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Analysis of botanical macro-remains

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Sea-Level Research

Abstract

Analysis of botanical macro-remains can contribute in various ways to the study of vertical and horizontal sea-level movements and their ecological consequences. Sources for investigation are mainly peat, wood remnants from river banks, and the well-preserved material from archaeological excavations in coastal areas. Fruits, seeds, and different kinds of vegetative plant remains can be identified mostly to species level.

By the use of certain indicator species, or even more reliably, by the reconstruction of the fossil plant communities, it is possible to determine the degree of salinity and the position relative to local mean high water, both of which are reflected by the vegetation.

The plant sociologic evaluation leads to the reconstruction of the paleo-environment and its changes in the course of trans- and regressive phases. These cycles can be traced close to the coast as well as in the perimarine area of the hinterland. In each case, however, interpretation has to be done very carefully to separate the real changes of sea level from other possible factors such as rate of sedimentation, compaction, influence from the hinterland, and the inflow of fresh water from the rivers.

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Authors
  1. K.-E. Behre
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Free University, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Orson van de Plassche

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© 1986 Orson van de Plassche

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Behre, KE. (1986). Analysis of botanical macro-remains. In: van de Plassche, O. (eds) Sea-Level Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4215-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4215-8_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8370-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4215-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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