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Environmental changes Associated With native American Land use practices:A Geoarcheological Investigation of an Appalachian Watershed

Mihindukulasooriya, Lorita N.

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
Stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) in stalagmites can be records of climate and land use changes. A δ13C anomaly is observed in West Virginia stalagmite and cave stream deposits starting around 150 B.C., contemporary with the presence of Native Americans in the area. The δ13C values are not consistent with other regional climate records, such as pollen histories, and coincide with high charcoal abundances in the stream sediments. Charcoal and nut tree pollen abundances are correlated, which is consistent with published studies claiming that Native Americans used fire to promote the growth of nut tree species. Collectively, the available information supports the hypothesis that the local North American forest was significantly disturbed prior to the arrival of Europeans and that Native Americans played a major role in shaping the local pre-Columbian ecosystem.
Gregory Springer, PhD (Advisor)
Elizabeth Gierlowski-Kordesh, PhD (Committee Member)
Dina Lopez, PhD (Committee Member)
127 p.

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Citations

  • Mihindukulasooriya, L. N. (2009). Environmental changes Associated With native American Land use practices:A Geoarcheological Investigation of an Appalachian Watershed [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1258061703

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mihindukulasooriya, Lorita. Environmental changes Associated With native American Land use practices:A Geoarcheological Investigation of an Appalachian Watershed. 2009. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1258061703.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mihindukulasooriya, Lorita. "Environmental changes Associated With native American Land use practices:A Geoarcheological Investigation of an Appalachian Watershed." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1258061703

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)