most striking feature is that the overall environmental conditions during the LGM have been much drier in central Africa than present-day conditions. Investigations focused on reconstructing former vegetation patterns for the Sudanian, Zambezian, and Guinean savannas, as well as tropical semi-evergreen and evergreen rainforests. A number of research projects concerning changes of vegetation cover have shown that even tropical regions have been affected by considerable climatic oscillations during the last 20,000 years. The increasing effect of human influence on appearance of the African vegetation cover imposes a significant problem for the study of past vegetations. Thus, all investigations studying temporal change in tropical ecosystems are confronted with the fact that areas that have not been influenced by man can rarely be found. The primary question is which vegetation forms allow us to draw conclusions applicable to a nearly natural vegetation. A first step is the estimation of potential quasi-natural vegetation formations under present climatic conditions. Derivation of West African paleovegetation is based on published paleoclimate and paleovegetation information, including palynology, deep-sea cores and isotope analysis. Using numerical relations between natural vegetation and climate under present conditions, models linking analogous vegetation and climate items permit subsequent assessment of paleoclimatic conditions. The present distribution of quasi-natural vegetation is linked closely to the climatic water-budget of the African continent. The amount of precipitation, as well as duration and intra- annual distribution of rain, also depends on the condition of important water-vapor sources for Africa, the SE Atlantic on Africa’s west coast and the Indian Ocean on the continent’s east side. The availability of well-resolved and dated profiles from the West African coast enables a reconstruction of sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) for the LGM. As there are significant connections between SSTs of oceans and the precipitation system today, such connections must have also existed during the LGM. The relations between the two allow establishment of transfer functions. These permit reconstructing the continent precipitation system for the LGM on the basis of SSTs. At first, the precipitation amount with its annual distribution is reconstructed. On the basis of reconstructed climatic water budget and in relation to present-day climate and vegetation conditions for the LGM, the paleovegetation is reconstructed and compiled in a map. Finally, the reconstructed vegetation is critically compared with respect to paleoenvironmental conditions for the LGM.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adams LJ , Tetzlaff G (1985) The extension of Lake Chad at about 18000 yr BP. Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie 21:115–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agwu CO, Beug, H-J (1982) Palynological studies of marine sediments of the West African coast. Meteor-Forschungsergebnisse C 36:1–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alayne-Street F (1981) Tropical palaeoenvironments Progress. Geography 5/23:157–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anhuf D (1994) Zeitlicher Vegetations- und Klimawandel in der Côte d’Ivoire . Erdwissenschaftliche Forschung 30:7–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anhuf D (1997) Palaeovegetation in West Africa for 18000 BP. and 8500 BP. Eiszeitalter und Gegenwart 47:112–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anhuf D, Frankenberg P (1991) Die naturnahen Vegetationszonen Westafrikas. Die Erde 122:243–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anhuf D, Frankenberg P (1993) Etude du changement végétal saisonnier au Sénégal. Cahiers d’Outre-Mer 46/183:297–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgartner A, Reichel E (1975) Die Weltwasserbilanz. München, Wien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckel L (ed) (1996) Global Change. München, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengo MD, Maley J (1991) Analyses des flux polliniques sur la marge sud du Golfe de Guinée depuis 135000 ans. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 313, 2:843–849.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonnefille R, Riollet G (1988) The Kashiru pollen sequence (Burundi) palaeoclimatic implications for the last 40000 yr B.P. in Tropical Africa. Quaternary Research 30:19–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brenac P (1988) Evolution de la végétation et du climat dans l’Ouest-Cameroun entre 25000 et 11000 ans BP. Inst. fr. Pondichéry, trav. sci., techn. 25:91–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butzer KW (1976) The Mursi, Nkalabong, and Kibish Formations, lower Omo basin, Ethiopia. In: CoppensY, Howell FC, Isaac GL, Leakey REF (eds) Earliest Man and Environments in the Lake Rudolf Basin. Chicago, London,pp 12–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee JA (1967) Pollen analytical studies in East and Southern Africa. Palaeoecology of Africa 3:1–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee JA(1987) Palynological intimations on the East African mountains. Palaeoecology of Africa 18:231–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dupont LM (1995)Lowland rain forest and afromontane forest in West Equatorial Africa during the Middle and Late Pleistocene. In: 2nd Symposium on African Palynology, Publ. Occas. CIFEG 1995/31: 87–98 Tervuren (Belgium).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dupont LM (1996) Vegetation and climate in West-Equatorial Africa (0–700000 yr BP). Unpublished Habilitation, University of Göttingen, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dupont LM, Agwu COC (1992) Latitudinal shifts of forest and savanna in NW Africa during the Brunches chron: further marine palynological results from site M 16415 (9° N 19°W). Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 1:163–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elenga H (1992) Végétation et climat du Zaire depuis 24000 B.P. Analyse palynologique de séquences sédimentaires du Pays Bateke et du littoral. Th. Univ. Aix-Marsaille

