Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Scale considerations in using diatoms as indicators of sea-level change: lessons from Alaska

Watcham, E.P.; Shennan, I.; Barlow, N.L.M.

Authors

E.P. Watcham

N.L.M. Barlow



Abstract

This paper assesses variations in quantitative reconstructions of late Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) change arising from using modern diatom datasets from different spatial scales, applied to case studies from Alaska. We investigate the implications of model choice in transfer functions using local-, sub-regional- and regional-scale modern training sets, and produce recommendations on the creation and selection of modern datasets for reconstructing RSL change over Holocene timescales in tidal marsh environments comparable with those in Alaska. We show that regional modern training sets perform best in terms of providing fossil samples with good modern analogues, and in producing reconstructions that most closely match observations, where these are available. Local training sets are frequently insufficient to provide fossil samples with good modern analogues and may over-estimate the precision of RSL reconstructions. This is particularly apparent when reconstructing RSL change for periods beyond the last century. For reconstructing RSL change we recommend using regional modern training sets enhanced by local samples.

Citation

Watcham, E., Shennan, I., & Barlow, N. (2013). Scale considerations in using diatoms as indicators of sea-level change: lessons from Alaska. Journal of Quaternary Science, 28(2), 165-179. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.2592

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2013
Deposit Date Oct 30, 2012
Journal Journal of Quaternary Science
Print ISSN 0267-8179
Electronic ISSN 1099-1417
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 28
Issue 2
Pages 165-179
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.2592
Keywords Alaska, Diatoms, Modern training sets, Sea-level change, Transfer functions.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1494448