High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years
A high-resolution multiproxy sedimentary record comprising pollen, charcoal, trace element, stratigraphy and particle size data is used to reveal environmental changes from the mangrove ecosystem at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania, over the last 5000 years. Historical human–environment interactions...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Quaternary |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-550X/6/1/21 |
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| author | Apichaya Englong Paramita Punwong Rob Marchant Tosak Seelanan Stephanie Wynne-Jones Prae Chirawatkul |
| author_facet | Apichaya Englong Paramita Punwong Rob Marchant Tosak Seelanan Stephanie Wynne-Jones Prae Chirawatkul |
| author_sort | Apichaya Englong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A high-resolution multiproxy sedimentary record comprising pollen, charcoal, trace element, stratigraphy and particle size data is used to reveal environmental changes from the mangrove ecosystem at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania, over the last 5000 years. Historical human–environment interactions over the last millennia are explored by a comparison of the stratigraphic and archaeological data. The area was characterised by a mixture of mangrove forest and beaches, indicating a low level of tidal inundation to at least 3300 BCE. From 2750 BCE, mangrove forest expanded as the area experienced sea-level rise. Further sea-level rise is recorded between 600 and 1100 CE, indicated by the pollen record, particle size analysis and the presence of shell fragments. After 1100 CE, mangrove forest decreased with back mangrove species increasing, indicating a falling sea level. <i>Cocos nucifera</i> decreased after 1900 CE, which reflects a recent sea-level rise and possibly a phase of exploitation. Cereal pollen shows a high presence at around 1500 CE, which coincided with the arrival of the Portuguese on Zanzibar and the transition to Omani colonisation. The sedimentation rate in the core top indicates that mangroves in Unguja Ukuu cannot keep pace with the current rate of sea-level rise. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:58:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4e711e5f1fe248ab9dd27465e6369440 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-550X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:58:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quaternary |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e711e5f1fe248ab9dd27465e63694402023-11-17T13:35:06ZengMDPI AGQuaternary2571-550X2023-03-01612110.3390/quat6010021High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 YearsApichaya Englong0Paramita Punwong1Rob Marchant2Tosak Seelanan3Stephanie Wynne-Jones4Prae Chirawatkul5Biological Sciences Program, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, ThailandFaculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, ThailandYork Institute of Tropical Ecosystems, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5NG, UKPlants of Thailand Research Unit, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, ThailandDepartment of Archaeology, University of York, King’s Manor, York YO1 7EP, UKSynchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), 111 University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandA high-resolution multiproxy sedimentary record comprising pollen, charcoal, trace element, stratigraphy and particle size data is used to reveal environmental changes from the mangrove ecosystem at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania, over the last 5000 years. Historical human–environment interactions over the last millennia are explored by a comparison of the stratigraphic and archaeological data. The area was characterised by a mixture of mangrove forest and beaches, indicating a low level of tidal inundation to at least 3300 BCE. From 2750 BCE, mangrove forest expanded as the area experienced sea-level rise. Further sea-level rise is recorded between 600 and 1100 CE, indicated by the pollen record, particle size analysis and the presence of shell fragments. After 1100 CE, mangrove forest decreased with back mangrove species increasing, indicating a falling sea level. <i>Cocos nucifera</i> decreased after 1900 CE, which reflects a recent sea-level rise and possibly a phase of exploitation. Cereal pollen shows a high presence at around 1500 CE, which coincided with the arrival of the Portuguese on Zanzibar and the transition to Omani colonisation. The sedimentation rate in the core top indicates that mangroves in Unguja Ukuu cannot keep pace with the current rate of sea-level rise.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-550X/6/1/21sea-level changepollen analysispalaeoecologyarchaeobotany |
| spellingShingle | Apichaya Englong Paramita Punwong Rob Marchant Tosak Seelanan Stephanie Wynne-Jones Prae Chirawatkul High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years Quaternary sea-level change pollen analysis palaeoecology archaeobotany |
| title | High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years |
| title_full | High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years |
| title_fullStr | High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years |
| title_full_unstemmed | High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years |
| title_short | High-Resolution Multiproxy Record of Environmental Changes and Anthropogenic Activities at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania during the Last 5000 Years |
| title_sort | high resolution multiproxy record of environmental changes and anthropogenic activities at unguja ukuu zanzibar tanzania during the last 5000 years |
| topic | sea-level change pollen analysis palaeoecology archaeobotany |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-550X/6/1/21 |
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