    Google Scholar 

  • Elenga H, Vincens A, Schwartz D (1991) Presence d’elements forestiers montagnards sur le Plateau Bateke (Zaire) au Pleistocène supérieur: Nouvelles donées palynologiques. Palaeoecology of Africa 22:239–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Elenga H, Schwartz D, Vincens A (1994) Pollen evidence of late Quaternary vegetation and inferred climate changes in Zaire. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclim., Palaeoecol. 109:345–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer E, Hinkel H (1992) La Nature du Rwanda. Materialien zur Partnerschaft Rheinland- Pfalz/Ruanda. Mainz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flohn H (1985) Das Problem der Klimaänderungen in Vergangenheit und Zukunft. Darmstadt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fredoux A (1994) Pollen analysis of a deep-sea core in the Gulf of Guinea: vegetation and climatic changes during the last 225000 years BP. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclim., Palaeoecol 109:317–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredoux A,Tastet J-P (1988) Stratigraphie pollinique et paléoclimatologie de la marge septentrionale du Golfe de Guinée depuis 200000 ans. Inst. fr. Pondichéry, trav. sec., sci., techn. 25:175–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasse F, Street FA (1978) Late Quaternary lake-level fluctuations and environments of the Northern Rift Valley and Afar Region (Ethiopia and Djibouti). Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclim., Palaeoecol 24:279–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gasse F, Rognon P, Street FA (1980) Quaternary history of the Afar and Ethiopian Rift Lakes. In: Williams MAJ, Faure H (eds) The Sahara and the Nile: Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 361–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths JF (1972) Climates of Africa. World Survey of Climatology 10:133–165. Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton AC (1982) Environmental history of East Africa - A study of the Quaternary. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton AC (1987) Vegetation and climate of Mt. Elgon during the late Pleistocene andHolocene. Palaeoecology of Africa 18:283–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooghiemstra H (1988) Changes in major wind belts and vegetation zones in NW Africa 20000 yr BP, as deduced from a marine pollen record near Cap Blanc. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 55:101–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooghiemstra H, Agwu COC, Beug H-J (1986) Pollen and spore distribution in recent marine sediments: A record of NW-African seasonal wind patterns and vegetation belts. Meteor, Forsch.-Ergebnisse C 40:87–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooghiemstra H, Bechler A, Beug H-J (1987) Isopollen maps for 18000 yr. BP of the Atlantic offshore of northwest Africa: evidence for paleo-wind circulation. Paleoceanography 2:561–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurni H (1982) Klima und Dynamik der Höhenstufung von der letzten Kaltzeit bis zur Gegenwart. Geographica Bernensia G13. Bern

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutson WH (1980) The Agulhas Current during the Late Pleistocene: analysis of modem faunal analogs. Science 207 4 January 1980:64–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahns S (1996) Vegetation history and climate changes in West Equatorial Africa during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene, based on a marine pollen diagram from the Zaire fan. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 5:207–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahns S, Hüls M, Sarnthein M (1998) Vegetation and climate history of west equatorial Africa based on a marine pollen record off Liberia (site GIK 16776) covering the last 400000 years. Review of paleobotany and palynology 102:277–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Kadomura H (1989) Savannization in tropical Africa. In: Kadomura H (ed) Savannization processes in tropical Africa. Occasional Papers 17:3–15. Tokyo Metropolitan University

    Google Scholar 

  • Keay RWJ 1959. Vegetation map of Africa. AETFAT/UNESCO, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall RL (1969) An ecological history of the Lake Victoria Basin. Ecological Monographs 39/2:121–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knapp R (1973) The vegetation of Africa, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauer W (1989) Climate and weather. In: Lieth NR, Werger MJA (eds) Tropical Rain Forests Ecosystems. Amsterdam, Oxford, New York, Tokyo:7–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Lautenschlager M (1991) Simulation of the ice age atmosphere - January and July means.Geologische Rundschau 80/3:513–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lezine A-M (1991) West African paleoclimates during the last climatic cycle inferred from anAtlantic deep-sea pollen record. Quaternary Research35:456–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lezine A-M, Vergnaud-Grazzini C (1993) Evidence of forest extension in West-Africa since 22000 BP. A pollen record from eastern tropical Atlantic. Quaternary Science Reviews 12(3):203–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lezine A-M, Le Thomas A (1995) Histoire du massif forestier Ivorien au cours de la dernière déglaciation. 2nd Symposium on African Palynology, 1995, Publ. Occas. CIFEG 1995/31:73–85 Tervuren (Belgium).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lioubimtseva E, Faure H, Faure-Denard L, Page N, Wickens GE (1996) Sudan biomass changes since 18000 BP: A test-area for tropical Africa. Palaeoecology of Africa 24:71–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone DA (1967) Postglacial vegetation of the Ruwenzori Mountains in Equatorial Afrika. Ecol. Monogr. 37:25–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone DA (1971) A 22000-year pollen record from the plateau of Zambia. Limnol. Oceanogr. 16:349–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lutze GF et al. (1988) Bericht über die METEOR-Fahrt 6–5 Dakar Libreville 15.1–16.2. 1988. Berichte Geol. Paläont. Inst. 22. Univ. Kiel

