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PALUDIFICATION AND CLIMATE ON THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS DURING THE PAST 8000 YEARS

This study attempts to define the timing and causes of Holocene (last 10,000 years) peat bog growth and spread on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Published literature suggests the hypothesis that climatic change between approximately 6000 and 2000 l4c years before present (~BP) was a likely cause of peat initiation and growth. From six sites investigated, three peat deposits were selected for detailed analysis, representing a range of latitudes and elevations. Cores or exposures were sampled to describe stratigraphy and changes in plant fossil composition. Quantitative pollen analysis was conducted on all three profiles resulted in pollen percentage and concentr.ation diagrams. Plant macrofossils were also analyzed at the "Drizzle Pit Bog" to help interpret local vegetation succession. Twelve new radiocarbon dates provide the chronokogical framework for interpreting peat bog initiation and subsequent changes. Drizzle Pit and Kunghit Island bogs were first formed at 43202100 yBP and 5150+70 yBP respectively. Argonaut Hill bog began forming at 79702100 yBP, but significant peat deposition did not occur until about 5000 years ago. At Drizzle Pit, macrofossils and a stump indicate wetland expansion occured into forest (paludification), killing the preexisting trees. At all three sites, a second period of rapid Sphagnum peat deposition occurred circa 2500 yBP, probably in response to climatic change. A change in the flora at this time is consistent with successional changes due to acidic peat depostion. Climate is seen a s t he u l t i m a t e c o n t r o l l i n g f a c t o r f o r t h e s e changes.