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Environmental Change in Iceland: Past and Present pp 127–146Cite as

Faunal Change or Taphonomic Problem ? A Comparison of Modern and Fossil Insect Faunas from South East Iceland

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Part of the book series: Glaciology and Quaternary Geology ((GQGE,volume 7))

Abstract

Study of the insect fauna of Iceland includes casual records as far back as the late seventeeth century. More recently, the study of fossil assemblages has extended the evidence back over much of the Holocene and it is now possible to assess changes in both distribution and species content over a more extended timescale. Human impact is seen as the major factor forcing change, ranging from the destruction of the forests and soils to improvements in the nature of exploitation of farmlands. Although there is more evidence for introductions than for extinctions, most of the former consist of species which are only able to maintain themselves in the artificially cushioned environments created by Man.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Archaeology and Prehistory, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK

    Paul Buckland & Jon Sadler

  2. Department of Geography, University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9XP, UK

    Andrew Dugmore

Authors
  1. Paul Buckland
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  2. Andrew Dugmore
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  3. Jon Sadler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

    Judith K. Maizels

  2. Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Chris Caseldine

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Buckland, P., Dugmore, A., Sadler, J. (1991). Faunal Change or Taphonomic Problem ? A Comparison of Modern and Fossil Insect Faunas from South East Iceland. In: Maizels, J.K., Caseldine, C. (eds) Environmental Change in Iceland: Past and Present. Glaciology and Quaternary Geology, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3150-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3150-6_9

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