The evolution of the Holocene wetland landscape of the Humberhead Levels from a fossil insect perspective
Palaeoentomological investigations have been carried out on a series of profiles and contexts in the Humberhead Levels (eastern England), principally from the raised mires of Thome and Hatfield Moors, and from floodplains of the rivers Tome and Idle at Rossington, near Doncaster, and Misterton Carr, Nottinghamshire. Research has attempted to elucidate the effect of peatland development on the composition of the insect fauna, with particular emphasis on Hatfield Moors, as well as investigate the transition from Quercus-Pinus forest to mire and the faunal characteristics of those forests. The study of the fossil insects, together with other palaeoecological evidence, has enabled the genesis and development of these mires to be reconstructed in some detail. However, the palaeoenvironmental record from Thome and Hatfield Moors indicate significant differences in initiation, development and rate of growth between the two sites. The research highlights the valuable palaeoecological record of the peat deposits on Hatfield Moors, which have long been ignored in favour of Thome Moors. In particular, research highlights the importance of Pirns woodland and wet heath, components reflected in the invertebrates today.
Whitehouse, Nicola Jane
The evolution of the Holocene wetland landscape of the Humberhead Levels from a fossil insect perspective. Palaeoentomological investigations have been carried out on a series of profiles and contexts in the Humberhead Levels (eastern England), principally from the raised mires of Thome and Hatfield Moors, and from floodplains of the rivers Tome and Idle at Rossington, near Doncaster, and Misterton Carr, Nottinghamshire. Research has attempted to elucidate the effect of peatland development on the composition of the insect fauna, with particular emphasis on Hatfield Moors, as well as investigate the transition from Quercus-Pinus forest to mire and the faunal characteristics of those forests. The study of the fossil insects, together with other palaeoecological evidence, has enabled the genesis and development of these mires to be reconstructed in some detail. However, the palaeoenvironmental record from Thome and Hatfield Moors indicate significant differences in initiation, development and rate of growth between the two sites. The research highlights the valuable palaeoecological record of the peat deposits on Hatfield Moors, which have long been ignored in favour of Thome Moors. In particular, research highlights the importance of Pirns woodland and wet heath, components reflected in the invertebrates today.
evolution holocene wetland landscape levels fossil insect perspective investigation_carry series profile contexts levels eastern_england principally raise river near nottinghamshire attempted elucidate effect development composition insect fauna particular_emphasis well investigate transition forest faunal characteristic forest study fossil insect together palaeoecological evidence enable genesis development reconstruct detail however palaeoenvironmental record indicate significant_difference initiation development rate growth two_site highlight valuable palaeoecological record peat deposit long ignore favour particular highlight_importance woodland wet component reflect today