    Google Scholar 

  • Maitima JM (1991) Vegetation response to climatic change in Central Rift Valley, Kenya. Quaternary Research 35:234–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maley J (1987) Fragmentation de la forêt dense humide africaine et extension des biotopes montagnards au Quaternaire recent: nouvelles données polliniques et chronologiques - Implications paléoclimatiques et biogéographiques. Paleoecology of Africa 18:307–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Maley J, Livingstone DA (1983) Extension d’un élément montagnard dans le sud du Ghana au Pleistocène supérieur et à l’Holocène inférieur. Premières données polliniques. C. R. Acad. Sci. 296 11:1287–1292.Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Menaut J-C (1983) The vegetation of African savannas. In: Bourlière F (ed) Tropical Savannas. Ecosystems of the World 13. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 109–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Messerli B, Winiger M, Rognon P (1980) The Saharan and East African uplands during the Quaternary. In: Williams MAJ, Faure H (eds): The Sahara and the Nile: 87–132. Balkema, Rotterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison MES (1968) Vegetation and climate in the uplands of south-western Uganda during the Pleistocene Period, 1. Muchoya Swamp, Kigezi District. J. Ecol. 56:363–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumann K,(1988) Die Bedeutung von Holzkohleuntersuchungen für die Vegetationsgeschichte der Sahara - das Beispiel Fachi/Niger. Würzburger Geographische Arbeiten 69:71–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson SE, Nyenzi BS (1990) Temporal and spatial variability of SSTs in the tropical Atlantic and Indie Oceans. Meteoroly and Atmospheric Physics 42:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petit-Maire N et al. (1987) La dépression de Taoudenni (Sahara malien) à l’Holocène. Géodynamique 2/2:154–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Preuss J (1990) Premières séries d’artefacts lithiques originaires du bassin intérieur du Zaire. In:Lanfranchi R,Schwartz D (eds) Paysages Quaternaires de l’Afrique Centrale Atlantique, Edition ORSTOM Paris, pp 431–438

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson JL, Richardson AE (1972) History of an African Rift lake and its climatic implications. Ecol. Monogr. 42:499–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roche E, Bikwemu G (1989) Paleoenvironmental change on the Zaire-Nile ridge in Burundi; the last 20000 years: An interpretation of palynological data from the Kashiru Core, Ijenda, Burundi. In: Mahaney WC (ed) Quaternary and environmental research on East African Mountains, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 231–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossignol-Strick M, Duzer D (1979) West African vegetation and climate since 22.500 BP from deep sea cores palynology. Pollen Spores 21/1–2:105–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Runge J (1996) Palaeoenvironmental interpretations of geomorphological and pedological studies in the rain forest “core areas” of eastern Congo (Central Africa). South African Journal 78 2:91–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Runge J (1998) Rezente und holozäne Vegetations- und Klimadynamik an der Regenwald/Savannengrenze in Nord-Kongo (Zaire) und der Zentralafrikanischen Republik (4°-5°20’ N, 23°-25°E). Zbl. Geol. Paläont. Teil I 1/2:91–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runge J, Runge F (1995) Late Quaternary paleoenvironmental conditions in eastern Zaire (Kivu) deduced from remote sensing, morpho-pedological and sedimentological studies (phytoliths, pollen, C-14 data). 2nd Symposium on African Palynology, Publ. Occas. CIFEG 1995/31: 109–122. Tervuren (Belgium)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider R (1991) Spätquartäre Produktivitätsänderungen im östlichen Angola-Becken: Reaktion auf Variationen im Passat-Windsystem und in der Advektion des Benguela- Küstenstroms. Berichte, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften; Universität Bremen, 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz D, Dechamps R, Elenga H, Lanfranchi R, Mariotti A, Vincens A (1995) Les savanes du Congo: une végétation spécifique de l’Holocene Supérieur. 2nd Symposium on African Palynology, Publ. Occas. CIFEG 1995/31:99–108 Tervuren (Belgium)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz E (1987) Die holozäne Vegetation der zentralen Sahara (N-Mali, N-Niger, SW-Libyen). Palaeoecology of Africa 18:143–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz E, Joseph A, Baumhauer R, Schultze E, Sponholz B (1990) Upper pleistocene and holocene history of the Bilma region (Kawar, NE-Niger) - Recent data in african earth sciences. Occ. Pubi. CIFEG 1990/22:281–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz E, Pomel S (1992) Die anthropogene Entstehung des Sahel. Würzburger Geographische Arbeiten 84:263–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Servant M, Servant-Vildary S (1980) L’environment quaternaire du bassin du Tchad. In: Williams MAJ, Faure H (eds) The Sahara and the Nile, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 133–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirocko F,(1996) The evolution of the monsoon climate over the Arabian Sea during the last 24000 years. Palaeoecology of Africa 24:53–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirocko F, Sarnthein M, Lange H, Erlenkeuser H (1991) Atmospheric Summer Circulation and Coastal Upwelling in the Arabian Sea during the Holocene and the last glaciation. Quaternary Research 36:72–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sowunmi AM (1981) Nigerian vegetational history from the late quaternary to the present day. Palaeoecology of Africa 13:217–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Sowunmi A (1991) Late Quaternary environments in equatorial Africa: Palynological evidence. Palaeoecology of Africa 22:213–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Ssemmanda I, Vincens A (1991) Histoire forestière des plateaux ouest Ougandais depuis 14000 ans. Xlle Symposium de l’Association des Palynologues de Langue Franç aise,23–27 septembre,Caen

