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A foraminiferal-based transfer function: implications for sea-level studies.

Horton, B.; Edwards, R.J.; Lloyd, J.M.

Authors

B. Horton

R.J. Edwards



Abstract

A dataset consisting of 165 contemporary foraminiferal samples and associated tide level information was compiled by combining data from ten intertidal study areas situated on the east, south and west coasts of the UK. The relationship between the foraminiferal data and a series of environmental variables (elevation, pH, salinity, substrate and vegetation cover) are examined using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and partial CCA. To facilitate comparisons between study areas with different tidal ranges, the elevational data are expressed as a standardised water level index (SWLI). The foraminiferal distributions show a strong and highly statistically significant relationship with SWLI. A predictive transfer function has been developed for SWLIs using weighted averaging calibration with inverse and classical deshrinking regression (inverse r2jack = 0.74; classical r2jack = 0.75). Statistical measures assessing the performance of this model suggest that reliable reconstructions of former sea levels are possible. The transfer function has important implications for establishing continuous records of relative sea-level change or sedimentation.

Citation

Horton, B., Edwards, R., & Lloyd, J. (1999). A foraminiferal-based transfer function: implications for sea-level studies. Journal of foraminiferal research, 29(2), 117-129. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.29.2.117

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 1999-04
Journal Journal of foraminiferal research.
Print ISSN 0096-1191
Electronic ISSN 1943-264X
Publisher Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 29
Issue 2
Pages 117-129
DOI https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.29.2.117
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1602313