Forest contraction in north equatorial Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Period

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Wurster, C. M., Bird, M. I., Bull, I. D., Creed, F., Bryant, C., Dungait, J. A. J. and Paz, V. 2010. Forest contraction in north equatorial Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Period. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 107 (35), pp. 15508-15511. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1005507107

AuthorsWurster, C. M., Bird, M. I., Bull, I. D., Creed, F., Bryant, C., Dungait, J. A. J. and Paz, V.
Abstract

Today, insular Southeast Asia is important for both its remarkably rich biodiversity and globally significant roles in atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Despite the fundamental importance of environmental history for diversity and conservation, there is little primary evidence concerning the nature of vegetation in north equatorial Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Period (LGP). As a result, even the general distribution of vegetation during the Last Glacial Maximum is debated. Here we show, using the stable carbon isotope composition of ancient cave guano profiles, that there was a substantial forest contraction during the LGP on both peninsular Malaysia and Palawan, while rainforest was maintained in northern Borneo. These results directly support rainforest “refugia” hypotheses and provide evidence that environmental barriers likely reduced genetic mixing between Borneo and Sumatra flora and fauna. Moreover, it sheds light on possible early human dispersal events.

Year of Publication2010
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Journal citation107 (35), pp. 15508-15511
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1005507107
PubMed ID20660748
Open accessPublished as bronze (free) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Natural Environment Research Council
Funder project or codeNorth Wyke Research (NWR)
Soil and organic matter processes
Publisher's version
Copyright license
Publisher copyright
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online26 Jul 2010
Publication process dates
Accepted09 Jul 2010
PublisherNational Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
ISSN0027-8424

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