    Google Scholar 

  • Stager CJ (1988) Environmental changes at Lake Cheshi, Zambia since 40000 years B.P. Quaternary Research 29:54–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot MR (1984) Late Pleistocene rainfall and dune building in the Sahel. Palaeoecology of Africa 16:203–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Talbot MR, Livingstone DA, Palmer PG, Maley J, Melade JM, Delibrias G, Gulliksen S (1984) Preliminary results from sediment cores from Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana. Palaeoecology of Africa 16:173–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiercelin J, Renaut RW, Delibrias G, le Fournier J, Bieda S (1981) Late Pleistocene and Holocene lake level fluctuations in the Lake Bogoria basin, northern Kenya Rift Valley. Palaeoecology of Africa 13:105–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Campo E, Duplessy JC, Rossignol-Strick M (1982) Climatic conditions deduced from 150- Kyr oxygen isotope-pollen record from the Arabian Sea. Nature 296:56–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verschuren D (1996) Utilisation de cladocères et chironomides fossiles pour réconstruire l’évelution hydrologique de leur habitat marécageux dans la tourbière de Kashiru (Burundi) depuis 40000 ans BP. Palaeoecology of Africa 24:133–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincens A (1991) Végétation et climat dans le bassin sud-Tanganyika entre 25000 et 9000 BP: Nouvelles données palynologiques. Palaeoecology of Africa 22:253–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent E (1972) Climatic change at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Palaeoecology of Africa 6:45–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb RS, Rind DH, Lehman SJ, Healy RJ, Sigman D (1997) Influence of ocean heat transport on the climate of the Last Glacial Maximum. Nature 385,20 February 1997:689–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wefer G (1988) Bericht über die METEOR-Fahrt M6–6, Libreville-Las Palmas, 18.02.1988–23.03.1988.-Berichte, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften. Universität Bremen 3, Bremen

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickens GE (1982) Paleobotanical speculations and Quaternary environments in the Sudan. In: Williams MAJ, Adamson DAA (eds) A land between two Niles, Balkema, Rotterdam pp 23–50

    Google Scholar 

  • White F (1983) The Vegetation of Africa. UNESCO/AETFAT/UNSO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Winter A, Martin K (1990) Late Quaternary history of the Agulhas Current. Paleoceanography 5, 4:479–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Institute, University of Mannheim, L 9, 1-2, D-68131, Mannheim, Germany

    Dieter Anhuf

Authors
  1. Dieter Anhuf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Institue, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 24, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Peter Smolka

  2. Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Argentino de Nivolgía, Casilla de Correo 330, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina

    Wolfgang Volkheimer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Anhuf, D. (2000). Vegetation History and Climate Changes in Africa North and South of the Equator (10° S to 10° N) During the Last Glacial Maximum . In: Smolka, P., Volkheimer, W. (eds) Southern Hemisphere Paleo- and Neoclimates. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59694-0_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-59694-0_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64089-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-59694-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation