Articles | Volume 68, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-189-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-189-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Sep 2019
Research article |
| 04 Sep 2019
| 04 Sep 2019
Chemotaxonomic patterns of vegetation and soils along altitudinal transects of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, and implications for paleovegetation reconstructions – Part II: lignin-derived phenols and leaf-wax-derived n-alkanes
Bruk Lemma
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Agronomy and Nutritional Sciences, Soil
Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,
Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120, Halle, Germany
Forest and Rangeland Biodiversity Directorate, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute,
P.O. Box 30726, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Betelhem Mekonnen
Institute of Agronomy and Nutritional Sciences, Soil
Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,
Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120, Halle, Germany
Department of Urban Agriculture, Misrak Polytechnic College, P.O. Box
785, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bruno Glaser
Institute of Agronomy and Nutritional Sciences, Soil
Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,
Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120, Halle, Germany
Wolfgang Zech
Institute of Soil Science and Soil Geography, University of
Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
Sileshi Nemomissa
Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa
University, P.O. Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tamrat Bekele
Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa
University, P.O. Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Lucas Bittner
Institute of Agronomy and Nutritional Sciences, Soil
Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,
Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120, Halle, Germany
Michael Zech
Institute of Agronomy and Nutritional Sciences, Soil
Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,
Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120, Halle, Germany
Institute of Geography, Technical University of Dresden,
Helmholtzstrasse 10, 01062, Dresden, Germany
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The polygenetic Yedoma origin is proved.
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Betelhem Mekonnen, Wolfgang Zech, Bruno Glaser, Bruk Lemma, Tobias Bromm, Sileshi Nemomissa, Tamrat Bekele, and Michael Zech
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The study evaluates the ability of stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and sugar biomarkers to distinguish Erica from the dominant vegetation of the Bale Mountains in order to reconstruct the past extent of Erica on the Sanetti Plateau. No significant differences in stable isotopes are found between the dominant plant species. Although Erica is characterized by quite high (G+M)/(A+X) ratios, it cannot be unambiguously distinguished from other plants due to degradation and soil microbial effects.
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Clemens von Scheffer, Annika Lange, François De Vleeschouwer, Joachim Schrautzer, and Ingmar Unkel
E&G Quaternary Sci. J., 68, 13–28, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-13-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-13-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
By using geochemical and pollen data, this study wanted to close knowledge gaps on the interconnection of climate, environment and human impact in the Kleinwalser Valley (Kleinwalsertal, northern central Alps) over the past 6200 years. For a long time, the Walser people were believed to be the first settlers, who cultivated the valley. However, humans have recurrently used and modified the landscape for at least 5500 years by burning or cutting down forests and practicing pasture management.
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Short summary
Chemotaxonomic identification of keystone plant species in the Bale Mountains are possible using lignin phenols. However, Erica could not be differentiated chemotaxonomically from all other investigated plants using n-alkanes. Unambiguous characteristic patterns of lignin phenols reflected in the plant samples were not sustained in the organic layers and mineral topsoils. This is due to degradation and organic matter inputs by roots. Therefore, the past extent of Erica is still speculative.
Chemotaxonomic identification of keystone plant species in the Bale Mountains are possible using...
