Palynological and Vegetational Changes Í ssociated with the Deposition of Saksunarvatn Ash in the Faroe Islands Flogsáðfrøðiligar og gróðrarligar broytingar í sambandi við botnseting av saksunarvatnsøsku í Føroyum
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Abstract
Saksunarvatn ash derives from an Icelandic source (eruption ca. 8930-9060 BP) in part of the Grimsvotn complex. The massive nature of the deposit as found in Faroese sites (up to 45 cm in thickness) might be expected to have had an impact on the vegetation. The thickness of the ash layer, however, is contingent upon site catchment processes of erosion and sediment focusing. Even so, the tephra could still have resulted in changes to vegetation and this is examined by high resolution palynology at sites from different islands (Streymoy and Suðuroy), where tephra thicknesses of 1.0-6.7 cm respectively were found. Comparisons are also made with the pollen data from Saksunarvatn and Hovi (also located on Streymoy and Suðuroy) produced by Jóhannes Jóhansen. Palynological, and by inference vegetational changes consequent upon the fall of ash within the pollen catchment areas of the Faroese sites are mooted, with the strongest apparent effects at Hagamýra (Suðuroy),
where wetter habitats may have become 'choked' with ash, thus diminishing the pollen contributions of associated flora. Similarly, the aquatic taxa are also reduced. Palynologically at least, and arguably vegetationally, this process favours dry land and taller taxa.
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