The palaeoecological value of Diporotheca rhizophila ascospores (Diporothecaceae, Ascomycota) found in Holocene sediments from Lake Nussbaumersee, Switzerland
Résumé
Lake Nussbaumersee, a medium-sized lake SWof Lake Constance (Switzerland) and well known for its Neolithic and Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlements, provides invaluable insights into the possible interpretation of Diporotheca rhizophila ascospores (Diporothecaceae, Ascomycota) in palaeoecological studies. Calcareous gyttja sediments from a 7500 yrs old stratigraphy were analysed palynologically, resulting in statistical correlations of Diporotheca spores with pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs). Positive correlation existed with arboreal taxa such as Corylus avellana and Acer, herb taxasuchas Allium, and aquatic taxa such as Anabaena (Cyanobacteria) and Filinia eggs (Rotifera). Negative statistical correlation was shown between Diporotheca and the arboreal taxa Quercus and Betula, Poaceae and Cyperaceae, and the fern Pteridium aquilinum. These results suggest that ecological indicator values for the root parasite D. rhizophila may not only be closely related to the autecology of its common host Solanum, but that D. rhizophila may generally be an indicator of major soil disturbance and extensive soil erosion due to the impact of agricultural activities by prehistorical people, as well as due to livestock trampling of wetlands and lake shore ecosystems.
Origine : Accord explicite pour ce dépôt
Loading...